Can wheels be swapped? Should I buy it?

[adidasguy]

I found a '92 GS500 with white rims for sale in my area.
Can the wheels from a '92 be swapped with a 2009? Then put my 2009 wheels on the '92?
I am trying to get white rims for my white GS500F.
If that will work, the price is right, it solves my problem for white rims and gives me an extra bike for a good price where I have some friends looking for a bike.

[joshr08]

yes they will swap even kat pre 98 rims are all the same.

[adidasguy]

Thanks. However, I would appreciate a second opinion before I make the investment.
Also, I am checking on the title. If I can license it in WA, then great. If not, then I would part it out and probably could get at least $500 by parting out a running '92. I'm allowing a certain amount for my investment to get the white rims, so getting at least $500 for the rest of the parts would make be feel OK.

Update: title is clean and licensed in WA state. The starting/asking price is $1500 which I think is a good price if it runs good. $28k miles on it. Hardly a scratch.

Anyone else care to sound off on the wheel swap?

Should I buy it? Even if I can't swap the wheels, is it a good buy?

[werase643]

you can probably buy a set of wheels for 150-200 bucks delivered
wheels are same except for color but if you want another bike...have fun

[adidasguy]

Bought it. '92 GS500E - which is a Canadian model that came with clip ons! Fun to test ride and runs really well. Just a few cosmetic things to take care of. So for $1200 I got it and will do a wheel swap next month. Plus I have a GS with factory clip-ons and one I can use to learn servicing on and leave my 2009 Suzi in pristine condition with replaced white wheels. Pretty sporty and fun to ride a GS with factory clip ons. Never thought I would like it.
Now I have 2 GS's of completely different styles. How cool is that?

[the mole]

They stopped making those white rims because as the magnesium alloy in those early model wheels corrodes it produces a white powder. You don't notice it, and then BANG, your wheel disintegrates. That's why they went to dark color rims. After '93 the alloy is OK. As long as you never get them wet you should be OK for a while at least.






























Have fun with the new bike!

[ohgood]

They stopped making those white rims because as the magnesium alloy in those early model wheels corrodes it produces a white powder. You don't notice it, and then BANG, your wheel disintegrates. That's why they went to dark color rims. After '93 the alloy is OK. As long as you never get them wet you should be OK for a while at least.






























Have fun with the new bike!

I bought they were cast aluminum?

Hell I'd set one of my junkers on fire had I known that!

[adidasguy]

Suzuki parts lists white or black wheels from '91-'96.
My dealer didn't mention any concern over the white rims.

[black and silver twin]

put the clip-ons on the f model, they look much cooler 

[adidasguy]

Interesting suggestion. Due to old neck injuries and wrist injuries, upright riding position works best for me. But I intend to ride the '92 on and off until I get the wheel swap done. If I like it, I could swap the clip-ons. Otherwise, the '92 will be polished up either to re-sell, ride or let a friend use it.
I've never found anything that speaks of the white rims disintegrating. Maybe there could be a problem in a really salty, wet place or someplace that salts the roads in the winter, since that would corrode just about anything. There are enough people with white rims I'm sure they'd speak up if they were a problem. Seattle isn't salty and the bike is always inside at night.

[the mole]

Guys, it was a joke!!!!!!!!!!!







All the rims are the same except for colour, they're all made of cheese that was mined on the moon and collected by the Apollo astronauts. 

[adidasguy]

Well, I did buy it and picked it up tonight. I waited until I got home to have some wheels & crackers. What wine goes good with wheel cheese?

Interesting - this really is a 1992 GS500E-N with factory clip on bars. You see, the Canadians forgot and kept having bikes made with clip ons! Yep - it is a Canadian model. Not one spot of rust. Excellent condition (must be from greasing it up with beer and Canadian back-bacon grease).

However - THANK YOU GS MESSAGE BOARD! Riding home on I-5 after 20km (yes, it is km not miles) it died. I remember the posts on the vacuum not sucking gas from the tank and running on prime. So I pulled over, switched to prime and she started up again. I'll explore the past posts on what to do to to fix it, but I really would have been pissed off had it not been for the postings I read here on the board. I remembered the symptoms and what people suggested. Finished the remaining 40km back to West Seattle without problems (and the tank was full of gas). Odd - the fuel valve really seems to be labeled bass-ackwards with UP as ON, middle as reserve and down as prime. It ran fine in the middle position (which is prime on my 2009) and the tank was full of gas - right to the top. Other than that, it is a rather interesting non-US model of GS500 that runs well and rides nice.