Newbie and looking at CBF 1000 tomorrow

[Art]

The service history is unlikely to tell you anything more than a service was carried out on whatever date at whatever mileage, mostly stamps in service books are worth very little in determining what was carried out.

Other things to look out for are as per my earlier post

Originally Posted by Art

That'll be an SC58 CBF 1000 an excellent choice for a Sports Tourer that ticks many boxes in its class. A big plus for me is the ease in which it can be serviced and maintained at home by the home mechanic without the need of any special tools or diagnostic equipment. If you’re allowed spanners and you haven't already, you may want to download the Honda Workshop and Owners Manuals here.

Some points to look for apart from the usual MOT history, service history, general condition, even tyre wear etc include

Corrosion in the bend of the swinging arm below the shock, in front of the rear wheel and below rear brake fluid reservoir.
Corrosion of the radiator fan bracket, difficult to see because it hides behind a rubber shroud behind the radiator but needs checking because if the bracket fails you'll most likely be looking at replacing the radiator and fan.
Clogging of the radiator fins from road fling especially if there is no front fenda extender is an indication of corner cutting in the maintenance schedule.
How clean is the brake and clutch fluid? There's an inspection window in the handlebar fluid reservoirs and the rear brake reservoir is clear.

Its a 15 year old motorcycle so pay particular attention to the condition of the coolant hoses, brake hoses, brake discs, throttle cables etc. A word of caution oil changes at 2,000 mile intervals are not necessary and in my opinion may be a clue to the owners lack of understanding of service schedule requirements.

Valve clearances can be left, assuming there is no rattling, clanging or banging from the engine. I left my valve clearances check until the 48,000 mile service and then only found 2 exhaust valves slightly tight.

Too much is made of stator failures and not just with the SC58's, I know of too many stators and regulator/rectifiers that have unnecessarily been replaced.

[Art]

When checking service history the stamps in the service book will only tell how regularly, or irregularly, the motorcycle was maintained. Ask if there are any service receipts, unlikely if there have been three or more previous owners, paperwork gets lost. My SC58's service book showed 4 services during 12,000 miles and 6 years, not too much information there. Fortunately the motorcycle came with all the previous service receipts from the previous owner which showed;

The first Service was an annual service including oil & filter replacement plus inspect brakes, lights, fastenings and steering head bearings.
The second service was an engine oil & filter change and a 'look see' inspection of crankcase breather, drive chain, brakes, brake fluid, clutch and clutch fluid.
The third service was an engine oil and filter change only.
The fourth service was a used motorcycle pre sales 'look see' and 'fluids top up' service.

So there it was 6 years, 12,000 miles and very minimal servicing, more ammunition for the haggle. I haggled it was overdue a major service including valve clearance inspection, spark plugs, air filter, brake & clutch fluid replacements, coolant replacement. I then went OTT commenting on the tyre tread wear, brake pad wear and that they'd had it up for sale for over 6 months. One of my best haggles, price reduced to £2,750 and included 4L of engine oil and an oil filter for me to service at my leisure.

Happy days.

[BazzaBingo]

Many thanks Art. I should have looked back up the thread!!

Checking the MOT history for this bike there are no advisories ever and always a pass. I am hoping this indicates a well looked after bike.  Will take your list with me.

[Art]

MOT history without advisories, while a good indicator, could be due to the motorcycle being MOT'd alongside an annual service where it wouldn't look good if a dealer failed the MOT immediately after servicing.

Don't forget to ask if there are any service receipts.

[BazzaBingo]

An update.  A bit if a disappointing day really.  Well inconclusive at least.  I went through the check list as best I could and everything looked in order and we were given 20 minutes for a ride out.  Trouble is the one road I earmarked across the moors from Shipley towards Ilkley was shut and one town just seems to merge into another there so I never got out of a 40mph limit.  I just spent the entire ride dodging traffic or ending up on housing estates.

The clutch was extremely heavy and I pointed this out to the dealer who agreed and said they would look at it. The left hand oxford heated grip was knackered (par for the course I gather) but otherwise it felt ok. However Michelle said the temporary top box they had mounted on a Givi rack was too far forward and she couldn't get hold of the grab rails.  She also though the seat and ride a bit hard.

We haven't ruled it out but have not been blown away. I think what we will do is go and try the original private sale bike that started this thread as its still up for sale I think.  Compare the two.

[Rev Ken]

If it is the original stator and the bike has covered that mileage I'd leave well alone as it is unlikely to fail now. However if you are worried buy a replacement and keep it as an insurance policy!
ps 

[Frosties]

The best of luck with your CBF search. As said they are cracking do anything bikes which are turbine smooth.

The only thing I'd say about the silver private bike you looked at is that whilst the front tyre appears to be a Bridgestone T30, I'm sure the rear isn't a T30.

I've always matched my tyres and always will, so to me it seems strange that such a fastidious owner/enthusiast would mix the tyes. Not saying it's bad or unsafe in the slightest but might be a haggle point.

[BazzaBingo]

Thanks again but the guy selling the original bike on this thread has upped his price and wont do a test ride now so that ones binned and for now I have decided to park the idea.  The Mrs just wasnt keen on the pillion ride also.

[keithriley]

Originally Posted by Art

That'll be an SC58 CBF 1000 an excellent choice for a Sports Tourer that ticks many boxes in its class. A big plus for me is the ease in which it can be serviced and maintained at home by the home mechanic without the need of any special tools or diagnostic equipment. If you’re allowed spanners and you haven't already, you may want to download the Honda Workshop and Owners Manuals here.

Some points to look for apart from the usual MOT history, service history, general condition, even tyre wear etc include

Corrosion in the bend of the swinging arm below the shock, in front of the rear wheel and below rear brake fluid reservoir.
Corrosion of the radiator fan bracket, difficult to see because it hides behind a rubber shroud behind the radiator but needs checking because if the bracket fails you'll most likely be looking at replacing the radiator and fan.
Clogging of the radiator fins from road fling especially if there is no front fenda extender is an indication of corner cutting in the maintenance schedule.
How clean is the brake and clutch fluid? There's an inspection window in the handlebar fluid reservoirs and the rear brake reservoir is clear.

Its a 15 year old motorcycle so pay particular attention to the condition of the coolant hoses, brake hoses, brake discs, throttle cables etc. A word of caution oil changes at 2,000 mile intervals are not necessary and in my opinion may be a clue to the owners lack of understanding of service schedule requirements.

Valve clearances can be left, assuming there is no rattling, clanging or banging from the engine. I left my valve clearances check until the 48,000 mile service and then only found 2 exhaust valves slightly tight.

Too much is made of stator failures and not just with the SC58's, I know of too many stators and regulator/rectifiers that have unnecessarily been replaced.

Wow ! somebody actually said it, this has been my interpretation all along, whenever I hear of the brag 'I change the oil every 2000 miles'  I just think WHY ?

[Cesarhondacb]

Looking to buy some parts any recommendation