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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: TarzanBoy on August 02, 2008, 07:20:18 AM

Title: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 02, 2008, 07:20:18 AM
There is a 2005 for sale here with a blown engine.  I am thinking about picking it up (~$1k) and dropping a new engine in.  I have no idea what the cause of damage was.

How much money and time will I be spending to do this? (approximately)?
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: scottpA_GS on August 02, 2008, 07:25:53 AM

Should be able to get a motor for $400? or so? Maybe even fix it for less?

I think it sounds like a good price if if doesnt need anything else.
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 02, 2008, 08:27:18 AM
Where would I get a motor?   I don't have a garage... now much time would i take to put a new motor in?
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: erbilabuc on August 02, 2008, 09:24:22 AM
Quote from: TarzanBoy on August 02, 2008, 08:27:18 AM
Where would I get a motor?   I don't have a garage... now much time would i take to put a new motor in?

yeah dont buy this bike. Pass the deal on to someone else because if you dont have a garage and dont know already were a new motor is then you are going to be hating life. You can buy an 05 running  with some stuff for around $2300-$3200.
you buy this wreck

$1000 for bike
$500 for motor (on a good ebay find plus another $150 to ship it if they arent local)
plus tools+time+labor+what if you are putting on the engine and say you notice the forks are bent or there is head shake that you only get when going 50mph and up.
if the bike was $400-$500 then I would say yes but a 1000$? I would pass because I have seen 01's-04's here in the Souther California area all a few times for $200-300$ with a blown motor.
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: arbakken on August 02, 2008, 11:17:05 AM
if it's in otherwise good shape, it should be a good pickup. I've been contemplating disassembling my 500 for painting, and it looks like a somewhat talented mechanically inclined person with the right tools should be able to have a motor in/out in a few hours
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 02, 2008, 03:27:18 PM
Quote from: erbilabuc on August 02, 2008, 09:24:22 AM
Quote from: TarzanBoy on August 02, 2008, 08:27:18 AM
Where would I get a motor?   I don't have a garage... now much time would i take to put a new motor in?

yeah dont buy this bike. Pass the deal on to someone else because if you dont have a garage and dont know already were a new motor is then you are going to be hating life. You can buy an 05 running  with some stuff for around $2300-$3200.
you buy this wreck

$1000 for bike
$500 for motor (on a good ebay find plus another $150 to ship it if they arent local)
plus tools+time+labor+what if you are putting on the engine and say you notice the forks are bent or there is head shake that you only get when going 50mph and up.
if the bike was $400-$500 then I would say yes but a 1000$? I would pass because I have seen 01's-04's here in the Souther California area all a few times for $200-300$ with a blown motor.

Its not about having a motorcycle... I already have an R6 that I ride daily.    The purpose of getting this bike would be as a project to get a good starter bike at a low price and turn it around cheap for one of my friends (that want to learn to ride)

I will probably get it.  I am just worried about the job become a HUGE headache due to unforseen costs/difficulties.

Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 03, 2008, 06:16:51 PM
Well, I bought it.   Now the trick is to get the engine swapped before winter.

Where are some good places to find GS500 engines?

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg49/TzanDrums/rightside.jpg)
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: commuterdude on August 03, 2008, 06:25:39 PM
that's a nice bike, shoot 1k is pretty good for the parts on that bike, frame w/ title, ya done good.   As for a motor I see them alot on Ebay.
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: Mdow on August 03, 2008, 06:26:40 PM
Pming you about the old motor
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: ATLRIDER on August 03, 2008, 08:08:29 PM
Just wondering how you found the bike.  Craigslist, Cycletrader??

If I could get my hands on a newer model that needed an engine I may go for it.

Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: bobthebiker on August 03, 2008, 09:15:52 PM
Not a bad deal.  if you can rebuild the motor in it, you're all set.   pulling a motor and putting it back in really isnt too difficult, although I'd suggest having two sets of hands because of the weight/bulk that motor has to it.
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: Mandres on August 03, 2008, 09:24:04 PM
you should definitely pull the old motor out and see what's wrong with it first.  You could have anything from a single bent valve (<$50 fix) to a thrown rod to a broken crank.  A "blown" engine could mean 100 different things, and engines don't get much simpler than the GS's. 

Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 04, 2008, 07:11:47 AM
Quote from: ATLRIDER on August 03, 2008, 08:08:29 PM
Just wondering how you found the bike.  Craigslist, Cycletrader??  If I could get my hands on a newer model that needed an engine I may go for it.

Neither.  It was posted on a local rider board. http://www.georgiasportbike.com (http://www.georgiasportbike.com).
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: gaspy on August 04, 2008, 03:29:45 PM
+1 Nice find. Sell the fairings before you give it to your friend to learn on. He or she will destroy them!

Quote from: ATLRIDER on August 03, 2008, 08:08:29 PM
Just wondering how you found the bike.  Craigslist, Cycletrader??

If I could get my hands on a newer model that needed an engine I may go for it.


I see you're in Atlanta, but if you're interested in a distant 2005 with engine trouble, keep your eye on my post: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43304.0;topicseen (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43304.0;topicseen). I'm not promising anything, but I'll certainly entertain offers. I'm waiting on a diagnostic from a shop to decide if I will sell.
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: Ronin on August 04, 2008, 04:24:55 PM
Ebay motor 2002...with only 2600 miles on it!!  :thumb: two days left!!  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-GS500-GS-500-ENGINE-MOTOR-TRANSMISSION_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ10066QQihZ003QQitemZ130243012970QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 04, 2008, 04:54:45 PM
$700 plus shipping for a USED motor with visible damage?  I don't think so!

I have found a '91 wrecked GS500 with a working motor that the guy is only asking $595 OBO for.  It has 22,000 miles on it, but its hard to beat that price.
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: Ronin on August 04, 2008, 06:40:17 PM
Yep...but 2600 miles VS 22,000 miles? Your call though...good luck. :thumb:
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: ATLRIDER on August 05, 2008, 12:29:06 PM
Quote from: TarzanBoy on August 04, 2008, 07:11:47 AM
Quote from: ATLRIDER on August 03, 2008, 08:08:29 PM
Just wondering how you found the bike.  Craigslist, Cycletrader??  If I could get my hands on a newer model that needed an engine I may go for it.

Neither.  It was posted on a local rider board. http://www.georgiasportbike.com (http://www.georgiasportbike.com).

Thanks :thumb:
Title: Re: 2005 with blown engine... should I buy it?
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 05, 2008, 01:37:04 PM
Quote from: Ronin on August 04, 2008, 06:40:17 PM
Yep...but 2600 miles VS 22,000 miles? Your call though...good luck. :thumb:

22,000 is very middle aged.   There is an entire wrecked bike (1990) with a working engine an hour from me for $600 (which is still less than that guy wants for a single engine)