Can you spot the flaw? Opinions.

[cciccole]

I found this fz6 on Craigslist and the guy sent me photos by email. On initial inspection it looks good, though has some dings on the left side from a low speed wet road mishap. I can look past a couple scars, it's what's on the inside that counts.

Anyway, I was zooming the photos and I saw what appears to be oil weeping from the bike, near the rear break foot pedal.

Check it out (there is a zoom button or DL the photo.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UCw-1hch60FoQNer2Y2Lxw?authkey=p_nQAHQCUbU&feat=directlink

I've heard these subtle leaks can happen when the type or weight of oil is changed. This is an 04 though with 16k miles. Any opinions/something to say on this? Anyone have similar experience with their fz?

 

[reiobard]

doesn't look to be a very big deal, but i would have to see it in real life to really decide. Dented tank too on the right side. make sure that it would pass safety in your area, A lot of times, in my state at least, they won't pass a dented gas tank. Although that doesn't look too bad either.

 

[xj750_Pete]

Those streaks could possibly be just mud stains or rain stains if he was riding in the rain. Using incorrect viscosity of oil can cause oil to leak past gaskets and such, but I doubt this is the case. He could have also been sloppy with his oil changes and just spilled engine oil all over the place. Small dents like the one on the tank can be popped out. I would check the levers for the correct curvature if the owner did drop it.

 

[Mattberkshire]

Metalwork underneath is in better condition than mine but I do live in rainy, salty UK which eats alloy. To me that doesn't look like a leak, more like he's washed it and some gunk dribbled out after the wash and dry. However if it is a bad seal around the sump it's not too much of a problem. In the UK a new sump costs £68 plus the labour to fit it. I know, I f*cked my oil drain plug when I did my first oil change. The rear sub-frame does look very very shiny and new. Either it's only been out in dry conditions, the owner is a cleanaholic or...it's been crashed and had a new one. Worth checking out as the corrosion around the bolt on the swingarm would suggest it has been in contact with a certain amount of moisture.

 

[notjohndavid]

first thing I noticed was the tank. I've got a very similar ding on my bike in the same spot. I about dropped my bike and caught it with my leg... apparently my leg mashed in the tank. I think that a painless dent removal guy could take that out of the tank fairly easily since it doesn't appear to be on a creased area and doesn't *appear* to have a crown on it. gott asee it in person though. probably worth a look for sure if the price is right.

re: oil leak. hard to say from a picture

 

[Hellgate]

Looks fine to me. I mean its 5+ years old and has 16,000 miles on it. It's been ridden, no big deal.

 

[OneTrack]

The first thing that caught my eye was the Corbin seat. Nice.
+1 on Hellgate's comments.

 

[Nelly]

I am going along with Matt on this one (post wash splog).
Still I would treat it for what it is (a photo) and go and see the bike in the flesh.
I would like to know if the TPS and front sprocket retainer have been sorted under warranty.


Nelly

PS Nice colour.

 

[cciccole]

Good eyes everyone, and the guy mentioned that he replaced something that was recalled at the dealer. I'm not sure what TPS is and haven't heard anything about the front sprocket retainer.

 

[ozzieboy]

No sliders. Dent in tank. Most likely, the pickup cover and water pump have been replaced which would explain the leak if it hasn't been done properly.

Cheers
Mike

 

[OneTrack]

No sliders. Dent in tank. Most likely, the pickup cover and water pump have been replaced which would explain the leak if it hasn't been done properly.

Cheers
Mike

Good call! :thumbup:

 

[The Toecutter]

Good eyes everyone, and the guy mentioned that he replaced something that was recalled at the dealer. I'm not sure what TPS is and haven't heard anything about the front sprocket retainer.

TPS stands for throttle posisition sensor,I've changed a couple under warranty one on an r1 had been changed but not properly recorded on the bikes service history and the mechanic had left the old o-ring in the intake from the deffective sensor and forced the replacement in on top of it.the worst Ive seen was a burgman scooter that came in with a complaint of a clunkin noise in the front fairing when you turned the forks.I looked in with my flashlight and could see the PCM hanging from its wiring harness between the forks and the fairing!I did a service history check on it and found it had been replaced under a recall by a short cut taking Idiot that worked across from me in the shop.The point of all this is you should know who's working on your bike,and if you have the ability check to make sure it is perfect working order before you ride away.