looking at buying a used VTR1000...what should I look for?

Arizona · Post by **Arizona** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 6:27 am

The bike is a restored salvaged title. Looks beautiful but I'm going to have to get a really good price to buy it since the bike was salvaged at some time. Any advice on what to look for on a used VTR1000? Is 27,000 miles a lot of miles on one of these bikes? I've got 80,000 miles on a 1981 Honda CX500 and the engines is still very strong.

Thanks,
Les

DD · Post by DD » Sat Jul 17, 2004 12:07 pm

Well just the usual realy theres nothing that realy stands out to need extra attention on the VTR. But being a rebuild job make sure that it handles ok eg: that it dosent get tank slap at high speed etc.

*off topic
Mate you own a CX...... sweet

I've had a 500a, b, euro and a turbo. The turbo was the awesomest bike that I have ever owned or ridenand the 500b was moded.... thats right you pommie lot, I hot rodded a CX500

handled hot and ran like a hunted sh1t house open pipes and a 1135EFE fairing 70miles to a tank and blew the doors of much bigger bikes like 750-1000 (of that era)

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 12:20 pm

Hi Arizona
For me it would depend on what it was salvaged from. i.e, was the frame/chassis bent. Are there extra/newer welds in the ali and that kind of stuff. I would be all over it looking for the tiniest thing if you don't know its history, and walk away if your not sure, you can always find another one eventually.
Saying that 27,000 miles is nothing to a Storm. It's 2nd major service is due at 32. If its all ok go for all the normal stuff. Pay special attention to wheel & headstock bearings, don't forget to have a real good bounce on the seat to see if the rear suspention links have dried out(they creak like buggery)check the disk wear and all the seals and have a good listen to the engine. If It sounds sweet it probably is. Have em start it on a cold engine and see if it blows any oil with the choke out(good test for valve seals). If the engine sounds like its slapping at about 2 1/2k rpm it might need a new camchain tensioner but if done correctly it's not a big job but a good bargining argument.

Pete.l
P.s. I'll be in the states on sunday.

If they'll let you test drive it all the way to Chicago I'll have a look

mercury · Post by **mercury** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 1:02 pm

Have a look at the tank body work to fram fit
look at another storm then at the one buying if they arnt the same
think bent fram
Test ride are the handelbars stright
Also look for flats in wheels

Ive got 32 k miles on mine and it dose use a bit of oil thats OK.
If you do buy it change the oil to if its got ali in from smashed engin
cover

Dont rush in i know from a mate who did

YOUR JOHN

thehazmatguy · Post by **thehazmatguy** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:44 am

I am north of you just a bit, in the Phoenix area (Tempe). Give me a shout on Yahoo messenger if you need some help. I have family in Tucson so I go down ever once and a while.

Yahoo Messenger handle: thehazmatguy