Help! Rebel was run low on oil!

[zantezante]

Help please! Anyone w/ any mechanical know-how on Honda Rebel engine. I am about to buy a 2005 Honda Rebel tomorrow. The downside is that the Rebel was ridden by the current owner low on oil and now there is a ticking sound coming from the left cylinder because it was run low on oil. Current owner mentions that the Honda mechanic said it could be an easy cheap fix or it might cost a few hundred, but didnt know till they could get inside and look at it.

Any advice - anyone?? Should I buy at a reasonable discount? or should I stay away from this bike? Thanks!!!

[GearJammer]

Welcome zantezante........The ticking "might" be a maladjusted valve, but I'd be more concerned about how long the bike was ridden with low oil level as there could be other potential problems that haven't surfaced yet.

Adequate oil supply is EXTREMELY important for lubricating all moving parts inside the engine, including tranny, clutch, crankshaft, various bearings, pistons, rings, valves, rockers, on & on........as well as helping to dissipate heat build-up & undue wear on all associated parts.

With the number of used Rebels out there for sale, I'd be very inclined to pass on this one & look for one that has no mechanical problems or concerns. They're out there.......

[Chopper Rick]

I have to agree with Gearjammer, stay away from it... There are plenty of rebs out in good condition that you can get & don't have to deal with major issues.

[slf]

Help please! Anyone w/ any mechanical know-how on Honda Rebel engine. I am about to buy a 2005 Honda Rebel tomorrow. The downside is that the Rebel was ridden by the current owner low on oil and now there is a ticking sound coming from the left cylinder because it was run low on oil. Current owner mentions that the Honda mechanic said it could be an easy cheap fix or it might cost a few hundred, but didnt know till they could get inside and look at it.

Any advice - anyone?? Should I buy at a reasonable discount? or should I stay away from this bike? Thanks!!!
Are you in LA? If so, this is the bike I'm buying tomorrow. I test drove it tonight and the ticking sound goes away after about 5 minutes from start up.

Thanks for passing on it if you were looking at the same bike, since the price went way down!

I'll post pics and the usual introductory post when I pick it up.

[slf]

A little update:

The ticking was in fact a maladjusted valve. Runs like a purring kitten now.

$1100 is not bad for a 2005 with 3700 miles on it.

[GearJammer]

Welcome aboard, slf......You scored well. This is a somewhat awkward situation with me having voiced concerns about the bike being run on low oil. Only so much one can do from written descriptions & not actually seeing the bike. On one hand, I'd hate to see someone pass on a good deal, on the other, wouldn't have wanted to see someone spend their $$$ on something that theoretically could have turned into a money pit.......Ride Safe.....

[b4v4]

I'm a lot like that....I like taking risks with certain mechanical problems, low oil being one of them. I have been bit in the butt a couple times, but by and large I've done very well.One thing about low oil....It didn't go low overnight, but rather very, very slowly over a period of time. So that figures into it as well as the fact that there was obviously enough in it for the sump to pick up and keep pushing through the bearings. Although this was dirty and well used oil, at 3500 miles it prolly didn't do much damage yet. I'm not recommending everybody take chances like this, but sometimes it's worth it if you think it through a bit. Good score!