Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Really stood out from all the hyperbike stuff.

Exactly what I thought. I saw an RS too but after googling think the cheaper EX is even prettier. Shame it will be years until used prices drop to what I can afford.

@Chak couldn't resist some potatoshop when I got home

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What’s the deal with buying a Cat N write off. Does it need anything doing to get it on the road if it’s only cosmetic damage or can just be ridden as is?

Needs to pass an MOT i think, no structural damage. Then apply for the V5.

Cat N is not structural so the seller says comes with it’s normal V5 and MOT and is ready to ride away which is why I’m asking I guess. I don’t know much about these things but it’s a bike for a good price with only a few scuffs and bumps. Wondering if I’d have to even tell insurance about the Cat N bit and if it would make it more expensive. After all it’s no les reliable or more likely to fail since it’s just body work damage.

My current ride was a cat. C, there’s no need to notify or anything with bikes as there is with cars

Right, I’m going to view a 2008 hornet 600 tomorrow. Anyone have any advice or things to look for?
I’ve never bought a bike before, my dad sorted my last one on my behalf as it was more local to him.

Like a bicycle, consumables
Chain, sprockets, tyres, bearings.
Does it ride ok?

What's your feeling of the seller. I'll buy just on my gut of the seller, or not.

What @skinny said. Also scratches to bar ends, exhaust, bottom of forks, footpegs, levers or anything that might suggest it's been down the road.

Can’t say the blackbird is suited to the new 5.5mile cross London commute. Better get the bicycle back out!

Only one question you need to ask yourself. Can I ride it home? If yes then buy the motorbike.

Any indecision should just be posturing to negotiate a lower price. :)

Have you checked the reg to make sure it's future ULEZ compliant. I think 2008 is around the cutoff.

Does anyone live in Bethnal green and wanna come see it with me tonight? I have no idea what I'm doing.
The bike is the write off I was enquiring about. Damage looks very minimal and not structural.
its 2k and usual value for the same bike seems to be around 3.5k which is why I'm keen.

I'm a bit nervous about it though. HPI check says it was declared cat N in april and it has 5 previous owners.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Honda-CB600F-Hornet-Cat-N/253842190300

Starts and rides fine apparently. No need for new MOT or V5 as it is a cosmetic write off. just buy and ride as normal. Already asked my insurance about it and they will insure it for the remainder of the policy, until may, for a hundred quid which I think is fine.

I think that engine was pretty similar/same to the CBR 6 which sold about 10 million for good reason.
Check for obvious top or bottom end knocking, noise from the cam chain etc. You should only get this with high mileage though - I usually check oil colour which indicates how well the owners looked after it ( i.e jet black bad / honey coloured good ). If you go for it I'd get it MOT'd again regardless, for peace of mind if you're not experienced. I seem to remember these were quite popular with brothers and sisters fond of wheelies so check for front end play.
Do plenty of internet research on known problems with these, but I think they're pretty good really. I think 1500 ish would be better - don't be in a rush to buy.

Yeah its the engine from the CBR600RR albeit detuned for midrange.
Excellent advice, really appreciate it. Thats the sort of thing I wanted to know

In London I always favour cosmetically damaged low mileage bikes, they are the best value for money unless you start to pimp them back up to lovely condition. Something that looks like a rat but has solid mechanicals will fare well over time.

Bethnal Green is across town from me otherwise I'd offer to help.

Watch out for a rattle on lift off/around 3-5k once warmed up - it’s the cam chain tensioner lifter, which is probably about £200 to replace with labour. Apparently not an urgent fix but it is annoying.

I’m making a POA to move my bike out of storage. It’s been almost a year. Any input/guidance in this to-do-list would be appreciated.

To do:

° Remove battery night before and put on charger
° Oil change and new filter
° Change brake fluid
°¿empty petrol tank?

Checks
° Tyres
° Side-to-side bearing play in wheels
° Lights/horn
° Brakes
° Bounce forks/check for smearing

My main question mark is should I drain the fuel?

I didn’t as there was a chance my mate would ride it, so I put some fuel saver in there just in case. I’m reluctant to empty the tank properly by removing it and draining as I haven’t done it before on this bike. I could use a hand pump to remove most of it.

I'd do the fuel before any of that aside from charging the battery. Hand pump should do the job for the most part - I usually just take the tank off. For the rest, just pump the tyres up and take it for a spin, if it was fine when you parked it, it'll most likely be fine now.

Well I didn’t buy the hornet.
Firstly I arrived at the postcode he gave me, text him to say I’m here and he says “ok, it’s the gate on the corner of XYZ street”
Check google maps and it’s like a 10 minute walk away so I tell him and he says “oh sorry I must have made a mistake”
Red flags already.
Turn up at the actual place and it’s a mildly sketchy chop shop “MOT” place. The guy opens up the gate and shutter with the keys. I asked him if he owns the place or just works there. He said neither, he used to work there and now they still let him use it...
Anyway the bike. Left mirror missing, clutch lever needs replacing, the left frame protector bung thing has bent the bit it bolts onto in the fall/accident. It’s been down on its right at some point too as the brake pedal is quite severely twisted.
Anyway he said I could ride it round the little forecourt so I sat on it and backed it out the garage with the engine off. There was a squealing and a bit of resistance, the front brake was binding.
Started it up, sounded a bit ticky but generally fine however it was idling at just over 2k which is surely too high and actually made setting off at walking pace and low speed crawling a little difficult.
Overall just needs too much doing for me, maybe a great project for someone who doesn’t mind buying some parts and fixing it up at home but not for me. Said I wouldn’t go higher than 1700 and walked away when he said best was 1900.

The search continues...

Oh and a slight bend in the handlebars too

And as I arrived I saw two mopeds go past, one pushed by the other’s rider’s foot on the pillion footpeg of the other.
Thought I was gonna get mugged if I tried to ride the bike out of there anyway.

errr yeah. Fuck that clap. Wouldn't even dump a few hundred for something that's obviously taken a slide and the owner didn't bother to clean up.

Keep on searching man. Something better will come up!

Overall not a great experience on reflection...

How far out is your search area btw?

Also, any of you fine folk have a 600rr? I swear someone here bought a HRC liveried up one!

Yeah lucky escape that - you'll find something better, sounds like some artful dodgery.