Advice on a bike from people who know about NC29s

[fzr4]

I hope I've come to the right place!

I've always (mostly) been a Yamaha man, but due to some engine trouble with my current Yam I'm considering venturing into Honda territory.

Other than they're quite small and have gear driven cams I don't know a lot about the NC29, but I'm hopefully going to have a look at this one tomorrow:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... TQ:GB:1123

It's apparently been owned by a Honda tech, and has a few bits done recently including stainless downpipes.

Other things that look non-standard to me are braided lines (a good thing), front discs and a single seat unit.

What do you think?

[dobbslc]

The listing has ended.
If you go for a look check the coolant pipes on the back of the block for leaks as they can rust badly.
If you can check the battery is changing properly.

[Davez29]

As mentioned above and depending on the state of the bike, you could include reg/rec, charging problems, soft suspension (the one in the picture has its spring wound up). As usual once buying a bike always expect to find something that needs money. good luck.

[fzr4]

Thanks for the replies, I guess as you've both mentioned it charging faults are a regular issue with these?

Also any thoughts on the single seat unit? It looks like the standard tail lights are used (can only get a glimpse). Were these ever a factory option or has someone (Japanese or in the UK) fitted it at a later date?

Final question (for now!)...based on the pictures being representative and no major issues found, what's a ballpark price?

[dobbslc]

I sold one very similar last year for £1400 if I remember correctly.
In the summer....
You may get it for less in January.

[Davez29]

I would say yes to electrical problems but its usually just a reg/rec changeover, buying a modern mosfet unit solve this problem but check your battery and alternator stator to be sure. Suspension is something that was soft from new and after 20+ years most bikes will be better off with a refresh. Popular mods are Graeme France springs and cbr600 shocks. The only other problem that seems to crop up are gearbox issues in second and sixth but I think it is rare and something you could pick up on a test ride. No ones complained about this in the years i have been here but i have read about it here.

All being well £1000+ a haggle wouldnt be a bad price anymore and im sure you could find one with oem painted fairings.

[fzr4]

I want a bike that I can first use for commuting through the rest of winter while I fix my other bike, and then take on a few track days next summer

That means I'll have a good few months to give the suspension a bit of a refresh. If I do buy it that'll be the next thread!

I had a look through google images and the model identifier thread on here and couldn't see another one with the same paint scheme, although the stickers do look like they've taken inspiration from the stock design.

I'm not too bothered as long as it's been done well, it's good to know though as a bargaining point.

[fzr4]

Ok, so I've been to look at the bike.

It was better than the FZR I went to see on Saturday (at least it wasn't actually dangerous!), but it wasn't quite as tidy as the pictures made it look:

•All bodywork fibreglass
•Some infill panels missing
•Higher mileage than advertised (33 rather than 23K)
•Quite a few rattles and funny noises when riding

I still quite liked it though, and would definitely buy one in better nick.

The search continues!

[Davez29]

Funny noises while riding? wasnt the geared cams, was it? the noise they make sometimes throws people not used to the engine, it sounds like a very whistley turbine. At rest if its rumble then try pulling clutch in to see if it goes away, a possible noisy clutch basket. Mine does that occasionaly.

I think on a greybike unless you bought it from Japan or new the chances of knowing the true milage are slim. My bike had around 20k on the clocks coming from Japan, but who really knows if its right. Then at some point someone added a mph convertor, so really milage is mixed up. I can only guarantee the last 35k are miles. So condition maybe more important than shown miles.

infill panels are expensive but still available, they do help keep the electrics and side panels locked in place.