Way to confirm mileage?

[localyokel]

I had a 98 tourer for sale with 4k miles but many doubted the mileage due to pipe bluing. The mileage and ownership history are legit, which one look in person will confirm. Someone mentioned checking the speedo internally? I'm in the process of tracking down paperwork/service records as well. Bluing does not equal mileage.

[hubcapsc]

You could blue-up the pipes on a brand new bike pretty easily (I hear)
just by leaving it running in the driveway with the choke on too long.

-Mike "not supposed to do that"

[Jess from VA]

In many states (all?), mileage at sale is written on the title.

If you bought it used, what does your title say? (not that you couldn't have unhooked the speedo, but this is objective evidence of low miles)

[Michvalk]

Stock pipes or aftermarket? Most, if not all, aftermarket pipes are single wall pipes, and can and will blue at the drop of the hat. Stock pipes usually don't turn blue very easy, unless you let the bike idle for long periods of time. There are products that can remove the blue with some scrubbing

[98valk]

org oem tires still on?, they haven't been avail to purchase for a few yrs.

[BF]

Just tell them to come and look at the bike.  A bike with only 4000 miles on it ought to be pretty close to pristine. 

[Rio Wil]

Check the date code on the tires, probably made in 97 or 98.....look at the condition of the brake rotors....should be almost pristine. Date codes format changed in 2000 to  a 4 digit code of mmyy, don't remember the format prior to 2000 but you can look it up.....leading edge of lower front tubes, virtually no sand/rock pitting.........

[Bighead]

Stock pipes or aftermarket? Most, if not all, aftermarket pipes are single wall pipes, and can and will blue at the drop of the hat. Stock pipes usually don't turn blue very easy, unless you let the bike idle for long periods of time. There are products that can remove the blue with some scrubbing

They will blue quickly if it is running rich idling or not.

[xman]

You see a lot of blue pipes on Valks. I understand the aftermarkets turning, but some stock OE do it and some don't.  I wondered how it happens, because I have stock pipes on a 2003 with 22K and they are perfect. I would think it's caused by carb work, but don't know. Maybe others here can explain how there's blued.  


It's hard to imagine 4 K would blue the pipes.  It's a old bike, maybe PO knew it had to run and idled for hours at a time. I like the idea of looking at the tires for being original. Some years ago I bought a 72 Honda with 8K on it. 30 years old it had the original tires. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I went to buy a 98 std that was advertised as having 13K miles on it.  When I got there and looked it had had an OEM tire on the back with LOTS of tread left and it came with a spare rear wheel.  The front tire was a Cobra almost wore out The timing belt cover was sandblasted all to crap except the strip directly behind the radiator hose.  The leading edges of the forks were so pitted I don't think they could have even been sanded smooth with an 80 grit belt sander. 

So, I was supposed to believe that in 13K miles there was a wheel failure that required buying a new (used) wheel that came with the OE tire.  And someone wore out the OE front tire and a Cobra, not to mention all the sand-blasting and corrosion on the leading edges of the forks, which means it happens while riding , not just standing out in the weather.

My deduction was that the bike had at lest 113,000 miles on it.   I walked away, and pretty much tactfully insulted the Mercedes Dealership Manager for false advertising and being a dishonest salesman after all this was pointed out to him and he just said, I think I agree with you, but I have a title that says 13K and that's what it is going to be sold as. 

Unfortunately someone did buy it thinking it was a low mileage bike............kinda sad.

[salty1]

I bought a 98 Standard with 612 miles on it. This bike had been stored on the Oregon Coast for 12 years. The pipes were blued because it had been run at idle and ran way to rich on about three cylinders when I first say it. The original tires were still on the bike, all the stickers,  inside of timing belt cover and the side covers, and under the seat  looked like it just rolled off the line. Cosmetically, the bike was good but needed major detailing and carb work.  At the time I bought it, even with the right price, I had mixed feelings. Today I'm convinced the mileage was correct and I enjoy it very much.

[localyokel]

Thanks for all the feedback. The bike had new Avons put on just before I bought it. I have absolutely no doubt about the mileage. its just pristine. No wear anywhere. The carbs were rebuilt at 4k miles because of being gummed up due to long term garage queen status. Probably the cause of the bluing. Anybody know of the internal speedo check?