Gonna buy myself a 1998 GS500"E". Bike is one owner with 10k miles. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the bike was brand new by the way it looks. Everything is spotless. Clean, ORIGINAL title with no liens. She bought it outright from the dealer. Maintenance all performed when necessary.
Now...the one and ONLY issue with the bike is a running issue. With a full choke in 60°F weather...it'll start and idle up to 3k RPM and run like a freaking top. Amazing sound and engine smoothness. HOWEVER! As SOON as you touch the throttle it dies. Cut the choke and it dies. Even after being allowed ample time to run and everything.
My question is...what is wrong with it? If I understand correctly all it probably is is the main jets are clogged. Is this a nightmare to fix or not? I'm paying $1500 for the bike and honestly I feel like I'm stealing it.
Please give me a heads up!!
Thanks!
I need to mention the reason why it's like this is because it sat up. She hurt her shoulder and cannot ride anymore. Just thought I'd throw that in there.
A 1998 with 10K miles is a bike that's been ridden less than 1000 miles per year. It's a bike that spent a lot of time sitting, and there's a good chance it was sitting before it was sold. I'm willing to bet that the carbs could use a little attention at this point.
My 93 was in similar shape... 4K miles on the clock or so. Ran like a champ once I did the basic 'It's been sitting' maintenance.
Quote from: burning1 on December 15, 2011, 08:35:33 PM
A 1998 with 10K miles is a bike that's been ridden less than 1000 miles per year. It's a bike that spent a lot of time sitting, and there's a good chance it was sitting before it was sold. I'm willing to bet that the carbs could use a little attention at this point.
My 93 was in similar shape... 4K miles on the clock or so. Ran like a champ once I did the basic 'It's been sitting' maintenance.
Last time it was ridden was this summer and it failed to run properly with the choke off but ran okay. Now it won't run at all if you touch the throttle at ALL. It seems like a very specific problem because with the choke on she runs sweet! Not a knock, ping, or anything.
Is it fairly easy to fix this, yes?
Like burning1 said, it is probably a carb issue (clogged jets). Just consider the cost of having a shop fix that if you don't plan on doing it yourself. If you are mechanically inclined, the old GS carbs are fairly simple. If the bike has been sitting a lot there are other things that may need attention. The fork seals may have dried out and start leaking with use. And if it smokes on a cold start the valve seals may need attention.
As for what it's worth, that is up to you. How much do you want it? I see it as a 13 year old bike that is not currently rideable. It does have a clean title though and you said it looks nice. Something like that would be worth $600-800 to me. And if you are in a cold climate, bike prices always dip in the winter. I see newer GS's with similar mileage sell in the $1500-2000 range here. It all comes down to how much it is worth to you :thumb:
-Jessie
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on December 15, 2011, 08:49:53 PM
Like burning1 said, it is probably a carb issue (clogged jets). Just consider the cost of having a shop fix that if you don't plan on doing it yourself. If you are mechanically inclined, the old GS carbs are fairly simple. If the bike has been sitting a lot there are other things that may need attention. The fork seals may have dried out and start leaking with use. And if it smokes on a cold start the valve seals may need attention.
As for what it's worth, that is up to you. How much do you want it? I see it as a 13 year old bike that is not currently rideable. It does have a clean title though and you said it looks nice. Something like that would be worth $600-800 to me. And if you are in a cold climate, bike prices always dip in the winter. I see newer GS's with similar mileage sell in the $1500-2000 range here. It all comes down to how much it is worth to you :thumb:
-Jessie
No smoke. No leaks on the forks (checked). I live in Atlanta, GA. I do want the bike and to me, I see it as an almost brand new bike with one minor issue. *shrug* I'm very mechanically inclined, too. I've been working on motors since I was a child. I just don't know every detail about how the GS or any carb for that matter, works.
I think the GS is an easy bike to work on. The carbs are one of those things that after you get familiar with them, they are cake. Fork seal leaks won't show up until after the bike has been ridden a bit. Even if they do, it is a $20 fix if you are doing it yourself. Another area to consider would be the age of the tires. Check the build dates on them and if they are old I would replace them for safety.
