just sold bike and new owner has problem

[84cb700scdlb]

I sold my '84 cb700sc to a guy that lives about 2 hours from me. I told him everything that I knew about the bike, that I had put a used '86 engine on it with unknown miles and that I had ridden it approx. 500 miles with no problems. Also that I painted it, put new tires, brakes, grips, seat cover, and mirrors on it. He came up about a week and a half ago, test rode the bike looked it over, checked the oil, asked questions and decided to buy it for $200 less than I had advertised it for. He also got the original '84 engine and a honda manual. He rode the bike home which is interstate all the way, he called when he got home and said it was making a ticking noise and I told him that it wasn't doing it when I rode it and that it wasn't doing it when he test rode it. Now he has said that he had it checked out and it is the cam chain tensioner and it is going to cost $1500 - $2000 to fix and he wants me to make it right. I feel that since he rode it all that way and I can't say how he rode it then I can't be responsible for what has happened, I feel terrible for it but I can't fix or take a bike back that he may have hot rodded or rode 100 mph all the way home.

[Munkey]

I would feel a little bad also but unless you gave him some kind of signed warranty, it's his.

[84cb700scdlb]

There was no warranty and I told him every little thing I knew, I even volunteered to tell him that one of the fork seals was leaking and that I wasn't real happy with the performance of the new battery that I had put on it.

[rs15]

Buyer beware. Not your problem.

[gammer]

Explain it to him just like you told us...be firm and confident when you talk.
Repeat to him that the bike ran fine when you had it and when he test rode it. Remind him that you explained the engine swap. Tell him that you have no way of knowing how it was driven on the 100 mile trip home. Sympathize that he had trouble with it so soon, but that there is no warranty and you can't compensate him with the repairs.

[jerjohn]

What a douchebag. Tell him to take you to judge judy. Otherwise he can have a coke and a smile and shut the hell up.

[talespin]

Actually, the title of your thread says it all. "New Owner Has A Problem."

He rode it, and I assume that you would have let him have a mechanic check it over before he bought it. He chose not to do that, so..........

Caveat emptor.

I have sympathy for the guy, but after all, he did buy a 27-year-old bike with a 25-year-old engine.

[Hondo]

If it wasn't that way when you sold it, then it either manifested itself due to age or abuse.

Wanna bet he flogged it right after he rode off?

I always sell vehicles with a Bill of Sale with the statement,

"Vehicle is sold in an "as is" condition and no warranty is implied, specified or provided by the seller. Buyer assumes all responsibility for vehicle once the financial transaction is complete and buyer assumes possession."

[Poligrafovich]

This, along with a less unreasonable case elsewhere on the board, is a reminder that 25 year old bikes are not like new vehicles, they're hobbies. Nothing that happens to any of the machines we discuss here "costs $1500 to $2000 to fix". When the worst happens, we debate the merits of investing $300 or so in scrounged and eBay parts vs starting over (see the awesome Dining Room Mechanic thread). People unwilling/unable to get their hands dirty or write off a bike not worth fixing need to find different ways to amuse themselves.

[bajakirch]

It's unfortunate for the buyer and I know I'd feel badly as the seller. But seriously, what's he expecting you to do? Give him his money back? Pay half the repair costs? Fix it for him? C'mon...

It sounds like you went above and beyond to be transparent in the sale -- far more so than most sellers, IMO.

The guy agreed to purchase a 25YO bike that had some mechanical issues to begin with. You rolls the dice and you takes your chances.

Besides, that $1500-$2000 costs seems disingenuous to me. Either the shop's trying to hose him (shocking, I know), or he's inflating the number to bolster his case.

My response to him would be along these lines:
I'm sorry for the problems you're experiencing and I understand your frustration. I told you everything I knew about the bike's condition. I never offered any warranty or guarantee. If any knowledge I've gained while I owned the bike can be useful in helping you get it back in running order, I'm happy to answer any questions.

[bajakirch]

Oops...repost. 

[flynrider]

    Unless you gave him a warranty, as soon as he left your driveway, all future problems belonged to him.  This is standard in used vehicle sales.   How long did he expect to be able to come back to you with problems encountered on a 25 yr. old motorcycle?    This guy is either very naive about how used vehicle sales work, or he's hoping that you are.  If you're feeling bad about it, offer him advice.  If he gets to be a jerk about it, tell him to take it to small claims court (where he'll be laughed out in about 2 min.). 

