Buying a used 2005 GS500F, what to look for?

[Ninefinger]

Hello, I have looked over this forum a bit and other various sources for information. However, I have decided to post my specific problem. I was looking at a used gs500f at a local dealership online for awhile. I decided to go and look at in person. When I got there they said that it was in the back and it was a project bike for them. This intitially threw me off, "project bike!?!". So we went to go see it and it looked a little rough. By rough I mean it had a couple small spots of rust and just normal age related wear, like sun discoloration on some areas. It looked fine otherwise. No signs of being dropped or misused.

It started up pretty quickly cold, took about 2 seconds and didn't sound like it was struggling. Engine sounded fine, no odd noises. When he turned it off to pull me back inside I noticed some gas dripping on the left side of the bike. I didn't inspect it too much but it made me hesitant about buying the bike. I'm going to return to test ride and look the bike over since the dealer gave me a good bargain.

In short, the dealer offered to sell me the gs500f with 11,000 miles for $2,000 with taxes, plates, and everything included. I want to know what to look for when I go back. It seems like a good deal but I'm 19 years old without a lot of experience.  Is the carburetor going to need cleaning and maybe even replaced? What about the petcock? What do I look for?

Edit:Forgot to add that the dealer said that the gas may have been leaking because he just filled it up. Also the gas cap doesn't stay completely shut so I'd have to buy another one.

[ShowBizWolf]

Hi Ninefinger and welcome to the site!

Hmm... I don't like the suggestion that it was leaking gas because it was just filled... no matter how full I've ever made my GS it has never leaked gas. But then you did say about the cap not staying totally shut... so that means the key isn't able to turn and lock it?

That being said, when you go back, crouch down on the left side of the bike with a flashlight and inspect the petcock mounted on the frame (the one you can see clearly), make sure it's in the ON position, not prime or reserve. I guess it <could> be set to reserve technically but... yeah, make sure it isn't on prime. Then inspect and follow the lines going off of it...that will lead you up under the tank... there you should be able to see the bottom of the tank petcock. Those places are the first ones I'd check for any leaks.

Do they know the history of the bike? Like how they got it, what has been fixed in the past, etc? Oh also you could use the same flashlight I mentioned above to look into the tank as best you can to see if there's any discoloration or rust. Dunno how much you'd see if it's full but it's worth checking out.

Look at the chain to see if it's kinky or rusty... look at the sprocket teeth to see how worn they are... tire tread... that's all I can think of right now, time to get back to work lol! Good luck and keep us posted!!!

[Big Rich]

+1 to Showbiz. But I'll add this: check the brake lines. If they are original, they'll need replaced (a good dealer will know this and already have it done). If they haven't been replaced, look into braided stainless lines from eBay (I think about $40 each?).

[Ninefinger]

Thank you for the responses! I'm going to do write as much as I can down so I can ask them these things and look at them. About the gas cap, it just can't close for some reason. No biggy, that's like 30 bucks. I think the carbs need to be cleaned, but I have a hypothetical question. If I test ride the bike and the gas leak goes away, what would that mean?

+1 to Showbiz. But I'll add this: check the brake lines. If they are original, they'll need replaced (a good dealer will know this and already have it done). If they haven't been replaced, look into braided stainless lines from eBay (I think about $40 each?).

I suppose the stock ones will be blacked out rubber?

[ShowBizWolf]

Yeah $30 isn't bad at all...!! Maybe it would work with a good cleaning etc like found here:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=41061.0
Would save ya the $$ and also the key hassles.

+1 to writing a list

I can't help ya with suggestions/info about the carbs or the brake lines because I've never had to mess with mine yet... or your hypothetical question about the leak... but hopefully someone will reply to help with that soon !!

[Big Rich]

  Biz...... how old are your brake lines? Haha.....

Anyways 9finger: cleaning the carbs isn't too bad, but you'll definitely want to take the time to do it properly. If the only symptom is a leaky carb, it's probably a sticky float needle anyway. It could also be a bad fuel line (usually cracking around the mounts). Definitely look into the petcock and make sure it is on "On", as that can cause problems too.

