New member, buying 93 GS500e this weekend

[Tyro]

Hi all! I am a novice rider and new member from Virginia. I have some experience under my belt (~2000mi) but haven't ridden in almost 2 years. Today I went and looked at a bike listed relatively locally - 1993 gs500 with 13k miles. I offered him $1330 (avg of KBB prices) and we settled on $1400. The headers are rusted, 100% covered, but solid. Small surface rust patches on the frame. Scratches on both sides engine covers and the exhaust. He said a previous owner laid it down on the right side and he did on the left. Fork seals are leaking but forks themselves look smooth. And the rear bolt is missing from the fork/wheel guard on the right hand side.

Other than some other minor, expected cosmetic stuff it's in pretty good shape for the age. He's going to have the state safety inspection renewed before we do the sale. I took it on a quick run around the block. Started up fine on first try. Pulled nice throughout the RPM range from 4-10, seemed comfortable cruising around 4-5. There was a knocking/rattling sound from the engine at idle (which I understand isn't a big deal?) but went away as I started riding. Seller used choke to start the bike despite warm weather but said it hasn't been started in 2 weeks or so. It's been sitting for a year but seller said he rides it about once a month to keep everything fresh. I'm planning on replacing the fork seals, tires (front is new no-name taiwanese, rear has maybe 1k miles to go), an oil change, and running some Sea Foam thru the next tank of gas. Anything else I should check out before committing?

THANKS...and I am sure I'll be hangin' around more often once I get this bike home. 

[scratch]

Welcome!

Take it easy, til you get your "sealegs" back.

The header can be sanded and repainted.

Was the engine cold when he started it?  Did ya feel the fins?

You may still want to have a valve adjustment done (every 4000 miles).

Brake fluid?  Color?

Definitely change the fork oil (every two years; same as brake fluid).

[Tyro]

I told him I wanted him to leave it cold...didn't feel fins but probably should've. That's exactly what I had planned for the header. Brake fluid... I forgot to check. I also forgot to look in the gas tank. I should probably install an inline fuel filter regardless. Fork oil will get changed when the seals go.  Thanks for the welcome!

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Congrats on the new bike, and welcome to the forum!

[3imo]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25916.0

this my help ya. 

welcome. 

[pandy]

Welcome! 

[che mike]

how are the brake pads? do the calipers look all gunked up? are the caliper dust seals still in place?

how is the chain?
does the shaft on the rear shock look corroded/pitted?

when you get teh bike you may want to think about replacing the brake lines (supposed to be done every 4 years), especially if you think those are the original brake lines on the bike.

[Tyro]

Thanks for the welcomes guys. 

Mikev- I was born in Seattle!  Haven't looked at the pads or shock...will do. 

[fodder650]

Welcome another owner of a '93

[Tyro]

Thanks again for the welcome to the forum. Going tomorrow to pick 'er up. Should be fun getting her in the bed of my friend's pickup...

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Going tomorrow to pick 'er up. Should be fun getting her in the bed of my friend's pickup...

Bwahaha... that sentence, taken out of context, is hilarious. Probably not to you guys. I'm sorry I'm immature and tired. Goodnight. 

[John Bates]

........................................ There was a knocking/rattling sound from the engine at idle (which I understand isn't a big deal?) but went away as I started riding. ....................

Check the chain for rusted links that won't flex.  I just went thru that.  The old chain made knocking sounds that seemed to come from the engine/tranny area.

[Tyro]

ALL RIGHT! Got the bike home...and my friend sliced the shaZam! out of his hand with his pocketknife while cutting zipties off the tie-downs.  But he was nice enough to help me load the bike, drive it to my house, help unload it, THEN go to the ER!   

John- I looked at the chain and it is ruuuusty. I'm going to hit it with some good penetrating oil but if that doesn't cut it, it'll be new chain time. I started it also, needed choke. Full choke idled at what felt high to me, so I lowered it until it was idling around 2k. When I cut choke off after 45-60 seconds, it dropped to ~900 RPM, then stopped. I'm hoping a can of Sea Foam will do it and I won't have to clean out the damn carbs...

I'll try to get some photos up. 

[Egaeus]

It's new chain time.  Probably should get new sprockets too.  If the chain breaks, it can kill you.  The top breaks, the chain jams inside the cover, and all of a sudden your rear wheel won't turn.