Good deal? few pictures

[Barq]

Hey everyone I'm new to the whole motorcycle scene and decided that the GS was a good place to start. Just looking for some advice on a bike I've been looking at. Its about 40 miles away and in good condition (from what I can tell). I found some defects and think the price is too high so I decided to come here to find out what I should offer this guy if anything or just walk away. It's a 2000 with 17k miles and he's asking $2200, he told me he doesn't want to go under $2000 but when I had him run the bike up the street his wife came over and said that he'd move quite a bit from the price.

Defects I noticed:
-forks compressed and popped up really easy with some oil left over (owner said this was normal but I never saw any oil on the new bikes I was sitting on at the dealership)
-scrapes on the front right mirror from being dropped around 10mph
-dented gas tank (I took a picture of it to also show the rust underneath it)
-crankcase cover emblem is missing (with a few scuffs under it again from the drop)
-missing clutch safety switch (he must have rigged it to start up without pulling the clutch somehow)
-small surface rust spots over frame and on the handle bars
-a missing bolt on the front fender
-battery is dead

The bike is completely stock and when he bought it one of the cylinders was blown and he was running around on one for a while before getting it fixed. You notice in the
pictures that the cylinder is a different color as well (came from a '02-'04 or something).There is also a brand new rear tire and the front one still has decent. Also we
used my car to jump it so I could hear it run and sounded great it idealing around 1.5. He made a few drive bys going about 80mph which was cool.
The blue circle had a small leak.

[Barq]

The fuel tank with the dent and rust.

The handle bars with small rust spots.

The red circles are where i found a bunch of oil, and the blue is the missing bolt.

[ineedanap]

That's way too much money for that bike!!!

That bike is FAR from mint and has obviously had a rough life.  How the hell do you waste a cylinder...and to keep riding it...come on!   Bargain the heck out of him and walk away if you can't get it for well well well under $2000.  Personally I wouldn't waste my time on this one, though.  There are mint used GS500s out there if you're willing to look and it sounds like you'd be buying someone else's problem.

[mister]

Barq:

If'n you're after a Project bike then this is right up your alley - BUT - not at that price. Not by a long shot.

Buggered forks (oil leaking and staying on them is NOT normal - he's lying about this to make a sale, what else is he lying about?). Questionable engine. For the price of a bike that shouldn't be so questionable - see the Bike's Victoria has found. Pure gems compared to this.

There's a saying... don't buy someone else's problems. Buy that bike and that's what you'll be doing and paying top dollar for the privilege.

Michael

[AyeKay]

No beuno!!    I sold my 2005 GS with 15,000 miles in decent condition for 2g's.   

[The Buddha]

I'll try 14-1500 max.
There is a head swap, that dude is not being very forthcomming, or he's truly clueless. BTW, what's his name, I may have sold him that head.

On a side note, I had a 17K mile rebuilt motor one last year, it was honestly the most powerful GS I have ridden.
So if it was done right, and followed up with proper carburetion, exhaust, and most importantly a good break in it can be very good. This one however seems to be the opposite, I'd be afraid, very afraid.

Cool.
Buddha.

[Barq]

lol you guys are great, im extremely glad i joined and made the post . I'll keep looking . It almost makes me wanna make one of these post for each bike i find lol.

BTW the guy's name is Brian and said his mechanic friend (cant remember his name) ordered it from Caly.

[NF11624]

I don't really have anything to add except a +1 to avoiding this one.  There are a few GS500s on craigslist where I live and they are in much better shape for ~$1500.

[Barq]

lol I actually live near you, I just finished emailing a guy about one of those bikes you saw on CL. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

[JB848]

Even if he threw in a Cuisinart and $1999.00 I wouldn't touch that. What an idiot to abuse a GS like that. Poor thing needs a good home and restoration!

[The Buddha]

Depends .. .what kind of cuisinart The wife wants one for years.
Cool.
Buddha.

[JB848]

How about this one?

[bassmechanicsz]

Haha i actually have that cuisinart and it works great.

[JB848]

ME too why do you think I posted it? I use this every weekend for pancakes and bacon and eggs!