riding out loud It's about motorcycles

Riding out louds tips for Assessing a Used Motorcycle #2

Last time we talked about the walk around, this is just a general over view of the condition of the motorcycle. Now we are going to begin to look closer.
I always start a mental checklist of what will need to be done and what it will cost. I also note if the repairs are things that I can do or will I need to pay a mechanic.
Some of the things you find will tip you off to other repairs that will be needed I.E. rust in the tank means the tank will need to be cleaned and the carburetors will need to be cleaned or rebuilt.

It's easy to put more money into an old bike than it's worth. This is fine if it's a classic and you just want it back on the road but I have ran into many sellers who try to justify a way too high price with "all the money they paid a mechanic to get the motorcycle running again."

Ok With that said let's get to the list.

1     Do the lights work (all of them including brake light and turn signals)?

2     Horn working?

3     do all of the switches work are they the correct switch?

4     Does the throttle work, are the levers straight or broken?

5     cables work smoothly?

next time we'll get into inspecting running gear.

Jim