NovaGeeze
Member
Hi folks, I'm new here, possibly finally pulling the trigger on an NC700x. I have been looking at these for a while as something to use to run errands in the summer as well as just take a cruise on the low-traffic roads up there. I like the fact that I should be able to do most maintenance on my own. (I build bicycles from scratch for fun in my spare time, so I have that sort of level of mechanical competence.)
I have looked at a used one near me, a 2012 with 35k miles on it. I was wondering if the experts here might weigh in on what I should look out for and a few things I noticed. Asking price is ~$3,800.
The Good:
I have looked at a used one near me, a 2012 with 35k miles on it. I was wondering if the experts here might weigh in on what I should look out for and a few things I noticed. Asking price is ~$3,800.
The Good:
- Owner is a retired scientist with a nice house, everything neat and tidy, cars and replacement NC750X included!
- Garage kept.
- Engine started right away and sounded very good. Temp about 50 degrees.
- Exterior looks pretty good. It's got a few scuffs, none of which look at all like a result of a drop (and seller states so) but bike is clearly well used.
- Owner has receipts for recent services.
- Newish tires and brake pads and battery.
- There was a thin layer of grime inside rear swingarm so I couldn't see well to check for rust there (though none appears on the exposed ends or other more obvious places).
- Same grime prevented me from assessing well the rear shock -- still stock -- was weeping or worn. Feels OK in the driveway, but I couldn't take it out for a drive when I checked it out.
- Front forks felt OK shoved in driveway too, no evident oil leaks.
- There was just a bit of edge rust on the front rotors, but he had the brakes done fairly recently (receipts, even!) and the pads were replaced so presumably the mechanic gave the rotors a pass too.
- Clutch feels a bit firm, but cable end looks old and hasn't been replaced. Lube/replace that cable/housing might help a bit there? Operated fine testing in driveway to first gear.
- Hose clamps, cable ends, etc. show the age you'd expect, minor rust or white weathering, etc.
- Stated that chain was new-ish. Looked a bit dirty, but not awful. Stated that he lubes after each gas fill (with a standard B'laster chain lube), which when he was commuting, according to my calcs, would have been about 1x per week min.
- Some oily film on top of engine cover right side, which I guess is weeping from the clutch side? Seems strange to see oily film traveling up, but when I looked at the bottom, it looked clean. The film was pretty light and not too oily, and owner states (and I believe him) that it doesn't use or leak.
- It was parked on some cardboard that was clean. I don't think there was any coverup here and as mentioned, I looked under the engine and it looked OK -- but maybe that's suspicious?
- Ridden in weather, including winter wet (residual salt potential there, they oversalt like crazy here).
- Frunk lid seems a bit loose? Not sure how tightly those typically close, if they rattle, and ease of potential remedies.