How Much Does it Cost to Make a Used Bike Roadworthy?

How do you feel about $2000? Yea... I have seen it happen too often.

To tell the truth, that is really the wrong question. If the bike has been ridden regularly and is well maintained (meaning all maintenance is up to date), the answer is zero. Unfortunately, most bikes on the used market are being sold because they are not being ridden... and bikes that are not being ridden rarely get maintained at all. In fact, they get parked with a partial tank of gas and left to molder until the owner dies or needs to raise some cash.  So, let's re-title this posting to...

How Much Does it Cost to Make a Neglected Bike Roadworthy?
Let's take some very broad strokes to get a rough idea of what it costs to deal with the most common problems...

• $700 - Two Tires, Balance, Install (Usually out of date even if they have good tread)
• $160 - Engine Oil & Filter (At least every 12 months, ridden or not)
• $110 - Brake Fluid Flush, Fill, Bleed (At least every 24 months, ridden or not)
• $120 - Coolant Flush & Fill (Usually, every 36 - 48 months, ridden or not)
• $100 - Final Drive Service (600 mile Chain Service or 36 month Rear Hub Gear Oil Change) 
• $150 - Battery Replacement (Every year if neglected, 3 - 4 if high grade & kept charged)
• $1350 - Total

Of course, the bike could have worn out brake pads, worn out brake rotors, leaking fork seals, be overdue for new spark plugs or a valve adjustment. It may have rust in the fuel tank,  plugged carburetor(s), worn out fuel pump, bad spark plugs or ignition coils, bad starter and/ or starter relay, defective charging system (stator, rectifier, and/or regulator), burned out bulbs, frayed wiring, loose spokes, or any number of other problems, any one of which can add another hundred or more to the bill.

The bottom line is that you could be looking at anywhere from $500 to almost $3000, depending on the bike's actual condition...but at least one of the items in the latter group usually pops up. So when you have your eye on a snazzy used bike, hold $2000 back from the deal. You are likely to need for repairs and maintenance before you trust your life to your new toy.
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