Whats up guys, new to the motorcycle world in general. Obviously a 1000cc is quite a lot to learn on, but potentially finding a good deal that I might not want to pass up.

The bike:
2001 Honda Superhawk with 43k miles
2nd Owner, no title

Bike has engine noise and clatter, I'm assuming its the CCTs... already looking into the manual conversion; however he states the bike used to crank and then wouldn't stay running, now it doesn't even crank. Whats the likelyhood its bent a valve?
Any and all info and tips are greatly appreciated.

 

All depends on the price and your mechanical skills.

 

I'd really only be buying it if I can get it for around $800. I'm also a professional mechanic.

 

You should be good to go then. Eight hundred seems decent, but pay as little as you can. There could be some expensive parts that will need to be replaced if the cam chain tensioner (CCT) failed. It's usually the front. I wouldn't continue to crank it until the tensioner has been checked. A somewhat common problem, in an otherwise reliable bike.
Is that an oil leak in the photo?

 

Yeah I've been looking into doing the manual tensioner swap; the seller states it no longer cranks, I'm hoping thats due to the battery and not the chain... if the chain did jump then that would mean it bent a valve and potentially ruined the head, correct?

Good catch on the puddle, on one pic it looks like oil, but on another it doesn't; I haven't seen the bike in person yet as its an hour away. He has it listed for $2k, which in my opinion its not worth (hoping for $800 or less). What would you pay for it? (also remember it needs a title- potential ruined motor)

This will be my first bike, I know 1000cc is a lot, would you say this would be a smart purchase? Or would going with something newer be better?

 

My 2003 Superhawk is my first bike in over 20 years, my first being a 81 Suzuki GS250T I bought after graduating highschool and barely rode.
If you can get it for 800, get it running only to decide it's not for you, you'll probably still be ahead if you decide to sell it. I bought mine for cheap and
wrecked (layed down but fixable) as well and that was my reasoning.

 

2k is too much for the unknown and title issues. If you've never ridden a motorcycle before I would suggest a training class that supplies a bike. That way you can get the basics first. If you are agile with good balance and are mature in mind, who am I to tell you not to. The way the bike builds speed is deceptive. I bought a SH having not ridden in 41 years. Eleven years later I haven't died yet. Luck?

 

I would definitely jump it so I could crank it to be sure the motor isn't seized and to do a compression test front & rear. If timing has jumped, the damage is done and cranking a bit more won't do any further damage.

Those are nice pipes if they're in good shape and those are not the stock hangers.

It looks kinda rough, but maybe that's just the pictures.

 

talked with the owner again, thats oil on the ground, but because he had pulled the starter he stated. He pulled valve covers today and the front was off by 2 teeth, he said the rear looked out of time as well. I managed to find a head and valve set w/ springs on ebay, I'm thinking thats my ticket if I pull the head and see a bent rod. It does indeed crank, just no start, he sent a vid, sounds like a little rod knock but could be the fact that its off time.

 

see previous post, dude says he works on cars for a living "works at a dealership" so wouldn't be surprised if he did the exhaust and hangers

 

Dude's out of his mind if he wants $2k for that bike with a a blown engine AND no title. The bike is a paperweight with no title. It's a good bike to part out but that takes a lot of time and people's time isn't free. I've done a few and it's fun if you have time and space and like doing that sort of thing. Also these bikes aren't as popular as they used to be and you might be sitting on a lot of that stuff for awhile. I wouldn't pay more than $500 for it. If he wants more tell him to find someone else or part it out himself.

 

Yep, there are plenty of red flags...no title, doesn't run...I'd run away...there are plenty of these bikes available in good shape...