Hi there,

New to this forum and have been enjoying reading through it to get every bit of knowledge about this bike possible.

I have a chance at getting a deal on my first street bike from a buddy of mine.  The bike is a GS500 with 5000 miles on it (he thinks it's a 96') and has been sitting for years in the garage of a property he just acquired in an estate sale. If I could buy it from him how much $$ would I have to invest in it to get it up to snuff.  Since it's been sitting for years, some things I thought it might need right away are:

Tires
Brakes- service including pads, fluid flush, brake lines
Battery
Ignition lock- don't have any keys
Spark plugs
Fork seals
Fuel filter
Oil change/filter
Service carbs

I don't mind doing most of the work myself. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and don't mind learning or getting my hands dirty.

Please chime in and let me know what you think as far as offer price, things to check or anything I may have overlooked.

Thanks.

Tires... $130+ for both
Brakes- service including pads, fluid flush, brake lines... $40 or so
Battery... $40-60
Ignition lock- don't have any keys.. If you can find one used $20? New $$$
Spark plugs... $6
Fork seals... $30
Fuel filter... $4
Oil change/filter... $14
Service carbs... Can of good carb cleaner $6 

You should also drain and clean/check the tank, Make sure the chain is OK 

Quote from: ATLRIDER on February 19, 2008, 09:55:40 PM
I have a chance at getting a deal on my first street bike from a buddy of mine.  The bike is a GS500 with 5000 miles on it (he thinks it's a '96) and has been sitting for years in the garage of a property he just acquired in an estate sale. If I could buy it from him how much $$ would I have to invest in it to get it up to snuff. 

I bought my bike ('95) under similar conditions. It's got about 3000 miles and had been sitting for a couple of years. I did all of the stuff you mention below and it's now running really well! I'm looking forward to the upcoming warm weather so that I can actually ride it now! 

Quote
Since it's been sitting for years, some things I thought it might need right away are:

Tires
Brakes- service including pads, fluid flush, brake lines
Battery
Ignition lock- don't have any keys
Spark plugs
Fork seals
Fuel filter
Oil change/filter
Service carbs

I'd say this is a pretty complete list of the basic stuff you must look at. 

QuotePlease chime in and let me know what you think as far as offer price, things to check or anything I may have overlooked.

At 5000 miles it will likely need a valve adjustment (not expensive, but time consuming). Mine also required a carb balancing and new o-rings in the carbs (just to elaborate on your "service carbs" line item). In no time you'll also want to buy Progressive Springs ($60, IIRC). 

Quote from: scottpA_GS on February 20, 2008, 08:34:19 AM
...brake lines... $40 or so

Unless the brake lines are stainless steel  ... add $100

welcome to the zoo!

Mine is a 95, and was sitting in a garage since 2001.  I just got it working at the beginning of last month, and registered at the beginning of this month, and finally rode it to work yesterday.

How time flies.

I still need work on mine to make it 100% perfect.

laterz

ed

  Yep, Mines a 95 that I gought in 2005 after it sat for 10 years!  Runs great now   

Make sure it has a title!

If it doesn't, RUN away.  It isn't worth the trouble to try to obtain a reconstructed title.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies.  I was over to take a closer look at the bike today and turns out it was mfg. 7/92 and has 6200 miles.  Makes no difference either way as I'm still interested.  I was a bit disappointed to hear that he might give it to his son after he told me he would sell it to me.  Oh well, can't compete with that.  I'll have to wait and see now.  Before this whole scenario I wasn't actively looking for a bike but now that I've gotten bit by the bug and found this great forum I may just keep looking for another GS if this deal doesn't go through.  Wish me luck!

GeeP- Was told I'd need to get clear title by running an ad in the local paper thereby giving public notice for the rightful owner to claim it.  Will need to check with DMV on that one to be sure.

Hey guys,

I picking up the bike tomorrow.    My friend's son never came to pick it up.  Now I just have to clear the title issue.  In the meantime will be working on getting it running.

Can't wait to get the wrenches spinning.

Quote from: ATLRIDER on March 08, 2008, 05:55:48 PM

Can't wait to get the wrenches spinning.

ho ho, i gotta good laugh about that one, don't worry, there's plenty of time for it

If you get the bike with no keys,you'll need to deal with the ignition,the gas tank lock,and the seat lock.The gas tank cap can be taken apart and the tumblers removed.The seat lock has a cable running from the lock up to the seat release.If you can get to the end of the cable,you can pull the end of it to release the seat.

Best deal would be to sell the bike to me if you get it.I have a frame with a title,but I can't get a title until I have a complete bike for inspection.I'm up in SC and don't mind making a trip to GA.

From what I hear it shouldn't be too big a deal to get the ignition key.  I think the dealer can cut one if you bring them proof of ownership and VIN  number.  That's the way they used to do it when I worked at a car dealer in the 90's. 

Is the gas tank key the same as the ignition?

Thanks.

Quote from: ATLRIDER on March 08, 2008, 10:08:22 PM
From what I hear it shouldn't be too big a deal to get the ignition key.  I think the dealer can cut one if you bring them proof of ownership and VIN  number.  That's the way they used to do it when I worked at a car dealer in the 90's. 

Is the gas tank key the same as the ignition?

Thanks.

All 3 locks use the same key.ignition,gas cap,and seat lock

1 key for all 3 locks is a relief. 

Just picked up the bike today.  She's a little dusty but otherwise looks almost new.  Tomorrow I'm off to the DMV to sort out the title issues.  Wish me luck!

Nice. 

check your bars and forks, it's been down on the left side. see how close your bar is to the tank, and the 'custom' clutch lever and the witness mark on the case.

make sure it's not got a crack  anywhere, check the front end. the gear selector is tweaked a little too. make sure your pegs are tight.

enjoy the new ride !

Yep.  I think the bikes been dropped at least once on each side while it's been sitting in a garage for the past 12years. (The license plate is still on it and was last registered in 96') Both the brake and clutch levers are bent and the lower part of the  cases have scratches on them.  The handlebars got pulled down when my 275+ pound buddy  pulled down on the straps to secure it to the trailer.   Thanks for the comments, now it's off to the DMV for the not so fun stuff.

Congrats on the new bike. Aside from all the dust, it looks really clean.

Quote from: scottpA_GS on February 20, 2008, 08:34:19 AM


Ignition lock- don't have any keys.. If you can find one used $20? New $$$

New ignition lock is 150ish new.  I new lock set that includes the fuel cap, seat lock, ignition lock and keys is 320ish (i got a set last fall cause i am retarded!!!!)

now getting the old lock off is a pain esp when if you locked the triple before you lost your keys ......

If it's been sitting for a while, I'd assume that it has accumulated rust in the gas tank.  I guess you'll see once you get the keys figured out.

I used the Cycle Tank Repair Kit from POR-15 when I bought my GS500E.  About $40 from their website.