My son laughed when i checked the spokes with my wrench....listening for highdings or low duns. Edit After a few trips to the track...dad wasnt that stupid.
Even a guy like myself who can split the cases can get some useful information from this video excellent review and info on checking a bike before purchasing!! You guys are awesome!
Good basics many folks need to watch & learn!! Im old school an learned over 35yrs. Plus im in a good position thanks to the always good Lord to buy my machines brand new. Listen & watch this video 2×.
David Klimmek. Plus im in a good position thanks to the always good Lord to buy my machines brand new. This is not much help if looking for a vintage bike.....no one cares how much money you have....... have a nice day.
@@EnemyDwarf-TTV you totally missed my pt wise guy! Meant im not rehabilitating machines. Neither am I much for vintage as he has great stuff but other than Honda Service CR500 dirtbikes im not interested ! I can donate to museum tho. Why don't you do also . Anything helps!
My Dad had a bike mechanic friend that run a shop out of his garage during the 70's & 80's, and he always said if you're checking out a dirt bike, take a hold of the handle bars and shake the hell out of the bike. If it has loose steering stem bearings, wheel bearings, swing arm bushings, etc., you'll be able to feel it. And as you said, obviously ride it if it's in running condition. Great video Ken! 👍
Live! Bozo. 1960's. I remember hearing about a kid who missed a toss for the "Bucket Bonanza" game, and the kid said on live TV, "shit". Bozo said to him, "That is a Bozo No no." The kid replies, "Cram it Clowny". I did not see it myself, but I remember a few kids talking about it. Back then, that was "out of control" man. or so I thought at the age of 7.
A wealth of knowledge in this man ...Much respect ! When originality , perfection and precision means something to someone ( the Kap) the costs shouldn’t mean anything but reality $$$ sets in quickly , so before you buy a turd and it becomes a nightmare ....listen and learn and save yourself a few bucks or at least know what you’re getting yourself into .The fact that nowadays to find anything 40+ yr old 2 stroke in decent shape all original and not molested or altered is about as probable as shitting a gold bar, but the desperation of finding something , anything out there shouldn’t override your wallet or the limits of reality . Buyer beware . Thanks Kap !
WOW! A lifetime of knowledge put into a video less then 30 minutes is priceless. The amount of advice you packed into this video can save anyone hundreds if not thousands of dollars when purchasing bikes is a Godsend. Thank you Kenny.
Spot on Kenny. I was lucky to be around my dad as a kid , he was mechanicly minded , which was my foundation. I completed a apprenticeship, which opened doors in other fields. I use these skills today to achieve the best results out of my bikes . It would be great if you was established in Melbourne, Australia.
Just bought a bike of the back of a bike trailer,bike is a mint one owner bike, as such i bought it on the spot,but as I didn't take the time to test ride it,it turns out it needs a crank rebuild! Never rush a bike purchase,even if it looks great,if you don't ride it,as ken said,it could cost you. Buying a old bike is a minefield,many bikes are polished up for a sale,the engines can be on its last legs and still start and run,most have loud exhausts,that can hide a rod knock,so worth bringing an old rag to place over end of exhaust as its running to try and hear things like a bad rod bearing, but its the bits you can't see that are most important. Great video ken, and god bless America🗽
Great information for unaware buyers. This is a good example, I wanted to just freshen up the top end on my 85 xl600r and that turned into splitting the case and replacing the left crankcase cause the threads that bolt the cylinder to the case were severly corroded and gone. Couldn't even helicoil it. Ended up doing an complete top and bottom rebuild but now I know what I have. Thankyou for all your videos and keeping these vintage bikes alive. 👍
Thankyou for the very informative video you have shown me things I have taken for granted on my own bike and I will use these new skills to effect. Always love tuning in to you guys and can't wait for another video like this on tuning specific to a rider, I am 5ft 7 myself. I don't mind putting time in on fixing a bike but as you said all the small things add up.. I can tell you now I have bought a total dog of a 94 suzuki RM.. rear rim welded and loose spokes plus front forks cracked at the axle mount, you name it, it's toast but the motor is good and strong that I know. I'll never make money on it, I want to ride it but i'll know next time to spend more time looking 👍
I have owned several bikes as a kid and young man years ago. You show us exactly what to look for and estimate the costs of repairs or rebuilds. Thank you you really are help alot of motorcycle.lovers to know what's really up with a bike. We gotta get down get in there and look mad move parts around to see the real conditions of a bike. Because a nice looking pretty bike can be full of worn out or broken parts that we don't know about untill we get right in there and INSPECTION. Have a great 4 the of July. Enjoy time off. You work too hard. It's your passion so it's all good. But time off is ok
Thanks, Ken! I still consider myself somewhat of a newbie when it comes to buying bikes and this helps out a whole lot! I am going to make a checklist with the info you put out here. I learned a very valuable lesson like you were talking about with the KX500 you bought sight unseen...I bought an 88 YZ250 like that and it was "restored." Like you said, the guy just put lipstick on a pig! Thanks again!!!
Ive got magazine article tech tips like this cut out and put in a folder from mid 90s I keep in safe place with important papers. I still can't resist a roach, happens every time to this day, I get too exited and blow my wad throwing caution, and mental checklist to the wind. Obtaining basket cases on wheels will make you a better mechanic, if that's what your into, and not so much the riding.
