New guy with first project. Part it out or fix it up?

[Northernmaine]

I have a 1981 GS550T with 15k miles. If I can get it started it runs fine but keeping it going at first is very difficult. Once it's warmed up a bit it is good. It has some issues. The tank looks like it had been repaired by bondo then had the cheap paint job done. Definitely been dropped and has damage to headlight ring tachometer rear cover, and it looks like the master cylinder on the handle bar is a bit bent. Brakes work fine. Slips a little with aggressive shifting but go gentle it doesn't so I'm hoping that's just an adjustment issue. The worst part I have found so far is that somewhere along the line the stater cover was removed. When it was put back on, they didn't use a real gasket they used some sort of liquid gasket. Worse still, most of the bolts don't look like they were the original ones and kind of look like metal machine screws. I'm worried what kind of damage was done putting the things in. I'm afraid if I take the cover off to check I'll never get it back on! I have Pictures on my profile album. My plan for this would be to make a café racer. I paid $200 for the whole thing. The tires are in good shape but date stamp 2006. What do you guys think? Should I keep it and dump some money into it or should I just cut my losses and part out?

[Northernmaine]

More pics

Side view. Do have the tall triangle back rest just not on the bike

[Northernmaine]

Awful carpal tunnel handlebars cannot stand

Wrist pain anyone?

[Northernmaine]

Tank trauma

Ug. Should i try to see whats under or just get a new tank?

[Northernmaine]

Master cylinder damaged?

Look a bit pulled up to me...

[bonanzadave]

That bike is not ride able. Why did you buy it ? Do you want to ride or wrench ? Both ? Go buy a clean, running, 550 and part the other. Thats a lot or wrenching !

[Northernmaine]

So definitely need new handlebars because I just can't handle theses. I am not worried about the side covers because I'm going to café racer it. Front and rear fender been painted black is not an issue either because I'm probably not gonna see either again. The seat not being perfect certainly won't affect it because I'm going to replace that whole part.

[Northernmaine]

[QUOTE=bonanzadave;2331899]That bike is not ride able. Why did you buy it ? Do you want to ride or wrench ? Both ? Go buy a clean, running, 550 and part the other. Thats a lot or wrenching


Yes lots of work. Bought as a winter project to challenge myself. I plan to do most of the work myself unless others echo your sentiment and I just ditch it part by part or in whole. So far your vote to not try is recorded and appreciated.

[mainiac]

Almost anything can be fixed with time and money. It depends on your budget and time you are willing to spend. People have started with a lot worse.

[Northernmaine]

I want to do as much of the work myself as possible to keep the cost down. I wont compromise safety so certain things will need a pro mechanic to check out like the brakes for instance. I am a bargain hunter and have already sourced some inexpensive parts. The challenge is fun.

[Northernmaine]

It looks like the clubman handlebar is bent, but that might just be because of the pic.

Just the angle of the photo. The only thing thats bent is me after trying them lol

[cowboyup3371]

It's not hard to do any of the work yourself; go here for a full night's read of good information and be sure to download the Suzuki manual - http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff