HELP! Potential buy GS1000, need advise!!!!

[redbullssg]

I have been looking for a GS1000, and they seem to be hard to come by in my area. I found one that is disassembled for the asking price of $700. It is a 1978. It is all there, but my most concern was of the engine. He said it ran great before I pulled it out. I asked what shape was it in cosmetically, chrome, corrosion. He said it was all good, but he had to take a "cover" of to get the motor out, and has a new gasket for it. He didn't specify what "cover". I asked for pictures and the vague pictures have me a little concerned. The 'Cover" removed was the valve cover, so all of this time the top end has been exposed under a blanket. I will upload a picture, and from the picture you can see surface rust on the came lobes. Otherwise the motor looks to be in decent shape from the outside.

My question on your oppinions. Since this is a 1978, how hard would it be to find the parts if they are not repairable? Is there anything else I should be concerned about?

My plan is to purchase a bike and convert it to an old school Cafe Racer. Everything concerning the frame, suspension, tins, paint, welding, etc. I have covered. I didn't want to do work to internals of a motor, but it isn't out of the question. If I have to tear it down and rebuild, I want to do it Cheaply, and do CHEAP performance mods, as this would be the opportune time to do so. Do you have any suggestions on that!

My next Question, how much should I offer to pay? I live in Southern Michigan, and this bike is in Toledo. I don't really want to waist my time driving all the way down there if he won't budge off of 700 when it isn't worth that....

Thank You,

STAN

 

[tkent02]

$700 is WAY high for a basket case.

Parts are all easily available.

 

[TheCafeKid]

Further, garbage in is garbage out. Cheap and "performance" don't normally go in the same sentance. Not bashing ya but if you go about it from a "cheap" perspective you'll be sadly disappointed in the end product. It's a slippery slope when you start doing performance mods. One leads to a want or need for the next and before you know it you are easy 3-5000 into the bike. With title offer 400 cash. If he doesn't budge walk. There are better bikes out there in better shape. And, when you pay these sort of prices for these bikes keep in the back of your head that another easy 5-1000 bucks will be required to simply make a good runner.

 

[Guest]

Welcome to GSR.
A few 78's on this board to include myself. A few very nice ones as a matter of fact..

To give ya an idea I paid 300 bux for mine in Nov, 09. Complete with rust, but not seized.
Its currently under in the "reassemble" stages and have not got it on the road yet.
Takes a lot to get these old things going again. Most ell of em "ran good" at some point. Rusty topend prolly means its seized. See if the owner will let ya pull the points cover and turn the engine. or try too.

Do a bit of searching on here for that bike(Skunk). Perhaps when ya see em ya might not wanna cafe it. Very sweet looking machine just as it is. BUt thats up to you, chop that puppy..

You'll soon find out parts are fairly easy to come by when Basscliff pops in with your megawelcome. Very informative reads to say the least.


I wouldnt offer more than 300 bux, less if its seized.

 

[redbullssg]

Wow, I didn't expect such quick reply's. THANK YOU! I belong to another forum, rswarrior.com and have been a member there since 02. I was the 56th member, and now there are almost 20,000 members, and almost all are very helpful, or eager to help. I hope that this forum is the same. I don't know alot about the GS at the moment, but I can tell you that when I got my RS Warrior, there were no aftermarket parts for it. Almost everthing on my bike has been fabricated myself, and some of the mods have been stolen from me by after market companies, because I was stupid and didn't patent them. Instead I was generous and shared them with other forum members to do for free.

That being said, I hope that I can contribute to this forum also. These bikes have been around a lot longer than my Warrior, that is for sure, so I am sure most everything has been covered, but I still like to help!!!!

Now, what I meant by cheap mods, was polish and porting, stuff that you can do yourself. Parts are a different thing. I know that I will have to spend money for performance, don't get me wrong, but doing it yourself is MUCH cheaper than sending it to the shop to have someone else hack it up!!!!! I know what ever I do, I will do it right, or I just won't do it.... And, when I do send it out to get sleeved, bored, or what ever machining performed, it will be checked myself, and it won't pass if it is bad....

Suggestions, are ALWAYS welcome, and I thank you all for your quick replies, it reminds me of the other forum. I think I will like it here! That is if I end up getting a GS, LOL!

 

[redbullssg]

Welcome to GSR.
A few 78's on this board to include myself. A few very nice ones as a matter of fact..

To give ya an idea I paid 300 bux for mine in Nov, 09. Complete with rust, but not seized.
Its currently under in the "reassemble" stages and have not got it on the road yet.
Takes a lot to get these old things going again. Most ell of em "ran good" at some point. Rusty topend prolly means its seized. See if the owner will let ya pull the points cover and turn the engine. or try too.

Do a bit of searching on here for that bike(Skunk). Perhaps when ya see em ya might not wanna cafe it. Very sweet looking machine just as it is. BUt thats up to you, chop that puppy..

