Necessary Motorcycle Selling With Mercedes: The smart That Won't Stop Breaking Edition

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
03/27/2019 at 11:43 • Filed to: necessary motorcycle selling with mercedes

While the CF Moto may have been saved from the chopping block (only to become my next Gambler 500 rig), I’m still selling two bikes. I’m even more serious now about doing this after the 451 smart decided to catastrophically fall apart last night. I’m now desperate to have fewer projects..

First up, my favourite “I’m selling, but not really” toy, the Jinlun 150cc Ruckus clone. With the CF Moto running I literally have no reason to keep this around.

Thankfully it still runs and rides. I also have the title in my dresser. I’ll clean it up then post it for $900 (looks like people are selling running clones for $1k in my area). So long as I get back $500 on it I’ll still profit.

It has wider tyres than what came on it. The rear brake light and rear indicators has been replaced with a nice LED unit with integrated turn indicators. I’ve removed the muffler heat shield and repainted the muffler. I’ll also put the body panels back on save for the rear mudguard (mounts destroyed), drive cover (destroyed), and airbox (destroyed). That’s not a big deal as those are super popular mods anyway. In theory, it should be an easy sale.

And for the second bike, the $50 1992 Suzuki GSX1100G project I picked up a few months ago.

As much as I like the idea of a standard bike with the heart of a GSX-R, I really don’t have the time to get to this project anytime soon. I’m projecting that if all of my projects go to plan, I still won’t be able to get to this on the road before the end of summer. And I really don’t want to have to move a 600 pound bike that can’t pull its own weight when I move out soon.

Why the change of heart? Well, Tucker decided to basically implode. Over the past 500-ish miles, here’s what has broken:

500-ish miles ago: ABS system stopped working (reluctor rings).
300-ish miles ago: HVAC blower motor stopped working.
YESTERDAY (seriously)
- Front pads and rotors suddenly started loudly grinding. I guess the wear indicators fell off at some point. At least they’re wearing evenly! Ha..
- Bank 1 O2 sensor failing and throwing every conceivable error code for that O2 sensor. Explains my poor fuel economy lately.
- Cylinder 1 misfire (possibly related to that O2 sensor).
- Secondary air injection pump failed. I don’t care about this at all..but still, really?
- And just to rub salt in my wounds: Moderate air leak in the left rear tyre.

Confirmed last night and this morning that these are persistent issues and not just random flukes. Ugh.

Anyway, before the car decided to fall apart I tore into the GSX1100G and determined that it fires on starting fluid, but doesn’t run. The carbs definitely need going through. Thankfully the tank is mostly clean and the previous owner was right when he said he replaced all the fluids. It needs a battery, desperately needs tyres, and it could use a front brake reconditioning. Either way, I just won’t have time to get to this. Since I spent basically nothing on this bike, I’m selling it for a little more than nothing. I want it gone for $300, but I’ll take less.

Most importantly, I need to fix Tucker’s brakes, then I need to double back around and get the fortwo cabrio driving (free the alternator, clean the clutch actuator). Then back to Tucker to diagnose the O2 sensor issue. The ABS rings can wait until fall and the blower motor should just magically appear in the middle of this chaos.

At least the good news is that I can daily any one of my running bikes while all this is happening. And the even better news is that by getting rid of the GSX, every bike in my collection will run and ride. Whew!

DISCUSSION (19)

Maxima Speed > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 12:13

I doubt there is a used car dealership on the planet that could keep pace with how fast you buy and sell vehicles.

Tripper > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 12:28

I’m also selling a bike to pay for car repairs , it’s not the worst way to live. I’m s elling my G rom for M3 needs (crankshaft position sensors, valve check, VANOS preventative maintenance).

Mercedes Streeter > Tripper
03/27/2019 at 12:30

Oh my! Thankfully I don’t need the money so much as I just don’t have the time. A general rule I have is that if I can’t find time to work on a project, the project has to go. And with a really broken car and more fun toys to play with , the GSX keeps getting pushed out further and further.

Mercedes Streeter > Maxima Speed
03/27/2019 at 12:30

Just don’t tell the state of Illinois that. lol :O

Maxima Speed > Tripper
03/27/2019 at 12:30

A grom? Hmmmmm, *checks wallet*

Tripper > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 12:33

I’m in a similar situation in that I just don’t ride the Grom. I barely rode it last year because I was always picking the M3 on nice days. Now I’ve got the 02 which pushing the Grom to slot #3 of vehicles to take when the sun is out.

