Author Topic: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?  (Read 6797 times)

Offline ZG

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how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« on: June 14, 2011, 05:20:00 PM »
Hey guys,
I have a C14 but am trying to help my brother in-law find a C10...
 
We are currently looking at one that has 60k miles, do you think that is at or getting to the point of worry for miles on it?? 
 
I know there are many factors to this question like how it was mantained etc, this would be a private party purchase and the seller doesn't have records from prior to him, he's had it for a couple years. So just in general what are your guys thoughts on a C10 with that many miles??
 
Thanks in advance for any help and opinions.

Offline DeansZG

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2011, 06:04:29 PM »

  I think I'd worry more about a low mileage older one than a mid-mileage newer one....  60k is barely starting to get into it's stride...
'99 C10 "MissTriss" *sold*
'04 ZZR1200 "Sweet heart" *sold*
'81 GL1100 Interstate "Puttz"*sold*
'00 K12LT..."Battleship Galactica".....

Offline anycleavers

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2011, 06:48:16 PM »
I don't know where you're located, but this one-owner popped up on CL's today. North Chicago suburbs.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/mcy/2438560985.html

"Always take the long way home."

Offline ATC Buckeye

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2011, 07:50:34 PM »
Bought mine with 75k on it.  I was concerned.   I used that "concern" to get a great price ($1600).   The minimal work I've done to it is due to age, not mileage.  We opened the valve cover and it looks like new inside.   I see no reason it can't go another 100k easy.  It's more about condition than mileage.

Offline medicevans

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2011, 08:32:38 PM »
Man I hope that 60,000 isn't a cause for worry, because my bile has 64800 in it and I'm about to drop another $700 in power cams and tires. Seriously though, I too would be worried about a 94 with 5500 miles than a 2004 with 55000 miles. 

Once he finds a C10, send him over to SiSF for overflow tubes at least and the whole shebang if he can swing it. Great guy and make the bike a whole 'nother beast.

Brian

Offline redzgrider

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2011, 08:37:08 PM »
I just got back from a big loop from Orlando through Amarillo, up Independance Pass to Rushmore and Crazy Horse. 4916 miles. Bike had ~75K to start with. Pretty close to 80K today. Independace pass is 12,100 feet. Hardly had to downshift -- and that just for speed control.

Offline Jet86

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2011, 10:55:24 PM »
As said it's more about routine maintenance then miles, my 86 is close to 68k and still runs great even though it needs carbs cleaned or rebuilt i still ride all over on this thing, problems will crop up but most are minor and can be fixed as i keep learning like yesterday when the horn died.
This is the best place to talk about the connie and get help when needed.


1986 California Connie 87k and counting

Offline Bob Young

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2011, 12:55:43 AM »
 ;)
Bought my '86 with 59K on the clock from original owner in '03. Currently has 92K on it with very few trips to the dealer. I'm lucky enough to have a few mechanical skills and a whole bunch of "wrenchs" for friends. Unless something very bad happens, I don't see getting rid of this bike for a long, long time.
I think good maintenance is the key.

Take care and ride safe,
Bob Young


Offline CRocker

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2011, 01:20:27 AM »
I saw a '94 last Sunday...it had 164k on it...if I remember correctly...my '88 is just getting broken-in at 47k!
'02 C-10

Offline Mettler1

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2011, 07:03:42 AM »
  When you buy an older bike keep in mind you will have to do maintainence and repair yourself. Some parts will wear out and have to be replaced. A dealer will charge you more $$ than what the bike is worth!! The C10 is a very good reliable bike but sooner or later you  will need to do some wrenching. Your first accessory is a shop manual. 
'94 Concours 112,000 miles-- 7th gear,2MM,KB fork brace,Over flowtubes,Stick coils,Tcro shifter,GPS,Torque cams,SPOOKFAK,block off plates, SS brake & clutch lines,KB risers, FENDA EXTENDA, emulators,etc

Offline Gitbox

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2011, 12:35:57 PM »
I bought mine with 95k and I used it to bargain the price down. I was a little worried until I read that these bikes can do 200k or more if cared for. A really good pre sale inspection helps, too.
2008 Yamaha FJR1300A
2004 Yamaha FJR1300 (sold)
2000 Kawasaki Concours ZG-1000 (sold)

Offline dbethel

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2011, 02:00:13 PM »
We are currently looking at one that has 60k miles, do you think that is at or getting to the point of worry for miles on it?? 

