Subject: Re: Loopframe purchase blues. Long.
Author: Bill Arbour
Date: Jul 31, 2000, 1:24 PM
Post ID: 1701662064
Well Rich,
At least you were able to back out of the deal! I have bought bikes sight
unseen and the technique that has worked for me is to try and use the list
to locate a fellow Guzzi rider nearby that will inspect the bike for you or
some very pointed questions to determine if the seller really knows what
he/she is talking about.
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: Rich Zink <rzi-@co.alameda.ca.us>
To: Looped Group <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Date: Monday, July 31, 2000 12:41 PM
Subject: Loopframe purchase blues. Long.
| My apologies as I have been talking like I actually had this bike in my possession, but it was my excitation getting the better of me. It was a done deal to me. So this weekend I went to pickup my newly purchased '70 Ambo, a 225 mile each way journey. A little background, I put in the |
| bid on what looked and sounded like a very nice clean original Ambassador |
| E-Bay. I had talked to the owner on the phone and asked every question of him that I could. He had also sent me some more good photos to go by. I |
| had a non-motorcycling mechanic friend of mine, who was going up to the area, go by and take a compression test and look at the bike for a report and second opinion. Everything seemed right, compression checked out and |
| report was that he thought it looked ok. Auction closed and I was the only bidder. So I made arrangements with the owner, booked a room in the local motel for Saturday night. My wife, daughter and myself drove up Saturday morning and checked into the motel. I called and arranged to go pick up the bike. I got there and we exchanged greetings, bike stories and such. We |
| down and pulled the bike out and I gave it the once over. So ok, I was prepared for fact that I was hoping it looked better than it actually would be. But it did have a nice old patina, stripes worn off here and there but it would clean up ok. Chrome that was described as very good, was actually just good (some very good, some so-so). It started right up, fell into a nice idle and I noticed no smoke or anything. Valves chattered a little loudly prompting my question about last time adjusted. Owner had it 12 |
| and claimed he did all of the work on it, but couldn't remember when the last time was, they were just noisy he insisted. Ok whatever, So some more small talk and I pay him and start to head out. I noticed a lot of play in the clutch and questioned it. Works great owner responded. I put it in gear and the clutch was dragging with the lever pulled in all the way. I turned it off and adjusted the play. Adjusted the front brake while I was at it, |
| the lever went all the way to the throttle. Oh well little things to work |
| at home. So I took off again and went about a block before It felt like the tires were a little low on air. So I turned around and headed back to see |
| he had a gauge and compressor. He had a bike pump and the gauges read 18 lbs. front and rear (what's up with that? I thought). I filled the tires |
| scratching my head wondering what this guy actually did as far as maintenance goes. He had told me he changed the engine, trans and rear end fluids the day before. A spare transmission (from a wrecked bike) was going to come with the deal. When I looked written on it was '74 Ambassador 4-speed Shifter problem'. Now all of a sudden the bike won't start. Starts on compression but not on the button. Loose wire somewhere we both figure and start to diagnose. He finds a loose wire on the starter and pronounces that this must be it. So this person who claims to do his own maintenance can't find a screwdriver. This doesn't feel good I start thinking. He borrows one from a neighbor. While he is out I start to really look around at the bike. The 'recent' Metzler on the rear looked about 5 years old and was showing the wear indicator. He claimed there were no dents or dings in the bodywork. The left side cover had a small ding in it and the rear |
| appeared to have been pushed in at one time, and was flaring out a little |
| the sides and a small crack was appearing. Why if he changed the engine oil is the pan covered with old oil? Does he even bother to clean the screen? |
| had just had a new clutch put in he claimed, but there was old oil on the tranny, rear-end and rear wheel. Was the rear seal replaced while there? |
| right cylinder base gasket is weeping pretty good also. This is not good I think to myself. He had advertised that the carbs were newly rebuilt but there was gas on both of them and some wet spots on the tranny. I pointed this out and he said yea, he had the tank off and noticed that the fuel lines needed replacing. So here I was going to make a 225 mile ride home with oil poised to get on the rear tire and fuel maybe dripping from the lines or carb. Maybe I should have brought a truck like I thought about, |
| it was going to be a nice ride home so I thought. Anyway after tightening the starter wire it still would not start with the button. At this point I wanted out of this deal, something didn't feel right about the whole thing. Sensing my frustration at the moment the owner (and to his credit) offered to take me back to the motel (my wife and daughter had left to go antique shopping) and give me back my money till he could get starter working |
| So I went swimming in the pool and the family went out to dinner. When we got back to the room there was a note that he had called and fixed the starter. I called him and after some small talk I indicated I was really no longer interested in the bike. He said that he understood and apologized |
| me having to travel and get a room for nothing. Lessons learned (mostly relearned) 1) Never buy a bike without physically looking it over yourself. 2) Never trust a friend to give an opinion of a bike. 3) Always check everything before leaving. Air in tires comes to mind here. 4) If something sounds too good to be true, you can bet it is. 5) If someone claims to do their own maintenance, look for their tool chest and the quality of tools he may use. 6) If your going to pick up a bike that you have not had inspected (by yourself or a qualified mechanic) and have to bring it back any distance farther than a town or two, bring a truck. 7) Photos hide a tremendous amount of flaws if taken right. 8) There are people who no matter what otherwise you may think of them turn out to be honest, respectable folks Sorry for the rant, Rich Back to looking for that loopframe again. PS How do folks buy bikes on E-bay and have them shipped to them without ever seeing them in person. ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want.http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics |