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Old 25th October 2010, 10:39   #1
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Buying a Yezdi Roadking- Questions

Hi!
I'm buying a yezdi roadking and paying about 32 K for it. I rode the bike and it did look fine to me.Though i still have to carefully check the wheels,Carb but i have made up my mind and would not want to change it.I needed to answers for following questions:
1) The bike is still in the first owner's name and the user hasn't transffered it for last 10 years on his name.I checked the traffic police site online and there are no cases against the bike.Besides i've asked the seller to transffer the bike in my name , I'll be handing over to him copies of my DL and address prooof and he'll get the bike transffered in my name.
I haven't checked anything in the bike,except the driving experiance-What do you think i should check for? (I'm not a tech-pro or Oro-Tech for bikes)

I don't know what else to check for-Any suggestions are welcome!!
Thanks
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Old 25th October 2010, 11:20   #2
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The first & foremost thing that you need to be checking after papers would be the parts. You need to inspect all the parts as much as possible to see which ones are to be replaced. IMHO, pls stay away from the motorcycle as much as possible unless you want to spend more time in the garage than riding it.
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Old 25th October 2010, 11:27   #3
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Sorry to dissapoint you on this but the biggest problem with this bike will be outsourcing the parts. I doubt if you can get them in the market.
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Old 25th October 2010, 11:47   #4
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Actually that is completely untrue. ONCE you have a Roadking in perfect running condition, it keeps on going. It is the lowest maintenance bike around (save for your new Hondas and Yamahas) as long as you have the time to get to know it and understand it. Fixing it is dirt cheap too.

HOWEVER, this is only true in a market such as Bangalore and generally down south where Yezdi parts are easier to get your hands on than up north. I am told you can get some decent parts in Delhi though and anyway, the Pacco carb and other (replica) parts are actually manufactured in Punjab so that shouldn't be a problem. Your major areas of concern should be the bore, the gearbox and the fork, in that order of priority.

You need to open up the engine and check the bore and piston. If its running a standard bore and piston, grab it! Its worth its weight in gold. This however is very very unlikely. If its a 90's Roadking (which model is it btw?) then it'll probably be running a first oversize. In which case you should take a high-speed run and see how the bike holds up. Run it at over a 100 km/h and see. If it seizes then you have a problem. Check the piston very carefully. If its an original Escorts-Mahle then nothing like it. If not, its probably locally made and completely junk.

Gearbox you need to be careful about because if its not in good shape, you are well and truly screwed since you won't get replacements.

The fork.... This is truly the single most annoying thing about a Roadking. When in shape its a beautiful ride. However, MOST Roadkings have fork problems. It was apparently a quality-control issue (since, though identical, most old Jawa's don't have the same fork issues) which will require time, labour, effort and LUCK to fix. I've had issues with mine from the time I got it and have (touchwood!) finally diagnosed the problem. Fixing it is another ballgame altogether though..

So here's what you do first. Check
  1. Model and year of manufacture
  2. engine noise under stress (high speed)
  3. Bore and piston make and condition
  4. Fork condition (by going over some bad roads)
  5. Gearbox condition
Let us know how it goes.

If its all good then buy it. For me there's nothing like cruising on a Yezdi.

Oh one more thing, make very sure you either have a great (and very trustworthy) mechanic and that you are always there with him when you open up your bike. These old bike parts get regularly pilfered since originals fetch a good price. Alternatively you can learn to work on it on your own.

Cheers

Rahul

Last edited by RT13 : 25th October 2010 at 11:52.
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Old 25th October 2010, 12:50   #5
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Bangu

We own a 1991 Yezdi Roadking and its is a gem of a bike.

@ Rahul is correct in stating that this is one of the most trouble free bikes.

However, suggest you check a few things:

1) Check the engine bay. there should be no oil leak from the engine seal as this could be expensive to repair and the engine gaskets may be difficult to source.

2) Check the kick lever. This also doubles up as your gear. There should be no unnecessary play in the " kick" mode.

3) The Roadking has to be looked after under a good mechanic who could tune both the carbs in tandem. Any faulty calibration would lead to weight dis balance.

4) BE prepared to visit the petrol pump often. Roadking is an "alcoholic" for petrol ;-)

5) I feel the price you plan to pay is towards the higher side. 25K should have been the ideal price.

