Purchase dropped Honda Ruckus? Front wheel alignment is slightly off?
I'm looking to purchase a Honda ruckus. I found a used one that was dropped several times. The steering alignment is off so you have to turn the handlebars slightly to the side to go straight. There's no damage to the body but I'm wondering if this is something that can easily be repaired or should I stay away. Overall it runs well and has a little over 4K miles.
If you aren't able to assess whether the headstock has bent (often requires a new bike frame) and can't assess how much repairs will cost, then look for another bike.
No normal motorcycle user would ever tolerate such a serious fault, so if the current owner hasn't fixed it then it indicates that it's not a simple and cheap fix or that the current owner simply couldn't be bothered to correctly maintain the machine. Both are huge warning flags which should tell you to leave that potential heap of junk to someone else.
How do you know that there's no damage to the frame - it would take a laser jig to be absolutely certain. At least a fingertip search for any creases or twists.
If it really is straight and the neck is not damaged then the problem is probably that one or both of the forks has twisted - easy fix
or
that the bars are bent - less easy to fix, much easier and safer to replace.
If you bought it you're mad.
Could be that the handlebars are just slightly tweaked, and in that case, it's not a big deal… BUT if the frame is bent, that's a much bigger problem. You should probably have this little scooter checked out by a well qualified Honda mechanic before you agree to purchase it.
I would "steer clear" of this particular bike.
I would prefer some rust over bent front forks or a bent frame. But I'm spoiled because my bike goes straight. You wanna be thorough, have the entire bike magnafluxed.
Ruckus is 49cc 'moped' unless it is 'Big' Ruckus at 124cc, still not legal on interstate system. Depends on price and how good you are with wrench and prybar- handlebar straightening is relatively straight job, just takes some time and eyeball work. It runs now with slight shift of handlbars that may be bent-- for a first bike it is expendable, some practice in rebending and trips to local cycle salvage yard will get you around campus. Lots of beater scooters around campus, some Ruckus, lots of frequently dropped but still running Kymcos, Zumas, Honda Sprees as well. 4k miles? Drive belt good for another 4k, check oil and filters. Set of metric wrenchs, lever and may be able to straighten handlebars some more. Straight 2z4 board to set against tires'wheels will give eyball check' .
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