'97 worth fixing?

[thingsbuilt]

Hey everyone

I have a 97 gs 500, would like to sell it, but one side doesn't fire up (I have narrowed it down to the left carb, which I have gone thru twice but I can't get it right). It used to run fine, except with a strange "occasional misfire" (like every five minutes or so). This was since I bought it. It never misfired
when a repairman rode it, only when I rode it. Of course.

I hate selling a bike which doesn't run, because you lose lots of money that way; however, if I rip the carbs off one more time, try again to rebuild them right, what I'll have is a black '97 model with a dented tank, cracked speedometer case, and various other signs that it's been down (on both sides).

I have a feeling that it's not worth my time to get it running well, since it's got so many dings, plus a bald tire or two. It's ten years old now-- how much could it possibly be worth?

I've got it to where it starts right up, but it smokes a lot, due to the one cylinder not firing and the excess gas not burned (plus big backfire noises).

But hey, it's got a great clutch!

Anyway, ideas on the value of a (once) cute black 97 model, with about 9,000 miles on it?
It's got good plastics, except for the heartbreak of the dented tank.  Oh, and the registration's expired.
That'll cost me an extra $200.

I think I paid $2000 for it in 2004.  Should I walk away from this one?




steve

[The Buddha]

What city/state is it in, and how much $$$ ...
I have carbs I can make out of your messed up sheite and my messed up sheite, and have it good.
Cool.
Srinath.

[CasiUSA]

I think I paid $2000 for it in 2004.  Should I walk away from this one?

As is now, You're not getting anywhere near that price for it. If you fix up to spec, you might be able to get that much, but iit will cost you some time and money, although could be a fun project and I personally enjoy bargain hunting for parts.
So if you want to do the project and have the time to spare, I say do it.
If you don't want to devote any time to it, just sell as-is.

[ohgood]

9k miles is basicly 1/5 of what you can expect to get from it with just a little maintenance.

Get it going again, exploit the talents and spares of srinath if you need to, and proper up your taxes.

Tossing out 2 grand because of taxes (10%) and some messy carbs seems wasteful.

Enjoy your bike once it's running again, and teach us from your experience in solving the carb problem(s).

[bosozoku]

I hate selling a bike which doesn't run, because you lose lots of money that way; however, if I rip the carbs off one more time, try again to rebuild them right, what I'll have is a black '97 model with a dented tank, cracked speedometer case, and various other signs that it's been down (on both sides).

If it's truly incorrigible and you want your money's worth, you can always part it out.  (I know, I'll probably get strung up by the thumbs for saying this!)

-b.

[thingsbuilt]

Thanks, everyone!

I think I'll keep it. I have this plan, to move to Mexico. I can take it with me in my truck,
and probably get the carbs rebuilt completely for about $50. Plus, the mexican government doesn't care if its registration is current. (they are more concerned about automobiles).
In the town I visited, I saw nine-year-olds riding 250 cc motorcycles in traffic. It's pretty kooky down there. I plan to be a beach bum, or something.

I'm done with hard work, here in the States!

steve
los angeles

[langhorne047]

I know a guy that did that. Keep all you money in the US, just getting out what you need monthly. he made the mistake of converting his to pesos and putting in a mexican bank. They devalued the peso and he was instantly broke.