Greetings--

First timer .  I have located an '89 GS500e with only 4,000 miles.  Should I be leary of any potential engine problems from a bike that has sat idle for so long?.  Dried up gaskets, etc...?  Carbs have been rebuilt.

Thanks.

Leaving a bike sitting can be pretty bad if the owner didn't take care to store it properly.  There's TONS of info out there (and here) about storing a bike properly and what can happen if you don't.

Mucked up gas...  Fuel lines, tank, carbs, etc.
Rust...  Cylinders, tank, frame, brakes, chain, etc.
Old rubber...  DON'T RIDE with cracked tires. [/list:u]
Here's a really in depth buyers guide with lots of useful info about what to look for when buying a bike:  

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

Here's one random article about prepping a bike for storage:  http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/motorcycle_winterization.htm

Basically, if it wasn't stored properly, you might just be in a world of hurt.  If it was stored properly, you might just be fine.  For more info, search for motorcycle storage techniques, the articles/posts will probably list some of the problems you might face if it wasn't stored properly.

That being said...  '89s are cool 'cause they're the only year with clip-ons.  

RVertigo pretty well covered it.  If the seller wants a premium for it because it has "only" 4,000 miles, I'd pass.  You won't come ahead on a deal like that.  They made millions of them, there's always another.  There is a good chance that the cylinders and camshafts have surface rust on them because the oil film has long since departed.  This isn't a major deal, but will shorten your time between overhauls quite a bit.

If he just wants to get rid of it, and the price is under $700 or so, then I'd go for it on the understanding that I might have to do some engine work.  (This means you personally, the dealer will charge too much to make it profitable.)  I might be willing to pay up to $1,000 if it was in operable condition.  

In the end, you can completely overhaul the entire bike and still come out below bluebook for a late 90's GS that could just as easily have major issues that you don't spot in a pre-buy.  The result is a brand new bike, in your flavor, for $1,800 or less.

Don't let working on the GS worry you.  It's an easy machine to work on.  Very easy as machinery goes.  As a professional mechanic, I can say that the Clymer's manual is one of the best written service manuals I've ever used.  It's so easy to understand, I know my mom could overhaul the engine with it.

Oh... If the carbs were "rebuilt" without rejetting or other changes, chances are good that the tank has crap or water in it.  You just don't rebuild carbs for the heck of it.  That's no big deal though, wash out the tank with rubbing alcohol to get the water out.

Good luck with your search.  

Well, the bike looks real clean from the pictures of it.  Owner responds "fires right up and idles nicely" when I inquired about how she runs.  He wants $1,500 which like you said, is most likely due to the fact that it's only got 4,000 miles.  I was going to offer him $1,000 once I am reasonably sure he's got a good bike on his hands.  This would be a starter bike for me and not a long-term machine so it may be worth it.  I'm work with a fella who knows his motorcycle engines so I'm not too worried about any maintenance that needs to be done.  He's restoring a Sabre 750 currently.  I've heard about this being the only year for clip-on handlebars but haven't seen any close-up pics.  Whats the difference over later year's bars?  Thanks guys.

Link to the bike:

I notice what appears to be a head bolt on the engine rusted really badly.   I'm wondering if this is an indication of engine work being done???The owner has no clue.  He's the second owner and doesn't seem to be real mechanical.  No offense to him personally.  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4588139065&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3ARTQ%3AUS%3A1

It does appear to be a clean bike IMO.

Oh, the usual dark E-pay photos...  You'd think they could at least be decent enough to provide good clear photos.  :x

The rust you see on the acorn nut is generally a sign of it being stored in a humid environment.  (Basements and leaky steel buildings as examples)  It's fairly uniform in texture, but not that deep.  Leads me to believe that the engine internals will be rusted as well.

$1,500 is too much, especially if you have no plans on keeping it.  That's over blue book which is $1,375.  You're going to have to replace the fuel lines, brake lines, and tires at a minimum.  There's $350 or so right there.  Nevermind trying to convince the guy to end the silly e-pay auction so you can deal one-on-one the way business is supposed to be conducted.

I'd offer him $1,000 cash, absolute maximum.  If he won't take it, forget about it.  You can do a hell of a lot better than $1,500.  

Keep your eye on the for-sale/trade section here, craigslist.com, and cycletrader.com

I'd broadly agree with all of the above, do not pay a premium for it. You CAN get lucky with bikes like that and it would be a good project for someone who is a wrencher and wants to do a complete stripdown as per Haynes, Clymers or Suzuki workshop manual.

If you are new and just want to get riding it is probably worth looking elswhere, a high mileage bike that is on the road may turn out to be a better bet. If you fancy spending the winter wrenching and you have the tools, knowledge and confidence go for it but don't offer much, I don't know a lot about US prices but from the remarks already made $800 - $1000 look like top price.

