This is sooooooo tempting....

[adidasguy]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/2551020492.html

1986 Suzuki gsx 550 es only 17,xxx mile starts and runs and rides good. It does need a valve cover gasket and few other minor things It is not a perfect bike but would be a great beginner bike $1000 obo.

[GSnoober]

Those mid-80's GS550's were NOTORIOUS pieces of sh!t; Suzuki used TWO carbs to feed FOUR cylinders, which was INCREDIBLY stupid, which is why they're so cheap these days. They didn't sell well, but you might notice that many of the survivors are on listed for sale; not "keeper" material, unless you need something to keep your garage from floating away.

As with the notorious Honda Nightmare 550 of 1983, those things are better as boat anchors than motorcycles. The unknowing / unsuspecting buy them, then sell them in frustration, ad infinitum. You won't find any HIGH mileage examples of that breed, because no one can keep them running long enough to wear them out. They weren't good racers, they weren't good streetbikes, they weren't good for much of anything, which is why they died so quickly.

Suzuki ALSO missed the mark with the GR650 Tempter; it was supposed to be an UPDATED version of the British vertical twin, and Suzuki expected to make a killing with them. They were primarily destined to rot for eternity, because nobody WANTED an "updated" vertical twin unless it looked like a TRADITIONAL British vertical twin; the best one I've ever seen is the one Big Rich uses as his avatar. HE built what Suzuki SHOULD have produced...

I've been a life-long fan of Suzuki products; those critters belong in the Hall of Shame. Your money, your choice, but I wouldn't take that well-preserved pile of crap for free.

[Big Rich]

I dunno Adidas, that bike is tempting. I was unaware of the 2 into 4 intake, but I would be willing to bet that could be resolved with other carbs/mounts. Being a GS, plenty of parts could probably swap around. It would be a long term project, but those are collectables.......

And GSNoober is right- the GR was a flop. Mostly in the U.S. though: they sold rather well in other countries up to 1989 (here in the States til early 1984). I think it was the Tempter name that prevented sales for the most part- every other country just called it the GR650.

I catch a lot of grief from my friends for having a "Tempter" collection.......

[adidasguy]

Thanks for the info.

But I really like the look of it. I love that style. There is a white CBR I've seen on Akli beach - solo seat and all that looks really cool. You guys would probably ban me if I added a Honda to the cave. 

When I see something else, I'll gladly post it for opinions.

Thanks for saving me some money. Have a beer on me (in the bike cave of course) 

PS: Then, doesn't an old V-8 car have 1 carb feeding 8 cylinders? There will be other bikes. I saw it as I was checking for someone parting out a purple GS500 - hoping to find my friend's stolen bike. Must resist temptation - I have a couple projects right now to finish.

[cbrfxr67]

I'd like to see that white cbr!    And maybe 400 for that GS550,...or even 350.

[Agno]

I vaguely remember someone on this board who was talking about swapping a 650 tempter motor into his GS500 chassis. Sound familiar?

[GSnoober]

The Buddha and others have done it; the GR650 has a 5-speed transmission, with no real need for a sixth cog. Someday, I'd like to make the same engine swap... don't hold your breath waiting; I'm on a fixed income...

MORE GS550E Trash & Treasure on the local CL sites:

1. GS550M (mechanically the same as the GS550E), but with Katana styling:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/mcy/2549116912.html

2. Another over-priced "jewel":

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/2522251692.html

3. Over-priced "project":

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/2503098078.html

4. "Jewel" of the scrap pile:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/2548784889.html

These things are frequently available around here; noobs buy them because they don't know any better. They burn money trying to get them damn things to run properly, then give up and sell them to someone else. This will continue until we run out of noobs, or the (dwindling) supply of mid-80's GS550s... The same ones change hands so often I'm getting to know them by sight.

[cbrfxr67]

I want to find another busted GS and stuff some FI engine in it next.

[Twisted]

PS: Then, doesn't an old V-8 car have 1 carb feeding 8 cylinders? There will be other bikes. I saw it as I was checking for someone parting out a purple GS500 - hoping to find my friend's stolen bike. Must resist temptation - I have a couple projects right now to finish.

In most cases yes but you will find that carby has four barrels to feed the fuel.

[BaltimoreGS]

PS: Then, doesn't an old V-8 car have 1 carb feeding 8 cylinders? There will be other bikes. I saw it as I was checking for someone parting out a purple GS500 - hoping to find my friend's stolen bike. Must resist temptation - I have a couple projects right now to finish.

In most cases yes but you will find that carby has four barrels to feed the fuel.

Never had any experience on the GS550 in question so it could be a real POS but Harley's always had 1 carb for 2 cylinders and my little twin cylinder Nighthawk 250 runs fine with one carb.

-Jessie

[Garrett]

Talk about tempting.

http://worcester.craigslist.org/mcy/2549295013.html

[GSnoober]

To continue threadjacking this post, I think this 1985 VF700F in Fall River tops the one Garrett found in Worcester:

http://southcoast.craigslist.org/mcy/2533310756.html

Not taking any shots at you, Garrett; just trying to show that there are some reasonably nice motorcycles still available. Those mid-80's VF's had some problems (cam galling from low oil pressure to the top end, IIRC), but most of those engines were repaired by Honda under warranty. This example looks to be in better condition than the one in Gardner... and the gas tank paint looks original... The lowers on the Fall River VF are probably by Pichler (quality German product), though I could be wrong about that.

Gather your pennies, and pick up the phone...

[Garrett]

I wouldn't buy McDonalds from Fall River nevermind a motorcycle.

[BaltimoreGS]

As with the notorious Honda Nightmare 550 of 1983, those things are better as boat anchors than motorcycles. The unknowing / unsuspecting buy them, then sell them in frustration, ad infinitum. You won't find any HIGH mileage examples of that breed, because no one can keep them running long enough to wear them out. They weren't good racers, they weren't good streetbikes, they weren't good for much of anything, which is why they died so quickly.

Yea, but this one is "a good american made bike"      http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/2565363606.html

-Jessie

[GSnoober]

I flagged that lyin' mofo's post; we ALL should. What a SCAMMER; we all know that ignition key sets typically run < $100. He parked it OUTSIDE, most likely without even putting a tarp over it, and he's trolling for some STUPID bottom-feeder to give him some American CASH for his NON-American sh!tpile!

Too bad The Buddha lives so far away; he could go over there and crush the little creep's skull with it to help "get new gas and fluids flowing"...

I forsee many late-night phone calls in his future... what a d0uchebag!

[adidasguy]

OK, now this I think I could have fun riding......
I LOOOOVE the look of this bike!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2585815327.html

[NonFiction]

http://pnwriders.com/motorcycles/159139-85-vf500-interceptor-1000-a.html

[adidasguy]

I like the white with blue & red. ts not so much the model but the color and styling I like. Saw some Honda that was white with blue & red pin striping on the tank going North on Fauntleroy Way. I couldn't turn around fast enough to follow it. Wish I knew what model it was. Reminded me of one that parked for a year new my office (never took a photo of that one - should have). Seeing that bike for a year parked on the street is one thing that made me want to get back into bikes. Too bad there isn't a GS500 with that styling - or maybe I could do it?

[BaltimoreGS]

Am I a loser for getting excited over this??     http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/2593310293.html

-Jessie

[missk8t]

Since you guys are getting all excited over older bikes. What model/year do you reckon would be a good first project bike? I've got my F but I was wondering whether I should get an older E style as a project bike since they're fairly standard or should I go something entirely different.

By the way adidas I love the man-cave! I can't wait to have my own lair.