Edit: This is now my update/question/build thread.
I sold my GS almost 2 years ago to an acquaintance.
I got an e-mail from her asking if I would like to buy it back.
The problem is that she lost the key and parked it, uncovered, in the backyard for at least a year.
here are the pics she sent me.
I'm trying to decide what I should give her for it or if I even want the thing back at all.
What should I expect from a bike thats been sitting so long? And what should I offer if anything?
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/gs5007.jpg)
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/gs5006.jpg)
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/gs5005.jpg)
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/gs5004.jpg)
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/gs5002.jpg)
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/gs5001.jpg)
Do you still have a key for it? Find out if it still runs or if you'd need to clean the carbs to get it running again. Looks like for sure you need a new chain & sprockets.
Yeah, the chain and sprocket are definitely history. It was running good when she lost the key (there was only 1). The battery, which was new, is surely shot. I'm sure the carbs need some tlc also.
The V&H still looks nice and shiny!
I'd call it a parts bike until I know it runs. It needs a complete make over. $300 or so because if it doesn't run, it could be parted out for that. Otherwise, consider the expense of getting it to run then completely repainting it.
You can short out the ignition wires to get it to run. Then a replacement ignition (should do gas cap and seat lock) is $100-$150.
You might get a lock smith to make a key - take in the seat lock. Easy to remove and put back (providing the same key worked everything). Some lock smiths do not like working on gas caps because of the fumes. Ignition is a pain to get out just to see if it runs.
Go around there and Slap her for treating the bike with such disregard. >:(
What should you give her? A good bloody talking to for starters. Then ask her how much she wants for it. Then laugh when she tells you a grand. Cause everything will need relubing and greasing and stuff. And you'll be looking at a pretty penny to bring it back up to riding standard. So $150 seems fair to me.
There's probably water in the fuel too.
So what's the count now...
- new chain
- new sprockets
- new or repaint gas tank
- new steering head bearing (doubt it'll be salvageable)
- new battery
- new plugs and probably leads
- possibly new handlebar electrics
- possibly new disc rotors - I would replace them cause of the state they are in, but you might get away at a pinch
- all cables need to be lubed again, possibly replaced if there is too much corrosion at the ends
- new keys (yes plural, get more than one so you always have a spare)
- new oil / filter
- possibly new fork seals
Michael
The more I look at it the more parts and screws I see missing. Right stator cover missing the Suzuki stick on logo so that's probably full of water and corroded away inside. How do you lose a chain guard? Why so many screws missing?
On second thought - I'd take it for free and part it out. Then buy a good, working bike for $1000. You're looking at a total rebuild - probably in excess of $1000 to have anything you'd be proud to ride.
Unless she filled the tank before she parked it, the inside us most likely rusty, no way to know until you get the gs gap out though. I was thinking $600, until I read everyone else's prices and I think there's sound better. Pull that timing cover off and make sure the engine still spins while you're at it. Not like it's been sitting that long, but bad things would happen if any water pooled in the cylinder.
How much did she give you for it.
You know she's going to try to make some of her money back that she paid you so somewhere around what she bought for....minus a hando or 2...but to me the bike really doesn't "look" that bad beside the chain and sprockets. You won't know what you have until you get a key. I really don't see a way of getting around cleaning the carbs. That's just good PM and you know that'll be one thing you can put behind you if the bike does have any issues...
Quote from: mister on January 10, 2011, 03:07:21 PM
So $150 seems fair to me.
Are those 89 clipons I spy? Buy it for $150, sell the clipons for $150, part the rest out for another couple hundred profit. :icon_mrgreen:
For bike startup dont need a key. I have been forgotten my keys few times, and easily started with wires coming from lock.. Like in movies then dudes steeling a cars :icon_lol:
And for that stupid b***ch who left the bike like that, really need a god slap :mad:
That's F***ING sad right there. If and that's a big if I was attached to the bike and had nothing but time and money to get it back to right. I'd give a hun for it. You could part it out and make some scratch, but you'll have parts that you cant even give away and they'll haunt you.
More than likely you're looking at...
Ignition, fuel, and seat keyed set
Sprocket
Chain
Tires
Fork seals
Clean the tank
Clean the carbs
Lots of prep work
Paint and polish
Filters
Oil
Seat Recover
+ all the little missing pieces
I'm sure some of the folks here will help with some budget parts but Holy S**t that's a rough bike. Some people have no respect for their ride.
Oh yea it is sad, and a lot longer than a year. I've left em for a year, they look much much much better. Well, how bad was it before that is a Q I'd ask though.
Cool.
Buddha.