I can relate to that having fell in love and brought some bikes over the years the realy should have been alot cheaper?! Not all that glitters is gold and knowledge is king to separate fact over emotion ! Buy safe Ride safe AND LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL 👍
I just refreshed my 1998 yz 250 that i frame up restoed 7 years ago and it needed 2500$ worth of work. needless to say the bike is ridden fairly hard by my 15 year old. but these parts wear fast and anything can happen. shes all back to new again and a shout out to Goodhuges powder coating. powder held up ammazingly well. Great tips cap. This is a big hobby of mine
Great advice and pretty much what I did today when I looked and rode a Honda XR 630 R 1999 model the other thing to look at is brake rotors this one had a mild warp and looked worn on the inside so that will need replacement and many years ago was a problem on my Suzuki GSXR 1100 K and my motto is never buy in haste as you’ll repent at your leisure!! Keep up the great work and happy 4/7/2021
Super helpful.. thank you! not too many take the time to go over all them details. Nice to know... especially going for one of these older expensive vintage bikes.
your so very right about the jb weld and engine cases getting holes from chains popping off. Happened to me before. I bought a super nice 96 cr250 and was built up super nice so i didnt give it too serious of a look over other than riding it and checking normal stuff but turned out he jb wleded and sanded it and painted it same color as the case so it was barely barely noticeable unless you gave it a good look. i didnt find out until a year later i crashed on a hill climb an a rock broke some of it off. i was pissed.
Thanks brother. I'm in vancover hongkoover actually Canada no Cr 500s to be found. When I can afford one in a year or 2 I will order from you guys. You have the best bikes and no dealer here has the bikes you have. Awesome that you love these machines and make it your passion. Thank you for the vids as well. I'm hopefull I should be able to buy one of your fine bikes within 2 years
If your new to motorcycle's or even old in the tooth like me, this type of knowledge in invaluable, a total run over components before contemplating any purchase can and will save you from buying a lemon. Great video.
these bikes are soo hard to find I don't think you really can get ripped off if you want a original you'll be paying alot. I'm lucky to have a cr 250 2 stroke
everyone had their brand they like and people will pay whatever if they want it .like you ill never sell my honda odyssey, honda 250 r trike or my other trikes .enjoy that bike .
Amazing information. I’m currently nut and bolting an rm125 2000. Can honestly say I’ve spent about £2500 on parts so far. The lectron billitron carb was £650. I can’t seem to find seat foam for it though. One place in England has sold out 😢would love to come to the states and buy lots of parts to bring back here. Keep up the good work.
Wow, the Cagiva behind you, what a rare beast! The mid-eighties Cagivas, before they went white/blue, were the most beautiful-looking bikes. I knew a person with a WMX 125, fun to ride, but utter junk. Please prove me wrong, Ken -- love your videos -- would love to see a Cagiva WMX 500 enduro....
Thanks for the great informational video great explanation of everything on the bike you definitely know your shit. Keep up the great videos and the great content like always. You guys are amazing!
I don't ever have to worry about being screwed over, brother, because I only want to do business with Kaplan Cycles! Irregardless, thanks for the useful lesson, since it teaches people how to check their own bike, after it's a few years old. Turd Bikes become money pits. ML&R
God Bless you....I liked when you demo the XL250 and said it's the cure to depression, get your ass off the couch do some push ups and go for a ride...
Good job SR! quality video putting out a lot of good info. Hey if u need video of a stuck throttle tube i can fire up the whiskey rocket for ya. Have a good week fellas
I really need to pay attention to those things - I get too caught up in what I'm doing, and forget to check the fine points. Worst example of that - I bought a bike for my sister - the shift lever was welded on. At least that bike only cost $350. I got lucky with my latest purchase - an 86 YZ490 for $2000 Canadian - rebuilt motor, the only thing on it that is junk is the plastic side plates, everything else is good.
I had no idea Joe dirt and wolverine had the same father! Lmao just playin. Thanks for a good vid. I'm new to bikes and looking to learn later this summer. Great tips!
Wow now i be able to buy a 500 on my own. thanks for sharing your knowlegde. You are a legend. greetings from Germany :) Someday i will visit u, for sure !
22:40 Oh,....They KNOW,....they know,....they all know. Thats why they are selling them... There might be one guy out there that does not know,...but that means he does not know even more. GREAT video chocked full of essential tips and hard earned findings, as many have or will learn. Thanks Kaplan America,....hope you all had a great 4th
Great video, but the way you learn each thing he’s saying is by personal experience- eg, you’ll learn to check dates on tires only after you crash and break your femur from an old tire splitting on you at 80mph - and not once but it takes maybe three such accidents.. Then you learn how to read the date codes on a tire. Same for each little item on the checklist. Gotta break at least one bone to learn anything- at least it does for me😊
If it tastes like chicken keep on lickin, if it tastes like trout get the fuck out! If shes hot and has a good head on her shoulder, let's you hangout with your buds, doesn't get jealous and goes to strip clubs with you and is a good cook then take her to a lab to get studied because she's a unicorn and we need more of those.
Mad video thanks ken, hey if you ever get your hands on a blown up cagiva mito stick a CR 500 engine in one , instant 500cc GP bike maybe in some “John kocinski “ livery . Hectic
Also another good thing to keep in mind with older liquid cooled bikes the older green antifreeze was very caustic to the magnesium covers so before you ever purchase an older '80s water cooled bike take the water pump cover off and inspect
This reminds me. I just bought a 2013 used Jeep Wrangler, and I learned something about test driving a used car to buy. I drove it easy and bought it. In a week, it became obvious that the cats are too restrictive with this design, (runs great when it is cold), and heat is wrecking havoc on the electronics, (they had some head cracking problems too, closest one to the cat I bet). So if you ever test drive a used, or even new car today,----beat the hell out of it. If it is sold "as is" from a dealer, beat it even harder. If I buy it, it will probably be the only time I drive it hard. :)
Really great video , broke things down like a fraction Proffesor Kap killing it all day everyday. I saw the video in the sand dunes where you first found that peak bike. Shame the guy wasnt honest with you. Seems like a freshly polished turd but I'm sure when you all get done with it it will be the real deal.
