What to check with a dropped bike

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nitewowl · #1 Unread post by **nitewowl** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:37 pm

I've uncovered a guy with an 03 Suzuki 800 asking about 1/3 KBB. Ok, too good to be true. He clearly states it runs great, needs a front tire, and was dropped on left side. The pictures indicate only cosmetic looking issue. I'm going out there if he's had a mechanic inspect it since the drop. Figure the key is mostly the condition of the front forks, etc. Any thoughts??

While you're reading I thought of one other item though it is on a Yamaha VStar 650. Do all Cobra pipes blue out really fast? Saw an 05, with only 200 miles on it and the pipe at one header was blued. Saw an 03 with 6k on it and both header pipes and the two tails were really burned. Is it all 650's or just the brand of pipe?

Thanks all.

#2 Unread post by **Wrider** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:59 pm

It's the fact that they didn't rejet the carbs properly when they put on the free-er flowing pipes. As for the Suzuki, do you mean the Volusia, Marauder, or Intruder? For any of them I'd check the forks obviously, as well as make sure the frame is straight, then check the shifter/brake pedals and the handlebars/levers to make sure they're not bent. Other than that the final drive and the connecting rod to the rear brake would be my other concerns.

nitewowl · #3 Unread post by **nitewowl** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:07 pm

Thanks. Since I'm new I have to ask what size/type job is rejetting? Is it same as for auto - just unscrew old jet and put new one in? Or should I just go to a mechanic? How big of a deal do you think this is if you were to resell the bike in a year or two? It is detering me so I'm thinking its an issue since new pipes run 750 or more just for the pipes! I'm thinking of just offering at least $1k less than asking to cover the issue, ride till I decide if its a long term bike, then worry about it. Except of course for the ribbing every time my biker buddies at work see the thing!

Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:26 am

If the bike fell on its left side then you need to check internally to make sure the shifter fork is not bent. If it bent you will have problems shifting and it can alo pop out of first into neutral.....

You need to take it for a ride to make sure it has no shifting issues.

OreoGaborio · Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:37 am

I always check to make sure that it was picked back up. Nothing harder like trying to ride a bike while it's still lying on the ground.

NNYrider · #6 Unread post by **NNYrider** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 3:39 pm

We get a LOT of dropped bikes in the MSF course. Basically one a week, frequently more. I cannot speak with much authority about big bikes at high speeds (frequently totalled) but we do have more than our share of dings, dents, scuffs, and otherwise ugly bikes.

We go through a LOT of levers. Other minor items that take a lot of hits are things like directional lights and mirrors. There seems to be two BIG indicators for us: Handle bars and tanks.

Look really closely at the handlebars from several positions. If they are not even and symmetrical, the bike had gone down HARD. Minor tip overs don't tweak bars. Little scuff and minor dings on tanks (sivler dollar sized or smaller) are insignifcant. Generally speaking a BIG dent indicates a BIG fender bender.

We buy a lot of used bikes for the class. When it comes to assessing drop damage we look the bike over, look for obvious damage. Then we go to the handlebar/tank test. If that looks good we have no problems buying that bike (then again, we are NOT concerned with cosmetic damage. Somebody is gonna drop it next week).

slimcolo · #7 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:56 pm

I like OREO's answer. Made me laugh so hard I cried.