Considering Buying a 1983 GS550ES

[Guest]

Found a 1983 GS550ES locally which needs some work to get running but the seller says it just needs a CDI box and New battery. Should there be anything else to be concerned about with this being the only issues disclosed?

IMG_20170707_105647.jpg

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Might pull the trigger on it soon just wish my mechanic friend could be here to look it over to help ease the decision.

[Rijko]

welcome.

As this is a non-runner, the price must be very low to tempt you.
There may be a lot wrong with the bike, as sellers usually state there is nothing wrong except one or 2 very small things and the bike has been ridden before this, functioning perfectly.

A broken igniter may be an indication of a broken stator or regulator/rectifier.
Maybe they tried starting it off a running car which usually fries the regulator/rectifier and ignitor.

Be careful with a non-running bike, it may be a money pit.
If it's that simple to repair, maybe the seller can do that so you can judge the bike running ?

Anything known about how many miles on it, maintenance done, other history ?

[steve murdoch]

Find out how long it has been sitting with its charging problems.
Could mean brakes and tires will have to be addressed as well.
Have a look through the site from BassCliff. Plenty of info on charging woes. Might not be CDI box.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Welcome to the site.

[BigD_83]

Just a heads up, the ignitor box is not cheap, and it is a complete crap shoot as to whether one off EBay will work.

In that condition, I wouldn't want to give up any more than $500.

[Steve]

Would you believe that another member is selling his '83 550ES?

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?247960-1983-GS550ES-for-sale

.

[BigD_83]

Would you believe that another member is selling his '83 550ES?

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?247960-1983-GS550ES-for-sale

.

...and in much better shape, but at a cost that might be prohibitive for a Canadian member.

These things seem to go in cycles don't they? For awhile, the 550es wasn't making any kind of showing here. The 650G (and a few Es) seemed to be sprouting up on a regular basis over the last year and a half or so.

[ThisISPaintball]

Thanks for the input so far. The price is low enough to gamble that it can get salvaged. Priced OEM replacement even before looking locally for parts and it would be around $550 for the CDI so if that is the issue and not others it can be a cost which fits into the reconstruct budget.

The brakes and other basic things which might get rusted from lack of motion seem to be in okay shape.

[Steve]

Good luck.

There is a LOT more wrong that what you are seeing.

I will bet that you will put another $1200-1500 into it before you get to the cosmetics.

.

[Cipher]

Buy it but maybe have a compression test done and check that it spins etc.
Nice bikes lots of power considering the technology of the day

ebay is a crap shoot but you can get igniters for as low as 100 if lucky
there is a youtube vid out there of some electronics guy testing and repairing one by isolating a weak link component on the circuit board for pretty damend cheap iirc. PITA to remove potting and youd brdt leve it to an electronics guy but hey

live a little

[Cipher]

Hey he only wants 500 for it
beat him down to 300.00

[ThisISPaintball]

Yup negotiated lower and do not mind putting effort or energy into it as a project. The space for storage is not an issue but the gearhead friends of mine should help with any bumps in the road which cannot be researched upon from this forum. Looking forward to reading more on the many threads and resources both people and articles.

[Cipher]

so you hooked up a battery no fire? I assume prev owner had verified the dead igniter and not just made an assumption. Some pics

[AMK]

The love of wrenching and the money invested and the final outcome and enjoyment of these Suzuki's is far more rewarding and still less expensive than a new bike.

[ThisISPaintball]

Yup boosted from a lawnmower and it will not fire over but there is compression in both pipes so it is not a total write off.

[Cipher]

both pipes?
hmmmmm yes well read the manual
do a cleanup to get an inspiring look at the old girl then check the valves.
after that clean the carbs
after that do the diagnostics on the ignition

got a chum with a known good working igniter?