Heading to Santa Barbara Saturday

[James Burleigh]

So Fang, our daughter mini-Fang, and I are heading down to Santa Barbara this weekend for our son mini-JB's graduation from UC Santa Barbara. Over wine just now mini-Fang asked how the bike search was going, and I told her. Then she said I ought to look for something off 101 on the way down there Saturday. I slapped my forehead and exclaimed, "Of course!"

Well, there's a guy in Santa Barbara who's selling an '04 for an asking price of $6,250. He's got a lame Craigslist add, so I won't bother linking it here. All it says, with no pics, is "Givi travel box, battery maintainer, extras, very clean, silver blue, tank bag." Don't know what silver blue is, but hell I'll be right there, so I'll have a look.

If anyone wants to send me links to '04s showing much lower asking prices, that'll help me peg the value lower if I want to make an offer.

Apart from that, what should a fellah look at who wants to evaluate a used bike (and who doesn't have SkooterG to look at it for him)?

I confirmed it has ABS, but how do I know when I see it? Fairlaner told me something about silver colored slippers or something, but I don't remember. I think he was drunk anyway. :blink:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Ask him if you can do a 101, 33, 166 loop to test ride it. That way, even if you don't buy it...you'll have had a good ride.

 

[TomInPA]

Hans, ABS bikes all have a sensor that reads the rotation of the wheels. look for the sensor on the left side of the front brakes with a 1/4 inch black cable running up the fork, and on the right rear with a 1/4 inch black cable emerging just behind the caliper. Here is a picture of the rear wheel sensor attached with two allen bolts just above the axel, and the slotted ABS ring.

 

[dcarver]

Clueless as to what the calendar looks like for Saturday, JB.

Get you prices lined up for similar year/model/condition then PM me.

 

[James Burleigh]

Clueless as to what the calendar looks like for Saturday, JB.

Get you prices lined up for similar year/model/condition then PM me.

Okay, Don! Um, what? :huh:

Hans, ABS bikes all have a sensor that reads the rotation of the wheels. look for the sensor on the left side of the front brakes with a 1/4 inch black cable running up the fork, and on the right rear with a 1/4 inch black cable emerging just behind the caliper. Here is a picture of the rear wheel sensor attached with two allen bolts just above the axel, and the slotted ABS ring.

Thanks, Tom!

Man, here's a sweet-looking '04 near San Diego. Too bad a fellah can't be everywhere. Maybe I can drive down Monday. We got folks down there, don't we? Fellahs?

 

[Fairlaner]

Hans the way to tell is if it says ABS on the front fender.....failing that if it is and ABS bike it will have Silver Calipers like this......

If it is Non ABS they will look like this.

Hope that helps.....

R

 

[Tree Doc]

ABS sensor is on the left side of the front wheel, right side of the rear. You can't miss it. Caliper color is dead nutz on and easiest.

Dang Hans, I'd enjoy a ride down to SB to check it out with you but I'll be on my FeeJ and back up in San Ramon & Livermore Fri/Sat but returning Saturday late afternoon / evening so if you need some assist on Sunday, I'm available.

 

[SkooterG]

Hans - take a test ride of the bike. Get up to 60mph or so and just JAM on the front brake. If you crash, it's non-abs. If you don't, it's ABS.

Is simple, no?

You're welcome.

What about the 04 I sent you a link to in PB (San Diego)? Less miles and cheaper price.

 

[James Burleigh]

Hans - take a test ride of the bike. Get up to 60mph or so and just JAM on the front brake. If you crash, it's non-abs. If you don't, it's ABS.

Is simple, no?

You're welcome.

Got it! :huh:

What about the 04 I sent you a link to in PB (San Diego)? Less miles and cheaper price.

That's the same one I posted above at bottom of my last post. Yes, interested.

Hans the way to tell is if it says ABS on the front fender.....failing that if it is and ABS bike it will have Silver Calipers like this......

If it is Non ABS they will look like this.

Hope that helps.....

R

Roger that! (What's a caliper? :blink: )

And oh yeah, how do I know it's an '04 and not an '03 if he doesn't have the manual, especially if he's calling it silver blue?

