Looking to buy a GS500 in good, "ready to ride" condition, i.e. not a parts bike. I live in the Southern California area; willing to consider out-of-state purchases (as well as travelling to check it out if in SoCal/South Nevada).
Require something that's reliable and in good condition, low-to-medium miles. Prefer the naked GS500E but wouldn't mind an F (or an F made naked!)
No salvage titles, current registration is a plus. Don't mind if it's been tipped over at a stop once provided you can show there's no other damage. If it had a 50 MPH date with the asphalt and the bike shows it, not so much.
Stock is good, light modifications that enhance performance (saddlebags, tires, exhaust, suspension) is also good, but if your GS500 has turned into a freak show on two wheels and is painted Retinal Damage Neon Green then, well, I'll consider it very briefly. Very briefly.
Drop me a PM if you're interested. Thanks!
If you try to scam me or are dishonest, you will be eviscerated.
Got a 2001 naked model. Clean title, Current registration( I think expires in april 2013). But I am in Modesto, CA. Not ready to ride yet, still working on it and will be ready to ride when I sell. The bike was down atleast 2 times in san francisco, the previous owner getting sideswiped by taxis. So the side fairings and fuel tank are replaced with a completely black set w/no decals. The bike has 35K miles. the engine was taken out to figure out a clacking sound. bottom end is fine, found the cam chain to be @ service limit, so replaced that with an EK(I think OEM supplier) and adjusted the valves. Installed the motor back in the frame, but has not yet started it. If the sound is still there the only thing I can think of is the cam shaft lateral float.
The tachometer cover is broken and the headlight is dented a little. I might find a replacement for that in a week. Onece that is done the bike will look near mint except for lack of decals and one small dent in the tank. The pricing will depend on if the engine still make the sound and if I get a replacement guage and headlight.
About the engine sound: before taking it out it made a clacking sound that would go away above 3-4k rpms. like a failed cct or loose cam chain. So I think its fixed.
The tires are BT45 's that are almost new ( miles wise, they are a 1-2 years old) , chain and sprockets are 2000miles or less used. And carbs were cleaned and the swingarm and shock bearings cleaned and regreased. All the work was done by me and my buddy except installing the cam chain. The motor was taken to a local shop to have the master link installed. So the only proof I have are lots of pictures from when the it was a bare frame to getting everything installed.
Thats all the stuff I can think of now and I believe is full disclosure.
I cant send pictures of the bike yet as I have not yet installed the tank, fairings or connected the wiring . The only pictures of the complete bike I have are with the original tank and fairings (damaged)
Th bike wont be ready for atleast another week and I wont sell it before I do a longish shakedown run(maybe a loop thru Yosemite NP).
to the OP: Modesto Is pretty far from you, But I figured I could just copy and save what I just wrote when I am ready to sell.
Meanwhile anyone who sees this post is welcome to let me know what this bike would be worth.
I have a 1997 GS500e in ready-to-ride shape, running great shape. I bought it roughly a year ago, and since then have replaced the motor with a 2002 unit (was not running for this reason when purchased), the chain, the seat, cleaned the carbs, rebuilt the starter, rebuilt the fork, replaced the front pads and bled the line, adjusted the valves, replaced several leaky seals, and replaced the rear tire. This has all been completed within the last 7K miles.
Registration is current, through May 2013. I'd be looking for somewhere around $1600. I can throw in an older Shoei RF-200 helmet, and possibly work out a deal with a pair of tour-master soft saddlebags and/or a Lockhart-Phillips tailbag. I also have an extra starter, seat (this is pending sale, may not still have), a printed owner's manual, and have recorded the mileage and date of all maintenance and repairs.
The bike currently has slightly over 19K miles. I am located in Davis, CA, but frequently travel to Los Angeles to visit family, and can deliver the bike there or along the way, but would ask a deposit to cover gas and time required to ship the bike, should you decide not to purchase it. Please PM me if you're interested and I can send pictures. I just rode this bike on a 500 mile round-trip to Monterey, and would not hesitate to do so again.
By the way, in case RickM finishes the GS in a time that works for you, I will certainly vouch for his honesty and integrity. He is a friend of mine who I know for fact would not sell without disclosing EVERY issue.
Too bad I don't live closer to you! We have 2 GS's, one is a black 89 with 17,000 miles and a red 90 that just turned 17,000 miles. The 89 has new tires, fork seals and chain and sprockets, the 90 just had new tires put on it. The 89 had the clip-ons, my son didn't like them so we switched handlebars with the 90. My son is looking at selling the black one because he is too big for it and looking and getting a Suzuki cruiser.
Sorry everyone, but I've bought myself one from Craigslist. Thanks for the replies!
pics??????????? :dunno_black: