Hello all, I am looking for a inexpensice track bike and have come across 2 GS's, both previously used as track bikes. Having never owned a GS, can someone give me a heads up on what to look out for. Also, what would be a fair price.
one is basically stock 92', with yosh pipe and clubman bars, and already wired.
the 2nd is a 89', has rearsets, race tech springs, clipons, race tail, braided lines. Stock motor, yosh pipe, total loss ignition
Thanks for all your help. I can't wait to pick up a GS. I have long loved these bikes but have never bought one, but hopefully very soon.
i don't know about the price for a track GS but i can tell you that there are A LOT of racers on this forum...they will all tell you that the GS500 track bike is one of the best handling and cheapest race bike you can get...
maybe bob bruissard, james g or some other racer here will help you out
The stock suspension needs help, so any work that has been put into the forks and shock are a bonus. The front brake is pretty low end, but does work fairly well.
The biggest weaknesses of GS's that have been raced are the counter-shaft bearings. These likely should be replaced yearly if the engine is run hard. If they fail, it ruins the cases. On the other hand, most racers just seem to stock up on $300 used engines. The bike is easy to work on.
The engine can run well with CS bearings on the way out. It starts to vibrate more, particularly at high rpm. If it gets as far as a rattling noise, it's too late.
At stock power levels, there doesn't seem to be too many other problems. The cams can get scored from over-revving. There is no rev limiter.
With higher power levels from high compression, bigger bores, etc., the crank tends to fail at the right outbourd end.
Do both of them still have the stock shock, or replacement shocks?
If the prices are the same for both bikes, the 2nd one sounds like it would be the better track bike, except for the total loss ignition stuff perhaps. I personally haven't dealt with that, but if you have to bump start the bike it's a PITA. Most GS racebikes are priced at $1500 or less, depending on all the extra goodies.
actually the 89 has race tech springs and a stock rear. The 89 seems to be a little more set-up then the other.