Shoppers, be aware!

I consider myself a pretty patient and laid back person. It does rub me the wrong way when people get mad for having a different opinion (even if theirs seem like a flat out lie).

I contacted a seller about his bike on Craigslist
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/4581932768.html

His post said "practically mint", which is far from reality so I went on to ask about routine maintenance besides changing oil. He could not recall any of those things ever being maintained. so here is my response:

"Thank you for the response. I was hoping to get information about the mentioned items since they are scheduled maintenace that must be done to keep the bike safe to ride. On your CL ad you mentioned "practically mint" and this is what I can tell just from the pictures:
- Rear fender has been chopped
- Side chrome bars (traveling under rear blinkers) are not stock
- Side grab bars are missing
- Side mirrors missing
- Gas tank emblems missing
- Brake lever is bent
Here is a breakdown of what needs to be done to consider it safe and road ready.

When is the last time valve clearances where checked ( $50 on shims)
Has the master cylinder been rebuilt? ($40 rebuilt kit)
How old are the brake lines? ($200 brake lines) date stamped on lines expire after 4 years.
How old are the brake shoes/pads? ($100)
How old are the tires? ($200)
Does it have the original fuse box? ($50)
When is the last time carbs were serviced (float valve needles replaced)? (at least $100)
This is assuming that I do all the work and not pay a shop to do it. For that reason I could not offer more than $600 for your bike. I know it is a big
difference from what you are asking but hopefully you understand the list is routine maintenance that has to be addressed before making the bike safe to ride."

My intention was to educate the seller on what he has and the reasoning behind my educated offer. Obviously not everybody wants to get educated and instead respond with a less than friendly attitude:

"Not all of that stuff has to be done. The brake lines are fine. the master cylinder works. The valves can easily be checked and don't necessarily need to be shimmed. yes the mirrors are missing and yes it was dumped. The gas tank emblems are still there so I am not sure what pictures you are looking at. I have no hesitation to ride it down the interstate. If you want to nitpick a 34 year old bike I don't have time to listen. If you want the bike make me an offer of what you would be willing to pay for such a shitty unsafe deathtrap. I think the bike is in damn good shape. I will let you take it for 1200."

At this point I realize that I would be wasting my time trying to respond since I can't afford a "practically mint" bike.

I am leaving this as an alert and educational nugget of information for anybody interested on a "mint" bike on craigslist.

Cheers.

 

600 would be a little high, I think. 500 tops

 

I was being generous on my offer, didn't expect to get blasted for it. You go ahead and offer $500, maybe we will reconsider my high offer

 

i dont think he knows the difference between emblems and stickers or painted on letters either XD. people get too attached and start charging you for their memory's on things.

 

I always ASSUME I will have to go over EVERYTHING when I buy a used bike. No matter how old or what the previous owner says.

 

An educated enthusiast is the bane of the average craigslist seller.

 

Am I the only one to think that 'practically mint' was a bit 'tongue in cheek' ?

Sure the price is high but I'm thinking a face to face negotiation is always preferable to an email assault - if of course you are genuinely interested. If not let him sweat it out and realise the true value - eventually..

 

Whoomp...there it is.

Gary

 

Funny, I saw that one a few weeks ago and a friend and myself have been chuckling over it. Near mint. Right.

 

Maybe he has some mint growing right by the garage door.

dave

 

more likely he bought for $600-$800 and planned to flip it for a few hundred profit. Now he is realizing that some people know what a 34 year old bike needs. But he will find some kid with $1200 bucks and then we shall see a new member join the board with all the questions of why it doesn't run. Keep the pictures from CL so we will know...

 

don't forget the tape all over the seat............

Now, maybe he could learn a thing or two--if he were to take a peek at RickCoMatic's bike that he has for sale, or my 900rk with the trophies, or DesingerMike's 700X ("Plum Crazy")...........THEN he could see what bikes in "near mint condition' actually look like.

I'm sure there's others this nice on our list, too-----

dave f

 

I sent him a link to the same bike on mint condition:
http://www.ronh.org/yamaha650.htm

And he said, well that is showroom condition... Now I M curious what the definition of mint is.

 

That is a beautiful 650 there!!

The CL seller thinks his is just as nice. No matter what you tell him, he won't see it. You're wasting your time, and just getting more frustrated over it. I doubt anyone here is going to jump on it. If some kid does, so be it. If he ends up here, he'll eventually find out he paid too much.

Let it go.

Dave F

 

If you read the description it does say "showroom", so the CL dude has a point.

 

No worries, after his second email I let it go. I have not responded and have no intentions of doing so. Right now I am waiting for the first coat of paint to dry on my MC, I will give it a second coat before the little wakes up from her nap.

 

See what I miss when I only search for "Maxim"...d'oh!

 

you won't miss so much if you click on the "View posts since last visit" link.

nice looking maxim btw.

CN