Checking Out A Used 426

[mxracer2000]

I plan to dive into 4 strokes with both feet and buy 426 or 450 after being out of riding/racing for a long time. I'm going to have a look at a 01 426 this weekend and was wondering what specifically I should be looking at when checking the bike over. The history is kinda of questionable. Apparently the guy traded the bike in for a $10000 commercial lawn mower. The guy selling the bike knows nothing about the bike other than its way too fast for him. He's asking 5100 obo Canadian funds. What is a reasonable price to pay? He mentioned the guy told him it was worth $6000, but I can buy an 03 for $6200. (out of my price range) Any help would be appreciated. Lastly because Im located in Winnipeg and we have a ton of snow; I can start the bike but wont be able to take it for a test ride. He claims its in "like new condition."

[InvolvedPatriot]

I don't know about the availability in your area...but I live in Northern California and there are TONS of 426's available. I just bought mine for $3000.00 and it has alot of extras. Is canadian money worth the same as American dollars 'cause $5100.00 sounds awfully high to me, even if it is almost new condition.

T.

good luck...and get a 426 somewhere I am loving mine!!!

[Dell30rb]

the 01's were nice, not really much I can tell you beyond that though!

Just check it over... make sure to take a look at the chassis bearings... make sure nothing leaks etc...

btw, welcome to ATM!

Good luck with it.

[Dell30rb]

5100 is canadian dollars

not sure how that works out in USD, but i'm sure its less...

[mxracer2000]

5000 Canadian is worth about 3800 US dollars. I figure I could likely get it for 4700 or 3575 US. Its roughly about 76c on a dollar.

[cowboyona426]

mxracer- check for things like the paint cracking around the footpeg mounts, this would be a sign of major stress on the frame from jumping. Turn the bars back and forth to see if they feel stiff or not. Look for stuff like paint missing from the frame, big scratches etc. that would indicate a lot of use. I'm sure the streets are plowed even in Winnipeg so start it up and run it down the road a little ways. I wouldn't pay much more than about 3500 US dollars for it.

[mxracer2000]

If I was to do a compression test on the bike (Ive never done one before) what should the compression reading be? Also is there any special instructions for doing one on this bike specifically regarding using the decompression lever to kick it over? Steets are plowed but just about everywhere there is a nice fine layer of ice. We were down to minus 43 for close to a week then it warmed up and got super cold again so I dont want to go out and kill myself on it.

[Dalem]

I'd say to hit a knee and Look the bike over closely. How are the sprockets and chain? (If they are stock, plan on replacing them and the handlebars if stock also). Look at the air filter - if dirty, the bike has probably not been maintained properly. Does it idle okay? Is there any excessive engine noise? Check the swingarm to see if the chain has dug down into it from the faulty chain sliders. You might even want to do a compression test - typically 170 to 180 psi. Cosmetics are not that important but you have to plan on the cost if needed.
Just my 2 cents worth and probably not worth much more.

[Dell30rb]

No need to do a compression test, if the bike runs strong, and dosent smoke after being warmed up, its fine.

[huffdaddy70]

I agree with Dell, if it runs strong, you can't kick through the compression, and if it still has good compression after being hot, it should be fine!

[Dirtbikindad393]

If you can take the skid plate off and look at the inside bottom of the plate for oil. Check the cases where they come together make sure they don't have any oil leaking. When you start it look for coolant dripping from the weep hole in the bottom of the water pump cover. It could be a drip or as much as a stream until it warms the seal enough to expand the seal and stop the drip. If this happens there is a chance that the oil has coolant in it. Check the oil and check the vent tube off the top of the vavle cover for drippage. Actually pick the tube up and look in the end. you don't want any milky color at all in the oil or the vent tube. Also the water pump shaft seal needs replacing bargining tool the shop would charge $200 usd to change it you can do it for less than $40 in parts and your time.

If you have the time and can do it check the rotors for dents and bends. Take the front axle off the bike if a guy is going to clean the good for sale he most likely wont take the wheels off and clean around the spacers and hubs. Check the bearings for grease and the axle too. If the axle is dirty gritty and theseals are caked with thick dirty grease it could be a sign of neglect. Bargining tool for lowering the price.
Check the screw heads on the clamps for the air filter boot to the carb see if they have signs of use or not. Use means that whoever had it might have taken it apart during maintenance to clean. The air filter box is a great place to look as others have said check that for sure.

Good luck hope it goes well.

[mxracer2000]

Thanks for all the info. Im going to have a look at it in the morning.

[huffdaddy70]

Good luck!


Post 200!!! WOOHOO

[mxracer2000]

Well I went to go see it and it looked great; maybe too great. It reminded of what a used car dealer does when he puts out a car on the lot. All the scratches were touched up on the frame and it was super clean. The guy really didnt know too much about the bike as he got it on a trade for a lawnmower. He claimed he only rode it about 5-6 times but he seemed to know how to change the oil and clean the oil filter as well as get at and clean the air filter. The big problem was it was extremely cold this morning and there was no way we were going to start the bike (my truck barely started this morning and it was plugged in) . So I told him what I thought was an appropriate price ..about 4300 Canadian and told him if he was interested I would come back when it was warmer. It just about killed me to leave the bike because it looked so good. But who knows if the motor even runs.