Beyond that I just had to put $2500 into the 02, which I luckily came up with the cash for, and the rear main seal on the Ranger is leaking!

So I figure the Grom will pay for the M3 or most of it, and I’ll just have to dial back our dining out budget for a couple of weeks to take care of the Ranger.

Tripper > Maxima Speed
03/27/2019 at 12:37

FYI I’m posting it next week going to ask $2800 and will settle for 2 maybe even less if it sits around. I’ll sell it to any Oppo for $2400 right now, and the Oppo/Friends/Family discount will move down along with the CL asking price if I have to lower it.

Mercedes Streeter > Tripper
03/27/2019 at 13:00

Beyond that I just had to put $2500 into the 02

*Chokes* Jesus, I think that’s more than what my daily smart is even realistically worth. I hope to never run into an issue like that.

Good luck with the Grom! If I had that kind of cash laying around I’d gladly take it off you.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 13:18

I want it gone for $300, but I’ll take less.

God damn it.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 13:29

Son of a bitch I just quoted shipping to Wichita and it’s reasonable.

fuckyoufuckyoufuckyou

Tripper > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 13:35

I had to go “digging in the couch” to come up with the money for the 02, but I got it. Sold some stuff, turned in a bunch of outstanding expenses at work, invoiced a few of my side clients that had been lingering, and pulled a little out of my savings, haha.

Unfortunately I think the service on the M3 is going be around $2500 too:( I know the ranger is going to be around $1000 and this will be the second time in 6 months where the transmission has had to come out, so if I’m doing the rear main seal it probably makes sense for a clutch...

Just FYI the Grom will be offered at a $400 discount (from whatever the current asking price is) to any Oppo that wants it. I’m starting off at $2800 and will be happy with anything over 2.

Cé hé sin > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 13:41

How did the reluctor rings issue manifest itself? My 452 turns on the ABS and ESP lights occasionally during a long trip. I mentioned it when I had the car serviced last week and my mechanic said that the rings looked fine but I could have them changed if I liked, taking out the pair he keeps to hand. We didn’t change them. Also the a/c has packed up. I suspect the condenser has rusted and sprung a leak, but he doesn’t have a stock of refrigerant, not least because it’s gone crazily expensive and an 11 kg cylinder now costs €2,000.

Mercedes Streeter > Cé hé sin
03/27/2019 at 13:46

There are a few ways it manifests itself. One way is by activating ABS when you’re braking and ABS isn’t needed (for me it’s under light braking).

It may also fail when you’re driving and not even using the brakes (mine fails at and above 50mph). In this instance, the ESP light and the ABS light will illuminate. In US spec 451s this will also kill creep mode and hill start assist. It also seems to change how the transmission shifts.

And a final way it happens is by randomly locking up a wheel when you aren’t braking.

Cracks and erosion in the rings are usually the cause, but the speed sensors themselves or their connections can also be the cause.

Mercedes Streeter > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/27/2019 at 13:48

I mean, if you want it I’m sure we could work something out. lol :)

But of course I need to warn about the lack of a title.

Cé hé sin > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 14:03

Fail no 2 is exactly what I have. Drive for maybe an hour and the lights will come on (or may come one) at a steady speed without braking. You can keep going, except that after ten minutes or so the computer decides the E SP is triggering and begins to gradually and randomly reduce power.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 14:09

Oooh, yeah that’s a tough one to overcome in Kansas. Would be such an awful decision that I probably can’t afford . But such a fun bike. Dammit.

Mercedes Streeter > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
03/27/2019 at 14:30

The person coming to look at it tonight apparently builds karts and wants to shove the engine into a build . Shit, this thing’s cheaper than a 420 Predator engine. lol I 110% approve of this usage.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Mercedes Streeter
03/27/2019 at 14:36

That sounds like a party

Mercedes Streeter > Cé hé sin
03/27/2019 at 14:38

Thankfully it seems the system was changed in the 451s to simply disable all active safety systems when it fails in that manner , so you don’t get the power reduction thing. But the transmission gets all goofy like it’s slipping the clutch on every shift.

It could be that your rings are cracked, but the only way to know for sure is to remove them. But could also be the sensors or the connectors getting corroded. Thankfully you don’t have to worry about the front wheels as the reluctors are sealed up front.