In September I bought a bike that had been "off the road" and garaged for eight years, I got lucky because the owner had started it and run it a couple of times a year and kept it dry etc but I still had to replace one tyre that was "new" when stored and several parts very soon gave up on me plus all the routine stuff like plugs, battery,oil, cables -- it soon mounts up and I think I was lucky as mechanically it seems sound most of my problems have been electrical. Best of luck whichever way you jump :dunno:

I think its amazing that the clock reads exactly 4000, I would be looking it over very carefuly and checking the clock hasnt been tampered with.

That mileage is believeable....
I bought a 1992 a year or two ago with just under 3k miles. Was the mileage genuine....YEP I boought it from a former roommate of mine and I was at the dealer with him when he bought it originally....

He rode it but not alot....and basically parked it...(I imagine he let it sit...the carbs got funky and he couldn't get it to run so he let it sit...).

If it was further south I'd be wary about the miles but it could be genuine...

Ask him what the crap running down  the side of the frame is from? The minimal wear from the keys rubbing the triple clamp  is also a sign of low miles....The exhaust headers at the engine being that clean also mean low miles (though it could have been replaced...but I doubt it..).

A carb rebuild....the bike may have been stored and the carbs got funky so a carb rebuild is not that odd to have been done...I'd expect it with the low miles more than with a higher mileage bike...

It's very clean....the rims  look nice... I'd say more than likely it's the real deal... will he have it inspected? The garage looks nice it's in...so he might have been really good at maintenance-tho doesn't guarantee it...

The bike didn't change for alooooooong time... it's the only clip on model- ( I had a black 89 ). Motorcycle value dpeends on what the seller and buyer agree on...  New prices are getting higher... used values follow suit...  The miles and condition of that bike should bring a higher price than book (who really deceides book value...?)....(but it's November....).

I sold a 92 with 13k on it for $1350  a few weeks ago... It was in good shape- just about as clean as that one...but I buy-fix and sell bikes and wanted to sell it so I let it go cheaper than I would have say back in June...

Anyway...hope maybe some of what I said helps...

Good Luck.

I did ask him about the stain on the frame.  He wasn't sure what it was but did say it could be wiped off.  I'm pretty well on the fence on this bike.  I do believe the miles are real as the bike does look very clean.  I'm expecting another response from his with some questions I asked and then I'll decide what to do.  Thanks.

...and yes sledge, I found it odd too that the mileage was exactly 4,000 but then again, it's got as good a chance as any other number!  

PASS.  the odo has been rolled.  the tank's f%&ked. pull the side fairings off and you'll see that the batt tray is rusted out. and that's whare all the stains are coming from on the frame.

blue book is for a perfect bike and is 1400 give or take.

your looking at
200 tires
50   fork rebuild
50   bearing check/rep
100  brakes
100  cream the tank
50   rebuild the carbs the right way
20  new fuel lines
100 misc.

for a total of 670 in parts  not counting all the engine work that it is going to need from being a high millage bike.

1400
-670
______
730

because it it a running bike and it looks half decent for a 15 year old bike.  I'd go 900 or so.  


and keep looking, cycletrader, craigslist.ORG , and the for sale forum are all great recorces but the best one i've found is the Nickel ads, that's whare all the people that don't have internet post ther stuff, and whare the best deals are.

4000 miles since 1989?!?

I've been riding for about 3 1/2 months and I have that many miles already  :lol:
And you say it took 186+ months to put 4000 miles on this '89 motorcycle?  

Yep... The speedo has been rolled... Im on Davipu's side on this one...  I just bought a '92 gs 500 in a better condition as the bike you're looking at. The difference is that mine has 20k miles on the clock. The former owner  of my bike, just didn't ride in the rain and stored the bike in a heated garage....  
And its odd, that the speedo is set at excactly 4000 miles and the trip, which you normally reset everytime you put gas on the bike, is set to 821 miles, with the first number between 7 and 8.... That is very suspecious...
Personally, I would'nt touch that bike with as much as a toenail, it will only course you trouble....
Find another bike and dont be afraid of some miles on the speedo, a well maintained high mile gs500 is better than a neglected low mile gs500, and is cheaper too...
Good luck searching.



Awesom

Yep, thanks guys.  I've definitely decided to look for something else.  You've all brought up some good points.  Thanks again.  I'm sure something else will come along.

500-600 MAX if its in decent condition

that with the assumption you'll have to fix a few things

If hes saying 1500 laugh and walk away.

Yep.  He's got 18+ hours left on his auction.  He's going to have to drop his starting price way down from the sound of it.