HELP! Potential buy GS1000, need advise!!!!

[Nessism]

I doubt there is serious damage to the engine other than the cams; it looks like just the top of the cams are rusted but it's hard to judge by one photo. Guess it mostly comes down to price - if you can get the bike for $400 or so it would be worth a trip to have a look in my opinion.

[rustybronco]

If its a 78 its a Skunk.

Not necessarily... in '78 they made a GS1000C and a GS1000EC (skunk).

[Larry D]

My lesson learned from buying two "vintage" GS's are to buy one as complete and running as well as you can find. Getting parts is easy enough, but, there's alot of work to get them roadworthy. Either way, my guess is that you'll have $1500-$2000 in it.

[Octain]

Not necessarily... in '78 they made a GS1000C and a GS1000EC (skunk).

I stand corrected..

[redbullssg]

I emailed him and told him what I can see from the picture that I would have to rebuild the top end, or buy parts for it. That being said, I told him that I wouldn't pay over 300 for it. They seem like very nice people. We'll see what happens.....

Thanks people, for all of the advise. I might have paid more for it other wise... I'll keep you posted!

Meanwhile, if any of you are from my area and know of a bike for sale, let me knoW!!! JACKSON, MICHIGAN!!! I will travel up to 60miles or more depending on what it is and how much....

[Rick65Cat]

I saved and enlarged the picture....those cams are DONE! One lobe had very deep rust pits in it.
I paid (sorry to say) $2500 for my '78 "skunk" last fall, but it had many upgrades and I drove it home about 180 miles. (23,400 original km on it)
The words "cheap" and "performance" definately do NOT go hand in hand.
As was said, you'll be into it for many bucks when you are done.

***still looking to put the hit on a fellow club member for the complete '78 GS1000EC he has buried in his shed***

[renobruce]

Welcome to the site. If you end up getting it, I have a set of stock 78 GS1000 cams I'll gladly donate for the cost of freight.

[redbullssg]

I appreciate that, but it looks like he isn't going to sell for $300. I told him that I talked to some 1978 GS1000 friends, and all said that one shouldn't pay over 300 for a basket case in that condition. I got a nice reply from his wife, saying that he was going to contact me, and that is the last I have heard. I have been in constant contact with them, so this silence tells me that he probably isn't wanting to sell for that much. I hope he finds someone that will pay what he wants.... I have been looking for a GS 1000 or 1100, but I haven't found to many. I want a Chain drive, so that limits me. Everything that I have found is shaft....

[Octain]

Forget about it, move on..

Buy a shafty if thats all you can find.
I sorta "cafe'd" mine and its fun as hell!