GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

I might get this bike for under $800.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170597574167&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#v4-41

Should I part it out? I know I could make the money back just with tank, frame and engine.
Or, since I have so many parts (tank, tail, fender, factory clip-ons, hugger, belly pan, headlight cowling...), make a companion for Junior and Suzi (wouldn't need to spend another dime unless engine needed some work) and keep it or do minimum to make it look hot and sell it?

Make it look hot..and then one day maybe you will sell it  ;)

For me hes taillight looking not the same like others  :icon_confused: I think its something moded out there, and looking very good. Curious how he doed that..

Yes, different tail light. Passenger grab also not there but I have a dozen. After market exhaust, too. Otherwise clean and always garaged. Have silver & black original tail and black front fender. Might look good if the tank doesn't need repainting. Maybe just add the Suzuki logo with the triangle below it as we see on originals, then a good 2 part clear coat. Would have to paint belly pan and headlight cowling to match. Have undertail and hugger from Europe to spiff up the rear. Other than paint, I have all the parts I need including extra sets of factory clip ons (those blue handle bars will go away first)

We'll see.

For the price, I think OK.

Remember to vote!

I say make it look hot and sell. You got any family wanting to get into motorcycle riding? Maybe do it up for them. Would be a great first bike and we all know you got sh*tloads of extras for it.  :thumb:

By the way I don't mind those off road bars fitted to it.

I might let my '07 go for a DR-Z400SM, to round out the herd, 3 GS's...you might want to do the same? Everyone I know that goes Super Motard rides them more than their SS

(http://suzukicycles.com/~/media/Product/Cycles/DRZ400/2009/DRZ400SM/Gallery/DRZ400SMAA.ashx?w=945)

I say go for it... That is a super clean looking bike all ready, probably wouldn't take much work to make it really nice.

Or....you could help out a newbie whose also in West Seattle looking to buy his first GS500.......

Quote from: scottychop on February 06, 2011, 10:34:12 AM
Or....you could help out a newbie whose also in West Seattle looking to buy his first GS500.......

If your looking for a GS, I have an '07 that's uber showroom with 4420 miles on the clock?

(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/gskayla.jpg)

Nice looking bike.  I am actually looking for a mid 90's naked version.  Thanks though.

Quote from: scottychop on February 06, 2011, 12:14:06 PM
Nice looking bike.  I am actually looking for a mid 90's naked version.  Thanks though.

If you were going to bid on it, PM me. $756 is my max bid right now. I have 2 other bikes so if you wanted it, you could have it. No reason for us to bid against each other.

Quote from: scottychop on February 06, 2011, 10:34:12 AM
Or....you could help out a newbie whose also in West Seattle looking to buy his first GS500.......

You said also in West Seattle? Get it and guess where your parts house will be? ME! Got tons of GS parts to help you change it into whatever you want it to look like.

Cool.  I need to chat with the wife first.... though it looks pretty good.

While I am new to the twins board, I have spent years on GSR and just recently completed a sweet little GS450.


(http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr20/climber11/Motorcycle%20Stuff/DSC_6625.jpg)

Quote from: scottychop on February 06, 2011, 12:41:34 PM

(http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr20/climber11/Motorcycle%20Stuff/DSC_6625.jpg)

That is a great looking bike.

Thanks man.  It was a lot of fun to build.  No big plans for a 500 though, just riding. 

No need to do a major rebuild. I do have lots of tails, etc. to just swap out and make it look better. Love to have another GS500 rider here in West Seattle.

Quote from: adidasguy on February 06, 2011, 12:51:45 AM

Should I part it out? I know I could make the money back just with tank, frame and engine.

a GS frame, motor and tank with 34k miles is worth $800?? I'll be happy if I get $1000-1500 for my GS with 17k miles and a brand new F style tank with about 300 miles on it.

That Katana 450 looks awesome.

I agree with Stevo though, even if it has nothing to do with your question, haha. Supermoto is the way to go. I'm gonna try to pick one up this spring. I wanna find a wr450f with some street wheels, or else I'll see if I can find a drzsm or a wr250x.

Thanks for all the feedback.
Someone else got it.
Who knows, I'll find another one to go for pretty soon.

Quote from: scottychop on February 06, 2011, 12:41:34 PM
Cool.  I need to chat with the wife first.... though it looks pretty good.

While I am new to the twins board, I have spent years on GSR and just recently completed a sweet little GS450.


(http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr20/climber11/Motorcycle%20Stuff/DSC_6625.jpg)

I've seen this bike for sale on CL and I checked out your build thread. Nice!

How much did you get for it?

thanks man.  Got what I was asking for it.   :icon_mrgreen:

That is so cool! Just got your message that you got the bike in Bellingham. Your first GS500!  :woohoo:

So glad it went to a neighbor. Who knows what would have happened if you didn't mention you needed a GS500?  :dunno_black:

:bowdown: You're now a charter member of the unofficial West Seattle GS500 Club!  :cheers:

Post pictures and stop over with him/her.

(Remember that if starved for fuel, which can happen if not ridden for a while, put fuel valve in PRIME position. I had to do that with Junior on his maiden voyage home to West Seattle from Tacoma. After ridden a while, everything loosened up and never had to do that again. I learned about that here on the board and remembered it on the ride home.)

Cool!  Thanks for the heads up on the fuel.  What causes the starvation?  Sediment in the petcock?

Various possibilities. Could be just sticky parts, pinch in vacuum line or stiff vacuum fuel valve or some sediment or water in the tank. Maybe the tiny vent hole in the gas cap is plugged up so air can't get into the tank fast enough when fuel demands are high as in on the freeway an 70 for an hour.

Just remember it could happen, though highly unlikely.

But if it does, switch to prime (middle position). There is no OFF. It has run, prime and reserve. Purpose of Prime: bypasses the vacuum valve as when you need to fill the carbs after cleaning them and they are empty.

Oil the chain, check tension, check tires and you should be OK. Maybe add some fuel conditioner and have a full tank. You'll be OK.

Others can hound in on suggestions for the first time you ride a new bike and don't know how long since it has had a good ride.

Oh, remember the safety switches on the side and center stand. Engine cuts off if they are down and you go into gear. The usual clutch in to start bike. Choke at 3k rpm or so to warm up then slowly reduce choke & should idle around 1200 rpm. Browse past threads and you'll get a good background on the GS500. They are easy, reliable bikes. Don't let any of this scare you.

Quote from: centuryghost on February 06, 2011, 10:12:59 PM


I've seen this bike for sale on CL and I checked out your build thread. Nice!

Where's this build thread at? I'd love to check it out.

This is the link.  Sad to see it go, but it allows me some freedom financially and timewise.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=163012