Subject: Loopframe purchase blues. Long.
Author: Rich Zink
Date: Jul 31, 2000, 12:40 PM
Post ID: 1701661270
My apologies as I have been talking like I actually had this bike in
my possession, but it was my excitation getting the better of me. It was a
done deal to me. So this weekend I went to pickup my newly purchased '70
Ambo, a 225 mile each way journey. A little background, I put in the minimum
bid on what looked and sounded like a very nice clean original Ambassador on
E-Bay. I had talked to the owner on the phone and asked every question of
him that I could. He had also sent me some more good photos to go by. I also
had a non-motorcycling mechanic friend of mine, who was going up to the
area, go by and take a compression test and look at the bike for a report
and second opinion. Everything seemed right, compression checked out and his
report was that he thought it looked ok. Auction closed and I was the only
bidder. So I made arrangements with the owner, booked a room in the local
motel for Saturday night. My wife, daughter and myself drove up Saturday
morning and checked into the motel. I called and arranged to go pick up the
bike. I got there and we exchanged greetings, bike stories and such. We went
down and pulled the bike out and I gave it the once over. So ok, I was
prepared for fact that I was hoping it looked better than it actually would
be. But it did have a nice old patina, stripes worn off here and there but
it would clean up ok. Chrome that was described as very good, was actually
just good (some very good, some so-so). It started right up, fell into a
nice idle and I noticed no smoke or anything. Valves chattered a little
loudly prompting my question about last time adjusted. Owner had it 12 years
and claimed he did all of the work on it, but couldn't remember when the
last time was, they were just noisy he insisted. Ok whatever, So some more
small talk and I pay him and start to head out. I noticed a lot of play in
the clutch and questioned it. Works great owner responded. I put it in gear
and the clutch was dragging with the lever pulled in all the way. I turned
it off and adjusted the play. Adjusted the front brake while I was at it, as
the lever went all the way to the throttle. Oh well little things to work on
at home. So I took off again and went about a block before It felt like the
tires were a little low on air. So I turned around and headed back to see if
he had a gauge and compressor. He had a bike pump and the gauges read 18
lbs. front and rear (what's up with that? I thought). I filled the tires up,
scratching my head wondering what this guy actually did as far as
maintenance goes. He had told me he changed the engine, trans and rear end
fluids the day before. A spare transmission (from a wrecked bike) was going
to come with the deal. When I looked written on it was '74 Ambassador
4-speed Shifter problem'. Now all of a sudden the bike won't start. Starts
on compression but not on the button. Loose wire somewhere we both figure
and start to diagnose. He finds a loose wire on the starter and pronounces
that this must be it. So this person who claims to do his own maintenance
can't find a screwdriver. This doesn't feel good I start thinking. He
borrows one from a neighbor. While he is out I start to really look around
at the bike. The 'recent' Metzler on the rear looked about 5 years old and
was showing the wear indicator. He claimed there were no dents or dings in
the bodywork. The left side cover had a small ding in it and the rear fender
appeared to have been pushed in at one time, and was flaring out a little on
the sides and a small crack was appearing. Why if he changed the engine oil
is the pan covered with old oil? Does he even bother to clean the screen? He
had just had a new clutch put in he claimed, but there was old oil on the
tranny, rear-end and rear wheel. Was the rear seal replaced while there? The
right cylinder base gasket is weeping pretty good also. This is not good I
think to myself. He had advertised that the carbs were newly rebuilt but
there was gas on both of them and some wet spots on the tranny. I pointed
this out and he said yea, he had the tank off and noticed that the fuel
lines needed replacing. So here I was going to make a 225 mile ride home
with oil poised to get on the rear tire and fuel maybe dripping from the
lines or carb. Maybe I should have brought a truck like I thought about, but
it was going to be a nice ride home so I thought. Anyway after tightening
the starter wire it still would not start with the button. At this point I
wanted out of this deal, something didn't feel right about the whole thing.
Sensing my frustration at the moment the owner (and to his credit) offered
to take me back to the motel (my wife and daughter had left to go antique
shopping) and give me back my money till he could get starter working again.
So I went swimming in the pool and the family went out to dinner. When we
got back to the room there was a note that he had called and fixed the
starter. I called him and after some small talk I indicated I was really no
longer interested in the bike. He said that he understood and apologized for
me having to travel and get a room for nothing.
Lessons learned (mostly relearned)
1) Never buy a bike without physically looking it over yourself.
2) Never trust a friend to give an opinion of a bike.
3) Always check everything before leaving. Air in tires comes to mind
here.
4) If something sounds too good to be true, you can bet it is.
5) If someone claims to do their own maintenance, look for their tool
chest and the quality of tools he may use.
6) If your going to pick up a bike that you have not had inspected (by
yourself or a qualified mechanic) and have to bring it back any distance
farther than a town or two, bring a truck.
7) Photos hide a tremendous amount of flaws if taken right.
8) There are people who no matter what otherwise you may think of them
turn out to be honest, respectable folks
Sorry for the rant,
Rich
Back to looking for that loopframe again.
PS How do folks buy bikes on E-bay and have them shipped to them without
ever seeing them in person.