I need to determin if this 2006 GS500F is worth the time and more importantly the money to fix or cafe racer project. I can turn it over with a screwdriver across the starter relay. It runs but sputters and dies. Oil has been leaking out of the airbox overflow tube. It may have been running on it's side. I need to make an offer on buying it.

"We can rebuild him. We have the technology."

Aw man. That brings back good TV memories.

Go for it.   

Unless its too cheap, i would look for another

Well the bad thing about all that plastic is that it breaks to pieces, but the good thing is it absorbes energy when it does.  Check to see if the forks compress and rebound normally.  Check the frame for signs of stress and the engine around the engine mounts, for cracks in the engine castings.  You do't have to replace the fairing.  Just get handlebars and a headlight.  I'm thinking for less that $250 in parts she'll live again.  Probably all the gas leaked out so the sputter could be fuel starvation......or not.

well just ask yourself if you're willing to spend alot of time to save some money.

if it were me, because i dont want another motorcycle project right now, i would look for a running condition bike for a little more money.

I like the cafe racer look. I played with the bike a bit more and had it idle a bit. The choke and throttle cables are twisted a bit. Forks, rim and fender look good. I will try for under $300-$500 mark and see what happens. 

report back!

Quote from: GVH on May 01, 2012, 02:50:05 PM
I will try for under $300-$500 mark and see what happens.

With a clean/clear title that's sounds like a good pick

As long as the frame is in good shape other than maybe some cosmetic scratches, could be a fun project. As long as you can get it for a good price. I'd go really low...never know if you don't ask!

Like my dad sez, "How do you fix a can of worms?  A bigger can!"

Pass.

Interesting. The exhaust, is that 2-pc on the 2006 bikes?

If the forks are straight, it would be pretty easy to convert it to a GS500E and call it a day. That's what I would be tempted to do, anyway.

I think you're right on the price. Oil in the cylinder... hard to say, but it wouldn't run long on its side with the carbs. More likely, laid on it's side for awhile with the engine off and filled up one of the jugs with oil. It will probably be fine. I got a car started for a guy... it had been rolled and left on it's roof for a couple hours. He couldn't get it to start and was freaked out b/c it wouldn't turn over. I pulled the spark plugs, checked the oil level and turned it over. Oil flying out the cylinders. Started right up after that.

Quote from: reload on May 01, 2012, 11:31:33 AM
well just ask yourself if you're willing to spend alot of time to save some money.

That encapsulated it.  If you are broke, a cheapskate, or genuinely enjoy working on a bike, fix the thing.  As a guy with two project bikes right now, I'd say work a few extra hours and buy a used one.

Well I made a deal. $500 was the lowest price. So some concerns. Front engine mount bolt broken, Front fairing mount bent but frame looks fine. So I'm looking for Headlight complete plus mounts L/R, Handlebars, Mirrors, Front upper engine mount bolt. 

Nice!
Is there a chance it had frame sliders on it?

Unexplained holes on the fairing say yes. 

Quote from: GVH on June 24, 2012, 07:01:44 AM
Unexplained holes on the fairing say yes.

Yeah I was just wondering, because that also explains the broken engine mount.

Have you made sure the thing will run / drive yet?

before you go sinking all kinds of money and time into this, strip the broken plastic and cosmetic stuff off and haul the bike to a competent frame shop.  Some thing such as gmd computrack.  Have them put it on their table and give you a report of how straight everything is.  With a wreck like that, chances are high something is bent considering you have broken engine bolts and such, it takes alot to break a bolt in that fashion frame sliders or not.  Not point building on a twisted chassis. 

Well this looks familiar!  It even has the same blue/white fairing that mine had :-}

Except that... Mine took TWO crashes, and it still wasnt in as bad shape

Things of concern to my eyes:

1. both sides were wrecked, not just one. This means it wasnt just a slide crash. It either flipped, or bounced.

  (I wonder if "sliders" make this happen more? )

2. There is apparently a CHUNK OUT OF THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE CASE? !!!  no-one seemed to comment on that???

2.1  my sides were a mess, but my engine was fine, after both crashes. The fact that it has difficulty running, says internal damage, to my newb mind

3. the front looks seriously messed up. Not just the handlebars... that's normal.. but the cowl bracket.
Mine was bent. That one is MANGLED.
Seems like there's no way there wouldnt be some kind of fork damage with that

I'm not saying it's total doom (particularly since you already bought it   )  but do please be extremely thorough in your examination, so you truly know what needs work.

After fixing the clutch safety switch it starts and runs fine. The accident was local to me and rather slow. The rider ( we will call him Mr Stupid ) did a 90 degree corner at about 50kph / 35mph. Grabbed a fist full of front brake and slide it under the frontend of a Lexus stopped at the lights. Mr Stupid then got up dropped his gear and walked away well Police, Fire and Ambulance arrived for the Lexus drive and his blowen air bags. Close the road for a few hours to investigate and then tow it all away. I picked the bike up because Mr Stupid forgot you must have Ownership, Insurance and a Licence to drive a vehicle. The broken off slider could have been from removing the bike from the car.

The bag on the gas tank is every nut, bolt and rubber gromet removed from the bike and fairings.