I'm looking at a gs500 is my first bike the owner had the engine rebuilt but told mme about this problem with the bike:
"The problem is that it needs some tune up work. It starts, runs, and revs just fine. I rode it for a couple miles yesterday. It must need some carb work, however because after a couple miles it starts to lidle slow and it won't rev."
then said this in another message:
"Also, I talked to a couple mechanics on another message board I frequent. They think it needs a valve adjustment. I'll find out more but a valve adjustment cost like $40 or you can do it yourself. You just have to take the valve cover off and measure the gap between the cam and the shim on top of the valve bucket and pull out the old shim with a valve tool and slide the proper shim in place."
Other than being WAY off on the price of a vavle adjustment, does that sound right? does that sound like the effect an un-adjusted vavle would have? If not waht do you think it might be?
Thanks in advance
That does sound like the stereotypical 'needs valve adjustment' and that may be all it needs.
Personally, I wouldn't trust it. If thats all it needs, why doesn't he do it himself before selling it? A bike with a rebuilt engine is going to cause you problems. You don't know anything about the engine rebuild, who did it, what quality of craftsmanship was put into it, etc. While it might save you money now to get a bike with a few problems, you could wind up dumping more money then its worth to get it working right. IMHO, you would probably be better off paying a little more for a bike that already runs well.
Otherwise, tell him you'll pay a little more for the bike if he has the valves adjusted and that fixes the problem.
Quote from: LimaXray on April 11, 2006, 05:41:09 AM
That does sound like the stereotypical 'needs valve adjustment' and that may be all it needs.
Personally, I wouldn't trust it. If thats all it needs, why doesn't he do it himself before selling it? A bike with a rebuilt engine is going to cause you problems. You don't know anything about the engine rebuild, who did it, what quality of craftsmanship was put into it, etc. While it might save you money now to get a bike with a few problems, you could wind up dumping more money then its worth to get it working right. IMHO, you would probably be better off paying a little more for a bike that already runs well.
Otherwise, tell him you'll pay a little more for the bike if he has the valves adjusted and that fixes the problem.
the rebuild was done by a shop in the area (i've asked and he has all reciepts) and according to the seller this included " New rod, piston, hone, valve job, carbs cleaned, new head"
????
It's really up to you if you want to take the chance. If it appears everything was done properly maybe it will be alright. It does sound like tight valve tolerances, and if you are comfortable with a wrench, you could fix it yourself. How many miles has it been since the rebuild? Having the valves adjusted is part of the break in maintnence, it may just be do.
What year, mileage, and what is the asking price?
If the price is right it might be worth the chance/work in getting it sorted out...
JamesG is on the money.
You'll get no real help in the form of yes or no here, not really anyway.
depends on you, how confident are you about tearing into an engine? how confident are you about the shop who did the work?
If twer me for the right price I'd jump on it. do the valve adjust and carb rebuild, and see. But, I know I'd be done in a day or two.
Depends on you.
buy a manual roll up yer sleeves and have at it. this bike is a dream to wrench on. experienced or not.
IMO o'course.
Quote from: LimaXray on April 11, 2006, 08:09:01 AM
It's really up to you if you want to take the chance. If it appears everything was done properly maybe it will be alright. It does sound like tight valve tolerances, and if you are comfortable with a wrench, you could fix it yourself. How many miles has it been since the rebuild? Having the valves adjusted is part of the break in maintnence, it may just be do.
Quote from: JamesG on April 11, 2006, 08:37:50 AM
What year, mileage, and what is the asking price?
If the price is right it might be worth the chance/work in getting it sorted out...
answer these questions and we may be able to help ya.
it's a 1989, and the asking price is $900, i don't know on the mileage since the rebuild.
offer him a little less in its current condition and a little more if he got it running right
the kbb good condition trade in value is 875 btw
and the dealer retail is 1375, just to give you an idea of what its worth... If it's just the valves, 900 isn't bad, but you don't know for sure that's all it is. I'd say low ball him, see what he'll take
idk why i didnt put this on one post...
Quote from: LimaXray on April 11, 2006, 11:31:00 AM
idk why i didnt put this on one post...
You can click "Modify" to edit your posts. It's right next to the "Quote" button.
didnt even think about that... it's ok, I'll just be a post whore
Quote from: calispec on April 11, 2006, 11:19:27 AM
it's a 1989, and the asking price is $900, i don't know on the mileage since the rebuild.
If you have the money and the confidence/determination. I'd say go for it. but lowball him abit.
I'd pay $1k for an 89' in good running condition. I've heard of them going fo $2k.
Lowball him abit.
buy it. we'll help ya get her running :thumb:
if the valves were done with the engine rebuild it shouldnt need another one...skip over this one and keep looking.
onsecond thought I'd take Pablo's advise over mine.
O'course I could use the bike for a rat bike project.........
Quote from: pantablo on April 11, 2006, 12:23:02 PM
if the valves were done with the engine rebuild it shouldnt need another one...skip over this one and keep looking.
An engine rebuild is the same as getting a new bike with a new engine when it comes to break in... it will need the valve tolerances checked and shimed as part of its break in maintenance. He should find out how many miles are on this engine, and if the guy ever had this done. It is possible the current owner never had this maintenance done and that is the only cause of this problem.
