CB400 Cafe Racer - worst bike buying experience. Ever!

[zx9rider1974]

Hi all,

I dont know if this will be of interest to anyone who may have seen a CB400 "TriHon" Cafe Racer on ebay in the last week or so and may be considering an enquiry.

After travelling 300 miles with a view to buying the bike:

Greeted by comments of: "See, there is one born every minute", "You finally gonna sell that?"

a) Owner's mate/mechanic "It gets alot of interest. When we took it for the mot a bloke walked over because he thought it was an old British bike. Until he saw it was a Honda and he urned and walked away, didn't want to know"

b) the engine was already warm when I got there. It was confirmed the bike hadn't been ridden, left the workshop or been viewed by anybody else. No reasonable explanation was given or offered.

c) Me: "When has the bike been down the road, the engine cases and bar ends on both sides are scratched?" (approx 1mm deep on the casings) Owner: "It was like it when I bought it 6 months ago and I've never ridden it - they'll polish out" Again, no further explanation given or offered. Surely a question he would have asked when buying it!

d) Me: "Has it ever been an insurance claim or write-off?" Owner:"Not that I know of" Surely a question he would have asked when buying it!

e) Me: "Can I start it?" (a reasonable question directed at the owner). Owner "I'll get my mate/mechanic to start it, he knows how to start it better than me!" The question was, CAN I start it. The mate reached down and played with the left side of the engine while starting (tickover possibly)

f) Who sprayed the tank and what happened to the original tank, headlight fairing, seat unit etc? "I did the tank, its off a Triumph" - Me: "What model?" Owner "A Triumph". Me: "Who sprayed the tank" Owner "I did". Me "Why is it yellow underneath (appeared to be similar to expansion foam)" Owner: "Is it?"

g) Me: "Does the fan cut in when it gets hot?" Owner: "Dunno?" Mate/mechanic "Yeah it did when we had it running on the bench remember? - but only when it gets REALLY hot"

h) Me "The tax disc says 2009, is that when it was last taxed and on the road". Owner "Yeah, I bought it 6 months ago and turned it into this". Me: "Where from". Owner - deathly silence aka tumbleweed moment.

i) Me: "Why is there gasket sealant stuffed inside the left hand coolant hose". Owner "Is there? No idea, never noticed before". Mate/mechanic "Dunno why thats there". Owner "Look, this engine (sitting on the floor) has got that pipe blanked off" Me: "Is this a spare engine for this bike?" Owner: "Yeah. I always buy an engine when I buy a bike, its always handy if you need a spare clutch or starter motor"

j) Me: "Sorry mate, I'm gonna leave it and walk away" Owner: "Why?"...............


!!!BUYER BEWARE!!!

[zx9rider1974]

The "norton triton lookalike" has been relisted and is now back on eBay. Maybe one of the "loads of people who asked about it" will go for it this time.

[Man_Named_Dave]

Is this the one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/cafe-racer-no ... 231d459cf8

I'n not sure what putting "LOOK" in quotation marks is supposed to actually do.

[zx9rider1974]

That's the kiddie.

[Drunkn Munky]

i have to ask why would you consider even going to view that bike? and travel 300 miles! you did see pictures first yes?

[zx9rider1974]

Just done a textcheck (shoulda done it this morning I know) and the results are;

8 previous owners
Registed in 1997, on a 1993 plate
1 colour change
No stolen record
Not scrapped
Recovered vehicle Cat C - Loss date 09-12-2008. Repair costs exceed pre-accident value.
No record of a VIC inspection

[zx9rider1974]

i have to ask why would you consider even going to view that bike? and travel 300 miles! you did see pictures first yes?

fair point. Call it mid-life crisis, sudden rush of blood to the head, carried away in the moment, talked into it etc

Should've set the alarm bells ringing when he the listing finished he mailed me immediately dropping the price from the reserve of £1250 to £900 without me even asking.

[Drunkn Munky]

Guess weve all done it, atleast you didnt walk away with it.

[Superjack44]

Just had a closer look at this especially the picture from the rear of the bike it looks like the rear subframe that the seat sits on is twisted slightly to the right.

[zx9rider1974]

I noticed that on the pic too, it's much more pronounced when looking at it. Looking at it from the front to the back or vice versa you really do notice how out of true the arse end is.

I've emailed Lancs trading standards but just got an automated generic "try citizens advice" reply. This bike needs taking off the road before someone gets hurt. In my opinion.