Thats a shame. I mean hell, you can buy a tarp and bungee's at the dollar store! That certainly woulda helped a bit ....
Let it go...
Ok i've got it. If you're not too worried about getting it back, tell her the truth. That it'll more than likely cost more than it's worth to fix it, so if she wants you'll take it off her hands for nothing. If not, walk away from the money pit.
yeah, smells of money pit. I'd let her know too about what she did to that poor bike. How many broke students woulda paid a few hundred for that and loved on it! I could never imagine treating Flick like that he's like a child to me. I feel bad if I don't wash him every other week. She also makes us girls look bad!
Yup tell her you will take it off her hands for free. Most salvage yards would charge her to take it. Or walk away.
Mary
So... After telling the owner of this bike that I could only give her $100 for it, she decided to think about it and I didn't hear from her for 7 months or so.
I got a call out of the blue telling me that she feels bad for trashing my old bike, and that I can have it back (for free) if I'll come pick it up. I did just that.
I've decided to bring the old gal back to life to be used as a cheap yet reliable learner for my girl. (Trying to keep her off of my Speed Four :D)
I rolled it down an inclined driveway at about 6-7mph and dropped the clutch. Sounds and feels like it still has good compression.
So far: - I have ordered a new chain and sprockets
- will be picking up a new battery tomorrow
- Stripped all bodywork
- pulled out cheapy turn signals and broken mirrors
I would like to check the tank for rust and possibly re-coat it before start up, Problem is I still don't have a key sorted out. I tried disassembling the filler cap but ran into a snag.
(http://i.imgur.com/mKOL5.jpg)
Can't get the bloody thing off! The ring will lift slightly as shown and the whole unit will rotate. Just don't want to break or bend anything. Any suggestions?
you cant blame her..... women treat other women viciously... and for those of you referring to her as "it" ! how dare you! she might be rusty but shes still a lady! have some manners! i give you props for helping a beauty thats hit *hopefull* temporary rock bottom. :sad:
After playing with it a bit more I realized that the key is probably required to remove the whole fuel filler assembly. :cry:
Guess ill have to sort out the Key situation first.
Ebay sets the way to go?
Quote from: Agno on August 09, 2011, 04:53:19 AM
After playing with it a bit more I realized that the key is probably required to remove the whole fuel filler assembly. :cry:
Guess ill have to sort out the Key situation first.
Ebay sets the way to go?
Yup... The internal piece is held in place and needs the key to remove it.. Any good lock smith (or.. some other people who may not be at legit) should be able to pick the lock and pop it...
Or http://www.lockpickshop.com/LS.html you could take this time to learn how to do it yourself.
Just unmount the seat release key and bring it to a lock smith, it is easier to unhook that one then just get the keys done from there.
I am so sorry for what happened to her. It is a sad day for GS500's. We do not want to see someone like her on that condition. I'm pretty sure it pains you to see her on the condition. Wears here for you if you need anything in restoring her. Keep up the good work
If you are going to part her let me know.. i am looking for a windshield.
I'm thinking about putting a screw-on aftermarket filler cap in and buying just the ignition and seat lock as a set. Can I get an ignition from any year or do I have to stick to parts from one of the earlier ones?
Quote from: Agno on August 11, 2011, 04:12:53 AM
I'm thinking about putting a screw-on aftermarket filler cap in and buying just the ignition and seat lock as a set. Can I get an ignition from any year or do I have to stick to parts from one of the earlier ones?
You can save a little money by just doing the ziptie release method for the seat and just getting the ignition replacement like
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ignition-Switch-Suzuki-GS500E-GS600F-Katana-1988-1997-/270786772067?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0c263c63
Also invest in a bottle of Rutland's stove polish... think it was adidasguy who told me about it and started using it on all the rusty parts of my bike to reblacken them.. Works wonders for really cheap...
As someone who neglected their GS for about 3 years, here's what I had to do to get my bike running well:
Thorough carb cleaning
New carb intake boots
Forks overhaul (new oil and seals)
New sprockets and chain
New tires
New battery
Replace oil and brake fluid
Electrical system has been fine. Other than tires it wasn't that expensive, either. I say try and get this running again.
Replaced the chain and sprockets yesterday with no real issues. Guess I was expecting to have a complication or two. Nothing to speak of. Feels nice to see the bike getting cleaned up and sporting new parts.
I was also expecting the Filler cap to give me issues. Thin screw driver into the key hole and it turned first try. Lucky me.
Cleaning the tank out seems like it will be a chore though. Not sure how i'm going to do this yet. I'm seeing a lot of threads about it. Quite a bit of rust came out today when I rinsed it with water so I think something on the drastic side is needed. Doesn't seem to be leaking though.
