Hello,
I'm trying to purchase a first bike, and I've discovered S. IL is not a heavy market for used bikes.  Anyway, I just talked to a guy about an 86 GS550 that starts immediately but he said he can't keep it running.  I could get the bike for possibly $400.  I'm just wondering if the problem could be simple enough for me to fix...  any ideas as to why it wouldn't stay running?   Would it be stupid to buy the bike?

Thanks for your help!

To be quite honest with you, if the bike needs work than more likely it will be a more advanced problem than most beginners can fix, but then again the owner could be an idiot and it be really simple.  I would not recommend buying it because you are more likely to spend all your time working on it and not riding it and having fun like a beginner bike should be.  The motor on that bike, I believe, is a good motor but its carburated and if you know little about them it will be hard to fix properly.  I suggest you keep shopping and save those four bills for a good used GS even if you have to travel alittle to pick it up or ship it. It will be money well spent in the end.

The carburetors gum up if the bike sits for a year or more.  Carbs will need to come off the engine block and airbox and then cleaned.  Perhaps intimidating for a first timer, but it's merely a tedious job for a repeat offender.  Help is only a post away.

If the `86 GS is otherwise in great condition, go for it.  Mine is 19 years old and I've never felt the need to replace it.  Maybe an occasional desire, but never a   need.  

Thanks for the input, guys.  I can see your point, newbieone, cause I'd definitely like to just have a nice ride to enjoy.  

"The carburetors gum up if the bike sits for a year or more. "

I think this is what I was looking for.  Thought I'd seen something in an old post, but couldn't find it.  The guy said he's owned the bike a few years and never rode it - was meant to be for his wife and she never got her license.

Guess I should decide if I want to take the gamble.  It could turn out to be a pretty nice bike if that's the only problem.  May be worth trying for only 400?

I took a chance on a bike that was sitting for a few years also and it worked for me, I found this forum and everyone is so helpful, I cleaned the carbs on my bike, my first time ever by the way, I am a pc geek not a mechanic. But it was easy, my bike runs great

dude if you know someone good with 2 stroke engines like 4 wheelers, lawn mowers, etc. might be worth the gamble for a fixer upper.  if you have tools and are willing to get your hands dirty and do lots of reading then go for it.

If it is just the carbs gummed up could be one thing, but now that bike has been sitting has me worrying about other potential problems.   Getting the carbs un-glued is quite simple but other than that, well, I hope you are older than I and know how carbs really and truely work.  Then again, I do know carbs I just don't care to work on them.  It is your "Roll on the Dice" so good luck!  I wasn't trying to knock it, just thought you may want an honest mans opinion.  

nah, i wasn't dissin your advice, newbieone.  i am somewhat familiar with auto carbs and if i run into trouble, it still might be worth the cost of having someone else do the dirty work.  i was mainly just asking for possibilities of what could be wrong and the chances of it being something simple like gummed up carbs.  not really along my line of luck, but it would be sweet to get a decent bike for $400 just because the current owner didn't feel like messing with the little stuff.

i appreciate all the feedback

it'll be your first bike. it'll sit in your garage. you'll look longingly at it every waking hour...then the days will pass into weeks into months and you'll still be trying to sort the bike out...instead of riding and practicing, and enjoying the hell out of riding.

If you want to learn to ride buy a bike that runs and runs well.

If you want to learn how to fix bikes buy a project bike.

I bought a relatively new gs500 when I started because I didn't want to have to think or worry about the bike's mechanical condition. Even though its a good deal it also may be getting what you pay for. Think about it.

And welcome!