-Jessie
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on December 15, 2011, 09:07:03 PM
I think the GS is an easy bike to work on. The carbs are one of those things that after you get familiar with them, they are cake. Fork seal leaks won't show up until after the bike has been ridden a bit. Even if they do, it is a $20 fix if you are doing it yourself. Another area to consider would be the age of the tires. Check the build dates on them and if they are old I would replace them for safety.
-Jessie
Tires are Bridgestone Battlax (sp?). They're about a year old or so. I've rebuilt forks before so I can do that myself if it becomes an issue. I'm sure once I get those carbs yanked it'll all be very clear to me. I cleaned a 2-stroke carb on a Polaris 90 before. Seemed simple enough. Can't imagine this is much different.
Sounds like you're golden, enjoy your new ride :thumb:
-Jessie
:) What really surprised me was the complete lack of any flaw on the bike with the exception of a scuff on the fairing (it's got the Suzuki half-fairing on it). I just hope that I can get this puppy running good cause I'm gonna give it to my dad.
Um...... didn't you just acquire a GS by swapping your DL1000 for one? This, then, would be your 2nd GS acquisition in a week, right?
Michael
Kijonah may be the East Coast Adidasguy. :icon_lol:
Quote from: mister on December 16, 2011, 03:08:07 AM
Um...... didn't you just acquire a GS by swapping your DL1000 for one? This, then, would be your 2nd GS acquisition in a week, right?
I assumed that this was bike #1... silly me.
If it idles at hot and cold and breaks up touching the throttle, I think your emulsion tube's gummed up. Tiny passages, gets skipped in carb cleaning often. Anyrate, the carbs needs to come off the bike and cleaned out.
Quote from: mister on December 16, 2011, 03:08:07 AM
Um...... didn't you just acquire a GS by swapping your DL1000 for one? This, then, would be your 2nd GS acquisition in a week, right?
Michael
I did, hehe. I have yet to do any major work to it, so I'm not completely familiar with them. Should be easier than that DL. I'm selling my KLR650 and getting this GS for my dad OR giving him my F model and having this for myself. Dunno yet.
My father likes my GS (he's owned dozens of motorcycles including the DL) and used to race back in the 80s so I'm assuming that between us we can probably get this thing done, though I'd like to do it on my own.
Quote from: Paulcet on December 16, 2011, 04:37:07 AM
Kijonah may be the East Coast Adidasguy. :icon_lol:
Pardon?
Quote from: noiseguy on December 16, 2011, 08:01:47 AM
Quote from: mister on December 16, 2011, 03:08:07 AM
Um...... didn't you just acquire a GS by swapping your DL1000 for one? This, then, would be your 2nd GS acquisition in a week, right?
I assumed that this was bike #1... silly me.
If it idles at hot and cold and breaks up touching the throttle, I think your emulsion tube's gummed up. Tiny passages, gets skipped in carb cleaning often. Anyrate, the carbs needs to come off the bike and cleaned out.
Okay. Well it's got an actual shop manual (what they use at the dealer) coming with it so once I give that a skim over I'll know what I'm dealing with. I think the very first thing I'll try is simply adding seafoam to the tank and spraying some in the carb, since that is the simplest thing. I'll also replace the plugs even though they look new. I'll have a look-see at the plugs and that should give me a better story.
Here's a pic!
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5162/img20111215200659.jpg
Quote from: Kijona on December 16, 2011, 08:28:48 AM
Quote from: Paulcet on December 16, 2011, 04:37:07 AM
Kijonah may be the East Coast Adidasguy. :icon_lol:
Pardon?
Addidasguy has 3 GS500s and is building a 4th.
So you buying two GS500s in a week is... like addidasguy but on the East coast. :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen:
Michael
It's Sounds a little high to me just to the fact that it doesnt run. I wouod rather have a bije that runs perfect and looks a little crappy vs a bike that runs questionable and looks mint. It easier to fix cosmetic stuff. But thats just me.
Quote from: mister on December 17, 2011, 07:08:36 PM
Quote from: Kijona on December 16, 2011, 08:28:48 AM
Quote from: Paulcet on December 16, 2011, 04:37:07 AM
Kijonah may be the East Coast Adidasguy. :icon_lol:
Pardon?
Addidasguy has 3 GS500s and is building a 4th.
So you buying two GS500s in a week is... like addidasguy but on the East coast. :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen:
Michael
OHHHH I thought you were saying I WAS adidasguy....LOL!