Enjoy your ride and ride safe. It is a wonderful stead to own!!
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Old 25th October 2010, 13:05   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RT13 View Post
Actually that is completely untrue. ONCE you have a Roadking in perfect running condition, it keeps on going. It is the lowest maintenance bike around (save for your new Hondas and Yamahas) as long as you have the time to get to know it and understand it. Fixing it is dirt cheap too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by arnabchak View Post
Bangu

We own a 1991 Yezdi Roadking and its is a gem of a bike.

@ Rahul is correct in stating that this is one of the most trouble free bikes.
+ on that.

The road king engines are so reliable that, they were favorite among the Power glider manufacturers in India.

This was the only bike other than Jawa in India to sell on premium for foreign currency, you would get a bike only if you paid $300 in American dollars and not even if you paid the equivalent in Indian rupees.
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Old 25th October 2010, 13:26   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bangushus View Post
Hi!
I'm buying a yezdi roadking and paying about 32 K for it. I rode the bike and it did look fine to me.Though i still have to carefully check the wheels,Carb but i have made up my mind and would not want to change it.I needed to answers for following questions:
1) The bike is still in the first owner's name and the user hasn't transffered it for last 10 years on his name.I checked the traffic police site online and there are no cases against the bike.Besides i've asked the seller to transffer the bike in my name , I'll be handing over to him copies of my DL and address prooof and he'll get the bike transffered in my name.
I haven't checked anything in the bike,except the driving experiance-What do you think i should check for? (I'm not a tech-pro or Oro-Tech for bikes)

I don't know what else to check for-Any suggestions are welcome!!
Thanks

If the papers are fine and if it is in a running condition and if you have the money, just grab it with closed eyes - consider yourself lucky to get a roadking in a running condition - if required, you can get things fixed over a period of time and these are some long lasting machines - get them into a very good condition once and then you will just have to maintain. All the best.
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Old 25th October 2010, 14:09   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bangushus View Post
Hi!
I'm buying a yezdi roadking and paying about 32 K for it. I rode the bike and it did look fine to me.Though i still have to carefully check the wheels,Carb but i have made up my mind and would not want to change it.I needed to answers for following questions:
1) The bike is still in the first owner's name and the user hasn't transffered it for last 10 years on his name.I checked the traffic police site online and there are no cases against the bike.Besides i've asked the seller to transffer the bike in my name , I'll be handing over to him copies of my DL and address prooof and he'll get the bike transffered in my name.
I haven't checked anything in the bike,except the driving experiance-What do you think i should check for? (I'm not a tech-pro or Oro-Tech for bikes)

I don't know what else to check for-Any suggestions are welcome!!
Thanks
No doubt this is a good bike to ride. I had owned one from '96 to '01 until I sod it off. People warned me off spares problem in Bangalore even a that time, I think you might like to enquire more before venturing in to this in Gurgaon.

BTW I had bought new for ~Rs 36K and sold for Rs 13K in '01.

Last edited by sreenivass : 25th October 2010 at 14:21.
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Old 25th October 2010, 14:13   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bangushus View Post
Hi!
I'm buying a yezdi roadking and paying about 32 K for it. I rode the bike and it did look fine to me.Though i still have to carefully check the wheels,Carb but i have made up my mind and would not want to change it.
I don't know what else to check for-Any suggestions are welcome!!
Thanks
If you want to buy a Yezdi, then go for it, nothing like it. Parts are available but are a little difficult. If every thing is all right, the bike will run and give you pleasure. 32K to me is bit on a higher side. I would have paid 20-25K, but then that is my view.
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Old 25th October 2010, 14:18   #10
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+1 to this. One of my friends bought the Roadking a couple of months back for 25k ( single owner). The bike was in immaculate condition when he bought it. As long as the bike runs, there shouldn't be any problems, but sourcing the parts would be a nightmare sometimes.
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Old 25th October 2010, 15:19   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arnabchak View Post
Bangu

1) Check the engine bay. there should be no oil leak from the engine seal as this could be expensive to repair and the engine gaskets may be difficult to source.

2) Check the kick lever. This also doubles up as your gear. There should be no unnecessary play in the " kick" mode.

3) The Roadking has to be looked after under a good mechanic who could tune both the carbs in tandem. Any faulty calibration would lead to weight dis balance.

