new (to me) bike in deplorable condition. what to have checked?

[shrimants]

The bike I bought looked ok to my untrained eye. obviously, once it was in my garage i started noticing little things that shouldnt be there. the bike has been dropped, abused, low sided, and possibly crashed in some other way at some point.

What all should I be getting done to this bike in the shop before I ride?

Things i've already got crossed off the list or in the works:

• oil change. ordered new oil.
• coolant. ordered fluid.
• brake fluid, havent ordered but definitely needs changing
• new tires, dunlop Q3 in garage
• wiggling clutch lever, ordered new l/r set
• throttle release is slow/sticky, see above. ordered replacement.
• more visible license plate bracket, current one is on rear tire axel
• air filter, not comfortable with checking myself, but know what i need.
• missing bar ends, ordered new
• spark plugs, ordered new.
• Brake pads, front needs new, rear is OK. Dont know how to tell if im ordering the right ones or not, so havent ordered.

The stuff I am not sure on:
Clutch/shifter. should I have them open it and check it out? the bike has a maximum of 31K miles on it (21K on the guys title, another 10K on the replaced odometer).

various engine stuff. dont even know where to begin on this short of riding/reving. theres got to be a better way than that though.

Plastics: its a non-issue right now (purely cosmetic) but ive got 2008 plastics on this 2007 and they are definitely not fitted correctly or bolted down in the right places. dont even know where to begin on this, and dont really care because im a new rider and dont need brand spanking new plastics to scrape up when i do something stupid and tip over the bike. So far, im thinking this would require new subframe, tail lights, headlights, inner cowling, and new plastics. also either a seat or lockbox or something. my lockbox is inaccessible on this bike, the lock is entirely busted for the box.

Anything you guys would do? if you took this to a shop (call ahead, obv), what would you ask the mechanic to take a look at and have done?

EDIT:
Running list of suggestions:

• Chain/Sprockets, o-rings, alignment, teeth
• valve adjustment
• dial in suspension, either custom or reset to OEM
• investigate throttle stickiness
• NON-PRIORITY: investigate plastics/cosmetics.
• Flush mount front suspension with triple tree.
• flip wellnut or get a new kit. knowing this guy its probably superglued on, like some of the other parts are.

 

[stangmx13]

IMO, things missing from your list
- chain & sprockets, check for tight links, missing o-rings, pointy teeth, and alignment
- valve adjustment, i do one on all used bikes i purchase just to be sure
- check the suspension, make sure all the adjusters "work", make sure fork seals arent leaking, etc

other info...
if the clutch lever wiggles, the perch is prob bent. a new lever probably wont fix that.

if the throttle doesnt snap back, it could be any number of issues. cables too tight, dirt between the tube and the bar, bent bar, grip glued on wrong. replacing the throttle tube probably wont help.

if the fairings fit poorly, u might want to check if they are chinese knockoffs. check for an OE part number on the back of them or some other marking. replacing the whole set w/ OE stuff will probably set u back more than u paid for the bike, esp if u buy a new headlight and subframe.

 

[SonoraMike]

if you have photos that you could post here that would prob help us spot things, so far though it looks like a good first pass to uncover the next set of issues to rear up

 

[shrimants]

IMO, things missing from your list
- chain & sprockets, check for tight links, missing o-rings, pointy teeth, and alignment

The sprocket is brand new. chain needs to be cleaned. theres minor rust spots. Missing O-rings: in the chain only? i'll add it to the list.

- valve adjustment, i do one on all used bikes i purchase just to be sure

Will ask mechanic to do this.

- check the suspension, make sure all the adjusters "work", make sure fork seals arent leaking, etc

was planning on getting suspension either dialed in or reset to stock, so this will be checked.

other info...
if the clutch lever wiggles, the perch is prob bent. a new lever probably wont fix that.

yup, got the entire OEM assembly. only thing i didnt get is clip ons. both for throttle and for clutch, since i want the sides to match.

if the throttle doesnt snap back, it could be any number of issues. cables too tight, dirt between the tube and the bar, bent bar, grip glued on wrong. replacing the throttle tube probably wont help.

bar ends are not present, so its not that. i'll have to get this checked out. probably just gummed up cables though. its on part of the checkups im doing on a more complete list.

if the fairings fit poorly, u might want to check if they are chinese knockoffs. check for an OE part number on the back of them or some other marking. replacing the whole set w/ OE stuff will probably set u back more than u paid for the bike, esp if u buy a new headlight and subframe.