You'll soon find out parts are fairly easy to come by when Basscliff pops in with your megawelcome. Very informative reads to say the least.


I wouldnt offer more than 300 bux, less if its seized.

It took me a while to figure out what a Skunk was. I am not sure if that is what this one is. It is a 78, but I haven't seen the tank to know for sure. If it were together and in good shape, I would probably keep it stock, but he said that the tank has a small ding in it, so I am sure that repainting is in order. Since it is a basket case, I will definately be converting it. Chopping, no, I don't want a Chopper.... Just a little nip her and a tuk there, hide some wiring, clip ons, rear sets, possibly swing arm mods but definitely some sort of suspension upgrade and possibly slight modification for a 180 or 190, elongate the tank to hide more shat under it, lower the headlight bucket, cut useless tabs, hide rectifiers, eliminate airbox, and change the exhaust (custom maybe, or slip on, maybe a shorty) for something LOUD! Paint, powder coat, maybe a some modern forks and front brakes. More, lots more......

I can't wait to get started on this one, or another one, lol!

 

[Guest]

If its a 78 its a Skunk.
Rates right up there with the 79-80 Cooley in some opinions.
Some also think of it as what started the beginning of the "super bike" era.

 

[kochic]

i paid mine 450$cdn dec 2008 in good running condition and last year i bought a rought 78 skunk for 150$cdn but the engine was running.

You can do a lot of cosmetic mods if you are handy for cheap, but please dont ''cannibalise'' the tank.For the suspension and wheel you had choice(gsxr-gsx).For the engine modification you need to have deep pockets.
Marc

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

IF it is a skunk PLEASE don't destroy the tank. They are getting hard to come by in decent shape. SO sell it to someone in need.. The motor should be Ok if it was stored indoors under a blanket, make sure it turns over.. Later Bandit swingarms will fit with some mods for a wide tire, or the GS1100 aluminum swingarm.

 

[Nessism]

The engine is going to need new cams at minimum and likely some other valve train parts. Personally, I'd tear the top end down to check things out properly. Certain parts on that model are valuable and others (most others) are easy to come by. I also have a good set of stock cams, valve buckets, etc. so you can fix up the engine. I'm also looking for a clean stock exhaust and have a nice V&H header to offer in trade if you get to that point. The GSR is a great and it's worth purchasing a GS just to be part of this place. $700 is too much as others have said but everything depends on condition so it might not be too far off if the rest of the bike is nice.

 

[redbullssg]

That's why I came here! If I do purchase this bike, I won't change the tank. I will consider this bike, but I won't go over 300. I will check the site a little more and research the SKUNK. I don't know anything about this bike, or a Cooly as someone else said. KEEP IT COMIN!!!!

 

[will61310]

Where are you located? I have a complete one I'd consider letting go.

 

[bwringer]

That's not just surface rust -- that engine is officially nothing more than a boat anchor. Hope the goober trying to get $700 really likes the way it looks...

 

[redbullssg]

Where are you located? I have a complete one I'd consider letting go.

I live in Jackson, Michigan. If you are close enough, i will travel!

 

[redbullssg]

That's not just surface rust -- that engine is officially nothing more than a boat anchor. Hope the goober trying to get $700 really likes the way it looks...

It is really to hard to tell from a picture. I think he just doesn't know better. He said that he knows nothing about motors. I am pretty sure that it is from the blanket, and not from sitting out in the elements. I have seen where blankets have done this. I just wish i could see what extent it is before I go down there.... I am starting to think it wouldn't be worth the trip....

 

[Nessism]

I doubt there is serious damage to the engine other than the cams; it looks like just the top of the cams are rusted but it's hard to judge by one photo. Guess it mostly comes down to price - if you can get the bike for $400 or so it would be worth a trip to have a look in my opinion.

 

[rustybronco]

If its a 78 its a Skunk.

Not necessarily... in '78 they made a GS1000C and a GS1000EC (skunk).

 

[Larry D]

My lesson learned from buying two "vintage" GS's are to buy one as complete and running as well as you can find. Getting parts is easy enough, but, there's alot of work to get them roadworthy. Either way, my guess is that you'll have $1500-$2000 in it.

 

[Guest]

Not necessarily... in '78 they made a GS1000C and a GS1000EC (skunk).

I stand corrected..

 

[redbullssg]

I emailed him and told him what I can see from the picture that I would have to rebuild the top end, or buy parts for it. That being said, I told him that I wouldn't pay over 300 for it. They seem like very nice people. We'll see what happens.....

Thanks people, for all of the advise. I might have paid more for it other wise... I'll keep you posted!

Meanwhile, if any of you are from my area and know of a bike for sale, let me knoW!!! JACKSON, MICHIGAN!!! I will travel up to 60miles or more depending on what it is and how much....