First time for EVERYTHING

[RussianThunder69420]

Evening,

So, I looking at the options for a first bike... (background: no prior expense on a bike, mechanically inclined but never worked on a bike.) So i was on craigslist for the past few days, found this: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/d/rare-1985-suzuki-gs-700-all/6627648372.html
I?m not trying to drop two or three grand on a bike that i might drop or **** up in other ways. Plus that square brake light looks bad ass. Never bikes just don?t look interesting.
I should have little issue blowing out the fuel system, and have a decent understanding of carbs, but when talking to the dude he said that the motor turns over but wont idle due to dirty carbs by his diagnosis.
A quick search for carb kits for this bike yielded no results.
I?m gonna go look at this bike on Monday, help me figure out if this is something i should commit to or look for on Monday. First mod once i get my L's is getting the front fairing, maaaybe a square headlight.

 

[Dogma]

Plan another $1000 or more getting it roadworthy, reliable and safe. Things like rebuilding brakes and a million other little things, plus the mechanical problems that may be hidden right now. That would be the case for any old bike that needs work. Maybe more for other brands.

If you're just learning to ride, consider something much newer and ready to ride for the equivalent investment of around $1500. Maybe a late GS500 or similar. The frustration of an old bike that needs to be brought back up to scratch can spoil the fun for a new rider. Don't worry so much about what your first bike looks like. Riding is way too much fun to be too concerned with that.

That said, what you're looking at is a fairly nice and unmolested example that I wouldn't regard as something I wouldn't care about dropping or destroying in some other way. Those are well loved by some folks here, so please don't think of it as disposable.

 

[Steve]

And PLEASE stop looking for "carb kits", they aren't necessary. :-k

All that is usually needed is a THOROUGH cleaning (not just "blowing out") by dipping them overnight in carb cleaner dip, then putting them back together with new o-rings from cycleorings.com. That site is run by one of our members, it is a wonderful service to provide good parts at a VERY good price.

.

 

[BigD_83]

While the bones look to be all there, there is plenty of $$$ and time involved in getting her back up to scratch. If you are not doing the work yourself, the seat will be a major expense.

I'm all for bringing back old bikes from the edge, and have done it myself prior to riding, but I wouldn't recommend it. I don't know your market at all, but I think you should be able to find something ready to ride for the amount of money you'd have to sink into that 700 to know it is road worthy.

 

[posplayr]

I would look for a less molested bike. Even at $1500 it will probably cost less, look better and have better resell that that bike.

Unless you want to strip it down and completely redo it, look elsewhere. Joe in TX has a very beautifully modified 750ESD and I think he got less than $2K which was a shame considering the work he had put into it.

 

[Guest]

The seat cover can be found at Pitreplica. If they dont have one for your bike you can send yours in and they will replicate one for you. Cost me $79.00 for mine a few years ago. Piping and lock grommet with Suzuki embossing. Made in Thailand, shipped to your door in a few weeks.

 

[RussianThunder69420]

Dogma,
Sorry, that came out wrong. I am really digging the style of these bikes, it took me this long commit because i had a hard time to pick a style. In other words, I’m feeling these GS bikes and would hate to ruin this one.
What year would you say is better choice, and what’s a high mile number? Thanks for the reply.

 

[RussianThunder69420]

Steve,
Thanks man, I was suspecting that, because most of it, besides the gaskets, seems cleanable.

 

[RussianThunder69420]

BigD_83
I should be able to redo that seat. I?m all about the fix ride fix ride arrangement that?s how you get to know your gear, but the fix, fix, fix, fix ride is not it ether.
So it being the 700, seems like the awkward years, is the maintenance and parts are more scares?

 

[RussianThunder69420]

posplayr,
Thanks man, a much as i hate listening to strangers on the web, but it doesn?t seem like this guy kept a whole lot of maintenance records. I am going to go look at it Mon-Tue but unless the mechanics seem better than the condition on the picks ill pass, unless I?m feeling froggy that day. Worst case scenario, I upgrade the motor on my lawnmower, or downgrade the motor in the bike

 

[LAB3]

posplayr,
Thanks man, a much as i hate listening to strangers on the web, but it doesn?t seem like this guy kept a whole lot of maintenance records. I am going to go look at it Mon-Tue but unless the mechanics seem better than the condition on the picks ill pass, unless I?m feeling froggy that day. Worst case scenario, I upgrade the motor on my lawnmower, or downgrade the motor in the bike

I'll tell ya what, my little GS450 twin has been a lot of fun to work on and a really decent bike for use on state highways and backroads. If you don't plan on spending much time on the interstate they can be had very affordably and like I mentioned, easy and fun to work on.

 

[RussianThunder69420]

I'll tell ya what, my little GS450 twin has been a lot of fun to work on and a really decent bike for use on state highways and backroads. If you don't plan on spending much time on the interstate they can be had very affordably and like I mentioned, easy and fun to work on.

No, my commute is mostly city, 0-50 mph.
What do you think about this one?
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...621728588.html
Looks a lot cleaner then that 500.

 

[Redman]

................
What do you think about this one?
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...621728588.html
.............

Is a great add. Lots of good pics and good descrption of the good and the bad. Gives a good impression of the seller.
The list of bad things dont seem to be too bad, well, unless the base gasket leak is bad.

Although I wondered why he called it a cafe racer .... maybe just to attract some more buyers. Looks fairly stock to me, just has somewhat lower bars.

Looks mostly stock, except for the bars, and repainted.

But overall, seems to be in good serviceable condition (if you can tolerate those lower/shorter bars).

I dont recall seeing any pictures to give you a good idea of the condition of the chain and sprockets. Take a look at that. Look at the teeth of the sprocket. If worn the teeth such that the front side of the tooth is different shape than the back side. What can see in pics doesnt look bad. And he does say new sprocket and chain.

I will also suggest you find a MSF Basic Rider training class.

 

[LAB3]

No, my commute is mostly city, 0-50 mph.
What do you think about this one?
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...621728588.html
Looks a lot cleaner then that 500.

I'm not up on bike prices on the west coast but am hearing that sub 500cc bikes are going for a premium. It's all a matter of what you feel comfortable with, buy a bike ready to ride or rehab one that's been sitting around. I'd be leery of a leaky cylinder base gasket but if the seller seems straight up about the rest of the bike, that may able to be overlooked. That said, that particular bike here in the Midwest is worth about $1200 but as mentioned, the west coast is bringing a premium.