Wasnt planning on replacing with OEM fairings. about 500-600 for a fairing kit is what i'm seeing and i have no problem buying second hand and doing a plastidip job on it. fairings have definitely been replaced and thres cracks in various pieces of them. I cant tell if its an 07 tail light or not but it doesnt look like it. Either way, its cosmetic and not really a concern right now, but eventually id like to have this bike looking and feeling new. wasnt planning on selling it, not considering the condition i got it in and not considering the work i plan on putting into it. Project bike.

http://imgur.com/a/O5i1o

here's the pics i've got. Let me know if you want higher quality and/or closeups of anything. Just take a stock pic of a gsxr and circle whatever you want/need pics of. this is using my potatocam, but i can use my wife's DSLR and get very nice and stable closeups with tripod. Lighting is an issue, my garage has a single lightbulb

 

[stangmx13]

those arent OE clip-ons, hence the missing bar ends and the janky master cylinder res mount. most of those bars come w/ plastic plugs for bar ends, like in the pic below. if u bought OE bar ends, they might not fit with these bars. universal bar-ends might work or u can just get some of the plugs.

the wellnut for the upper fairing right behind the master cylinder reservoir is on backwards.

the fork height is wrong. they should not stick through the triples by what looks like 1". u should make them close to flush w/ the top clamp. the bike will ride better.

 

[shrimants]

Bought non-OE bar ends. they were cheap, and i couldnt find the OE one.

Adding BS suspension setup to the list.

Im not sure what you're refering to with "wellnut for upper fairing behind master cylinder". could you point out what you mean? im not good with terminology yet. I think i see what you mean though. I was going to buy a new set of bolts, because 2 of them are stripped anyways. are you sure that bolt is for the upper fairing and not the windscreen? because the windscreen is a self-install job that someone did. God help whoever did it if they ever tried to assemble ikea furniture. there are some seriously idiotic mistakes made on this bike. look at the license plate holder, its like this guy had no common sense.

 

[stangmx13]

wellnut, its black and rubber w/ a nut inside:

if u look in your close-up photo of the master cylinder reservoir and the fork cap, ull see it. might be for the windscreen.

 

[shrimants]

Good catch. Yeah, the guy thought chrome spikes were in good taste. some of those are installed upside down, otehrs are straight up stripped and are barely held on by friction and god's will. I'll be replacing those, and probably getting a windscreen too, but i didnt want an 08 windscreen if im going to go back to stock 07 plastics eventually anyways. not that a windscreen is expensive or anything.

The guy has 08 plastics, assuming an 08 windscreen cant fit on an 07.

 

[milo2]

I always check the paint first.

 

[Ironbutt]

You have to expect and accept a certain amount catch up work when you buy a bike. I'm over it now.. (I have to keep telling myself that and it'll come true) :laughing

 

[ALANRIDER7]

Have a pro go over it top to bottom to see what else :toothless did.

 

[shrimants]

Alright guys, quick update.

parts shipped from partzilla on thursday. also passed the knowledge test thursday at MSF.

I have a dmv appointment to register the bike and take the test this upcoming friday but it seems like i might not have my dmv skills test waiver by that time. might jsut go in and get the permit and make another appt for the actual license, since theres no real way for me to drive my bike down at that point in time.

Ive workign with fish and shawn to see if they can do anything to the bike, but i might call motowrx and just have them do it all instead.

I'm kind of itching to do the coolant and oil myself as ive watched a ton of videos and theres a first time for everything but im not going to. I have no doubt that i can do a routine oil change or coolant flush.

However, if chunks of stuff come out, i dont know what the right proceedure is, and i want the bike at a seasoned mechanic for this first checkup. they can usemy oil and coolant no problem, i'd rather have every eventuality taken care of.

It would be nice if i could arrange a tow. might just rent a uhaul and buy some straps and take it down there.

 

[afm199]

the fork height is wrong. they should not stick through the triples by what looks like 1". u should make them close to flush w/ the top clamp. the bike will ride better.

