1985 GS700E ?s may get one

[volsrock1963]

I found a 1985 700E with 10k miles on it for 1000.00

Any thoughts concerns?

[volsrock1963]

Pic 2 says its runs good....needs tires

[rphillips]

My opinion, Looks and seems like a good deal but pictures can be deceiving. What it looks and sounds like when you're standing there looking at it is what matters. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Nessism]

Those are good bikes. Check my signature links for the newbie mistakes thread and how to rebuild the carbs. A little work upfront will mitigate a lot of heartburn later in ownership.

[volsrock1963]

he says the carbs are good ready to ride

[Nessism]

he says the carbs are good ready to ride

Famous last words. And even if they are okay today, if the O-rings are original, you are on borrowed time.

[GS1150Pilot]

One of the better looking bikes Suzuki produced.

[dorkburger]

Looks nice and original right down to the exhaust. No personal experience but those there who have worked on the carbs say that the airbox is extremely difficult. Have you seen it in person?. I only ask because that's a NJ plate on the car in front of it and your profile says MO.

[volsrock1963]

No I have not seen it yet suppose to be in Mo

I also found this I know for a fact this seller is real 1981 XS 850 with

Carbs are rebuilt Rebuilt petcocks Brand new tires Brakes are rebuilt and new brake pads New rear shocks New battery New throttle and clutch cables New mirrors New rear blinkers Fresh oil/filter Fresh gear oil in the mid/back shaft portions Fresh grease in the wheel bearings Runs great

1200.00

[rphillips]

That bike sure don't look like an XS850 to me. Pretty sure it's an XS850 "special" , the special was to Yamaha what the "L" models were to Suzuki... We called them Disco Cruisers or Cruising for Burger bikes....Waaay different that the GS700.

[volsrock1963]

yes its a XS850 Special

[GS1150Pilot]

yes its a XS850 Special

Get the GS. Those XS specials are not particularly attractive and handle like dog$hit.

[rphillips]

If it matters, 1985 Suzuki GS700 has wet wt. of 509 lbs and 80 HP, the Yamaha XS 850 shows wet wt. of 569 lbs and only 79 HP.

[salty_monk]

The RR on the 700 is a particular weak spot. Prob the worst of the Suzuki stock ones. Great bike other than that. A little hard to get tire for the front 16” and the anti dive on the forks may need some work / brake work. (Mushy). Works well if all in good health though.
I had a heavily modified one (gsxr front end etc). Fun bike.

[Griffin]

I bought one new off the showroom floor almost forty years ago. Still have it.

The engine loves to rev and it pulls hard above 6,000 rpm. They have the hottest cams Suzuki put in any GS. Other than the typical weak charging system issues, they’re pretty reliable.

The shock will be kaput and the swing arm bearings as well. If you hear squeaking when you sit on the bike, that’s the swing arm bearings protesting your presence.

You can get a nice Hagon replacement shock for about $450 shipped from an Italian distributor that sells on eBay. Buy some good forks springs and forget about pressurizing the front forks with air.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/383719424678

Replace the rubber brake lines with stainless ones and block off the anti-dive units. You’ll knock 20’ off the stopping distance at road speeds.

Do the suspension and brake upgrades all together and you’ll have the best handling bike made during the UJM era.