To repaint or not?

[Cat Man]

JUst a thought.

Is it better to keep the bike with the original paint, or should one paint it to ones liking? My thought is a repaint will diminish the value of the bike if the original paint is in good shape at this time. I have heard that bikes that are in original shape bring more money than those repainted.

Looking for other ideas on this.

Thanks,

 

[KGB]

I think it depends on the model.
The 78 GS1000 "skunk", I like that and think it should remain that way.

The 79-80 GS1000S has to remain stock colors, either the blue/white we got in the US or the red/white the rest of the world got.

xxdukexx went tribal red with his bike.
I really like the colored pipes and red touches on the motor.
It's really different but looks good

Hommie, Mark, likes brighter colors. I'm not a fan of orange, but to each his own.
We all do something to make a bike, any bike different and our own.


just my opinion.

 

[hungryman]

Depends on what you mean by 'more money'.

I wouldn't paint a pristine example, but the remainer (owned by possibly you, and definetly me) are fair game.

I'm not a collector.

 

[tracy borchert]

paint

paint

It's all in what you like personally. When you own one as long as some of us have, you need the change to keep it interesting per say. I myself, couldn't see getting rid of mine so I've had a couple different paint schemes over the years. The latest was this past summer which I really like the way it turned out.

 

[Ogri]

The quality of the paint job will be more of a factor in my mind. If the job is well done, and tastfull, it should not effect the selling price. Unless you are painting a collectable.

 

[8trackmind]

Unless it's a collectable, or the paint is super nice, paint it.

Or...Buy a tank and an extra set of bodywork and have at it.
Keep the originals. Best of both worlds.

 

[hp1000s]

My S tank has original dated contingency stickers from '80/'81 Daytona superbike on it. It has dents from a bad tank slapper, chipping paint at the seam around the bottom and a completely rust free interior. I want to save it, but I can't find another piece to replace it with. That's my biggest problem with my re-do project.
Hugh

 

[Ogri]

Personally, I'd keep searching for a replacement and keep that on somewhere that would give me optimum viewing pleasure with a glass of good single malt.......

 

[hp1000s]

Yeah, I know what you mean....I'd happily take a dented-up "E" tank and fix it, but I can't even find THAT! Help

 

[hp1000s]

Oh, and by-the-way, I'm a Bombay martini guy. : )
Hugh

 

[tracy borchert]

fix

fix

fix the tank you already have?

 

[ikazuki]

you have probably noticed that what we spend on these japanese cult favorites dictates the value along with other characteristics like 100,000 plus mile life motors, roller bearings, low compression,regular gas, 2 and 4 cyl, chain and shaft drive, light , sport and race weight I could go on. To guys like us the GS is a gem the world at large hasnt discovered yet. we can tell about it or keep it to ourselves. I prefer to ride an old, classy bike that reminds me of when big fast dependable motorcycles became affordable way back when, at least for me.
now suzuki is the fastest thing on two wheels, we have that genealogy to live up to. do what you want to do. ikazuki

 

[Billy Ricks]

I think it depends on the model.
The 78 GS1000 "skunk", I like that and think it should remain that way.

The 79-80 GS1000S has to remain stock colors, either the blue/white we got in the US or the red/white the rest of the world got.

Absolutely, other than that they are fair game. The champagne gold color on the 1100E's was nice too.

 

[weazzor]

I know what you are going through. My '79 1000S needs repair and paint desperately. Fortunately, I know a body shop painter that says he can match my paint perfectly, so I'll give him a shot. He repainted my Intruder and matched the same black, how he got the base right, I don't know, but that convinced me. So when I post my pics, the paint, and bodywork will be redone and new looking. I hope!

 

[RabbidRetard]

me personally... if the paint isn't pristine... paint it to your likeing... i don't know about the value going down if you repaint it... i'd say it would go up if your bike isn't in that pristine condition collector type deal... if its your ordinary bike the value would go up i'd say... my reasoning behind that is... i want to sell my car... and am going to paint it before i do so... the value of the car goes up... rough estimate... i'd say around $1,000 understand what i'm trying to say here?

 

[matbrodog]

I think it depends on the model.
The 79-80 GS1000S has to remain stock colors, either the blue/white we got in the US or the red/white the rest of the world got.

We in the UK had blue&white as well Mark,while 90% of the UK drooled over
our Barry showing what a 500 Suz was meant to do,the other 10% drooled over Wes and Pop's.

 

[chicagogsx]

JUst a thought.

Is it better to keep the bike with the original paint, or should one paint it to ones liking? My thought is a repaint will diminish the value of the bike if the original paint is in good shape at this time. I have heard that bikes that are in original shape bring more money than those repainted.

Looking for other ideas on this.

Thanks,

I think "ones liking" may not always coincide with cash value.

You have to first decide which of these is more important to you.

 

[duaneage]

Unless it's a collectable, or the paint is super nice, paint it.

Or...Buy a tank and an extra set of bodywork and have at it.
Keep the originals. Best of both worlds.

That is the approach I am taking. I have a black tank and body work and my maroon set. I plan to get the maroon tank redone this year and since we all know how long it takes to get work done for you anywhere I won't be without a bike while it languishes in a shop.

 

[mixongw]

Since my GS1100GL is my first bike, I plan to keep it. As far as I am concerned, the "value" of my bike is directly proportional to how well I like it. My GL doesn't look anything like a GL, but I'm happy with it. Even if it was bone stock and perfect, it wouldn't be worth what I would have to pay for an equivalent new bike. If you plan to sell it and the money is more important than how well you like your bike, then don't paint it. If you want to make it YOUR bike and do the things to it that you like, then go for it. I did!

 

[tracy borchert]

Since my GS1100GL is my first bike, I plan to keep it. As far as I am concerned, the "value" of my bike is directly proportional to how well I like it. My GL doesn't look anything like a GL, but I'm happy with it. Even if it was bone stock and perfect, it wouldn't be worth what I would have to pay for an equivalent new bike. If you plan to sell it and the money is more important than how well you like your bike, then don't paint it. If you want to make it YOUR bike and do the things to it that you like, then go for it. I did!

I would agree completly if you love your GS who is worried about selling it.