Buying an NC29

[ivegonegrey]

Hi there all of you,

I own a VFR 400 NC 24, and am on the brink of buying an NC29. 'H' reg in silver/black/blue standard colours.

It's done about 18,ooo miles, mechanically seems okay, but has a few cracks in the bodywork. Value - around £1200.

So a reasonable price, bodywork looks fine from a distance, but ideally would need repair and paint. What is there on these bikes to look out for when buying? I imagine exhausts are not the problem they are on the VFR, but i'm sure other things must be common faults?

All advice gratefully accepted.

[wullvfr]

i would just look out for the usual tell tale signs of neglect etc

has it been well looked after,is it clean........

also any signs that it has been raced or abused on track!!!!

damage to body work is common with the age of the bike but maybe try haggling with the price...get it cheaper if you can!!!!

have a test run if you can,how well does it start and idle with choke and without choke after heating up......condition of chain and brakes.....

obviously there is only so much you can check or look out for in as little time but have your wits about you......

especially when you are parting with your hard earned cash

william

[lazcbr29]

if you do take it out for test run make sure if has an aftermarket can thats its running like a heap of shite,
my 1 needs badly setting up. has funny fueling problems, i know it needs jetting but i aint got a clue.
laz

[ivegonegrey]

Cheers guys,

all advice gladly accepted. It has got an aftermarket can on it - a venom. Not sure if they are good bad or indifferent - any ideas?

I will test ride it as i have multibike insurance. So I can certainly tell how it runs/fuelling/tick over etc.

Whats your feeling on the price? I've looked on the Bike trader website and NC29's seem to go for 1600 - 2000 (I assume pukka ones). Is £1200 a bit toppy in your humble opinions for a good but bodywork damaged one? Is replacement bodywork readlily available for a sensible price?

Cheers

[chrisja2]

Seems a bit high to me, espeicially with the credit crunch etc. If you take it out for a spin check 2nd gear, rev it hard and make sure it doesnt bounce out. Lots of work.expence to remedy. For that money i would want some history, past mots etc and all the panels to be original. Ive seen newer ones go for that sort of money. Is that from a dealer or private? Oh and the exhausts are mild steel if OE so can pinhole, if its an aftermarket s/steel set then they should be ok. If the engine casings are scrathed then its probably been down the road, but most have!
Oh and good luck!

Chris.

[lazcbr29]

£1200 is a tiny bit steep i reckon,
bodywork can sometimes be hard to get hold off, and if you do you will most probs come across random mismatched bits on ebay, so if your that fussed your probs afta a respray ideally, and venom are quite a good make my m8 had a venom can on his kwak 636 since 2003 wen he bought the bike wiv no probs.
if you can get it for £1000 or £1100 that wuld help towards funds
laz.

[missinNZ]

i would tend to agree with as above, same paint scheme same reg bike owned by guy up the road from me sold in sept last year (pre sh** i need some cash, got to sell one of the bikes...."recession") for original listing 1100 but eventually sold for 900, and it had full micron stainless plus end can, stage one, prior restriction kit certification, dbl bubble, r n g bungs and no scratches. this is on the isle of wight where prices are grossly (and unnecessarily) exaggerated.