He shoud be careful tho, there are bastards out there that will gladly stick you with a lemon. If he could get the bike cheap enough it may be worth it
he also needs to take into account a rebuilt engine is never as good as a factory fresh engine
Quote from: 3imo on April 11, 2006, 09:15:51 AM
You'll get no real help in the form of yes or no here, not really anyway.
depends on you, how confident are you about tearing into an engine? how confident are you about the shop who did the work?
It's on you, DUDE :thumb:
Is this bike in Kansas City?
Quote from: scratch on April 11, 2006, 01:01:16 PM
Is this bike in Kansas City?
Scratch beat me to it!! How funny sounds like a simliar thread.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25437.0 :laugh:
At least he was honest about it. :thumb:
Quote from: Destro on April 11, 2006, 01:38:34 PM
Quote from: scratch on April 11, 2006, 01:01:16 PM
Is this bike in Kansas City?
Scratch beat me to it!! How funny sounds like a simliar thread.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25437.0 :laugh:
one and the same :laugh:
i'm very interested at the price but not really interested in dropping another few hundred into getting the bike running. Worried cos i don't really know what i'm dealing with exactly.
one question. If you were to get a new rear tire.
Would you:
A: ride the bike to a qualified mechanic
B: remove the rear wheel and ride your car to a qualified MC tire dealership
C: remove the rear wheel/tire yourself and install the new tire yourself
D: let your daddy take care of it for you
if you choose B, or C.. buy this bike. A, or D keep looking.
**I know tires have nothing to do with the subject at hand. I hope you get my point.**
This is funny.
Who said low ball him??? A-hole!
Look, I'm getting a new bike as soon as my tax return gets here. If he doesn't want my GS I'll adjust the valves and make it into a track bike. If he does, then I'll be honest about it, just like I have been all along, and have a little more money to put down on an '06.
BTW, is anybody curious about what a bike I am going to buy?
To be continued. . .
Quote from: Jake D on April 12, 2006, 08:36:02 AM
This is funny.
Who said low ball him??? A-hole!
I'm the A-hole. I think thats sound advise. notice I didn't say it wasn't worth it. I told him to buy it. I would.
good luck. :cheers:
Yes, what are you getting... um a Honda maybe? I think that Jake is being upright and honest with the kid, I am sure he could sell it for much more, if he gets the valves adjusted.
Quote from: Destro on April 12, 2006, 10:17:33 AM
Yes, what are you getting... um a Honda maybe? I think that Jake is being upright and honest with the kid, I am sure he could sell it for much more, if he gets the valves adjusted.
Hey, just because i'm now doesn't mean i'm a kid :flipoff: j/k :cheers:
I deffinately appreciate his honesty, that and the fact that this board seems like a very cool and very helpfull community is deffinately a plus for this bike. I'm hoping to have a look at it this week (assuming my job and grad school stuff finally gives me some free time), so we'll see.
Sorry, should have said "nowb" :laugh: (your misspelling, not mine :flipoff: :icon_lol:)
Quote from: Destro on April 12, 2006, 10:49:20 AM
Sorry, should have said "nowb" :laugh: (your misspelling, not mine :flipoff: :icon_lol:)
clearly it's not a graduate degree in English :icon_lol:
I maybe will get an SV650S, YZF-600R, CBR F4i, ZZR 600, FZ6, Ninja 650R.
And that is whether or not Calispec buys the GS.
You know, the GS would make a sweet little track bike for me. . .
Destro, have you had much time on the YZF yet? Today would be the good day for a ride! Also, do you have a valve adjustment tool?
Quote from: calispec on April 12, 2006, 01:04:34 PM
Quote from: Destro on April 12, 2006, 10:49:20 AM
Sorry, should have said "nowb" :laugh: (your misspelling, not mine :flipoff: :icon_lol:)
clearly it's not a graduate degree in English :icon_lol:
Good thing too... you'd end up riding a GS for financial reasons, as high school english teachers don't get paid much! :laugh:
My high school english teacher had a Doctorate in English from Oxford. I asked him what you can do with a Doctorate in English. His response? "I'm doing it."
Hahaha... no offense to any English majors out there, I just thought it was funny
I have ridden the YZF everyday this week and most of last. Soo much fun!! My wife is going to have to start driving my truck back and forth to work to keep running fuel in it! I have a set of spark plug gap feelers that work pretty good for checking the valves. It may be faster and more reliable to take it to a shop if it is <$100. You caould definitely get a couple hundred more out of it, if that would correct the issue! Oh I mean sell it to Calispec. :cheers:
He's coming by tonight. We'll see. I kind of would like to get it right and I kind of would like to buy that VFR 750 for sale on KCSB. . . Did you see that thing???
Yeah, it is sweet, I am a big fan of the vfr, look at vfrdiscussion.com. Maybe you can find another one close by, they pop up occasionally. Still working on my bike as well, too busy this week to show it, but had a guy look at it and basically wants it. Have to replace the clutch cable, bleed the brakes and change the fork seals. Done with the first 2 and trying to figure out if I want to mess with the seals.