High mileage machine I’m about to buy!

[Kevstephenson7]

Hi all
need the brains trust and quick..
in oz there are never many roadstar for sale (currently about 6) and they’re bringing high prices.
so I found a 2002 roadie in murdered out black. It’s done 210 k kms which is a fair bit. It’s cheap really at 3k AU. I am going to see it tomorrow as I bit the bullet and put a deposit on it.. I know these motors and am hopeful of those porcelain bores keeping things right, but ever so slightly bothered about the hi kms. I cannot afford anything else really so will likely proceed. Has anyone else here owned a machine with high mileage like this? Turns out the bloke who sold it has put the majority of kms on it himself.
any quick thoughts please?
kev

[roadiemort]

That is 130487.95 miles in US miles, higher yes but not an issue if properly maintained, if it runs smooth, starts up when cold following the recommended Yamaha startup procedure in the manual, check transfer case oil, look under the bike for weld cracks in the shock mount brackets, tire age and wear also.

[roadiemort]

http://www.werder.ee/Manual/XV1600.pdf

[roadiemort]

https://www.roadstarclinic.com/articles/most-common-issues/2470-the-roadstar-noob-checklist

[Kevstephenson7]

Roadiemort, thank you.
your thoughts are also mine, i am hoping he kept up with regular oil changes with good zinc content. I had my last roadie for 10 years, i was not aware of weld cracks at the rear shock so thanks for that, and also for the manual pdf, i kept mine when i sold the bike, and the noob list is good too, a good refresher

so lets see what tomorrow brings hey- hopefully cups full of road* goodness..

[Kevstephenson7]

here it is, as i said 'murdered out' satin black

[roadiemort]

Shock mount weld fractures.

[brianmac]

im all abour the history of the bike, how many owners, who did maint and ask, what oil was used. we are seeing hi mileage bikes with worn off cam lobes and lifters , due to poor maint and wrong oil. one day the valves just stop opening....dont ask, "hey did u use zinc oil'? , cuz theyll just say yes, let them offer the correct answer. im not a fan of AM exhaust with no rejetting either...just my opinion.....im thinking, that bike 4 sure has a new clutch plate, but may be ready for discs, only way to tell is to floor it in top gears to hear it over rev- do that if u can B4 u buy.

[davej]

That sounds like a decent deal if the bike runs good and checks out Like Mort said. If I did my math correct it is about $2200 usd. 1 other thing I would want to check after purchase is the oil pump drive gear. That year had the old style weak gear in it that was prone to breakage. Yamaha come out with an updated new gear to correct that issue. You have to remove the clutch basket to get to it but the part is about $50usd plus the new gasket. If it breaks you loose all oil pressure. I wouldn't let that stop me from buying the bike because it is an easy inexpensive fix. The bike looks pretty nice from the pic.

[Lug Nut]

Yup pull clutch cover and prob have to replace friction discs steels and a better spring and def pull the oil pump gear. Wonder about the trans recall being in Australia?

All bearings need some inspection...swing arm pivot...steering head....wheel.....

measure thickness of brake rotors....
fork oil/seals....
Check/tighten wheel spokes (Tru rim)...
Inspect brake hoses/fittings and flush fluid and maybe rebuild master cylinder if it feels wonky...
Inspect Clutch cable for frays/breaks...
Inspect Battery terminals for corrosion and prob just get a set of DaveJ's cables Check for rusted/broken bolts on lower side of bike (i.e. floorboard bolts and the like)

As long as you don't mind checking and doing maintenance high mileage isn't bad....if the guy just used plain old yamalube and changed every 4k miles and NGK plugs the motor should sound/run/look like new.

[Brad_G]

I like the fact the current owner has put most of the miles on. For a 20 year old machine that means you should be able to get some good history on it. In my mind someone that keeps it longer and rides it is more likely to take care of it. Rather than someone who's more likely to abuse it, get tired of it, and sell it quickly.

[brianmac]

me mate whos father owned diamond back honda in cocoa, used to say:

a 500 dollar bike can cost 1500 to fix/upgrade, tires, batt, pads,

OH SHIT, CHECK THE INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK, THAT CAN BE A DEAL BREAKER FOR ME. THEY AINT CHEEP NO MO

[Lug Nut]

I sold a Honda with just under 400k miles for $1500 anlbout 6 years ago (for a friend)....guy who looked at it SERIOUSLY asked me if I had all the maintenance records....

I told him I was 100% it had proper maintenance BECAUSE it had 400k miles on it lol...

I've seen a 15k mile Road Star that was the biggest piece of shit you could imagine riding...thought I was going to die on a brief test ride....and I have a 07 Roadliner with 82k miles that has been beat mercilessly and just takes it and looks/rides better than new. It ain't the miles it's the owner that matters...

[Kevstephenson7]

Good morning gents and thanks for that sound advice.. the bike is at a small bike dealer. The guy traded it against a triumph rocket 3
ill be asking for service history for sure and it’ll get a good going over from me

i will also be asking for the previous owners details anyway. I’m still in touch with the guy that bought mine

i expect the clutch to have been done at least 100 k ago and probably ready for another. I have used barnetts in the past
swing arm pin and bushes are an issue I have found in the past not on my roadie but on those of my mates. Will check the output pulley nut!

i have the vin number and will be calling Yamaha with it see if trans call was done (I have heard of the odd one escaping and then being done at 100k (hope this one hasn’t been done..)
head stem and wheel bearings will be changed as a matter of course, as well as everything else you all recommended

[Kevstephenson7]

Ok I bought it
has had trans recall at 80 k, full Barnes clutch at 140k
it starts well and idles well, nil clutch slip
oil leak at rear cylinder head gasket it seems and oil all along sump.. box is smooth. Tank cap screws intact Brian!
engine oil black as.. I’ll put a moly flush through the motor. Sounds a bit tappety frame at rear shock is intact. Some mild brake judder at front but not noticeable under load..
speedo not working nor the led display- could be a dry switch block. Needs a rear tyre.
bloke owned it for the 18 of its 20 years. Been around australia twice and a daily ride hence the kms. Stage 2/3on the gun whaler silencers but the note is magnificent
got it for AU 2400.

I can get another motor that’s recently had new pistons rings and top end done for quite cheap but the cam lobes and lifters are shot. Can get them still in oz
forgot to ask about the oil pump but I’ll get a gauge on there as soon as I can..
anyhow that’s the update

[Kevstephenson7]

I might have to re watch the recent post vids on engine swap. Looks a bit tight to remove..

[roadiemort]

[MikeyC]

Sounds pretty good. Top ends are noisy always. If it's not noisy I would worry that it's been set to tight. Daily rider is better then sitting for the last 18 years. Most sounds like just do some maintenance on it and ride. Congrats

[Kevstephenson7]

Thanks Mikey
I will need to sort out the speedo as only the neutral light and level gauge works. I reckon there used to be a post in technical on these issues but sadly gone when IT did work on the site I believe. I have a spare motor lined up if I can contact the guy today. It just needs cams and lifters.

[Lug Nut]

Don't do oil gauge...pull clutch out and inspect oil pump gear (not done with trans recall) if old style replace. Good time to inspect clutch friction discs (thickness) and resurface steels. Maybe new springs from Barnett (cheap)...

[Kevstephenson7]

Ok all it’s a bit of a story now. In brief, Yamaha have said they want to do the trans recall at 211k kms, so I’m stoked by that. I was advised I may need to pay a bit extra if extraneous bearings and seals needed and maybe another hour or two labour just in case. I’m fine with that. I guess I run the risk of other bits found that maybe worn. So the local Yamaha shop has ordered the full kit. Am I lucky or what?