[Ninefinger]

Biz...... how old are your brake lines? Haha.....

Anyways 9finger: cleaning the carbs isn't too bad, but you'll definitely want to take the time to do it properly. If the only symptom is a leaky carb, it's probably a sticky float needle anyway. It could also be a bad fuel line (usually cracking around the mounts). Definitely look into the petcock and make sure it is on "On", as that can cause problems too.

Thanks, I'm not too worried about a leaky carb or a bad hose. The only thing I'm really worried about is having to replace the petcock or the carb. I will definitely check if the petcock is set to ON. 

[ShowBizWolf]

Biz...... how old are your brake lines? Haha.....

Oh dear... ok how often should you replace them? I guess this is info I haven't had the fortune of finding yet     

[Big Rich]

I think it's every 4 years?

Here's where I get mine: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS500E-CUSTOM-STAINLESS-STEEL-BRAKE-LINE-HOSE-/122212233837?hash=item1c746ab26d:g:MJkAAOSw4GVYHLv8&vxp=mtr

[ShowBizWolf]

ooooooh!! Time to buy more bike parts!

[sledge]

Check the charging system and battery is OK. Or get an assurance from the dealer that they are.

[Endopotential]

A lot of it depends on how mechanically inclined you are.  If you're comfortable taking apart your carbs, cleaning it, and replacing leaky floats or whatever then more power to you.

If not, paying a motorcycle shop $50-80 a hour to troubleshoot everything can add up fast.  Paying a little bit more for a bike in better condition may be worth it in the long run.

Depending on how much your heart is set on getting specifically a GS500; availability and prices of other similar bikes in your neighborhood; how quickly you need to get a bike - I would check out other bikes before jumping on this one.

Even in ridiculously expensive SF, CA there are 2004-2007 F series here in very good condition selling for about $2300.  I got my decent 2007 with 13,000 miles for $1800.

Best of luck, and let us know what you end up doing.  Even if you buy a deadbeat bike, there are enough great resources and folks on this forum to help you bring it back to life.  For many of us, tinkering if half the fun of owning a motorcycle.

[mr72]

I think for a GS500 of that age and mileage, you probably should expect to have to at least thoroughly clean the carburetors and adjust them when it's all said and done, and probably also chase down and fix a few vacuum leaks here and there and other things that just wear out over time. So figure on a couple of hours work and maybe $50-100 in parts, and who knows if you can do it yourself or need help from a friend.

The gas leaking thing can be many different things, as others have said. But I'd point out of the petcock is on PRI then it probably means it doesn't work when on RUN, so it probably has to be replaced. It's a vacuum operated petcock, that opens when there is engine vacuum if it's working correctly. Leaving it on PRI bypasses the vacuum valve and is the same as "ON" on ordinary mechanical petcocks. If it's leaking from the carbs when the petcock is on PRI then you need to chase down where the leak is coming from but suffice to say it probably means the carbs need a near-rebuild and certainly replace all o-rings and the float needles. I have been through two sets of carbs on mine that leaked from the mixture adjusters on the bottom of the carb. Nobody ever thinks to replace those o-rings because they're really hard to get out.

If it's leaking fuel when parked and the petcock is on RUN then it means the vacuum petcock is not closing, so it would need replacement. I don't think this is the ordinary failure mode.

If it leaks from the carb overflow hose then it probably means the float level is way too high. But usually when this happens the bike floods and won't start after it's been running. It's an easy fix but a giant pain.

If I had it to do over again I'd check the compression before buying. And I think the general condition like dents, odd shiny new parts that show it's been dropped and parts have been replaced, or other signs of it being abused are big indicators of condition.

Make sure it'll start cold, and then let it warm up fully which takes like 10-15 minutes. Then test-ride when it's fully warmed up and then shut it off and make sure it starts again after sitting a few minutes when hot. IMHO this should be the standard test-ride routine on an old GS500. Wish I had done this myself.

[Ninefinger]

Thank you so much guys for all the great info. I've decided against buying that bike from the dealership for now. Especially since, like Endopotential said, there are great bikes on craigslist for the same price. Going to check out a guys GS500F this Sunday. I will use all this information to check the bike out!