Advice Please

[pardown]

I have just sold my Transalp with the intention of buying a GS1200.
Funds being limited I am looking private/secondhand.
I feel reasonably confindent in assessing most things mechanical but never having had a shaft drive before, and reading about early failures on this site, I am a little concerned.
What should I look for?
If it is completely sh@gged I think I will notice! but what are the early tell-tale signs? I have been told the final drive can be quite "clonky" anyway, especially on older bikes/low speeds - is this the case?
Any advice would be very welcome.
Ta.

 

[mr badger]

Welcome.

Someone more technically able will be along soon but for a starter, look for oil leaks around the swingarm and FD and test the bearing by rocking at 90 to the axle diretion with the bike on the centrestand. Should be tiny or no play at all.

Pay the subs (£12) and you can buy a bike from a member on here in the FS&W. There's quite a few nice ones at the moment. Look for provenance and reputation here and you can't go far wrong.

 

[red1]

I have just sold my Transalp with the intention of buying a GS1200.

What should I look for?

A Varadero

 

[Brian ROSEN]

A big decision

It is likely that you will keep the bike for some years; You would certainly pay more from a dealer but you could compensate by buying an earlier model or one with higher mileage than you would consider privately; otherwise join the BMW Club and advertise in their journal. ;

 

[red1]

A Varadero .... off road ...... need a GS for that .......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aHA5TbYSl4&feature=player_embedded