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1985 GS550E... newbie needs advise...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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Anonymous

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Hello GS fans... I've lurked here from time to time, excellent site. I may have an opportunity to score an '85 GS550E, cheap. Here's the story: The seller says this bike was stolen back in '85. It was recovered, the thief had layed the bike down and abandoned it. It was parked in a garage, and there it sat... for almost twenty years.
I took a look at it today. The ignition is punched. The stator cover took the worst of the crash damage, its scraped, and has a small crack that looks like it would leak. The carbs are off, the slides are frozen. The tires show the first signs of rotting.
On the up side, while I was there the seller and I removed the sparkplugs, poured some oil into the cylinders, removed the ignition cover and turned the engine over. The seat has the factory upholstery and is excellent shape. So is the paint, except for a scratch on top of the fairing. I think it would clean up real nice. The best part? Only 2900 miles.
So this seems like a no brainer, but I have no experience with this model. The two barrel carbs in particular give me pause. So, do I jump all over this or run the other way? (Gee, you guys won't be biased or anything will you? :D )
 
Re: 1985 GS550E... newbie needs advise...

If you're looking for something you can just hop onto and ride away, then no this isn't the bike for you. However, if you love to tinker and are looking for a Fall/Winter project then I say go for it!

Now before you sign the cheque...Here's a list of things to consider(this is by no means exhaustive)
-price, how much does he want for it.
-the key switch is easy to fix
-the stator cover would be pricey, but I'll bet there's one on ebay that would fit.
-is the frame straight? if it got bent in the crash then I'd walk away, unless you know how/where to straighten it.
-the tires will need to be replaced away. Theres a lot of info on this site about tire choice. The only thing I'll say here is DON'T GO CHEAP!
-you'll need a good shop manual and maybe an owners manual if you can get one.
-if you're prepared to get dirty and put your tools to good use then go for it.

Hope this helps...Sam


KLACKO said:
Hello GS fans... I've lurked here from time to time, excellent site. I may have an opportunity to score an '85 GS550E, cheap. Here's the story: The seller says this bike was stolen back in '85. It was recovered, the thief had layed the bike down and abandoned it. It was parked in a garage, and there it sat... for almost twenty years.
I took a look at it today. The ignition is punched. The stator cover took the worst of the crash damage, its scraped, and has a small crack that looks like it would leak. The carbs are off, the slides are frozen. The tires show the first signs of rotting.
On the up side, while I was there the seller and I removed the sparkplugs, poured some oil into the cylinders, removed the ignition cover and turned the engine over. The seat has the factory upholstery and is excellent shape. So is the paint, except for a scratch on top of the fairing. I think it would clean up real nice. The best part? Only 2900 miles.
So this seems like a no brainer, but I have no experience with this model. The two barrel carbs in particular give me pause. So, do I jump all over this or run the other way? (Gee, you guys won't be biased or anything will you? :D )
Click to expand...
 
Thanks, Sam. I have no illusions about this being something of a project. My current bike is an '81 KZ 440. It's a borderline rat, rescued from a garage sale, so I'm no stranger to eBay :D . I'm not intimidated at the thought of doing some wrenching (within reason). I'd expect this bike to serve as a reliable daily rider, primarily in suburban traffic, with an occasional blitz out in the country. I have no plans to hop it up with pods or pipes, unless it turns out to be a total pig. Looking her over, it seems a perfect choice: triple discs, adjustable suspension, comfortable ergos. Good sized tank so it should have good range. Miles ahead of my beloved 440 in every measure(except maybe mpg).
The crash damage doesn't seem to include the frame. The forks and bars seem straight. The clutch lever is ground down some, and the bar ends and mirrors are missing/broken off. I don't see any damage to the wheels (but that gold paint has got to GO... 8O ).
I'm glad to get any input, and I'm really hoping for information from those who have owned/worked on this one. Again, the carbs give me the most apprehension, and what about that anti-dive? Useless gimmick, or valuable addition? Any horror stories about this model I should know about?
 
good to see you finaly got signed in.
I forgot about the anti-dive, every one messed around with anti dive around that time and they all pretty much ended up more pain than good, most people just by pass them as the one thing they work best for is making the front brake mushy, and most people would rather have front end dive and a firm brake lever rather than a rock hard front end and mushy brakes with no feed back.

the offer still stands, I am pretty good with carbs!!!
 
If you are anywhere near Leon grab the bike and enlist his aid, he is brilliant with carbs and electrics, Kinda surprising when you consider he is a diesel mechanic 8O :wink:
Dink
 
Dink said:
If you are anywhere near Leon grab the bike and enlist his aid, he is brilliant with carbs and electrics, Kinda surprising when you consider he is a diesel mechanic 8O :wink:
Dink
Click to expand...