5) I feel the price you plan to pay is towards the higher side. 25K should have been the ideal price.
Hi,

A few questions/observations on your points

1) Oil leak from where? Are you referring to the engine head? Well, if so, gaskets are freely and easily available in Bangalore. They cost about Rs.20 And there are quite a few quality sealants that can be used so that's about a 1 hour job even if doing it by oneself. Really not a problem.

2) Tune both the carbs? In tandem?... I'm sorry I didn't understand this one at all. A Roadking has only a single carburetor. What are you referring to here? And how is the carb tuning related to weight?...

5) You guys are probably right about the price. However I have no idea what condition its in. In the last six months, the price of Roadkings in Bangalore have shot through the roof. If its perfectly painted and chromed, people regularly seem to be quoting 35 - 45k!!! Crazy... Basically people are trying to get every last ruppee spent on restoring it and a profit. Chroming and painting alone are regularly quoted at 15 - 16K. A cosmetically bad bike may set you back 10 - 14K. Add to that any parts that have to be worked on and labour and the total amount comes to about 35K. So I guess it totals up. Mind you, Bangalore is at least 50% more expensive than anywhere else and I would advise paying 32K ONLY if in MINT condition.

@Bangushus: Post a few pictures so we can see what condition it seems to be in.

Cheers

Rahul

Post pictures of the bike and let us know.

Last edited by RT13 : 25th October 2010 at 15:22.
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Old 25th October 2010, 16:06   #12
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Thanks for all the suggestion!!
I've shifted to bangalore so i'll change my address on the site as well. The price i know is more but its the price i'd be paying for being desperate.He'll be getting the bike transffered in my name so that's fine.
I think i'd need to check the piston and engine and the bike performance under stress that is on a 100kmph speed and then the conditions would really be clear.
Guess what-I think i'll postpone the deal for now and ask the seller for more time and look for other biks as well.
Thanks all!!
Great help!!
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Old 25th October 2010, 16:28   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bangushus View Post
Thanks for all the suggestion!!
I've shifted to bangalore so i'll change my address on the site as well. The price i know is more but its the price i'd be paying for being desperate.He'll be getting the bike transffered in my name so that's fine.
I think i'd need to check the piston and engine and the bike performance under stress that is on a 100kmph speed and then the conditions would really be clear.
Guess what-I think i'll postpone the deal for now and ask the seller for more time and look for other biks as well.
Thanks all!!
Great help!!
Not sure where you live in Bangalore. There used to be a Yezdi only mechanic in Subramanya Nagara in a lane next to Ganesh temple. He used to arrange for used sale, etc.. Consider getting in touch with him, if he is still around and you are inetrested in only yezdi.
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Old 25th October 2010, 17:09   #14
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its more or less a trouble free bike, the cables,acc/gear/clutch would require frequent replacements.the bulbs may fuse frequently.

papers - pl check the year if it has corssed 15 years,then has the Fc been done if not it will escalate your cost.

32k - is an ok price if the bike is mechanically fit and cosmetically in almost new condition (read new paint/chrome etc) even if you buy a bike for 10k and do it up, it will cost you addl 15-20k to bring it to mint condition.if the bike you are planning to buy fulfills the aforesaid criterion then go ahead.get the engine checked with a yezdi mech.
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Old 25th October 2010, 22:30   #15
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Hi Bangushus,

Well parts shouldn't be too much of a problem in North India.
A few things that I suggest you check for on the bike:

1. Tyres & Tubes - Check if they are in good shape and can go for another couple of thousand Kms. the tyres aren't available and the ones that are, are ridiculously priced.

2. Carburettor - Is it Jikov or Pacco? The RK runs like a dream on the Jikov. People say there are flooding issues, I beg to differ.

3. Battery & Electricals - At that price, all the electricals should be working with a battery.

4. Ignition type - Is it CDI or CB Points?
CDI is very comfortable and more rider friendly.

5. All papers clear with the Fitness Certificate as well if the bike is more than 15 years old.

6. Exhaust Pipes - Check if its running on original silencers or duplicate. You can ask a Yezdi mechanic or a Veteran rider around to help you identify that.

7. Finally, check for cosmetics, i.e. the paint and the chrome job.
32K is a handsome amount to pay for any second hand two wheeler, so its important to look into that.

Godspeed!
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