It should be fine, just look for signs of previous damage and repairs.

D.

Offline ZG

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2011, 06:56:39 PM »
It should be fine, just look for signs of previous damage and repairs.

D.

She has been down before, to the point of even a reconstructed title, but it was "supposedly" just cosmetic and all the damaged plastic was replaced with new oem. The bike looks clean, and the 60k miles plus the recon title is making it a very low price that it's for sale for, which is why we're considering it... My brother in-law doesn't have much money, but doesn't want to buy a lemon either...  :-\

Offline Bluegray

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2011, 09:02:34 AM »
Insurance companies will total a bike for almost any accident. The salvage title is a good bargaining tool for price. Attempt to run a check on the title. Look for a lot of time between the insurance company taking title and the next owner. Many times a salvaged bike will sit on a lot awaiting auction. Take a flashlight and check the tank for rust. Rust will cause problems in the future and could be costly. A salvaged title may make resale difficult in the future.

Offline Uglydog56

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #14 on: June 18, 2011, 11:48:41 AM »
My bike has a salvaged title and all new plastics - I got it cheap.  If the maintenance has been kept up, I'd probably start to worry when compression readings got below 100psi or it used more than a quart of oil between oil changes, which on these bikes is probably somewhere around 500,000 I'll bet.  Jew them down hard and ride the wheels off her!
Rick A. Cone
COG #9186
98 Connie, 76 CB400F

Offline ZG

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #15 on: June 18, 2011, 09:31:59 PM »
Here is the bike in question.
 
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/2439230950.html
 
What are your thoughts, concerns, questions I should be asking??

Offline SteveJ.

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #16 on: June 19, 2011, 02:53:33 AM »
Seems decent for the price, a test ride will tell a lot. If maintenance records are available, that's a huge plus. Shows someone actually cared about it.
Perfection Is A Fantasy, Improvement Is Possible(Margie J)
America's Seaplane City
'99 Conk: 234k mi, '98 KLR650, both gone, '15 Versys 650LT: 74k mi
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Offline yoman

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #17 on: June 19, 2011, 05:49:53 AM »
Buy it and put another 60K on it. Then let us know how it worked out!

I just bought an '02 with 50K and a rebuilt title. I had her down to the bones and couldn't find any probs. I aint skeered.
2002 Semi-naked Connie

Offline Steve in Sunny Fla

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #18 on: June 19, 2011, 07:26:18 AM »
I eode SteveJ's 146,000 mile 99 yesterday. Man, that bike ran great - he rides it all over the US. Canada and doesn't think twice about it - Now I see why! Steve

Offline Summit670

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Re: how many miles on a C10 before you'd start to worry?
« Reply #19 on: June 19, 2011, 10:12:37 AM »
My 87 turned 70,000 yesterday.  Had it since new.  I've replaced the fan switch 3 times, coils last year with stic caps/coils, cam chain adjuster with the APE unit.  Routine/preventative maintenance items like wheel bearing changes, oil/filter changes, valve adjusts, etc.  Has been a very good machine thus far.

Look at the sellers other older items sitting around for an indicator of whether maintenance was done.

If it looks good, starts good and runs good, I'm sure it is ok.

Arctic Cat M8 163 rules

Sleds, Dirt Bikes, ATV's, Street Bikes, Mountain Bikes.  Heck, I guess if it has handlebars I'll give it a try.