need help with estimate

[kml.krk]

I found this:  http://hartford.craigslist.org/mcy/1045281003.html

is it even worth looking at? how much would it approximately cost to make it rideable?
current owners says that the bike has 4400 miles.
no title but he can get bill of sale from original owner.
would it be possible to register this bike? how much trouble to do so?

any ideas appreciated!!

[fred]

I found this:  http://hartford.craigslist.org/mcy/1045281003.html

is it even worth looking at? how much would it approximately cost to make it rideable?
current owners says that the bike has 4400 miles.
no title but he can get bill of sale from original owner.
would it be possible to register this bike? how much trouble to do so?

any ideas appreciated!!

That's not looking so good... If you had a ton of time to wait for the title stuff to sort itself out, it might eventually be something you could register again. As for making it rideable, who knows. The add seems to say it runs, so it might actually be semi-rideable as it is. If you start fixing things, the sky's the limit. You'll probably have to clean the carb. While you're at it, rejetting would be good and if you're doing that, you might as well go with a lunchbox and an exhaust. You'll probably need new tires. If you fix the ignition and gas cap, that will cost you. Then you'll start to think about painting it because it has rusty spots... Then you'll realize you have to replace all the brake and gas lines. Then you'll do pads and rotors.... The list could be endless. The worst possible case would be to get halfway through this list and then find out you can't get the title for some reason or another or that something else is wrong with it, like the frame's not straight...

[Merritt]

personally, for $500, I'd consider buying it as a parts bike.....

[platinum_black]

also i have had a closer look at that picture and from the looks of it the rust on the right hand side of the frame looks like structural rust and would be dangerous as your frame could split, you really dont want that when yor hurtling down the road at 60mph, that woulld be one hell of a nasty face plant.

[dgyver]

Expect its condition to be twice as bad as you think it is. $500 is too much without a title. Even if you might be able to secure one, $250-300 is all I would pay... and plan on parting it out.

[kml.krk]

thanks for replies guys. I guess that I'll pass on this one.
I am looking for a bike for my sister and thought that I could pick something cheap and work on it, but you're probably right that without title it may not be registrable.

thanks again

[bill14224]

I concur with the others.  Did you notice he said he thinks the previous owner dropped it, but also said the PO will get a lost title form signed and notarized when he sells it?  If he's in contact with the PO, why doesn't he know if he dropped it or not?

Let's examine the clues just for fun.. no title, no keys, hot-wired ignition, broken gas cap lock, conflicting comments about the "previous owner".  I say    I say this bike is STOLEN.

[joshr08]

yeah if the po will sign and notorize a letter saying he sold the bike to get a title why didnt this guy do it and get the title in his name?   sounds hot to me

[platinum_black]

do you guys not have any services available over there where you can check a vehicles status.

like here when i was looking at my gs i did what we call an hpi check and it tells you the history of the vehicle within the uk. costs about £20, definately worth it.

[kml.krk]

we do. I could check the VIN number but I don't want to pay before I know if the bike is worth anything 
it would be stupid to pay more for VIN check than whatever the bike is worth 

[xncnc]

I spoke with that guy about 3 weeks ago, i was supposed to go take a look at it but he stopped responding to me when i requested the previous owners contact information.

his last email-

" I will sell it as parts for 400...but with a notarized lost title form, it shouldn't be that bad. but either way...I do know these bikes are a dime a dozen.....just not with low miles... anyways, thank you for responding.
Robert"

bigger photo

[Juan1]

$500 is the price I should have paid for my bike, an '89 with a title, and without frame rust.

Things I've repaired on my fixer upper and estimated costs:
-Leaking carb-engine boot. ~$30
-Replaced broken side plastics. ~$30
-Replaced front brake master cylinder and brake. ~$40
-Carbs cleaned and rebuild. ~$200 (should have taken it to the local shop right away and saved $100)
-Replaced rear rotor. ~$40
-Replaced front tire. ~$120
-Replaced the ignition and all keyed items. $90
-Replaced regulator/rectifier.  ~$50
-Replaced sprockets and chain. ~$100
Total: ~$700

Now it runs and handles as well as a GS500 should.  Still, I've paid too much for a 20 year old bike with a dented tank and enough rust divots on the forks to require annual fork seal replacement.

[bill14224]

Juan, an old bike's value is all about condition.  I paid $1200 for my '94 but I think I got a bargain.  5000 miles later all I've needed to buy is a chain and front brake pads.  No dents in my tank either.  Truth is, practically all old bikes are a "dime a dozen", especially if they're beat.

Now, I've spent more on upgrades, but none of it was "needed".  Those were things I wanted to do.. well except maybe getting better padding in the seat.  My ass is still thanking me! 

I still think this bike is stolen, or the owner is the biggest retard in Connecticut.

[joshr08]

its hot otherwise this guy would already have the title in his name.

[scottpA_GS]

I only got lucky But I got a titled Running and riding 89 GS for only $150 Its rough, but a NICE project... A project that so far has gone no where...

But I also only paid $1000 for my 95 w/ 150 miles on it!  and it was and still is MINT 

I have been lucky w/ my GS's so far. I just wish I could get going on my project gs!!!!