A 1990 GS500E, about 3950 miles, looks clean but shows a leak on heads by the front wheel. oil leak on both sides of the header going down under the bike. fuel shut off was or is leaking also. This is a few blocks from me & guy says make a offer.

looks clean but with that low of mileage and how old it is it has definitely been sitting a while and probably most of the seals need to be replaced which is why it has so many leaks.  Would be a good bike but i would be prepared to spend some time working on it to replace alot of the seals and hoses before riding it.

thats the idea. i have a 2000 busa street/strip bike & a 98 gsxr 600. my daughter wants her own & then i get my 600 back.  just trying to decide what to offer. he wants 2500.oo. i gave 3200 for my 98 gsxr 600. i see the 500 here for 1800 to 2500 but they are newer like 98 to 04. but he said a obo on it so trying to come up with one. nada has no listing that old & kbb says it is 870.oo. but we all know better on that one.

that's a really well maintained 19 y/o bike, but even with low mileage it's still at 19 y/o bike with issues.  I can't see paying more than $2000.  ask him to fix the leaks if he wants that kinda money.

sorry.. typo.. i ment 1500.oo. he says he has been riding it till he got his other bike 2 months ago.

Hi there.
First, it's a 1991 with that paint scheme. I know. I have the same bike. That color is a 1991, check the tag on the steering head.
Second, it's not worth $2500. He's dreaming. Not for a stock 1991 GS500E.
Fixing seals and leaks isn't that hard. It might be the oil on the engine is coming from a leaky valve cover gasket, which is easy. Plus you'll be checking the valve adjustment and re-torquing the cylinder head anyway on any bike you buy to be sure it is right.
It looks nice. But did you look inside the fuel tank? Any rust at all?
The carbs likely have to be cleaned. Low miles and lots of years can do that. It's not a terrible job.
There are many other things to check and see what it needs to determine what the bike is worth to you.
Chain, tires, and on and on. If the tires are stock, it needs tires. They are old. Add $250 or so for your expenses. A chain? Add $100.
If it is very nice and has few other problems, then it's definitely worth $1500 to $1800.
$2500? No, it's not a collector bike.
Good luck and let us know what you do.
Best wishes,
Trwhouse

I just got a 1999 with 1,100 miles on it for $1900. Not 11,000, but 1,103miles.

I say under $1500. Maybe not much, but under $1500. I mean that thing was $3800 new in 1991, right?

I think it's def worth $1500, but that doesn't mean you should offer that much.  mention what Trwhouse said and maybe you can work him down to pay for the improvements you have to make.

Quote from: Trwhouse on July 07, 2009, 11:54:51 AM
Hi there.
First, it's a 1991 with that paint scheme. I know. I have the same bike. That color is a 1991, check the tag on the steering head.
Second, it's not worth $2500. He's dreaming. Not for a stock 1991 GS500E.
Fixing seals and leaks isn't that hard. It might be the oil on the engine is coming from a leaky valve cover gasket, which is easy. Plus you'll be checking the valve adjustment and re-torquing the cylinder head anyway on any bike you buy to be sure it is right.
It looks nice. But did you look inside the fuel tank? Any rust at all?
The carbs likely have to be cleaned. Low miles and lots of years can do that. It's not a terrible job.
There are many other things to check and see what it needs to determine what the bike is worth to you.
Chain, tires, and on and on. If the tires are stock, it needs tires. They are old. Add $250 or so for your expenses. A chain? Add $100.
If it is very nice and has few other problems, then it's definitely worth $1500 to $1800.
$2500? No, it's not a collector bike.
Good luck and let us know what you do.
Best wishes,
Trwhouse

yea see where i said it was 1500.oo. i made a mistake on my first post about price. i not ask him the year i just seen the tag say 11/90. i was going to offer 1000.oo. do to all work that may be needed. i was thinking about 300 to 400. also look at bike here that are 93 to 98 going for 1500 to 2000. just 3 to 5 hr drive. so if he not take the 1000.oo i will be going on a road trip soon.

Hi again,
Yes, 11/90 ,means it's a 1991.
And $1500 could be very fair, while $1000 is likely too low for what it is. It looks nice in the photos, but there's a lot to check.
And I'm sure someone will give him $1500 for it if all it needs is tires, even a chain, a carb cleaning and some other work. You can do most of that yourself.
$1000 probably too low.
$2500 definitely too high.
$1500, probably just about right.
Did you get a chance to look at the inside of the gas tank etc. yet?
Let us know.

Yours,
Trwhouse
P.S. Where are you located, and where is the bike, by the way? One of us here on the board may live close to you and can help you out.

i will get to look tomorrow(wednesday). it is in evansville indiana. north east side for the ones that may know the area

OMG....I want that colour!!!! 

Mine was a '92 with about 7k miles on him when I got him. I paid 1k for him. That sounds pretty fair for that beauty! 

Don't tell him it's for your daughter...tell him...ew....purple...hmm....reduces the value (even though WE all know it TRIPLES the value!)... 

well she looked at the pics a bit ago when i got on. she wants to stay with my 98 gsxr600. so i may keep it for myself. i like the naked bike look. that is why i joined last summer. i was looking at a 07 but hate the fairings. found out from here i can give it the SWEET  E look..

so if i get it i will take apart, freshn up & TURBO it.

I'd rock a purple bike in a heartbeat

and this is from a 20 yr old straight guy.

Quote from: brickerenator on July 07, 2009, 09:01:29 PM
I'd rock a purple bike in a heartbeat

and this is from a 20 yr old straight guy.

well you would flip on my busa then. it starts off fushia fades purple then fades blue. all n marble.lol

ooooOOOooooh...palpitations.......Oh my....so gooooooooooorgeoussssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I've never seen a purple 'busa...would LOVE to see pics of her in the altogether..... 

soon. she is getting stretched & polished right now.

friends old one


another oldy

Absolute showstoppers! Honestly, I wouldn't have thought purple would look good on a 'busa, but now I'm thinking ANYTHING looks good dressed in purple! 

one more for u i forgot

I love the evil clown...would love that in red on my boy!  

I've always liked 'busas (way, WAY too big for me, especially stretched out, but I still appreciate them!). Some love the way they look; some hate them...sigh.... purple.... 

I truly have always had a soft spot for the purple Baby G. I'm hoping I have money to burn and will be able to buy scratch's some day when he gets tired of her and gets another...