ABS sensor is on the left side of the front wheel, right side of the rear. You can't miss it. Caliper color is dead nutz on and easiest.

Dang Hans, I'd enjoy a ride down to SB to check it out with you but I'll be on my FeeJ and back up in San Ramon & Livermore Fri/Sat but returning Saturday late afternoon / evening so if you need some assist on Sunday, I'm available.

Thank you. I've got your number.

 

[wfooshee]

The '04 "silver blue" is:

For an '03 the whole bike is nearly the color of the side panel under the seat (I have the audacity to post my own bike here

Note that '03s came with black wheels, mine has polished, thanks to original owner.

Unfortunately, dweebs like Patriot, Radiohowie, those kind of guys have that year bike. What a group that's forming there, no?

 

[NightShine]

And oh yeah, how do I know it's an '04 and not an '03 if he doesn't have the manual, especially if he's calling it silver blue?

Didn't the '03s originally come with the front turn signals sticking out on little "pods"? Unless the prior owner replaced them, it should be quite distinctive from the "flush" mounted turn signals of later models.

 

[Neil San Diego]

Man, here's a sweet-looking '04 near San Diego. Too bad a fellah can't be everywhere. Maybe I can drive down Monday. We got folks down there, don't we? Fellahs?

Pacific Beach is about 15 mins south of my work. I could run down there over lunch one day. Let me know if I can help.

 

[kenporider]

"And oh yeah, how do I know it's an '04 and not an '03 if he doesn't have the manual, especially if he's calling it silver blue?"

If it has ABS, it's not an '03.

 

[RadioHowie]

Also, no glovebox in the upper fairing on an '03.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

And oh yeah, how do I know it's an '04 and not an '03...

You should be so fortunate -- to pick up an '03 with so few miles so cheaply...

 

[James Burleigh]

Man, here's a sweet-looking '04 near San Diego. Too bad a fellah can't be everywhere. Maybe I can drive down Monday. We got folks down there, don't we? Fellahs?

Pacific Beach is about 15 mins south of my work. I could run down there over lunch one day. Let me know if I can help.

Thanks! PM sent.

"And oh yeah, how do I know it's an '04 and not an '03 if he doesn't have the manual, especially if he's calling it silver blue?"

If it has ABS, it's not an '03.

That should pretty much settle it....

 

[dcarver]

Okay, Don! Um, what? :huh:

DOOFUS! Thinking of skating down to SB town to look at the bike wid yah!

PM sent to you - let me know..

Don

 

[James Burleigh]

Okay, Don! Um, what? :huh:

DOOFUS! Thinking of skating down to SB town to look at the bike wid yah!

PM sent to you - let me know..

Don

Cool! It'd be great to see you. But you'd have to realize, Don, we will get to the hotel and check in. Then I drive over to look at the bike, then go back to the motel to go with the family out to dinner. It may feel rushed (I already feel rushed), and I can't guarantee you any quality buddy time. But in all events I would highly value the advice of a fellow, more experienced (more manly) rider and friend.

 

[dcarver]

Okay, Don! Um, what? :huh:

DOOFUS! Thinking of skating down to SB town to look at the bike wid yah!

PM sent to you - let me know..

Don

Cool! It'd be great to see you. But you'd have to realize, Don, we will get to the hotel and check in. Then I drive over to look at the bike, then go back to the motel to go with the family out to dinner. It may feel rushed (I already feel rushed), and I can't guarantee you any quality buddy time. But in all events I would highly value the advice of a fellow, more experienced (more manly) rider and friend.

I know how to keep myself entertained then again understand the *true* nature of this journey.

..point blank, I don't think you'll have adequate, if any, time to look at the bike? Call me a realist, but with hotels, wimmens, travel, schedules, priorities?? Me thinks you'll be very involved.

Tell yah what, call me or PM if you think I'm all wet. Seems to me better bikes are elsewhere, and I certainly would ride to SB to look at the bike solo if this time frame is too compressed.

You won't hurt my feelings either way, bud!

DC