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Diamond in the rough?

  1. #1
    Just Registered Doc's Avatar
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    Diamond in the rough?

    I found a 1991 GS 500 e with 17k on it for $500.

    The good

    New tires
    Yoshi pipe
    In Great shape no dents and cracks.
    All the parts are there and it hasn't been down.
    Girl Owner

    The Bad

    It has sat at the mechanics for the last year.
    Per the Owner from mechnic estimate
    "It needs a battery and a new coil. The cam timing chain went, causing the valves to go outta whack and hit the pistons, it won't turn over."
    I figure $1000-1500 to pay someone to fix it.

    I guess she ran it for a bit with it sounding like crap.

    I am wondering if I should buy this? I know I could part it out and make more than $500 on Ebay but I would rather try to fix it myself (save on labor costs) and sell it. I can replace the coil and timing chain pretty easy, I just don't want to have to replace pistons.

    Your thoughts?

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  2. #2
    medium pimpin' slaps76's Avatar
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    Diamond in the rough?

    It'll be a very easy bike to resell...people are always looking for nice "beginner" bikes. Guess you gotta figure how much it'll cost you to fix it vs. how much you could sell it for. You'd probably get $1200-1500 for it in good running condition.

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  3. #3
    Everybody to the limit!
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    Diamond in the rough?

    My guess is by the time you buy the parts, fix the problem, find out it was actually something else, buy different parts, fix the other problem, repeat a few times, etc etc...and then finally flip it, you'll find that by the time you subtract the cost of the bike and parts and divide by your time spent fixing the thing you'll have made somewhere around minimum wage or less...

    Not saying you shouldn't do it anyway, but if you're going to fix it do it for fun and not for profit, there's more easy money to be found in the bike world if that's what you're looking for...

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  4. #4
    Senior Member LiononaLeash's Avatar
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    Diamond in the rough?

    Stay away. You're probably going to lose on that one.

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    TL1000R --- For those who like to drive high speed tanks

  5. #5
    Just Registered Doc's Avatar
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    Diamond in the rough?

    I would be fixing it for fun (and the learning experience).

    Even if it is so damaged that it is not worth fixing, I will have it all apart and ready to part out, right?

    I guess I am going to see if she will go lower on the price, I mean she owes me, I transported the thing a half hour to get it back here from her mechanics.

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    "I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
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  6. #6
    Just Registered Doc's Avatar
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    Diamond in the rough?

    Originally posted by LiononaLeash
    Stay away. You're probably going to lose on that one.
    Why? Because of what is wrong with it?

    I figure the tank, plastics, seat, frame, wheels/tires alone are worth $500.

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    "I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
    Bikes: Ducati: 748 (Track) Honda: RC31 (Race/street)/ CRF 110 Mini Moto/ Hawk Endurance Racer Kawasaki: ZXR1200R
    BOMO Instructor
    EX# X

  7. #7
    Lifer Karaya One's Avatar
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    Diamond in the rough?

    Loser all the way.

    Suzuki made a ton of them and parts are everywhere. I'd be shocked if you could get $500.00 out of it.

    Find a cheap motor and it might get you $1000.00. On a good day with the right buyer.

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  8. #8
    Littering and........
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    Diamond in the rough?

    Originally posted by Karaya One
    Loser all the way.

    Suzuki made a ton of them and parts are everywhere. I'd be shocked if you could get $500.00 out of it.

    Find a cheap motor and it might get you $1000.00. On a good day with the right buyer.


    Nobody wants those things anymore, when they are mint.

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  9. #9
    Just Registered Doc's Avatar
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    Diamond in the rough?

    Ok so far the majority say stay away...

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    "I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
    Bikes: Ducati: 748 (Track) Honda: RC31 (Race/street)/ CRF 110 Mini Moto/ Hawk Endurance Racer Kawasaki: ZXR1200R
    BOMO Instructor
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