Keep the progress reports coming; if you've never tried Evapo-Rust, let Google be your guide...
I'm waiting for some parts to come in and decided that the seat needed some love. Picked up a yard of new vinyl at the fabric store and pulled the staples out of the old vinyl.
Once the vinyl was off I decided that this was the perfect time for some small customization. I have never liked the naughty place protector at the front of the seat. So I cut it off with a band saw.
(http://i.imgur.com/junmQ.jpg)
And then I reshaped the front with a Dremel
(http://i.imgur.com/TdZBw.jpg)
I have always liked the sculpted seats and thought it might look cool on the GS. So I used the scrap foam from the naughty place guard and added a "speed hump". :icon_razz:
(http://i.imgur.com/ZRQF2.jpg)\
I already started to cover it in the new vinyl. The bump looks a lot more subtle under the seat cover. Ill post pics after a run to the hardware store for more staples.
Very nice mod, man I think I have thought of everything ... well I like to flatter myself ... but of course this one I might as well not even try, never thought of it, but now that you have, I want to do it.
Cool.
Buddha.
Well thanks Buddha!
Just finished. Its not perfect but it turned out pretty good.
(http://i.imgur.com/lzviG.jpg)
that looks pretty cool, any photos of it on the bike?
getting ready to modify my seat a bit as well. i'm going to be shaving the passenger area down thinner to allow my passenger seat cover to sit flush with my tail fairing. i'll be taking a lot more foam off than you had to, but did ya pick up any tips/tricks on shaving the foam down?
You could do a better job of covering it IMHO ... get the stretchy vinyl and heat it with hair dryer and put it on. That looks good ... good material but your cover job is a bit loose ... looks like its loose.
Cool.
Buddha.
QuoteYou could do a better job of covering it IMHO ... get the stretchy vinyl and heat it with hair dryer and put it on. That looks good ... good material but your cover job is a bit loose ... looks like its loose.
I could have stretched it 10% tighter with 50% more effort but my sore hands had other plans.
Here is a pic of the seat mounted as requested. The bike is still pretty rough but you get the idea.
(http://i.imgur.com/TCl0G.jpg)
And a closer shot from another angle.
(http://i.imgur.com/0ptGL.jpg)
Quotedid ya pick up any tips/tricks on shaving the foam down?
I didn't have much shaving to do so I really don't have much advice. I used one of those small cylindrical sandpaper fittings with my Dremel. Seemed pretty straight forward. Just slow and steady.
I have 64oz of Evapo-rust churning around in my tank at the moment. A bottle of Kreem is on stand by. Wish me luck.
Great..... I just recovered my seat like 2 months ago and now I want to cut off that front tab.... Looks slick....
I'm glad that Evapo-rust is re-usable because my tank flash rusted before I could even get it dry after rinsing it with water. Any advice on getting the tank dried out more quickly? I was thinking about some alcohol or possibly acetone.
read somewhere earlier today(i think it was on wiki) that a hair dryer wasn't cutting it. the guy used a shop vac and just pumped in LOTS of room temp air
Thanks to Steezin^^^ I finally had the parts compiled to re-key the bike(with spares no less!). Now I know why the ignition came still connected to the triple. That thing is riveted in-place. So for the first time I got to disassemble the majority of the front of a bike. Was kinda cool. I would post a pic but I'm at work and it would just look like the steering head threw up anyway.
The rusty old battery box is currently removed and sitting in a de-rusting bath.
Now just waiting on my Carb jets and the valve adjustment kit and I'll be ready for start up.
is that a Triumph Speed Four I spot? I would rather be rolling than wrenching! :cheers:
Yep... good eye. The Triumph is the bike I bought after selling the GS. Serendipity has brought it back to me just when my girl needed a beater to learn on.
So the front is re-assembled but there seems to be an issue. The top plate of the triple (89 clip-on) seems to have play in it. Not a ton, but enough that I can skew the plate a few millimeters toward the front or rear of the bike by pushing or pulling on the bars. I torqued the two bolts that sandwich the whole unit together pretty tight. I know that the whole setup is rubber mounted but this much movement feels questionable. Did I just never notice this before?
I am very close to test starting the bike. The exhaust was removed and painted and new gaskets and fasteners were used. The carbs were partially disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. Before re-assembly a set of jets from the Buddha replaced the old ones.
A K&N lunchbox has replaced the factory intake and a breather filter now caps the end of the crankcase breather tube.
