I've recently been talking about getting another 2 stroke (used to have a KTM200EGS a good few years ago) and used to find that a fantastic little bike. So interestingly around the same I'm looking for one, (me and her) decide its time I moved upto Goodrington. So I say "sod it" I'll get an older one and I can sell the WR and free up a little more equity.
So I'd been watching a nice one on ebay and eventually won it in the last few seconds. More than happy when I first saw it, but on the test run it seemed to pull well but no top-end power. I rang Justin and he's advised checking the power valve. Well we found it seized and Justin had quoted me around 60quid to remove barrel and sort it out. The seller kindly took this cost off the purchase price.
Took it straight to Justin (Gibbs) who took head off and unfortunately found the crank bearings worn/corroded and play in piston. Needed a full overhaul at as estimated 500quid.......... oh no!!! I rang the previous owner up and explained the situation - he hadnt rode the bike for nearly 7 months (was SORN) so Justin said it was likely it had been jet washed and then left without restarting to re-lube and drive out dampness - the old owner more or less confirmed he had jet washed it after its last ride last November!! He also agreed to pay a further 250 towards the repair meaning I'd have a bike with completely overhauled engine (new crank bearings, conrod, big/small ends, piston and rings) for around 200 extra.
Well Justin did the work, it did work out slightly more expensive than original estimation as also had to replace the power valve itself - but I got it at a good place in the first place and the previous owner still paid more than half the repair cost. What a geniunely nice bloke he was - it was bought from ebay so he could have told me where to go!!
Took bike out for 90 minutes on Saturday and am so happy with my purchase. The bike is a little demon and it rockets along. At the same time it has low-down pickup and uber-light. Obviously a lot more buzzier than my awesome WR and you're up and down those gears all the time, but its frantic and its fun - I'm going to like it, even with the pre-mix hassle.
Look forward to getting out for a good run soon, but the house has also sold so am going to have a few busy weekends ahead.
There's another post if you want to by a superb WR450F.
Pic of new bike from Saturday (its a 2005 model on a 54-plate)
-- Edited by Wheely on Sunday 10th of July 2011 08:54:46 PM
