Well, I got to ride the bike today and I can see why some people dislike the gearshift.
The owner mentioned that false neutrals were fairly common with this bike but I really didn't have very many. I did have problems with knowing what gear it was in and there was no feedback at all to tell me that it had actually shifted gears. Many times I didn't know what gear it was in.
I didn't put a lot of miles on it just riding around on residential streets but I know a definite learning curve would be ahead of me if I buy it.
(Damn! That UCE of mine has a nice gearshift. Riding this old Iron Barrel made me appreciate how good it actually is.
)
The brakes, or seeming lack of a front brake has me very concerned.
I have ridden other motorcycles with front drum brakes and they at least felt like they were doing something.
On this bike, although the front brake lever had more travel left when it was grabbed hard, the front brake just acted like it didn't have its heart into stopping the bike.
I think it would take well over 120 feet to stop the bike from a speed of 35 mph.
In fact, I actually tried it from around that speed and it took something like that to bring the bike to a halt. It kinda reminded me of one of those dirt bikes with the little tiny front drum.
I know why dirt bikes have those puny brakes on the front but on a street machine like this one they are ridiculous.
I asked the owner if he had ever been into the front brake to lube the pivots and cams and he said no. Maybe lubricating things would improve it? It sure couldn't hurt.
It might also be a case of just one brake shoe contacting the drum? That and a lack of lube is the only thing I can think of that could cause such poor braking.
In any case, I can honestly say I wouldn't feel safe riding this bike in city traffic with the brakes it has at the moment. In fact, I think I would have to have the "death wish" my wife accuses me of having to ride this bike in Phoenix traffic.
A semi classic like a Lean Burn AVL with a front disk brake is looking like a better idea to me all the time.