I received a new Shorai Lithium Iron battery in the mail today and this thing is unbelievable. I chose it based on it extreme lightweight and as a recommendation from DeCosse who's posts about motorcycle electronics have helped me again and again.
Here is where I need some advice:
I have not started this thing up yet. I am hoping to use a temporary fuel source for this next step instead of using the tank. I am anticipating needing to fiddle with things to get it started and running right. It seems like taking the tank off repeatedly would be a pain the rear. Anything I should know before I make a mess? Anything to watch out for aside from lighting myself ablaze?
Seems awful lonely in here...
F'it, I'm posting anyway! SHE'S ALIVE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krZpBdWpqs4
In the video posted above there are a couple of audible "ticks" or bursts that seem to come randomly. I started it again today and the sound was much more frequent. After running it for a moment or two, I realized that the sound also resulted in a corresponding vibration in the air cleaner. When I slipped the K&N lunchbox off I could see what was causing the sound. Every so often a burst of unspent air/fuel mixture gets blown backwards through the carb and into the air cleaner. This was causing the loud hiss-like popping that is in the video.
Is this a valve issue or maybe a timing issue of some sort? Anyone had anything like this happen to them?
Can't answer the question for you, but it's great to see her running again! :woohoo: Keep the updates coming. :thumb:
Finally got the plumbing for the fuel system figured out. Which means that I could take her out for a little put-put. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhflSW3B2ps
Nice to get the tires rolling again.
Still haven't figured out the misfire problem. It's only the left cylinder that is having this issue. I swapped plugs but the results are the same. Keep getting these randomly timed hiss-pop type misfires. At low rpm it will cause the motor to stumble enough to stall it out.
Any ideas here guys? Maybe a sticky valve?
hell yeah! glad to see it up and rolling! i get the same pop and hiss on rare occasions, but haven't found the problem yet.
on a side note, have you checked the valve clearances yet?
Quote from: steezin_and_wheezin on November 02, 2011, 06:24:15 AM
on a side note, have you checked the valve clearances yet?
Not yet. But I am next in line to receive the west coast kit. I sure hope that makes a difference.
Got a few parts in the mail. Don't you friggen LOVE that.
Got some new aluminum tubing to replace the old bent ones in the clip-ons.
(http://i.imgur.com/MJcTG.jpg)
Also got a set of .85 Sonic Springs. Thinking about taking my forks apart gives me butterflies.
Random question about the aluminum tube stock for the '89 clipons, I have the same setup, complete with the bent stock steel bars. I was thinking about just buying aluminum stock like you and cutting lengths as needed.
Have you put them on yet? How does the .12" wall thickness feel? Any additional harshness due to the stiffer metal?
(somehow your post touched on a bunch of stuff I've been wondering about)
Which Shorai lithium battery did you get? Any issues starting?
Thanks!
FYI: Older KAT bars are compatible with the GS clip-ons. I've got extra OEM GS500 bars on the shelf. Got in some KAT bars & top plates just for giggles. Bars are compatible. Who would have thought that? Top plate not quite. So I've got a complete Kat triple & assorted top plates if anyone ever wants them.
Taking the older forks apart is so much easier than I thought. make the tool. use a 19" paint roller or piece of PVC to press the new seals in. 1/2 hour tops per fork once you've done one to know how to do it.
(I found 4 sets of forks on the shelf. How did I end up with so many? Then I found 4 or 5 sets of carbs. 20 sets of tail plastics. 3 non-needed lead/acid batteries, 4 triples with good bearings. I'm a worse parts whore than I thought :cookoo: )
This is the battery I use:
http://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/LFX14L2-BS12.html
(Photo BEFORE battery box stuffed with the supplied sticky back foam.)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP1407a.jpg)
Thanks for the info!
Any reason you went with the 14Ah "heavy duty" battery vs one of the smaller 9Ah or 12Ah batteries?
And, any chance you want to part with some of those spare bars you have laying around? You know, I just want to help you with your parts whoring issue... :)
Looks good, you can just plug in the new ignition behind the headlight to see if it runs. All the locks at least on the older gs can be forced with a screw driver. I didn't see this til too late. sorry.
Update time! It has been a while since my last post.
Quote from: EdChen on November 17, 2011, 03:11:02 PM
Random question about the aluminum tube stock for the '89 clipons, I have the same setup, complete with the bent stock steel bars. I was thinking about just buying aluminum stock like you and cutting lengths as needed.
Have you put them on yet? How does the .12" wall thickness feel? Any additional harshness due to the stiffer metal?
(somehow your post touched on a bunch of stuff I've been wondering about)
Which Shorai lithium battery did you get? Any issues starting?
