Joined to soon

[MikeLyon]

Newbie here, been shopping for older motorcycle that would be a fun fixxer up project.

Was looking at any and all types but wanting to stick with smaller CC bikes 650 and under.

First Gs 550 I went to buy ended up being in much worse shape than pictures and what seller's ad made it out to be.

A lot of small Suzuki GS models out there and
after two facebook marketplace ads and one craigslist endeavors attempting to by a GS I've found out it's getting more and more common that no one has the titles.

So I'm wondering, is getting a title impossible.

I backed out of a deal , the guy had two non running gs300 , one looked good just covered in dust and a parts bike same year and color.

I didn't even think about asking about title until second email , says he'll give me a bill of sale.

Finding a lot of intresting project bikes for sale but no title

[Burque73]

Hey Mike. Depending on which state you're in there may be back fines or penalties for not registering it. New Mexico, where I am, doesn't have stiff penalties for that.

You can apply for a lost title. I think they need time to attempt to contact the most recent registered owner and check police records to see if it's ever been reported stolen. Takes about a month here.

Good luck.

You can also ask the seller for the vin and check online for reports. There are sites to do that for free.

[Vmass]

If you are in a state that requires a title for these old relics, I would hold out for one with a title. There are ways around it, but it would have to be a special bike for the effort.

Good luck in your search.

[MikeLyon]

Found a possibility in a gs300 L bad thing it's about 250 miles from me.

Seller says it will turn over but not start, But it has a clean title

Funny how the cam end caps or cover whatever they're called are kind of square like some of the 1100"s

Screenshot_20250218_152129_Facebook.jpg

[Rich82GS750TZ]

The rectangular end caps indicate that it is a TSCC (Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber) engine with 4 valves per cylinder, as opposed to 2. Means when it comes time to adjust valve clearance, you have screw-type adjusters, as opposed to shim-over-bucket.

I don’t know what your experience is either riding or wrenching on bikes. The “turns over but won’t start” scenario could be easy, could be hard. No way to know for sure, really. Could be a fun project. Could cost you more to get running than finding one that already runs. I looks a mess, honestly. Someone’s been playing electrician and that’s never good.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum. If you get an old GS, There’s no better place to be.

[salty_monk]

It wasn’t too difficult to get a title here in California. A few inspections incl the CHP.
AAA membership makes it easier.
or you can use one of the services, heard that’s really easy just a bit more $$

[MikeLyon]

Chance meeting

Stopped in at a little family owned gas station, think they sell more lottery and liquor than gas.

Guy that owns the place and myself were talking about motorcycles and I mentioned that I'd been looking for a project bike in Facebook marketplace and craigslist.

He laughed said his dad had this old suzuki with electrical issue and his dad gave it to him fifteen years ago and it's been sitting ever since

So my ears perked up and ask for more info about the bike and all he knew was it was late seventies year and a 550.

So I'm gonna check it out sometime.

my question, being it's a late seventies suzuki 550 would it likely be a GS ?

[Burque73]

Chance meeting

Stopped in at a little family owned gas station, think they sell more lottery and liquor than gas.

Guy that owns the place and myself were talking about motorcycles and I mentioned that I'd been looking for a project bike in Facebook marketplace and craigslist.

He laughed said his dad had this old suzuki with electrical issue and his dad gave it to him fifteen years ago and it's been sitting ever since

So my ears perked up and ask for more info about the bike and all he knew was it was late seventies year and a 550.

So I'm gonna check it out sometime.

my question, being it's a late seventies suzuki 550 would it likely be a GS ?

Most likely a GS, could be a GT two stoke triple. That would be cool.

Here are a couple of sites to check out.

https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/suzuki/gt-1/

https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/suzuki/gs-1/

[MikeLyon]

Most likely a GS, could be a GT two stoke triple. That would be cool.

Here are a couple of sites to check out.

https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/suzuki/gt-1/

https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/suzuki/gs-1/

Gotta feeling the guy at gas station gonna bulk at giving me anymore info let alone access to the mysterious 550

But I'm really curious as to what it is, even if it's not gonna be for sale.

[rphillips]

Thinking th0se old GT550's were the ones with "Ram Air System" etched into the top of the eng.