Morning guys, Hoping I can get some advice. I agreed a quick purchase for a mint 2000 Blackbird for 3k with 15k miles. After paying the private seller a deposit and looking to insure and do further checks it turns out it was a cat D and repaired with custom fittings (the custom part is in the advert listed below ). Exhaust - Custom Under seat with Yoshimura RS-5 end can. Brakes - de-linked Polished rearsets Suspension - Hyperpro front and rear springs Dynajet Power commander ecu. Dyno Tuned with custom fuel map 141.81 bhp rear wheel (181bhp at crank) Torque 83.15 ft-lbs rear wheel. Standard Dyno rear wheel 132bhp and 79 ft-lbs. Background MOTs shows it was lacking an MOT for several years and did 30 miles in that time despite the seller saying it's an occasional toy and was used on some weekends. It has got a new MOT and garage service where they also changed the gummed up injectors. He says prior to this he has been servicing himself. Some of this is ringing alarm bells but another part of me thinks it's nothing to worry about, just maybe a renegotiation on the price (if he didn't know about the cat D status) and further garage check? I'm also thinking this is why it didn't go on a site like Autotrader which would have picked up the Cat D status but could be being paranoid. Any thoughts appreciated, thanks in advance. Reply
Go with your gut - you are already in doubt and as the seller never mentioned the Cat D I’d be out EDIT - don’t know what specifically you’re looking for but same money and miles ish but a 2008 on autotrader https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-d... Super Blackbird&price-to=3500&sort=relevance
Can the seller show you some crashed or unrepaired pictures? The devils in the detail so simply being a cat D wouldn't put me off until I had more info. Bear in mind cat D, C, B are old designations whereas now it's N and S. When was it categorised and what's the history since is what I'd be asking? My 675r is a cat N after my mate stacked it chasing me on my 765. I bought the salvage and rebuilt it. Once fully checked and rebuilt by myself, which surprisingly included new forks and front wheel spindle amongst other things, its a great bike and certainly brings a smile to your face, just so raw, no abs etc. The only long term issue I could see is if you decided to px in the future, a lot of dealers wouldn't take it in.
I think if everything is accurate he bought in 2010 (have seen the V5) and the write off was in 2006 (so wouldn't have pictures). I am torn as it looks really nice and with a renegotiation on price I'd probably do a deal. The garage seems decent the service and recent MOT were done at. I'm in the Cat D boat with my other bike which main dealers won't touch and offers are pathetic from others. Although I could see myself keeping this long term. Would anyone thinking of taking this get an independent inspection if the price was reduced?
Thanks Boothman. I had a silver one but would love a black one (that's what she said haha) and strange they won't offer any warranty as a dealer on the one you've listed. I'm sure this circumnavigates legalities as a dealer for supply of goods.
Thanks for the reply. Low mileage mint ones are really desirable, but the price does vary wildly from 3-5.5k rom private and dealers. Was really hard to gage what is reasonable. I'm thinking if he came down to £2250ish I'd be happy and get my local garage to check over.
It’s not uncommon for dealers to list as no warranty for something over 10 years old. I wouldn’t worry too much on that front and I don’t know the intricacies of the law as to if the minimum 6 months applies or not. It was just an example of what comparable machines are out there for the money and miles
If that sort of offer is acceptable to the seller and your going to get it checked out anyway, then I’d strongly suggest having your local garage look it over before you hand over the cash
Not to undervalue any independent inspection specialists but, I think you would get more, and better relevant info, from a model enthusiast i.e. knowlegable hands on owners club member. Things like certain expensive parts i.e. more likely to be bodged than replaced, rare parts to find secondhand etc. Have a look on the forums and owners club then put out a request?
Thanks for all the useful suggestions and info guys, that's why I love this forum! Just to update he says didn't now it was a write off but is willing to negotiate and drop off to for me to assess for a few days (without any further funds), seems a kind offer. I rang my local garage and they suggested another MOT and with additional test ride by them. I'm thinking on a price now. I may go in with £1800 (if it's pristine as stated and passes garage checks) and see what he says. We had a good chat and he gets I will struggle to move it on as a cat D if I do decide to sell.
