250 Dollar beater GS500. Should I?

[Noizemaker]

(second post, same as the first... but not vanished into thin air this time!)

I've been wanting a commuter beater/learner bike. Found this one but it's got some 'quirks'.

1: Doesn't run. For god knows what reason. I tinker though, so it's all good. I don't mind.
2: No title, "but know the person who has it."
3: Been down, but this doesn't bug me. Left side dinged up. Headlight, tank and plastic scratched, but motor and frame okay?
4: Has a "spare" frame, motor and other parts.
5: Don't know which frame this title they can 'get' goes to.
6: it's an 89 according to the frame and the color scheme, hasn't been street titled since 92, but has 13K on it.
7: Damned near brand new, not weather checked tires on it.
I don't care if it's dirty titled as long as I can title it later. I get the feeling it was a race bike at one point.... the only story I got is "my bro in law bought it non-running and never fixed it."

I think it might make a good tinkering project if I can get title. Anyone know how retitling a bike if they can't get ahold of the owner works?

Thoughts?
-Matt

[TheGoodGuy]

for 250 i wont even stop. .. buy it.

you can figure out how to fix it.. or part it out for more if need be.

[mp183]

If you love to tinker more than you like to ride it sounds good.  
Ever see the movie about the house "Money Pit".
You are better off kicking in a little more money and getting something that runs.  These bikes are not that expensive.

[dgyver]

If you really want to title it, better check into that first. Without a title, some states can be really tough. The parts alone are worth more than $250.

[EvilScooby]

If you dont buy it I will!!!!

[Rema1000]

Financially, it's a good deal.  But it may not be what you're looking for.   Running, titled GSes in decent condition start at about $900, which really isn't so much more.  

The guy who has the title, actually owns the bike.  If you show up at his door asking him to sign-over the title to you, because you paid $250 to someone else, why would he bother?  At the very least, he'd have to rummage through his old records boxes.  You didn't pay him.  I would say, if you can talk to the guy who has the actual title before you buy, then you have a chance of getting the title signed-over to you.  Otherwise, it's more realistic to regard that bike as a pile of parts.  

There is a process to get a title made for an abandoned bike, but if the bike has a title on-file with your state's DMV, then getting a second title made for you is impossible.  I tried this in my state: I showed the VIN to the DMV, and they said "someone titled that bike 10 years ago, so you need to talk to them to get the title."  I asked if they could tell me the  name or address of the current title holder... "nope."  I asked if they would send a letter to the current title holder, asking the current title holder to contact me... "nope."  And they will not issue a new title because there already is one.  (Note: I think that, if the bike were titled in another state, then I might have had a chance).

$250 would still be a good deal; you mentioned that it's in great condition; you could find a crashed GS500 with clear title or salvage title, probably for about that price or less.  Your nice (but untitled) $250 bike can be used to make the titled bike good again.  It would be nice if the salvage-title bike had a straight frame and working engine.  Anything else can be replaced from the $250 parts bike.

If you can talk to the guy with the title, then you're buying a bike; otherwise, you're buying a pile of parts (at a good price).

[Noizemaker]

Nah, the bike's not in great condition... only the tires were.

It looks very ridable once running, but I got smacked with the "you have too many projects already!" hammer. Not pretty, certainly ridable, definately trackable.

Here's a link if anyone's prepared to act on it, I'm sure the seller won't mind getting it off her front sidewalk. It's in Seattle, WA. I have NO association or knowlege of this seller other than via email, never met them, etc.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/40299108.html