Cleburne's not too far away at all. Maybe he can fix the Cat engine in the F650 I drive at work too! :D
 
KLACKO said:
Dink said:
If you are anywhere near Leon grab the bike and enlist his aid, he is brilliant with carbs and electrics, Kinda surprising when you consider he is a diesel mechanic 8O :wink:
Dink
Click to expand...

Cleburne's not too far away at all. Maybe he can fix the Cat engine in the F650 I drive at work too! :D
Click to expand...

a 3126?? easy, expensive (cat is proud of their parts) but easy!
what is it doing? or not doing?
 
It has a persistant stumble right off idle. Nothing earth shattering, but annoying. REALLY annoying. Prestige Ford recheck center worked on it a few weeks ago. Had it for ten days :x . They replaced the high spped oil pump. Helped a little for a while.
 
Klacko,

You still haven't told us what the price is yet. That is really the most important part. If you can get it for a couple hundred bucks, and have another $500 available for parts and many free hours, then it might be a good ride eventually.

On the other hand, you could be surprised by how much it needs that you didn't see on the surface.

Since you have a running bike already, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy it as a project bike? As long as you're pretty sure you could resell it for what you'd put into it.

As an example, I bought my bike on ebay and the guy said it "runs great". It doesn't. So I've rebuilt the carbs, now I'm working on the valve clearances, and next I will sync the carbs. After the initial $1500, I have already easily spent another $200 and about 4 weekends worth of time. If I get it running after this, it will have been worth it. If not, then it will not have been.

On any non-running bike, make sure you get it for dirt cheap, as there is a lot you don't know.
 
Smaug said:
Klacko,

You still haven't told us what the price is yet. That is really the most important part. If you can get it for a couple hundred bucks, and have another $500 available for parts and many free hours, then it might be a good ride eventually.

On the other hand, you could be surprised by how much it needs that you didn't see on the surface.

Since you have a running bike already, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy it as a project bike? As long as you're pretty sure you could resell it for what you'd put into it.

As an example, I bought my bike on ebay and the guy said it "runs great". It doesn't. So I've rebuilt the carbs, now I'm working on the valve clearances, and next I will sync the carbs. After the initial $1500, I have already easily spent another $200 and about 4 weekends worth of time. If I get it running after this, it will have been worth it. If not, then it will not have been.

On any non-running bike, make sure you get it for dirt cheap, as there is a lot you don't know.
Click to expand...

The seller and I are in end negotiations now, as far as the price. I'm pushing $400, but there is no way I'll go over $500. He had it sold on Ebay for $800 back in February, but the buyer wanted him to do all sorts of checks on the bikes condition AFTER the auction had ended. They both walked away from the deal. The seller is actually selling the bike for someone else. Typical story. The po asks this guy to do some work on the bike and leaves it at his house. (that's why the carbs are off) When the guy eventually needs more $$$ for additional parts, the po stalls and never comes up with the money. Months become years. The guy is disgusted and wants the bike GONE. He's trying to start a busuness from his home. The po, who lives about 20 miles away from the GS, and maybe 40 miles from me, swears he has the title. I'll walk away if he can't produce it, or expect him to pay all the fees in order to replace it.
I'm almost 42. I think I have a clear idea of what I'm in for. My plan is to revive the bike, not necessarily restore it. It seems to be 98% there. I have some pics (taken by the seller). They're big so I'll try to link to them.
here's the good side...
...the not quite as good side...
...front...
 
...rear(does that fender remind anyone else of the flying sub from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea?)...
...and dash.

Since I drive a tow truck, I'll have no trouble getting the bike transported. I can store it at out yard and sneak it into our shop nights to wrench on it. I know it won't be up right away, I'm fine with that. Around here, prices get totally out of hand for older bikes. This is one that I feel has good potential, but I'm not going to lose my perspective. Really. I promise, honey... :lol:
 
Porsche parts of texas???
that bike has alot of potential.
on the truck, has the TPS sensor been tested correctly?
you get a bad spot in them and it will wreck havoc on throttle responce and often wont set a trouble code.
 
I also have a 1985 GS550E. If the bike has only 2900 miles on it I doubt the carbs have been altered. Just clean them and use compressed air to ensure all passages are clear. I just did this with mine. The most import item to check is the condition of the O-rings between the cylinder and the intake manifold. If they leak and suck air this has a big impact on how the bike will run. I just replaced mine and now the my bike runs great.
 
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