This may sound stupid, but I still need to know. I'm going to buy my first bike this weekend. It's an 89 GS500E, and it's from a guy on this forum. How can you tell that it's got

1.A progressive front fork?
2. A Katana rear spring?
3. Rejetted carbs( I guess there's no way of knowing that without opening the carbs up)

Thanks in advance everyone!

1.  They won't sag much when you press down on the bars
2.  It'll have a rebound dial at the top of the shock
3.  Externally, look for the brass cap that is either there or missing...if there, then it hasn't been rejetted.  If it's missing, then you'd have to open them up.

Take is his word for it since he's from the forum. haha just kidding.

Taco pretty much covered it.

also look for electrical mods. LED lights or chopped turn signals or neon running lights, heated grips etc... these things can lead to problems down the road if they weren't installed properly. did for me, basically my experience with my '01 (even though I have enjoyed it, to a point) is that the PO had no idea what he was doing. bad rejet, bad wiring, etc...

d

Prog` springs will be difficult, pushing the forks down wont tell you much unless you can tell the difference in effort needed between standard and prog springs, and that assumes the oil level in each leg is ok. A sales receipt might go some way in convincing you though so ask if he has got one. Katana rear is easy, if you cant identify a OEM item look for an adjustment dial as previously mentioned. Rejetting? again difficult. Look for a small circular brass cover on each carb (again, previously mentioned), if its missing or looks like its been tampered with or if the bike has a non OEM exhaust or air-filter fitted or if the float bowl screws are chewed up (put your finger on the screwheads and see if they feel rough) chances are someones been meddling but the only way to be sure is to dismantle it and compare the jets against stock sizes.
When buying a used bike take what the seller says at face value and if the claims do turn out to be true or beneficial treat it as a bonus,  people have been lying when money is involved since the dawn of time and remember that homebrew mods dont generally increase the value of a bike, they lower it

who is the seller

Quote from: mach1 on June 10, 2008, 04:47:55 PM
who is the seller

Pretty much can tell you what's been done with this one.It's hard to lie when you have an entire forum that knows whats been done to your bike.

I asked him before , and he didnt mention a name , not sure why , but u could always use the Search with the persons name , looking for threads he has asked regarding his bike ..

Eg  *My bikes messed up and ive found some chump who would buy it because ive told him loads of lies*  might indicate foul play

and Human greed that is money , would force people to bend the truth to pay for something .

But search with there name ,and u'll get all the info u need on said motorbike

Quote from: ben2go on June 10, 2008, 05:20:24 PM

Quote from: mach1 on June 10, 2008, 04:47:55 PM
who is the seller

Pretty much can tell you what's been done with this one.It's hard to lie when you have an entire forum that knows whats been done to your bike.

thats what I was meaning if we know him regulary and we seen his mods or answered questions regardingf them we can tell you if its lies or truth. help us before we can help you

His names rhenter on the forum. I didn't say anything before since someone said "it was a great deal...whats his name?" I didn't want someone buying my first bike out from under me.

I just read through some of his posts, I think it's safe to say that he did all the mods. I found jetting info and posts talking about his shock and springs from like 2003. Plus just by reading his posts he seems like an honest trustworthy guy. Go for it. 

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on June 10, 2008, 08:48:01 PM
His names rhenter on the forum. I didn't say anything before since someone said "it was a great deal...whats his name?" I didn't want someone buying my first bike out from under me.

You do not have to worry about someone here buying a bike out from under you.A recent thread by 06GSf stated he found 2 wrecked bikes for sale.They were close enough for me to buy them, so I spoke up on the thread.4 days went by before I could get them.Anyone that saw the thread could have went and got them before me.I know a couple guys on here were closer and could have easily got the bikes without anyone on here knowing.I think that most all of us have enough respect for each other to at least wait to see if the deal goes through before taking over another members deal.If I wasn't able to pick the bikes up,I would have posted so the next person could get them.It's kind of an unspoken rule I think.

That's what I've been coming to realize on this forum. I'm just so used to untrustworhty shifty people when it comes to business ventures, and I'm always a bit cynical when it comes to that fact. Im actually going tomorrow to pick it up and I'm real stoked that I can hopefully soon contribute to this forum instead of just asking questions yall have already heard a thousand times over.

Quote from: ben2go on June 10, 2008, 09:56:38 PM

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on June 10, 2008, 08:48:01 PM
His names rhenter on the forum. I didn't say anything before since someone said "it was a great deal...whats his name?" I didn't want someone buying my first bike out from under me.

You do not have to worry about someone here buying a bike out from under you.A recent thread by 06GSf stated he found 2 wrecked bikes for sale.They were close enough for me to buy them, so I spoke up on the thread.4 days went by before I could get them.Anyone that saw the thread could have went and got them before me.I know a couple guys on here were closer and could have easily got the bikes without anyone on here knowing.I think that most all of us have enough respect for each other to at least wait to see if the deal goes through before taking over another members deal.If I wasn't able to pick the bikes up,I would have posted so the next person could get them.It's kind of an unspoken rule I think.

+1

You tell it man ! Hopefully it will stay that way