Low mileage: Good or Voud?

"Look, he is even on his first tires!" That was meant as sales support while viewing an 32 year-old motorcycle with, but 7.100 as odometer on the counter. Even before, there were people who bought their bikes not to ride them.

So the first tires

The first tires were endearing, but the price of a set of new, modern tires was immediately included in the negotiations. Tires that are so old, they have exhaled all their plasticizers and have become very hard. On an old Russian motorcycle we even witnessed that the tires rattled over the Genemuiden vowels with the sound of steel-studded carriage wheels.

A low mileage does not have to be a blessing either. After all, motorcycles are just like people: they have to move to stay fit. The thirty-two-year-old therefore suffered from stiff cables and drought cracks at the carburetor rubbers. Immediately after purchase, such a find should also be taken apart to see how the wheel bearings and the steering head bearing are doing. Then it is handy to also have a look at the chain. And you have no idea what all that peace can do with plugs and fuses.

Times have changed

In the past, a British twin at such an 20D km needed a top-end overhaul. Crankshaft bearings and so it usually liked something about 40D km. From 1970, when the new motorcycling was born with the introduction of the CB 750, the BMW / 5 and the large Kawa 900, that is no longer the case. These are engines that easily run over the barrel during normal use and maintenance. We know someone who drove just under four tons with his R60 / 5 before the crankshaft bearings became too tired to keep embracing the oil.

But of course it is fantastic to find and buy a spotless 32 year old motorcycle. This story therefore ended well for the seller.

Because the most important thing when purchasing a classic motorcycle is ... Whether you want it. But let a few rational things play a part in all emotions