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OK what u think 1981 GS850G

I would say that's a very good buy. It's worth more than that as parts, even if it doesn't run. The GS850 is easy to work on, and it should be able to be got running fairly easily. It looks like a keeper to me, with only the smashed turn signal to be fixed (That happens when theyr'e dropped, ask me how I know. And theyr'e a pita to pick up too, being that they're pretty heavy.) All in all, a good find, at an excellent price.)
 
Those have a plane bearing crankshaft, right? I've wondered if it stands up as well ad the ball bearing cranks the other GS Suzukis had at the time.
 
Thread title says 850G, if so it would have a roller bearing crankshaft. Reasonably sure the pictures are of a GS650G which does have the plain bearing crankshaft. If it happened to be a GS650E, it would have a roller bearing crankshaft. Just my opinion the roller would be much better, but still seems like a pretty good deal if you're looking for a project. Be sure to look at the inside of the fuel tank, time just sitting there can ruin them and that may be a deal breaker for me..
 
650G. Plain bearing crank, shaft drive. Good bike.
 
Looks good, but add up the cost of tires, brake pads, battery, probably brake hoses, carb rebuild, oil, filters, chain and possibly sprockets, fork seals, caliper and master cylinder rebuilds (and other nice to haves like new grips, good rear shocks, etc). And all your 'free labor' if you are able to do it yourself. By the look of those tires it's been sitting a long time. Think the worst case, full overhaul of all wear items, not the best case that you put tires on and go riding.

And then hopefully it runs without too much mucking about. But the carbs are probably gummed up. It can all work out fantastic and I like the bike.I sort of like it when a seller can't even be bothered to wash the bike. Not discouraging you from it but you haven't said if you are an experienced shade tree mechanic like a lot of us on here, or would be paying (out the nose) for labor.

That may sound like a downer but it's not. I'd like to see it washed, it looks really clean. Some of those photos look like they are from the 80's, so it's hard to tell. Why parked? Title in the owner's name and no back fees? Lots of bikes of that vintage got to 10K miles and were clapped out toys, parked in garage and moldered. I grabbed a bunch of them.
 
oldGSfan said:
Looks good, but add up the cost of tires, brake pads, battery, probably brake hoses, carb rebuild, oil, filters, chain and possibly sprockets, fork seals, caliper and master cylinder rebuilds (and other nice to haves like new grips, good rear shocks, etc). And all your 'free labor' if you are able to do it yourself. By the look of those tires it's been sitting a long time. Think the worst case, full overhaul of all wear items, not the best case that you put tires on and go riding.

And then hopefully it runs without too much mucking about. But the carbs are probably gummed up. It can all work out fantastic and I like the bike.I sort of like it when a seller can't even be bothered to wash the bike. Not discouraging you from it but you haven't said if you are an experienced shade tree mechanic like a lot of us on here, or would be paying (out the nose) for labor.

That may sound like a downer but it's not. I'd like to see it washed, it looks really clean. Some of those photos look like they are from the 80's, so it's hard to tell. Why parked? Title in the owner's name and no back fees? Lots of bikes of that vintage got to 10K miles and were clapped out toys, parked in garage and moldered. I grabbed a bunch of them.
Click to expand...



well I did also find this


1981 Yamaha SX850 Special

​​​​​​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


457467886_10169174762710613_6849098826860598729_n (12).jpg
 
Nice find. Here in Australia we would be lucky to find a large box of GS parts for $500 ($800 AU).

I'm always astounded how many complete and relatively clean GS's there are in the US for what I deem as 'not too many dollars'.

I assume the Aus GS market was relatively small compared to the US market.
 
I'd go for the Suzuki but I'm partial to them. But I like that era Yamaha and it's one of just a handful of customs that didn't get too garish for my taste. It would depend on your rush to go riding now, your willingness to do some work, and which you think suits you better. I'd find out what shocks those are on the XS850, there are some horrific ones on eBay etc. If they are Progressive that's a good entry point, a solid shock. I would search Google for weak spots on that model and see if they had come up and been addressed. Those are pretty good finds.
 
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The XS 850 that I saved at first would not start no matter what I tried. I did all of the usual things, plugs, tires, brakes, cleaned the carbs, battery etc. I got out the voltmeter and realized that there was an enormous voltage drop over the fuse panel. I went to O'Rielly's and found a four or five blade fuse panel that had individual feed terminals. It worked so well the bike was running in no time.
It was also my first experience with a petcock that had no off position. I foolishly filled the tank and it all began running out of the overflows. I finally rolled it outside and put an oil change pan under it before needle nose vise grips pinched the fuel line closed. L0L. The shop didn't blow up since I got the heat turned off and opened the overhead doors.
The bike wasn't my style and I sold it for what I had in it. It was a good learning experience though.
 
The seat looks good. Paint looks like it will clean up. Exhaust is all there...
Buy it for $500 put $500 into it with some elbow grease you'll have a $2,000+ motorcycle.
I'd say a good deal.
 
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