    BTW - At least half of the '80s Nighthawks I've ever encountered have some sort of ticking coming from the top end.  Most of the time it's sticky lifters or cam chain tensioner, which don't present any immediate issue. 

[HandsomeSteve]

$1,500 - 2,000 to fix is just crazy talk.

I had something similar happen to me.  Buyer called bitching that the bike dumped all it's oil in his garage a week after he bought it.  I gave him $200 to have a shop fix it (I picked this number).  The guy may have been working me but I figured $200 to make him go away and keep the peace was worth it to me.

If the guy wanted $1,500 plus, he'd be out of his mind even ASKING for that, not even realistic.  Plus he did buy a bike known to have a used replacement engine of unknown condition.

Good luck,

[SirSeanSean]

"As-Is" 

That really sucks about your buyer. But again, if it wasn't doing that before and during the test ride, it's his problem. 

[Wahrsuul]

My dad used to have a sideline buying old cars, fixing them up and reselling them.  he had a standard warranty with them:

"If you drive it off and it breaks in two halves, you get to keep both of them."

I had sold my 700S to a board member here.  Upon getting it home, he found some issues I hadn't known about.  (I hadn't touched the bike since my son dropped it off many months before)  Since I felt that I hadn't sold the bike in good faith, I returned his money and got the bike back.  In your case, however, it seems you knew all the issues and passed them on to the new owner.  If you're feel you have, then he's got nothing coming.

It almost sounds like a scam...

[muttstang]

What's to say there's actually a problem and he is just trying to scam you out of your money?  Then he turns around and sells it

[JB1290]

Sounds kinda like this guy has a case of buyers remorse. Maybe his wife layed into him for coming home with a bike so, he's trying to get his money back.

I'd tell him if he wanted a warranty or return policy, he should have bought a bike at a dealer. You told him what problems it had up front. If he doesnt like that answer, tell him to take you to court.

This is exactly why whenever I sell anything locally or on ebay, I always include a receipt stating that there is no warranty expressed or written and that I do not accept returns.

What does this guy expect out a bike that old anyways?!?! 

[edac]

Send him my name, I'll buy it from him for $200 less then what he paid you.
Or I'll trade him straight up for a sweet '82 450

[84cb700scdlb]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I told him that I was honest with him about the bike and the engine that I installed and that the only problem with the bike to my knowledge was the fork seal. I told him that I can not warranty the bike. I haven't heard anything else from him.

[gammer]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I told him that I was honest with him about the bike and the engine that I installed and that the only problem with the bike to my knowledge was the fork seal. I told him that I can not warranty the bike. I haven't heard anything else from him.

Good on ya mate!
Stick to your guns on this one.

[jdskidoo]

I had a guy do the same thing to me with a 22 year old boat I sold him three years ago. He went as far as to trailer the boat an hour to bring it back to my house to return it and get his money back 3 months after he purchased it. I told him I would take the boat back but he wasn't going to get his money back. He even told me that I would have no problem selling it. I replied to him that he was correct, I sold it three months ago. he threatened to take me to court and his uncle was a judge. BIG DEAL. The boat was in beautiful condition and I believe he either realized it was too much boat (22 foot Wellcraft cuddy cabin) for him or he was having wife issues with the boat.      STAND YOUR GROUND IF YOU HONESTLY FEEL THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE!!!!!   And that price for repair is ridiculous.

[CelticFrost]

This falls into the Buyer beware....U have no responsibility and therefore have nothing to do with it after the sale...Know it sounds rash but thats it...It is what it is...

[mandinga09]

I had to eat a couple hundred bucks after I bought my bike. The guy was shifty - didn't want me looking too closely at the bike and such. But I figured, what the heck, a few problems should be expected in an 84.

So I haul it home, fix the fuel leak (which he told me about) and fire it up. It dies after 30 minutes. So here I am 200 hundred bucks later with a bunch of new electrical items, but I'm not complaining to the seller. That's just how the game's played.

Good on ya' for not giving in.

[kidagain]

All things fade with time! Buyer remorse sets in real quick when one realizes they bought something that has problems. I just bought an 03 Mustang GT conv. with 46,000 original miles. Ran a carfax dealer assured me it was never wrecked and all was clear. After getting it home and waxing noticed fill in the quarter panel and overspray near the bumper. Called him up told me too bad and swore he knew nothing about it. When I sell it I too will have amnesia about the repair. Seriously we are all honest to a point and a few leaks or issues are never exposed. Just goes with selling. So look hard, sign and notarize your titles and always do a hand written receipt!!!!
My 2 cents