m82s Report post Posted November 15, 2012 Hi all, as per my other post: http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/43437-what-model-and-year-is-this-please/ im buying this tomorrow morning and im new to beta. the price is 895 for the bike and wont budge on price. please can anyone tell me if this is a good price? apparently it says beta 352 on engine - is this a 250cc? this is my main concern. anything else i should look out for? cheers in advance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckindenver Report post Posted November 15, 2012 make sure the coooling fan works, and if it has lights they work as well, if the fan doesnt work, and the light bulb is burnt, it has a problem. easy fix. but a problem no less, also make sure no oil is in the radiator. water pump fix isnt fun, check that the clutch works well, and doesnt stick after the bike is warm, sticky when cold is normal, look for cacks in the frame,, and swingarm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve Report post Posted November 15, 2012 Sorry i cant help you on cc of the bike, it is most likely a 250 or 270. As for what to check well with a bike of that age everything ! In their day they were a well made bike as good as any other of the same era. Some of the things to look for on old Beta's, footpeg brackets can bend, break or come loose where they bolt to the frame. Exhaust can rub through on tyre, Check rear shock damping adjustment works, linkages can wear as on any mono with this set up. Front Paoili forks are good, make sure mudguard brakets are not cracked where people slide them up for more clearance and clamp up out of grooves. Give engine a good run to check fan cuts in when it gets warm, thermostats can go as can the fan motors. Back brake pedals bend easily too but can be sorted cheaply enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m82s Report post Posted November 15, 2012 Wow cheers guys - most appreciated. god id better write all this down. im viewing at a road bike dealers who took in part exchange but is adament price is final. hope i have time to fire the bike over and let it warm up etc. surely this is minimum expectation when buying anyway. how do i quickly check no oil is radiator please? im fairly new to bikes so god help me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
canada280i Report post Posted November 16, 2012 If the dealer will not let you warm the bike up or check it over simply walk away Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckindenver Report post Posted November 16, 2012 easier to see water in the oil, take a Qtip with you, and dip in in the oil through the filler hole, if its mlky grey , walk away.. to fix the water pump on a techno, is noooo fun. never buy a bike that you cant ride around a bit till its warmed up...and try not buying one in the Dark.. daylight is the best time too buy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grahamjayzee Report post Posted November 16, 2012 All the above applies! In truth, it seems a bit steep, BUT, you could spend months searching out a better deal and that time is probable best spent riding. Engine capacity is pretty much unimportant. If you call John Lampkin (search Beta UK), he'll tell you straight away if you are concerned. Be careful about all the 'little things' though as they can soon mount up to be a 'big bill'! Just to give you some idea (and most of these things will need doing at some point on an older bike: Wheel bearings about £15 a wheel Swinging arm bearings/ bushes about £50 Linkage bearings about £60 Shock spherical bearings about £30 each end For seals (including oil) about £40 Tyres about £130 All are pretty easy to do, but this will help keep the price in perspective. It is possible to buy a decent honest bike that needs very few of the above for £1k (less if you're really patient); this guy has taken this as a p/ex and may not know about trials bikes. As such, he may not know the significance of any of the above (particularly tyres; those that don't know see 5mm+ of tread and think the tyre has years left; a trials tyre is knackered when it has the same depth of tread as when you bought it, but the edge has worn!). Control interfaces can add up; you don't want broken levers as the ball end is there to stop it puncturing you in a nasty; £15 each. Bent handlebars are £50 and plastics can cost loads. Even a pair of handlegrips is a tenner and it can all mount up. As stated above, if you get to water pumps and pistons etc, I suggest you keep looking. Otherwise, if it is a good, honest and sound bike, a 97 techno is a perfectly decent bike! Remember, don't let your heart overrule your head! Good luck Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garrym Report post Posted November 16, 2012 There's a 04 Rev 3 on TC classifieds for less than you're planning to pay, Surely that's a better bet than a Techno? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bambam_n_chunx Report post Posted November 16, 2012 There's a 04 Rev 3 on TC classifieds for less than you're planning to pay, Surely that's a better bet than a Techno? You might even get it a bit cheaper if you turn up with cash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grahamjayzee Report post Posted November 16, 2012 Yes, the one with the rattly top end? Indeed a Rev3 is a better bike than the Tecno... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m82s Report post Posted November 16, 2012 Lads you have been bags of information - I simply cannot thank you enough! As mentioned above for the first time ever I have not let my giddy self get carried away and by on a whim! Not the exact words but I'm prone to seeing something and wanting it so therefor I did not go view the bike. Busy day so sorry only just seen all your replies now and they have really helped me out. I was afraid the bike was to expensive. They guy will not take a penny less and he took it in p/x so he is obviously making up a loss elsewhere and admits to knowing nothing about trials. I'm going to do some shopping about tonight but the money is burning a hole in my pocket as normal! I'm in Leeds west yorks if anyone comes up with any good buy suggestions Thanks again guys! Martin 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grahamjayzee Report post Posted November 16, 2012 Good luck Martin. Don't be afraid to ask for more info if you have another bike to view. Let us know how you get on Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westfield Report post Posted November 16, 2012 (edited) How much did you get for your K-Roo ?? Was watching it on Gay Bay, fancied a cheeky bid. Edited November 16, 2012 by westfield Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
totalshell Report post Posted November 16, 2012 walk away.... ask yourself a couple of questions.. do you WANT a 1997 beta techno or is one just available.. is a road bike dealer the best place to buy a 15 year old off road competition motorcycle... if your in leeds your central for buying from private sellers and dealers go for a ride round saturday and see the selection of used bikes for sale at a grand, folks will let you ride etc get a feel for what you would LIKE keep the money in your pocket it can only grow.. as christmas and the new year comes folks will want need cash and better bikes will be for sale.. do not buy a bike tomorrow.. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckindenver Report post Posted November 17, 2012 save some more coins, and pick up a late model Rev 3. exellent bike, bullet proof, and a joy to ride,,nothing turns like a Rev, word of advise,..avoid buying old Pro bikes, they were rode hard,,and dropped a lot, even if they were maintained. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
