What should I be looking for?

[Columbo]

I want an NC30 but i'm not sure what to look for.

I want one with a good engine, and healthy frame.
I'll be restoring it so fairings are only an indication of how its been treated....
Is there anything else I need to make sure of?

Yes, I've read the buyers guide but I want a wider group of opinions...

[CMSMJ1]

They are all old.

Post a few adverts of bikes you are looking at and we'll give you pointers on them.

Don't be fished in by baubles and trinkets and appreciate that most have had 5+ owners and so service history is going to be sketchy and unreliable.

Frames are hard as nails - unless they were front ended.

Engines are solid enough if they have regular oil changes and are respected as old, high revving masterpieces of engineering. They are all getting into the 25k+ miles if not more.

indications of it being looked after
1: the hub adjuster - mangled or not
2: radiators - shagged or not
3: dirty and scabby shock and linkages
4: rusted downpipes
5: repalcement reg rec - a good thing


Get one, they are great..but the plastics are the last thing IMO for a restored, working and healthy bike.

[speedy231278]

Make sure the easy to look after bits have been looked after. If the owner can't be arsed to lube the chain, make sure it's properly tensioned, or keep the forks and exhaust clean and free from rust spots, then they sure as hell won't be bothered about making sure the oil is changed at a sensible interval and the valves clearances have been checked etc, like the stuff on the list above. It's easy to spend a couple of hundred quid on some fairings and bung them over the top of a rusty old nail....

My RVF is the tattiest pile of crap on the outside, and looks like it's worth about a tenner. A right mix of panels compared to when I got it. But despite its 117000kms, for the 77000 of those that I've had it, it has had oil changes and servicing done at the recommended intervals including valve clearances, all consumables done when necessary etc. Apart from my current charging system woes it's been almost 100% reliable for all of those miles, and I doubt that's completely coincidental. I'm sure that when I've got the wiring sorted, it'll be fine.

[Neosophist]

As above really.

So long as it has decent oil changed and the vavle clearnes checked the engine will be ok.

See the bike in the flesh if you can.

Start it from cold,it should start easily with full choke no throttle and settle to a nice smooth idel after it is warm.

Apart from condensation there shouldnt be any smoke / odd rattles.

Top end can be a little noisy when warmed up but any odd mechnaical noises are not good, especially if they don't go away with the clutch pulled in.

Ask here if you have bike / advert / info for a good opinion.

Dont rush into it, there are many about.

Buy from an enthusiast if possible, rather than a young boy racer that wanted a TROUSER FIREWORK.

Even basic servicable items like chain / sprokets / tyres / bearings and tyres can easyil run over 600 quid so even if it is nice pay attention to what needs doing.

These bikes are old now so many things need servicing and replacing, if you do them as and when then the cost isn't so high, especially with young riders as they often have no money everything is neglected until so much has built up that it is unridable.

remember old bikes cost money.

Here is a real life example of a bike I brought that was ok condition.

Tyres: 200
Chain / Sproket: 150
Service (oil / plugs / air filter / oil filter): 85
Front fork seals / oil: 40
new old rear shock: 160
caliper overhaul and fulid change: 80
braided lines: 50

765.00

Thats without overhauling the clutch which it needs too.

Costs can soon mount up, but its a great bike and from a time that is no longer there.

[Columbo]

I'm a motorbike mechanics student so i'm hoping to do the work myself.

Besides tyres (not trained on the machine yet), I can do all those jobs myself.

I was looking at this one:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... /112294559

Seems like non-standard paint scheme. Query crash damage?

The idea is to strip to frame, media blast to clean.
Check loom and replace Reg/Rec
Replace ALL bearings and seals.
Service EVERYTHING.
Respray fairings, powdercoat wheels and a few little bits.

[CMSMJ1]

If you are restoring one, or even contemplating spending enough to replace all bearings and whatnot then buy a shitter for £600...

That one rings alarm bells - it has not moved in some time (see the pad marks on the rotors) and though it has been washed...I would be wary of it.

[CMSMJ1]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... /111197841

probably not a UK bike...but might be halfway there....

[Columbo]

Yeah. I saw that one and messaged the guy but no reply! -_-

I've messaged him again just in case...

[speedy231278]

That one rings alarm bells - it has not moved in some time (see the pad marks on the rotors)

They're the same EBC discs I had. Trust me, they go like that in a DAY after being out in the rain!!! No word of a lie.

[VFRkieran]

That one up for 1200 screams ex trackbike to me, wouldnt beleve the mileage for a second either the trip knob has been replaced so id bet hes been messing with the clocks, screenbrace looks bent too. My bet is he was going to restore that to a road bike collected all the bodywork and got fed up so hes selling it.

Only thing that backs up the mileage is it looks to be on original C&S, still seems pretty dodgy to me tbh.