buying a 1980 gs850l

[dchamb65]

i had a gs550l about 18 years ago. ive rode all kinds of bikes since then but tha gs was always my favorite. i started trying to find a one again and i need some advise. i found a 1980 gs850l for $500 bucks the bike looks in fair shape runs rough (the bike has set up for several years) but its all there with a clear title. the only problem i have with it is the speedo has 98,000 miles on it the guy swears thats not right that somebody changed out the speedo and messed with it when it happend. so the only way i can tell to proceed is to asume it has 98,000 miles on it. do you think the bike would be worth messing with or more trouble than its worth? thanks Dennis in TN.

[uudfourty]

Buy it.

If it runs, ride it.

If and when it completely craters, sell it as a parts bike, or sell the titled frame to someone who needs a titled frame.

My two cents, anyway.

[chuckycheese]

Pass

I believe I'd keep looking.......

[pablo83]

I'd buy it.

Being a runner with a title are two big plusses.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. dchamb65,

It depends on how much time, effort, and money you want to put into this bike. I love my 850 and will probably keep it till I die. If you'd rather do more riding than wrenching, then you may be better off spending more money on something newer. But once you get the 850 properly maintained, it is really a great bullet proof all-around motorcycle. Do the research and see if you want to put in all the effort up front so that you'll have a reliable motorcycle for a very long time. Let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[salty_monk]

Engines are fairly cheap if you can do the work to drop it in yourself....

[Don-lo]

A well-ridden GS is the best kind...

[old school]

i would jump on that like the guy said if it scatters you can rebuild or part it out if you part it out you will get your $500 back i know a guy that was selling a kat 750 a real turd didnt run but the engine did turn over he was asking $600 for it and i laughed at him of course he had no takers so he parted it out and put a little over $1100 in his pocket off this turd just a thought