I'm a new rider and had a good experienced friend of mine look at 2004 for me this morning. I'm out of town and haven't been able to see the bike myself. I also am not experienced enough to identify the issues either. He said cosmetically and mechanically, the bike looked almost perfect. He has a keen eye on looking for damage and says he didn't see any that would have been a result of a drop or accident. The only issue he noticed was that the bike had a tendency to pull slightly to the right when he was going straight. He said it is minor, but definitely noticeable and not a show stopper. He described that after riding for 100 yards or so, the bike would track right about 4-5 feet when he took his hand off the handles. The tires are supposedly relatively new, so all we could come up with is that it is messed up alighnment or possibly the fork/suspension might have some issue. The bike is being sold for $4500. What do you recommend I do? How easy would this be to repair if we can assume that the frame and the bike is straight? Should I stay away from this bike?

I recommend you keep your hands on the bars while riding. :lol:

... The only issue he noticed was that the bike had a tendency to pull slightly to the right when he was going straight.

IF it has been dropped like just from a stand still it could have tweaked the alignment of the front forks...just make sure they look straight...happened a few times with my old bike that I'd take out on dirt roads... just loosen up the bolts on the triple and kida straighten it all out then re tighten..

Either way I'd take it by a shop and have them give it the thumbs up. Mention anything you or your friend has noticed...for a couple bucks it would be smart just for piece of mind.

If the rear wheel isn't lined up, that could cause it. Check the marks on the rear (the ones used for adjusting chain) to ensure the wheel is straight.

If the rear wheel isn't lined up, that could cause it. Check the marks on the rear (the ones used for adjusting chain) to ensure the wheel is straight.


DON'T trust the marks....

yeppers thos marks are NOT 100%

YOu need to get yourself one of these...

www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_15-0125&tier2=12 (http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_15-0125&tier2=12)

If the rear wheel isn't lined up, that could cause it. Check the marks on the rear (the ones used for adjusting chain) to ensure the wheel is straight.


DON'T trust the marks....While I wouldn't trust the marks 100%, I am sure if the alignment is far enough out to cause the bike to pull one way or the other, the lines won't even be close, true?

Definitely check the tire pressure.

Riding a bike with low tire pressures will mess up the handling big-time.

This is an easy thing to check. Have him re-test the bike but check the tire pressures first. The difference can be night-and-day.

Heinz

Have him re-test the bike but check the tire pressures first. The difference can be night-and-day.

Heinz

Agreed.

how many miles? i got my 04 for about 4k over a year ago (granted 15k miles)... but still, that seems a little bit high, unless it is in immaculate condition and has very low miles....

after all, we're talking about a honda here,... so 20k miles is just warming that engine up.... don't be afraid of getting a higher miles bike when it's a honda....

also the crown in the road will make the bike go to one side, try no hands on a road that is flat