Thanks!
I don't think the Bar stiffness has been impacted by using the .12 thick bars. At least not in a noticeable way. That being said, I hadn't put any real seat time in on the older ones before replacing them.
As far as the battery goes, I can't say enough good things. The thing is extremely light. 1.75lbs to be exact. My old one weighed in at 8lbs. Has not given me a weak crank yet and I tend to abuse my batteries. I even used it to jump start my car when the battery was drained from an interior light that had been left on! I was amazed! I don't remember why I used the 14ah over the other options but I seem to remember that there was a good reason. Hope that helped.
My parts collection has slowly grown.
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/Parts.jpg)
I also have a set of Bridgestone bt-003rs' and a set of Sonic .85kg springs that need to be put to use.
So anyway, this is what the bike looks like after adding the mirrors, pegs, and bar-ends.
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/GSblack.jpg)
And this is a rough photo-chop of what I had in mind for the paint work. Keep in mind that this is just a sketch and I'll probably take the lazy way out and paint it a solid color. Any input is appreciated.
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/WhiteGS.jpg)
Very Nice! I vote yes!
Very Nice :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/GSblack.jpg)
Question: What is this headlight cover? I like it. Where can one find it?
Shes looking very nice compared to the first pic.
Looks like a nice candidate for an i4 swap... ;)
The windscreen is from a Buell Blast.
Quote from: Agno on February 18, 2012, 04:16:32 PM
The windscreen is from a Buell Blast.
Easy to install? Does it help with the wind at all?
I find that it moves the wind blast into a better position for me. I feel like my head is now in "cleaner" air. The install is very easy if you can manage to find the correct buell brackets. If I recall correctly, the brackets I used were from a Buell Cyclone. I got them from the Harley dealership. But I think they would be really easy make with a bit of bendy aluminum flat bar.
I like the paint scheme you mocked up- solid color would be ok as well. Glad she is up and running without too much troubles, it's always wonderful when you can bring a bike back from the dead!
Nice job of bringing it back to life.
I have tail plastics if you want some to paint up that don't have holes. I also have a few rear grab handles - like 8 or so - with no idea what to do with 7 of them. (One is for a bile build).
Since the GS has been running well I have been doing more riding than I have tinkering. I have decided to get this sucker painted before our annual MotoGP trip in July.
I am currently in the sanding process and have discovered that most parts have 6, yes 6, layers of paint.
I know that I don't need to remove it all but would prefer to get most of it off. Is Sanding the only good way to get through all this?
Quote from: Agno on June 17, 2012, 08:48:45 PM
Since the GS has been running well I have been doing more riding than I have tinkering. I have decided to get this sucker painted before our annual MotoGP trip in July.
I am currently in the sanding process and have discovered that most parts have 6, yes 6, layers of paint.
I know that I don't need to remove it all but would prefer to get most of it off. Is Sanding the only good way to get through all this?
(http://www.rsci.com/assets/aircraft-stripper.jpg)
I reckon that stuff would turn my plastic pieces into a smelly goo. I'm not too worried about the tank as I can sandblast it.
Couple of small updates:
Added a set of knockoff Pazzo levers made for an SV. The brake perch is the same On the gs as the SV but the clutch perch was incompatible. So I popped over to SVRider and bought a perch from a naked SV. Worked out well.
I did a bit of cockpit work. White-face gauge overlays and painted the needles. The overlays were not a perfect fit but workable.
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/whitefacegaugessmall.jpg)
This is my Sanding progress so far. Some parts are more done than others. Will probably be building a makeshift paint booth soon and get to spraying.\
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/Sandedbodyworksmall.jpg)
Just clear coat over that sanding! :thumb:
Quote from: cbrfxr67 on July 13, 2012, 06:24:52 AM
Just clear coat over that sanding! :thumb:
That's what my friend said after he saw the psychedelic effect from sanding through six layers of paint. I briefly considered it. :)
Got the chance to pop my sandblasting cherry. I pictured a full tibec suit in a cloudy room with a giant flame-thrower looking sand cannon. figured it would only take a few minutes. I was wrong. I was hunched over a silly little booth trying to see the dime size spot that was getting sprayed. It took a couple of sweaty hours.
This is the result of my hard work
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/PicsArt_1343446134422.jpg)
I used pvc to turn my garage into a giant paint sniffing room. All the "huffing" aside it went pretty well once I got over my initial clumsyness. Ended up putting a couple layers of primer down.
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p432/Agno79/PicsArt_1343446269489.jpg)
Headed to MotoGP then maybe another layer of primer after some more sanding.
:bowdown: :thumb: