I'm looking for a little advice before I buy a 2013 CB1100. It's a non ABS model with just under 1000 miles and I haven't seen it in person. Also, it's my first bike.
I've spoken with the dealer a few times and between conversations I'm told a mechanic took the bike for a ride and a fouled spark plug caused discoloration throughout the exhaust system. He's had the bike for about six months and said it was often started and moved between the lot and the shop without really being ridden.
Could there be that much build up on the plugs with such low miles? Also, is there anything to be concerned about besides the cosmetics?
http://imgur.com/a/8wPT4
Fouled spark plugs sounds like nonsense to me. That bike should have never been delivered with tarnish on the exhaust. A good chrome polish paste like Semi-chrome and much elbow grease should remove the tarnish. Tarnish buildup on the headers from the head down to the collector is normal but is usually just a golden discoloration. The brown tarnish is what happens when running a hot exhaust in wet conditions which is what appears to have happened to your pipes.
This exhaust looks like it had become really hot once, with that deep blue color. That's not normal, I wouldn't buy that bike. Also header No 1 looks more blue downwards than the others.
Too many out there to buy one in that ill kept condition..
Redbirds,
What would make the can so blue? I polish my muffler every now and then, but I haven't seen any blue like that. Don't remember seeing any like that on the board either. And I just looked, no blue anywhere.
Looking at the pics again, that muffler looks as though there has been some serious overheating in the past. I am in agreement with others here and would look elsewhere.
The catalytic converter could have overheated from a rich condition... may have had O2 sensor problem. I'd keep looking for another bike unless you're planning on an a complete aftermarket exhaust system and you can get a really good deal on this one.
Thanks for the feedback.
Photos of the bike from a few days ago don't show any discoloration on the pipes so I thought the explanation he gave me made some sense... Bike sat for several months being started and stopped without being ridden... Build up on plugs caused one to foul and gas flowed through an already hot exhaust pipe, causing the discoloration.
Is there a way to check the O2 sensor?
Also, the price we agreed on is $5500. If the pipes are the only problem, I think the price is fair.
If the bike seriously overheated I wouldn't just be concerned about the pipes. I'd wonder if the engine or the cat suffered some damage that will bite you a year down the road.. Engines are expensive.
They know they'll have a hard time selling that one, that's why they already came down to $5500.
Just walk away.
Definitely not tarnish. Overheating. Walk away, plenty of minty fresh CB's out there.