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Difference between revisions of "Used Motorcycle Evaluation"
→DIRT BIKES
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* As noted in the [[#FIRST THINGS FIRST]] section, labor rates are typically around $50/hour, though factory-trained mechanics for European marques ([[BMW]], [[Ducati]], [[Triumph]], etc.) might charge a little more. | * As noted in the [[#FIRST THINGS FIRST]] section, labor rates are typically around $50/hour, though factory-trained mechanics for European marques ([[BMW]], [[Ducati]], [[Triumph]], etc.) might charge a little more. | ||
== | ==Dirt Bikes== | ||
* Look for cracks and dents on the frame, near the engine mounts. These can get cracked on bikes that have experienced a lot of hard landings. | * Look for cracks and dents on the frame, near the engine mounts. These can get cracked on bikes that have experienced a lot of hard landings. | ||
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* Ask the seller where the bike was ridden -- sandy/dusty areas may cause more wear on chains/sprockets/bearings and will require more frequent air-filter cleanings than an equivalent amount of time spent riding trails. | * Ask the seller where the bike was ridden -- sandy/dusty areas may cause more wear on chains/sprockets/bearings and will require more frequent air-filter cleanings than an equivalent amount of time spent riding trails. | ||
* It's usually easy to remove the flywheel cover on two-stroke dirt bikes (typically on the left side on recent models) -- the rubber gasket won't be damaged by removing the cover. Pull the cover off and, grabbing the flywheel, try to move it off its axis. If you can feel movement, either the flywheel is loose, or the crankshaft bearings are badly worn. In other words, you may just need to tighten the flywheel mounting bolt(s), or you may need to have the cases split and have the lower end bearings replaced. ($40-$70 of parts a couple of hours of labor.) | * It's usually easy to remove the flywheel cover on two-stroke dirt bikes (typically on the left side on recent models) -- the rubber gasket won't be damaged by removing the cover. Pull the cover off and, grabbing the flywheel, try to move it off its axis. If you can feel movement, either the flywheel is loose, or the crankshaft bearings are badly worn. In other words, you may just need to tighten the flywheel mounting bolt(s), or you may need to have the cases split and have the lower end bearings replaced. ($40-$70 of parts a couple of hours of labor.) | ||
* If you take this flywheel cover off and see oil dribbling out, the crank seal has failed and the engine will need to be disassembled to fix it. ($30 or so of parts and a couple of hours of labor.) | * If you take this flywheel cover off and see oil dribbling out, the crank seal has failed and the engine will need to be disassembled to fix it. ($30 or so of parts and a couple of hours of labor.) | ||
==QUIZZING THE SELLER== | ==QUIZZING THE SELLER== | ||