How to tell the age of a Horse?

[lonelobo]

Some of you may know me from such classics as "Does this airhead make me an Airhead?" and other such threads. My question pertains to the accumulated mileage of said steed seen in the previous thread. The odometer reads under 7,000 miles. The odds are that this is:

a) a cruel joke
b) 107,000 miles
c) 207,000 miles
d) a hillbilly red herring, which would make it a channel cat
e) an impostor speedo, in collusion with the PO and his crazy claims involving flocks of geese.

How does one go about determining the mileage on a bike with questionable odometer karma and even more questionable pedigree? What is the most reliable gauge? Horse traders always look at the teeth to tell the age of the beast. Where are the teeth on this thing?

[barryg]

If bike has a lot of miles check center and side stand. Will probably show a lot of wear where the stands meets the ground, also the pivot points will show a lot of wear and will be sloppy. The side stand may have bend it and allow the bike to lean over to far, usually do to a lot of use. Another good thing to check is the riders foorpeg rubbers. If their worn down. probably hi milage.

[108625]

Lonelobo,

Don't take this the wrong way, but we've seen your bike ;) It would be like trying to date Frankenstien's monster "well, the left leg is about thirty"...

Seriously, look at the grips and footpeg rubber (unless Bubba rode barefoot).
Normally, I'd suggest looking at the brake rotors and wheel drum, but in this case I wouldn't trust mechanical wear as an indication, because something tells me she didn't receive as much preventive maintenance as she could have.
Maybe he disconnected the speedometer cable to keep the odometer from turning, you know, to keep the resale value up.

Bob

[20774]

Another typical wear spot is the upraised "teeth" on the rear brake pedal. If still sharp and pointy, then the mileage is probably low.

[James.A]

If you are slightly more adventurous, pull a head and make an assessment based on the ridge at the top of the cylinder bore above the first compression ring. On my 750 with 80k miles, the band was obvious but the ridge was almost non-existent. . It is also highly likely that the speedo/odo has failed or been replaced at some point in time so the numbers are almost meaningless.

[rpeckham136133]

snip

. It is also highly likely that the speedo/odo has failed or been replaced at some point in time so the numbers are almost meaningless.

Amen to that! It is so easy to remove, replace, adjust, fix, disconnect an airhead speedo, that unless it is a one-owner bike that has been obviously well maintained, the odo reading is to be taken with a bucket-load of salt..... I bought my bike with "39000" on the odo, but the title said that it had 60000 seven years ago.....

Pegs said a lot more... how much more? who knows!

[grumpyone]

We say you cant tell PERIOD. For sure anyway. Not 100% .
Unless you are the original owner and know the speedo had never stopped or broke or anything your really just up to educated guess.
Buying one from the original owner is Really Overated unless you know the guy personally. Not saying that someone would fib to you to sell his bike and get your money but it is possible :doh .
We have bought airheads from friends that bought them new and found no question about the milage being right and we have bought them from original owners that look you straight in the eye and tell you, Well just say less than accurate information.
Look at the bike and buy what you see and hear and feel for yourself and let the rest be taken with as mentioned a bucket of salt.
Been there and done that toooo many times. :blush
Jim and Esther

[osbornk]

It doesn't matter. The condition is what matters. Lack of use is what kills motorcycles, RVs and boats. A properly maintained and serviced bike is really hard to wear out.

[lbrackr756]

Pulling the rear wheel and checking the splines on the final drive may give you an indication. Properly maintained they were good for up to 100k. The splines on the drive output start out square and get more "pointy" as mileage increases. It's easy to check and a good idea since the splines should be lubed often anyway.

Little Egypt Airheads
'66 R50/2
'76 R75/6
'80 R100RT

[boxermaf]

I was also about to suggest checking the rear drive splines. While serious lack of maintenance could cause them to wear prematurely, they are generally still good for ~100K (much more if well maintained, less if abused/neglected).

[AnnapolisAirhead]

It doesn't matter. The condition is what matters. Lack of use is what kills motorcycles, RVs and boats. A properly maintained and serviced bike is really hard to wear out.

...uh, have you READ the previous post? :brad

At least he got her with a slight pulse. Shirley she'll have a much better life now. Maybe even learn what its like for an old gal to become 'properly maintained'. hehe.

[lonelobo]

Thanks so much for all the good ideas. I will take them all into account as I take things apart on the bike. I'm going to my first Tech Day on Saturday and expect to learn so much I'll need aspirin. Thanks for taking the time to chime in here guys.