Just picked up a 93 GS500 as my 1st bike w/ 12K miles on Monday, initially I thought it was pretty good deal, but after a $300 registration, it's about 1100 total. I did ride it before and everything seemed fine. The seller told me he cleaned out the tank and carbs (it was sitting at the impound lot for 1 month outside) So I'm cleaning it up last night, and noticed there are quite a bit of surface rust around the handle bar clamp area, and about a 1/2 inch area around the gas cap. Here are the major issues, I noticed that the stanchions of the forks are pitted pretty badly, and there were oil stains down both legs. From searching on this site, I noticed that this is no minor issue, I can't simply replace the seals, they'll just get cut up again. Any good souces for good condition stanchions? I also noticed that the engine, though looked ok at 1st, was freshly spray painted over w/ flat black. Now I'm concern that there maybe a rust spot or damage that the seller was trying to cover up. Everything else seems to be cosmetic, faded paint, scratches here and there. Just not sure if it's worth it w/ all the other tune ups I'll have to do on it. On a good note, the engine starts off perfectly and idles and pulls really nice.
Welcome!
There's no getting around the stancions, search in the For Sale forum here, and/or craigslist.org for new(er) ones.
Painted over engine is not so bad, the paint probably faded in the sun and flaked off; let this coat also flake off, the engine will cool better. I always let mine fade with age (but I keep mine out of the sun as much as possible).
Rust around the clamp is normal for sitting outside for so long, in the elements, should clean up easy if it is only surface rust (use Nevr-Dul and/or a soft brass bristle brush; and remove the handlebar from the clamps to get to all the surfaces, and after cleaning the handlebar, make sure there are no rusted out holes or pitting. Handlebars are cheap to replace ($20 aftermarket)).
I bought mine last june, its a '94 with 12,000 miles too, and paid $1700. I had to replace the gas tank after 2 weeks! :mad:, there was a leak on the left side of the tank. Then I had too have the carbuetors cleanned, and after that I had to replace the rear tire cause it wouldn't pass inspection. the bike has cost me so far a total of 2200+ accesories I decided to add. Oh! I have to paint the gas tank cause it's a different color.
So if you ask if it's worth it... I'll say yes cause so far you have only cosmetic problems. :thumb:
thanks for the reassuring words. What would be a fair price for the stanchions or a front end? I'm still sorting out what the GS500 used market is like.
I don't think you bought the wrong bike. I don't regreat buying a used one as a first bike, I dropped mine the same week I got it! I would've been furious if I had dropped a brand new bike ;).
Yeah, older GS's are generally cheaper than replacing the plastics on a new supersport after that first drop... :laugh:
They just need some TLC. Once you've bonded (so to speak) with your bike, and you've rubbed her clean, you'll realize you bought exactly the right bike! :kiss3: :icon_mrgreen:
thanks guys, I just keep see these other deals that has prestine bike for 4-500 more. Maybe i just gotta keep my head out of the classified. BTW, if the rust is a little more than just surface, what are some good ways to get it out?
You can get rust grinding disks for a power drill or dremel, they'll take care of most rust that's not in a tight area. Of course you'll have bare metal to deal with then. There are several paints too that seal and supposedly neutralize the rust.
As for the classifieds, well, you bought it and you're stuck with it :) Your options at this point are to either sell it and get something different or keep it and work with it. I'd contemplate how much it will cost to get it to the condition you want it in. I mean, $800 is a pretty darn good price if the issues are relatively minor.
Don't feel too bad though, I think we all learn this stuff at least once. I bought an old honda crx back in the day as a project car and not only did I not bother to check the title he handed me (salvage) but I also didn't bother to look under the carpet and realize that the floor boards were so rusted through that seat belts weren't attached to the floor anymore. Paid $1,500 for that car and 2 months later they towed it and I never went to pick it up. I learned my lesson though, and any used vehicle I get I make sure to go over with a flashlight and check every nook I can get at.
Well, replacing a few things just means you learn more along the way. You may respect it more, or keep it up better if you have to work at it.
The gs in general is a GREAT bike. I'd suggest it to anyone that could enjoy a light, nimble, quick and cheap motorbike. I'd also mention the part about carburators vs fuel injection. That's really my one and only complaint about it. I've enjoyed mine quite a bit.
Quote from: flyingmachine on April 06, 2007, 02:47:26 PM
thanks for the reassuring words. What would be a fair price for the stanchions or a front end? I'm still sorting out what the GS500 used market is like.
That totally depends on your market and what you are willing to pay (a bit late for regrets though ;) ) but for a picture of the US Ebay market for a GS you could always look at THIS PAGE (http://vtxstar.com/GSpopcount.htm) I maintain.
For a short cut, 93's go for >$1300 so you are just a little ahead of the norm.
I am past due to update the page. Work and school have been major time sinks lately. I troll ebay about every other day watching auctions with 3 different search strings. I still miss them sometimes, but not many.
Hey Pandy! :kiss3:
For $800 bucks what do you expect? It runs, so it's a good deal! These bikes have a pretty low grade finish on them from the factory and all of them over a couple years old will have some surface rust. There are some good comments above regarding the rust, but I wouldn't worry about that untill you have the forks replaced.
If you're interested, I picked up the front end off of a 1987 honda CBR 600 to do a dual disk brake swap on my bike but I don't think I'm going to do it because the wheel wouldn't match the rear.
It's an easy swap though and the fork tubes slide right into the GS tripple clamps. I have the entire thing including tripples (you don't need them but they're included) forks, wheel, dual rotors and calipers, all brake lines, and master cylinder, it has a tire that holds air on it too but it it should be replaced (same size tire as the GS).
I just got some new fork seals for it and I'm going to rebuild them and test them out on my bike before I figure out what to sell them for.
PM me if your interested though and I'll hurry up :cheers:
Quote from: flyingmachine on April 06, 2007, 02:22:40 PM
Just picked up a 93 GS500 as my 1st bike w/ 12K miles on Monday, initially I thought it was pretty good deal, but after a $300 registration, it's about 1100 total. I did ride it before and everything seemed fine. The seller told me he cleaned out the tank and carbs (it was sitting at the impound lot for 1 month outside) So I'm cleaning it up last night, and noticed there are quite a bit of surface rust around the handle bar clamp area, and about a 1/2 inch area around the gas cap. Here are the major issues, I noticed that the stanchions of the forks are pitted pretty badly, and there were oil stains down both legs. From searching on this site, I noticed that this is no minor issue, I can't simply replace the seals, they'll just get cut up again. Any good souces for good condition stanchions? I also noticed that the engine, though looked ok at 1st, was freshly spray painted over w/ flat black. Now I'm concern that there maybe a rust spot or damage that the seller was trying to cover up. Everything else seems to be cosmetic, faded paint, scratches here and there. Just not sure if it's worth it w/ all the other tune ups I'll have to do on it. On a good note, the engine starts off perfectly and idles and pulls really nice.
Anyway, it is your bike now, you never get a perfect bike when you shop for a second hand bike, a golden rule is always have some spare cash on fixing the bike, and just learn from this experience!
Give it a chance - I think you'll be pleasantly suprised at how well the GS handles and how well it pulls ... once ya get used to it you'll be happy to knock the rust off a couple spots :thumb: