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Weary

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Have been looking to get a Tornado for a long time but always the wrong time or the wrong place! Now I've found one locally, but am a little unsure. The seller - who has lots of other bikes - services it himself, the small amount of history seemed to show that the Z25 etc had been sorted previously. It looks very clean (apart from where the slack chain has been rubbing on the swingarm), but when it started the engine seemed to make more mechanical noise than I expected. Is this normal? Have I been spoiled with Jap bikes?
It's a 2008 with 9,000 miles on the clock.
It's hard to know what to look for when you never see any others to compare it to. Anyone in West Sussex got one I could look at to get a few comparisons/tips?
Also, who would you recommend to service the bike down here in the South East?

Any advice greatly appreciated,
Paul.
 
#4 ·
Welcome Paul,😁
The rubbing of the chain on the swingarm happens slot, the 1130 has an additional rubber strip fitted to avoid damage to the arm. Therefore would suggest the scuffs are not a sign of negligence.
All the 900s were built 2003_2005 so year of registration not an indicator of actual age.
Would want written undertaking of upgraded clutch basket and z25 or price accordingly.
These engines are noisy, especially compared to jays, apparently due mainly to lack of sound deadening in the engine. Hope you can do the deal and sure you will love it!
 
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#5 ·

I'd buy it. Engines always sound like loud. You can hear everything going on inside the engine.
If it's had the z25 done and its clean I'd buy it. History isn't necessarily everything. I've had Two with no history.
The seller has other bikes so is bike enthusiast.

Sounds good to me??

 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Thanks for that, makes me feel a bit better that they're all a bit noisy.
Would still love to hear what a known, looked after bike sounds like though. So, if there's any kind soul down in Sussex who's let me pop round and check their bike out I'd be eternally grateful!
Will try and find out about the ex Red Dog guy from Edenbridge, they did mention him in P&H motorcycles in Crawley when I was asking them for advice.
If I don't get this bike, I'll definitely be getting another when the right one comes along. Got to be green and silver for me though!
 
#7 ·
ianh said:
Welcome Paul,
The rubbing of the chain on the swingarm happens slot, the 1130 has an additional rubber strip fitted to avoid damage to the arm. Therefore would suggest the scuffs are not a sign of negligence.
All the 900s were built 2003_2005 so year of registration not an indicator of actual age.
Would want written undertaking of upgraded clutch basket and z25 or price accordingly.
These engines are noisy, especially compared to jays, apparently due mainly to lack of sound deadening in the engine. Hope you can do the deal and sure you will love it!
Click to expand...
My RS has the same rubber "guide" fitted with tapped machine holes in the swinging arm for the screws to hold it, and the usual under chain guard, but my Tre has a plain swinging arm
with only the under chain guard. All Tornado s I have looked at seem to suffer with chain "clatter" either hitting the edge of the frame above the swinging arm or actually touching the side of the tyre, with a 190 section fitted. I have not seen any chain marks on the Tre swinging arm on mine, but it does point to a slack or worn chain at some time.
 
#8 ·
Weary said:
Thanks for that, makes me feel a bit better that they're all a bit noisy.
Would still love to hear what a known, looked after bike sounds like though. So, if there's any kind soul down in Sussex who's let me pop round and check their bike out I'd be eternally grateful!
Will try and find out about the ex Red Dog guy from Edenbridge, they did mention him in P&H motorcycles in Crawley when I was asking them for advice.
If I don't get this bike, I'll definitely be getting another when the right one comes along. Got to be green and silver for me though!
Click to expand...

They sound like this...You can hear the engine at the end when I pull over...:p

[video=youtube;d9GOuRCZIsI]https://youtu.be/d9GOuRCZIsI"]https://youtu.be/d9GOuRCZIsI[/video]

 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Ah yes, that sounds about right. Trouble is now I can't get a one day policy for a test ride because I have no No Claims Discount on my other bikes as they were on a classic policy - I'd have thought 37 years with only one small prang was a pretty safe bet, but obviously not!
Do I take a gamble and take out full insurance and hope I'm the winning bidder?
Just going to Bikers World in East Grinstead to see if they could do a full service and check cam chain tensioner etc. They do Aprilias and Guzzis so hopefully they're capable enough.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
They were very helpful at Bikers World and a lot handier for me to get to, but I'll definitely call JB's tomorrow. I notice that the £3k bid has dropped out from eBay, hopefully I'll get the bike and have enough change to get a comprehensive check over and service. :) Here's hoping.
 
#12 ·
Try and find out when the cam chain was done. It should be done before 16k miles.
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
Have spoken to JB Motorcycles, he was trained on the Benellis and seemed to know his stuff. Bike has only done 9000 miles so cam chain should be OK, but he said he'd check the tensioner, do the valve clearances (should've been done at 8000 anyway, apparently) etc.
Of course, all this is dependent on me having the winning bid, I can only go so high! Then again, if not now, will I get another chance? Fingers crossed.
 
#14 ·
freeatlast said:
All Tornado s I have looked at seem to suffer with chain "clatter" either hitting the edge of the frame above the swinging arm or actually touching the side of the tyre, with a 190 section fitted. I have not seen any chain marks on the Tre swinging arm on mine, but it does point to a slack or worn chain at some time.
Click to expand...
Another reason for the chain hitting the frame of the edge of the tyre is if the wheels are out of alignment.
Mine has touched, but you have to look very closely to notice it.
Very hard to see from the left hand side.
 
#15 ·
Weary said:
Ah yes, that sounds about right. Trouble is now I can't get a one day policy for a test ride because I have no No Claims Discount on my other bikes as they were on a classic policy - I'd have thought 37 years with only one small prang was a pretty safe bet, but obviously not!
Do I take a gamble and take out full insurance and hope I'm the winning bidder?
Just going to Bikers World in East Grinstead to see if they could do a full service and check cam chain tensioner etc. They do Aprilias and Guzzis so hopefully they're capable enough.
Click to expand...


You don't need a test ride. Honest. You'll love it. As long as your not a short arse it'll be fine. Very tall bikes. I've had 2.
Put a wad on it and cross your fingers. Get the insurance after the auction.


 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Dammit! The other bidder had some automatic bid set up that raised it by £100 every time I put my bid in. Looks like the hunt is back on. Got to get one now, I've been bitten by the bug!
Thanks for all the advice, I'll be better prepared next time.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Back in the game! Some mad fella from Scotland seems to have been bidding on all the Benellis on eBay but not actually buying them, so now there are two that I have a chance of getting. :)
 
#18 ·
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Discussion starter · #19 ·
I did see it, and it's true that it would be best to buy a known bike from a trusty club member, but whilst silver and black may well be fastest , silver and green is definitely prettiest! I've been drooling over the 'best' colour scheme for ages, I can't deviate now!!
 
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