I've been in the market lately for a naked gs500. It seems like this one has been sitting for a while. Do you think it would take much to get it running well?

Ad:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/1189746094.html
1993 suzuki

Year: 1993
Make: Suzuki Motorcycle
Model: Street Gs500e
Mileage: Less than 7800
Damage: It has been dropped twice in my driveway
Misc: Wrapped Vance and Hines pipes

There is nothing wrong with it other than it's been dropped in my driveway and I just moved back from CA, so it's been sitting in my moms shed so i think it might take a little work to get it started.

motorcylce in good condition, i just need the extra money

 

Get a real idea of how long it has been sitting before you look at it. A few months...not a huge deal. A couple of years...you might be looking at rust in the tank, carbs that will need to be rebuilt, plus other misc things. The price isn't bad but it really depends on if the bike was "winterized" before being put in the shed.

 

I love projects like this but that's just me. Be prepared to replace the battery and perform a bunch of maintenance. Like Billy said, take a good look at the bike before committing to anything. That said, I think you can find running GS500's for the asking price. Offer $800 and walk if they want more.

 

do the work yourself and it should cost about $200 to get everything in solid running condition. If the tires are heatcycled out or cracking, add another 250 for tires + install.

needs new batt, carb clean/rebuild, new brake fluid, oil change, rad flush, throttle/clutch lube, maybe new fork oil. all of this stuff is relatively cheap.

 

thanks everyone for the advice!

update from seller: the bike sat for a year in mom's shed and was not winterized.

 

well gs500's are air cooled so you dont have anything to worry about with radiators.

i would,
change oil,
new battery
clean carbs
change brake fluid

you may need tires and it could have rust in the tank.

 

is there an easy way to check for in-tank rust? i emailed the seller again and she said "there was fuel in the tank when i was gone but a family friend coated the tank for me before last fall to prevent rust"

thank you!

 

Open the gas cap and shine a flashlight in there. You'll know pretty quick if there is rust in there, or at least significant amounts of it. Like Duy said, show them $800 and if they say no just walk out.

 

Another update:

Looked at the bike today. Still wasn't running when I got there. Seller explained that her family friend coated the tank before it sat. I guessing that's what the white stuff in the tank is. She was told that it's most likely not starting up because the gas in the tank is old and treated with the no-rust stuff. I snapped a few pictures too.









What are those hoses that hang out? Should they be connected somewhere?

Thank you!