As always the Stang knows whereof he speaks. Those forks are set up to initiate massive headshake. Flush is correct.

And do yourself a favor and use the entire length of the clipon, those are pushing into the bracket a good inch, and with that bike you need every bit of bar length to help muscle it around. It looks like it was set up by someone who wanted to think they were fast.

 

[afm199]

However, if chunks of stuff come out, i dont know what the right proceedure is, and i want the bike at a seasoned mechanic for this first checkup. they can usemy oil and coolant no problem, i'd rather have every eventuality taken care of.

It would be nice if i could arrange a tow. might just rent a uhaul and buy some straps and take it down there.

Highly unlikely chunks of anything will come out, if they do you are probably fucked. Change the oil and coolant yourself, it's dead easy and you should learn how. Do NOT measure the oil by how many quarts, add a bit less than is called for, put cap back on, and start engine. Let run for a while. Turn it off an wait 15-30 minutes and then look at the oil level while holding the bike straight up and down. Fill to just below top mark.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Again, if you need it transported to a mechanic, let me know and I'll take you and the bike to their shop. This weekend has some gaps where I can do that. You can always drop off on the weekend for services to be performed during the next week. :thumbup

 

[stangmx13]

+1 to doing the coolant, oil, and oil filter yourself.

also, get yourself the factory service manual. u can buy it or download it in pdf form. its always a good idea to have it around and that way u know u r doing all this service correctly. a lot of the threads in the Garage here are simply answered with "Check the FSM", hehe.

 

[shrimants]

Cincinnatus: noted. will do. I'm expecting parts by next week wednesday, so I'd be getting it sent out after that.

afm Alright, i'll attempt the fluid changes myself. I have to do brakes, coolant, and oil. I think thats all of them. I'll need to get the brake bleeding kit though. preferably on amazon because 2 day shipping, unless i can pick something up in store. I'll need to order brake fluid too.

I can definitely do the clipon adjustment myself, but do you think its within amateur mechanic capability to adjust those forks? or should i leave that to a pro? I'm not sure how to really do it. I have enough put away for front and rear stands (cheaper ones though) and the tools/materials i'll probably need. Not really enough to throw a torque wrench into the equation though. not if i still want enough left to take it to a pro mechanic to give the bike a once over and fix potential problems.

 

[afm199]

Cincinnatus: noted. will do. I'm expecting parts by next week wednesday, so I'd be getting it sent out after that.

afm Alright, i'll attempt the fluid changes myself. I have to do brakes, coolant, and oil. I think thats all of them. I'll need to get the brake bleeding kit though. preferably on amazon because 2 day shipping, unless i can pick something up in store. I'll need to order brake fluid too.

I can definitely do the clipon adjustment myself, but do you think its within amateur mechanic capability to adjust those forks? or should i leave that to a pro? I'm not sure how to really do it. I have enough put away for front and rear stands (cheaper ones though) and the tools/materials i'll probably need. Not really enough to throw a torque wrench into the equation though. not if i still want enough left to take it to a pro mechanic to give the bike a once over and fix potential problems.

Get GOOD brake fluid, minimum synthetic DOT4 and no cheap stuff.

You're not adjusting the forks, you are just moving them down in the triple clamps. The last guy raised them in the triples. Front and rear stands get the bike in the air, then loosen the bolts on the triples CAREFULLY. Do one at a time, loosen upper and lower bolts one side and push fork down. The the other. You may have to repeat to get it far enough. If you loosen BOTH sides it will drop, possibly too far.

The raise the clipons to touch the bottom of the triple.

 

[Cincinnatus]

And if you don't have front and rear stands, but do have a center stand and an overhead beam and a tiedown, you can lift up the front of the bike just enough to drop the forks to the right height.

 

[shrimants]

i was going to use some motul rbf600.

Is there any tools you'd have me get? I havent done this before so all ive really got is a 30 dollar set of tools from target. any specific ratchets or other tools? i'll be getting an oil recycling jug, a couple funnels, an oil pan. I'm in an apartment, so I dont have hose access. Cant really wash stuff off for reuse unless i want to foul up the kitchen sink or bath tub......