Triumphrat

AMC

hello all,

I am in need of your expert advice. After browsing Craigslist, I found two bikes that I am interested in:

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/mcy/3395890406.html

http://jackson.craigslist.org/mcy/3351248312.html


Being fairly new to bikes, I am not entirely sure what I should be looking at or for when talking to the owners. What should I be asking? What are tell tale signs that the bike is good or bad? Are the prices reasonable?

For the bike with the ugly paint job (the 2nd link) the price appears to be a bit high. I check the bluebook value and it said about 5100. What do you guys think?

Any advice on purchasing used in general?

Thanks!

leemadinger

I'd go with #1. 18,000 miles isn't much. Ask if he has the service record on the bike. It will be due for a regular service at 18,000 miles.


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Lee

Bloody Knuckles

Yeah, #1. Better looking, more upgrades, better price.
Take $4,600 in cash, offer 3,900. Take it home.

#2--Never ridden, will need new tires.

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1996 Thunderbird -- RaceTech fork springs, Ricor Intiminators, Unrestricted carb rubbers, Corbin seat, Norman Hyde M-bars, StainTune Exhaust.

jimballard

I'd consider what you're going to be doing with the bike as a big part of the purchase. If it's a daily rider and going to get lots of use, I'd go with the newer one. The cafe racer is a head turner but, like any older one, it will need more care and maintenance (they all did, believe me...and I own an old one as well as a modern one) to do the job. Me?? I'd go for the newer one and enjoy it. Sorry to be the spoiler.........

Just the $.02 worth of the "village idiot": Jim

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Jim Ballard

The older I get, the faster I was....until lately!! (Speed IS the fountain of youth)!

road dog

#2.) Ugly paint job?? ... I think not. Maybe when you see it person you will be more inclined to agree.

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SlowPocono

The low mileage stock bike is the better deal, by far.

triumpt120rv

And he sounds eager to negotiate a lower price.

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leftarmlogan

I'd go for the creamsicle.

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La strada davanti è senza limiti.

"It's a great day for hockey" - "Badger" Bob Johnson

Read my blog. Read it! http://cundalini.blogspot.com/

Baltobonneville

"All brand new fuses" on number 1 makes me wonder why.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Uni filter, no snorkel, 118/40/NBZT "Thruxton" needles/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s, Ricor Intiminators, Dunlop GT501s, D9 gauge panel.

Kirkus51

I'd always go for the stock one. Not that the other one isn't OK looking, but with 2k on the clock and stock more or less you can do your own thing.

There's very few things that I would consider chronic on most Bonnies, but all are easily fixable, like weeping cam covers (my cylinders got oily and it freaked me out til I read it's no biggie and it isn't).... easily fixed, blueing of the headers because they are single walled, you learn to love that blueing.

Memory fails on the other things. I consider my 07 Bonnie stone cold reliable and fun as hell...


By the way one is a Bonnie Black, which as a used bike you should consider that it's cases aren't chrome and you don't have a tach. The other one is a T100 which is trimmed out better with the two tone paint. $6995 new for the Black and $8,495 for the T100 (retail that is) back then.


Also the 04 has a 790 motor, but a bit hotter cams. The 06 has the 865 motor with milder cams, but I think better torque.