We just acquired a 2002 GS500 with a bad crankshaft. 3 options- sell as is, replace engine, or part out.
I need to know if the older black engines are the same as the newer silver engines??
Is the bike worth fixing? It is all there, in relatively decent shape. Has a salvage title.
Thanks in advance, any advice is greatly appreciated.
-Andgrew G.
with a salvage title you might as well fix it. A salvage title really lowers the value of the bike
Wouldn't it make more sense to part it out then??
-Andrew G.
not really. I mean... there's a few key pieces that are sellable... one being an engine.. a good titled frame... the gauge cluster, good plastics.... most of the other stuff won't get you much money.
I'd either fix it and ride it
or if you don't want a bike then sell it as is. most people won't pay much for any salvaged bike because they will never be able to sell it for much. I'd say in good running condition (a fixed crank) you should get $1700 or so for it, at absolute most. realistically more like $1500ish.
on the otherhand you might make $800 or so parting it out... if you're lucky.
black and silver engines are the same. put a used engine in it and ride it is your best option, I'd guess.
part it out, if not for the wretched, then for yourself...
Dane! You are a card! You're only the 2nd Dane I know and you could be related!
You will be 1st on my list shoud i decide to part it out.
-Andrew G.
Quote from: dane_lindsaywhile at first it may be tempting to choose the option which yields the greatest financial return, upon closer inspection it is just not this simple. when considering decisions such as these, certain intangible elements present themselves which could not possibly have been forseen, an example being when a capital chap requires something so simple as a part from your potentially part-able motorbike. can something so base as money blind you to the happiness you could provide this person, not to mention the spiritual good that could be done for you and your associates by this act of "giving"? the answer, simply, is no...part it out, if not for the wretched, then for yourself...
lol
I had my bike for about 2 months (only a couple weeks after my MSF, though) and had put about 700 miles on her before I had to rebuild the engine when my alternator rotor decided that it didn't want to be in one piece any more and disintegrated. Ever hear of Goat's syndrome? That's where that term came from.
Before that experience, I knew a little about engines but this was my first major project. I still don't know that much, but I learned a lot when I rebuilt my engine. As frustrating as it got at times to be wrenching instead of riding for a good chunk of the summer, it was fun because I like fixing things. In retrospect, I would have parted the thing out and bought a new one if I wasn't interested in rebuilding an engine. I think I spent about $300 on the parts that I needed. That doesn't include the tools, either. I wouldn't recommend rebuilding for profit. Unless you either have experience with engines or you are interested in learning about your gs I would get rid of it and move on (hopefully to a new gs :) ).
Anyhow, good luck. If you do decide to rebuild, this is a great place to get info and to have questions answered. If you don't already have one, I would suggest buying a Clymer Manual (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0892878339/ref=nosim/gstwincom) from this link (or the one at the top of the page) and supporting this site.
I keep meaning to post a list of the seals that weren't included in the gasket kit I bought (there were about 3 or 4 that I needed and didn't come with the kit). I should do that before I forget more, but it's been over 6 months so I don't think I'm going to forget much more than I already have.
Quote from: weaselnozeQuote from: dane_lindsaywhile at first it may be tempting to choose the option which yields the greatest financial return, upon closer inspection it is just not this simple. when considering decisions such as these, certain intangible elements present themselves which could not possibly have been forseen, an example being when a capital chap requires something so simple as a part from your potentially part-able motorbike. can something so base as money blind you to the happiness you could provide this person, not to mention the spiritual good that could be done for you and your associates by this act of "giving"? the answer, simply, is no...part it out, if not for the wretched, then for yourself...
lol
lol exactly
Well Its sorta depends on if you can locate a known good, cheap engine ... under $300 to your garage ... usually is OK and you should be willing to put in the elbow grease ... Else cut your losses and part it ... BTW if its all intact and undented ... I'd like the body and tank and front fender ... aka body, all color matched bits and seat ... but I am broke and unemployed ... so I guess someone can buy it ... BTW I am making a kit that will let you fit the 2001+ 2004+ body on a 89-00 ... Anyway ... Lets see what it looks like ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Quote from: AndrewGI need to know if the older black engines are the same as the newer silver engines??
The 04 motor is similar but there are some electrical and mechanical differences.
I think one way or the other we will try to rebuild this one. i actually met a guy that has a '94 Basket case with a 'good' engine. He hasn't decided to sell yet. He might trade me for a little Yamaha 400 Special we have or maybe for cash. Anyone else have a good engine out there? I can have it picked up from almost anywhere. Would prefer a silver engine. Would even buy a good bottom end or crank if the price is right i need to get moving on this one as i hate to let them sit for too long. if you have an engine to sell, pipe up now.
Thanks, you guys are great!
-Andrew
Just as a comparison,
I sold my 01 GS for 2 grand, made some more money off parts i had layin around.
Now i bought my 99 CBR F4 for just over a grand, becuase it had a salvage title and some cosmetic (and recently brought to my attention) as well as bent fork damage. Ive put just over 500 into it, and im plannin to try to sell it for 3, so I can pay off the loan I owe on and use the rest to go towards a down payment on a new truck.
Anyways, if it was a CLEAN TITLE 99 I could sell it for as much at 5 grand. however, because its salvage ill be lucky to get 3500 out of it, even though it only has 13XXX miles on it. ANyways, just my comparison.
We have now acquired the "basket case" 94 That we had been trying to acquire. it is actually 100% there with just the body parts removed and fuel lines and vacum hoses messed up. i think just clean the carbs and put it all back together, it will run. What I am thinking of is Using the 94 frame and engine and putting as much stuff from the 2002 that will interchange onto it and selling off the rest. I am discovering subtle differences in the 94 and 02. Does anyone have any suggestions of what we should transfer over and what we should leave alone??
thanks
Quote from: AndrewGWe have now acquired the "basket case" 94 That we had been trying to acquire. it is actually 100% there with just the body parts removed and fuel lines and vacum hoses messed up. i think just clean the carbs and put it all back together, it will run. What I am thinking of is Using the 94 frame and engine and putting as much stuff from the 2002 that will interchange onto it and selling off the rest. I am discovering subtle differences in the 94 and 02. Does anyone have any suggestions of what we should transfer over and what we should leave alone??
thanks
the 2002 bodywork will not transfer directly - you will need to do some frame bracket changes - and you will end up with a bike that is titled as a 94 - the year of the frame. Transfer stuff the other way round.
If you fix the '94 hoses ( http://gstwin.com/fuel_hose_routing.htm ) and it runs, I say go ridin'! You can always pick-up some body panels later. You can find some mismatched ones and repaint. Or have somebody take a mould of their side panels and lay-up a pair in fiberglass.
Which pieces are missing?
if the 02 is in ok shape.....except engine
put the 94 engine in 02 chassis
a 02 SALVAGE titled bike is still worth more than a 94 clean title
neither is worth huge amounts