K75 For Sale

[EMSimon]

:ear

[toddlamp]

There is a K75 for sale locally. Ad doesn't say what year, but she is white and has only 26,000 miles on the odo. Asking price is $2,200. I think I should grab her, shouldn't I....????

With a collection like your signature suggests do you even have room? That seems like a good price for a low mileage K75 (assuming its accurate) but those bikes need to be ridden! Did the add have any pics?

[98lee]

Go look at it. If you like the way it looks, take the time to:
1. reach in and see if the fan spins freely. If not could cost 1 to 2 hundred to make right.

2. remove the gas cap assembly (4 screws) and smell the gas (does it smell like varnish), inspect the inside of the tank (is it bright silver or is a discolored brown), reach in and dislodge the clips on the fuel pump mount and run your finger over the rubber damper below the plastic ring (is it firm and your finger comes back clean? -Good Is it soft and your finger comes back stained?--Not so good needs replacing. Is it gooey and some of it comes off on your finger?--Bad and probably has contaminated the pump, filter and injectors. Could cost 3 to 4 hundred to make right.

3. Put bike on centerstand with 2x12 under centerstand (saves having to remove rear fender/plate holder section), remove rear wheel, pop brake line grommet and speedo sensor wire off of swingarm to give some slack. Pull 4 bolts that hold final drive to swing arm. Support swingarm so it will not fall more than 1". Separate final drive from swingarm (leave hanging on shock) Carefully inspect splines. Is each spline sharp and distinct (good) or are they "stepped" and worn? If bad, could cost 5-7 hundred to make right.

If these three things are OK, and you like the bike, buy it. If they aren't, reduce the offer or walk away.

Remember, early Ks had/have issues with the speedometer/odometer going bad or being flakey so, the milage shown on the odometer is not always the true mileage. But mileage is not as important as visual condition. If it looks good and has high milage, it's probably been well cared for. If it looks like crap, it probably was not well cared for. But, the bike could look perfect and any or all of the above could be bad and cost you. Other than the three things above, the issues are either cheap to fix or very rare.



:dance :dance :dance

[caper]

Go look at it. If you like the way it looks, take the time to:
1. reach in and see if the fan spins freely. If not could cost 1 to 2 hundred to make right.

2. remove the gas cap assembly (4 screws) and smell the gas

3. Put bike on centerstand with 2x12 under centerstand

If these three things are OK, and you like the bike, buy it. If they aren't, reduce the offer or walk away.




:dance :dance :dance

Probably all good advice Lee but what seller is going to let you tear his bike apart....I know i wouldn't...... :deal :ca

[98lee]

It's called a mechanical inspection.

Just like when you agree to buy someone's car if you can take it to your mechanic. Your mechanic might remove the wheels to inspect the brakes or some covers to inspect known weak areas. These are the weak areas of K75s.

This would be done as a condition of sale at an agreed upon price. Not just as a looky loo."If these things are good, I will buy it for $X."

No disassembly to check the fan.

We're talking 4 screws to inspect the fuel pump damper. (just did that on a K1 I was looking at).

Four wheel bolts to remove rear wheel. (If someone has a problem with taking off the rear wheel, they're a real flake).

Only four more bolts to slide back the final drive to inspect rear splines. No possible misalignment on reassembly, no fluid to leak. Ten minutes off, ten minutes on (of course you put it back together) or have him do the disassembly and reassembly.

If he has paperwork showing that the splines were lubed at a dealer within the last 5,000 miles you might forgo the inspection and take you chances based on gut instinct.

If you ask the owner when was the last time the rear splines were lubed and he says "huh? Splines?" Then you explain to him that this is something he should have inspected and lubed while he owned the bike. It is a very common failure on early K-bikes that have been neglected and could cost you up to $700 if you did the work yourself. That you don't feel comfortable buying the bike without knowing the condition of the splines first unless he wants to put a proviso in the sales contract that you can bring it back in a week if they are found to be bad. Most sellers would want to see for themselves.

If he knows he has a good product, he shouldn't be afraid to let someone, who knows what he's looking for, look within reason.

If he doesn't think his product is good he may want to limit inspections.

If he doesn't feel you know what you're doing or talking about, he might rather sell to someone else.

Remember: Caveat Emptor!:nono


:dance :dance :dance

[98lee]

Probably all good advice Lee but what seller is going to let you tear his bike apart....I know i wouldn't...... :deal :ca

My suggestions were how to buy. Not how to sell.

A buyer should try to get as much as he can for as little as he can.
A seller tries to get as much as he can for what he's got.

But unless you've got buyers lined up clamoring for what you got, sometimes it facilitates the sale to reassure a prospective buyer that he really is getting a good product. That's why some people allow test rides. Some don't (and for good reason). Much more risk involved with letting a stranger with unknown talents disappear:bolt for who knows how long with no supervision with your pride and joy, than it is to remove 4 screws, 4 wheels bolts and 4 other bolts either done by the owner or under his supervision. :dunno


:dance :dance :dance

[GregFeeler]

There is a K75 for sale locally. Ad doesn't say what year, but she is white and has only 26,000 miles on the odo. Asking price is $2,200. I think I should grab her, shouldn't I....????

Mike, you already know the answer. You know what to look for, and also that the K75's are gaining in popularity. Buy it right and you'll not lose money. :brow