Hey all - The GS will be picked up by the new owner on Tuesday.  I'll be sure to send him here for advice!

I'm shopping around and I've found a few replacements/projects that seem interesting:

1986 Yamaha FZ600 - Needs carb work and some reassembly $250
1979 Suzuki GS1000L - Has hard cases and windscreen (removable), looks great, needs fork seals and a tune up $1000
1973 Benelli Tornado 650S - Needs engine reassembly, but all components are there, potential resale in the neighborhood of $4k, selling for $800.

I know this is quite a range, but I'm still experimenting with exactly what I want in a bike before settling down on one.  Thoughts or experiences are welcomed!

THANKS!

I'd go for the Benelli.

 
benelli cant beat an italian

The FZ600, if you get it put back together and running, will be bulletproof.  Mine had FZR 400 forks and wheels, R6 brakes, penske R6 shock, and a bunch of other shaZam! done to the engine and it was absolutely badass.  It was all top end but she was crazy fast.

The GS1000 is bulletproof no matter what happens.  I hate the dressed ones...but I hate any dresser.  Great motor and chassis.  If it's ready to roll I'd take it and pull all that dressy shaZam! off, get a good exhaust and intake and make it a mean motherfucker.

It sounds cool to say you have a Benelli, but only if you're lying.  Money pit and it will never work right for you.

Wait, you got rid of the GS because you got frustrated fixing it, and now you want a bike that's even older?  WTFBBQ?

LOL.  Yes. 
To be honest, I really like the frustration of trying to fix stuff.  The satisfaction when you get it right is very cool.

Once I got the GS running, I almost decided to keep it.  But I got my asking price for it and can put that toward something else now. I'm actually leaning toward the Suzuki because the mechanical stuff will be familiar to me, parts seem plentiful, and it's running.  The FZ seems interesting for the price, but not sure I want a crotch rocket.  The Benelli looks like exactly what I want, cafe-style, but I don't think it comes with a clean title, which in MA means it's a no-go.

It's either another bike or an old Mercedes Diesel.  Decisions!

the FZ isn't a crotch rocket in stock trim...it's a standard bike with fairings.  It's probably more relaxed than your GS was.

The GS1000 is hands down what I'd be after, though...well actually I'd probably buy the GS and the FZ (that's cheap, man).  The GS can be a f%$king monster, too...I've seen them put down over 100lbs of torque all motor.

the Benelli is out.  too many complications with the title.  the guy whose name is still on the title won't write me a bill of sale.  so, it makes it very difficult to register in my state. 

the GS1000 is the front runner.  if it's still available, i hope to see it this weekend!  if everything is in order, then i'm getting it.

thanks again!

Yeap the GS1000 wouldbe my Choice.

The freaking GS1000 is a tank ... I mean literally, the russians used them to run over the marauding spartans in that movie 300 ... just 300 GS'es killed 90,000 fartans.
Yea ... 900 lbs of solid steel ... 3 of those were what was melted down to make the Empire state building.
Benelli is a cool concept but will be a major PITA ... you do not want to assemble what someone else took apart. Trust me on that one. Especially motor ...
The FZ sounds OK but again, carbs have sex appeal for me ... as do electrics I think.
Man I loved putting the "dog ate my electrical system" bike back together.
Cool.
Srinath.

I saw a picture of an awesome gs1000, I think you'll be happy with the bike.

i think the GS1000L sold already.  Waiting to hear back.

Here's another option:
1982 Suzuki GT750
http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/mcy/345239378.html


Also, the Benelli is back in play.  The seller is working out the paperwork for me and is the guru of Benelli's in the northeast.  So, he'd be willing to help and advise. 



The Yammie didn't get spousal approval.  She thinks it's ugly.

GT 750 is a water buffalo you want one, but really dont want one for the street ...
Cool.
Srinath.

whatdya mean?  like, it's slow? hard to steer?

i don't even see a GT750 on suzukicycles.org

srinath - what do you think of this one?  same seller as the Benelli....
Simple carb job?  Parts are probably easier to find.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/343739000.html

Here's a GS1000 that I wish I'd had room for:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/RVertigo/MotosPhotos/GS1000a.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/RVertigo/MotosPhotos/GS1000b.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/RVertigo/MotosPhotos/GS1000c.jpg


Friggen SWEEET!

that is nice, ain't it.

I'm still sad that I didn't pick it up...  It was on craigslist forever...  At the end, he'd lowered the price to ~$800 or something.   

Quote from: RVertigo on June 05, 2007, 12:33:54 PM
I'm still sad that I didn't pick it up...  It was on craigslist forever...  At the end, he'd lowered the price to ~$800 or something.   

Tell me about it...  I was kicking myself for not just FINDING somewhere to put it.