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Potential GS850L owner in UK - needs convincing to take the plunge!

  • Thread starter Thread starter ShaftCurious
  • Start date Start date
I totally agree Wingsconsin. If I added up the money I had chucked at my other hobbies over the years it would probably make me blush - profit isn't really what I'm here for - but with my budget being as it is Im just trying to ensure my initial investment is sound enough.

I do find myself hankering after the GS and putting my name on it - whatever I end up with will be running sweet and fully enjoyed once I'm done tweaking it.
I watched a 30 min vid of a guy cleaning his Suzuki carbs the other day and I absorbed every moment like a sponge. Coupled with advice on this site I reckon I'd be a better mechanic by hook or crook!
 
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Hi, shaftcurious, I think I can add something to the discussion here.

I have an '80 850L that was an import from the US. Mine was in a worse state than the advertised one but it cost a whole lot less. The main thing about an import is you don't know how long it has been sitting. For example, mine had a fine rear tyre with plenty of tread and easily passed the MOT with it last year. This year after putting a few miles on it, it is cracked all around the side wall and needs replacing.
During the restoration it appeared that every time I touched a rubber seal it disintegrated and needed replaced.

My bike passed the MOT (twice) with the original headlight so no worries there.

Getting it registered was a real PITA and I wouldn't be keen on doing it again.

I say if you want an L, then get an L, and the 850 is a great bike with a great engine. It can waft around the back lanes and handles really well (I think) and yet it can still produce a turn of speed once the tacho goes past 6K. Riding at prolonged high speed will result in you having a neck like Mike Tyson.

Finally, I don't think that is the bike to buy. If you can get it for 1300 (still overpriced) then you better budget for 2K before you can ride it and be anywhere near happy with it. Have a look in my sig for my thread on where I'm at with mine now.

Good luck and I hope you find what you're looking for.
 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. To be honest, I think you're right on most counts. IMO the bike is worth ?1000 and I think I've decided that's all I'd be willing to pay, maybe ?1100 at a push. but I'm certain the price is firm so I'm not going to even try striking a bargain. I think on this occasion I need to be a little more patient, which is a shame as the bike is only about 10 miles away!

regarding registration, which part of the process did you struggle with? This particular bike has original title paperwork so I'm lead to believe it's easy to get a plate with that in hand?

your rebuild thread is flippin marvellous though, you're a man after my own heart when it comes to devil in the detail. Bravo, you're giving me the encouragement I need to go about my own resto!
 
ShaftCurious said:
regarding registration, which part of the process did you struggle with? This particular bike has original title paperwork so I'm lead to believe it's easy to get a plate with that in hand?

your rebuild thread is flippin marvellous though, you're a man after my own heart when it comes to devil in the detail. Bravo, you're giving me the encouragement I need to go about my own resto!
Click to expand...

Re; registration, I didn't have the original title. And the NOVA database had one digit wrong. And I struggled to find an insurance company to insure it on a VIN plate only. And the DVLA wouldn't accept my dating certificate (they did in the end). All of which delayed the process and I had to get an extension to the VIN insurance before I could
get a plate for it.

Thanks for the feedback on my rebuild. As I say it's not finished yet, but I'm enjoying the ride while I get on with it.

Good luck in your search and get in touch if I can help.
 
Yes they popped up on my daily hunt, both look like pretty good options to me. What do you guys think about picking one over the other?

edit* just remembered, the 2nd link bike has a seized engine..
 
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Buying any old bike of this age is always a gamble.

I've bought 5 old GS bikes off ebay and only one of them was proper good. One that I bought from one of those US importers had a completely scuppered engine. See the ES makeover blog in my signature.

Tell me: Is it your lucky day?

My philosophy now is to buy as cheap as possible and do 100% engine rebuilds. Only then will you know it's good.

Except of course the GS1100G we have had from new. I know that is mint inside!
 
The first one looks to be a clean, unmolested example.
The tyres are probably too old.
The rubber brake hoses look original and would need replacing.
The fuel tap looks odd, like a bit is missing.
The three wires hanging out by the left side cover looks like someone was investigating the stator. If so the charging system could do with checking out as per Posplayr's tests in his sig.
The screws on the side covers look original and in good order. If they have been off he knew what he was doing.

http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/suzi/engine-nos/engnos.htm
 
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Yes looks like half the fuel tap is missing. I understand the early fuel taps were troublesome. What was the issue, and can they be swapped out for a later version?
 
Sorry, what I know about the early taps could be written on the back of a postage stamp - someone will be along.
 
My 2p's worth ...1400 quid is way over the mark for an L . Especially as bike sales generally plummet after July ( people buying them for summer normally have done so by August )
If you can get it MOT'd for under a grand , that'd be a good result
 
I like the one at summerbudclassics. The fuel tap is supposed to be like that but budget for a replacement (?40?). The bike is an '80 same as mine not a '79 as stated). It looks good with a few parts that might need replacing but looks like none are missing. It's only a ton fifty more than the second one at DK (where I got mine) the guys there are very helpful and honest.

The first one reads like it doesn't come with an original title and second one states that it is not present.
 
Yes, I think im going to stick to my original plan of not spending more than ?1000 on initial outlay. I'll aim to get a bike on the road for as close to that figure as possible.
The 79/80 bike on the link below is looking attractive - lets hope not many other people agree!
 
Morning folks.

Whilst waiting for various listings to end on ebay and also missing out on a couple other bikes i've begun to fall for this little GS650GL: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1982-Suzu...t-Barn-Find-Classic-Restoration-/351784919060

What do y'all think of her? Looks really clean to me, and if I source and fit a starter (do they fit across the range?) it could be a nice cheap option too.

I also quite like the look of this 650G:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GS650G-/302013389479

How different do they feel to ride over say, an 850?

Also speaking to another guy about an early Yam XS750 : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302017689991 (booo! hiss!)
 
I'd have that 650 shaftie. Looks great. Has UK heritage and papers. Nice one.

The DK imports are a gamble. Ask me how I know?

XV Yam is way over priced. Might be worth ?800 and besides it's a Yam for goodness sake.
 
londonboards said:
I'd have that 650 shaftie. Looks great. Has UK heritage and papers. Nice one.
Click to expand...

Alas, I contacted him earlier today and he got straight back to say he had sold it locally this morning. I really must learn to act on intinct and hit the purchase button when I see a good one.
 
ShaftCurious said:
Morning folks.

Whilst waiting for various listings to end on ebay and also missing out on a couple other bikes i've begun to fall for this little GS650GL: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1982-Suzu...t-Barn-Find-Classic-Restoration-/351784919060

What do y'all think of her? Looks really clean to me, and if I source and fit a starter (do they fit across the range?) it could be a nice cheap option too.
Click to expand...
The 650L looks good indeed and has title papers. Give them a call, Neil or Mark, and they will tell you what you need to know. They have so many bikes passing through each month that they initially don't spend a lot of time with any of them.

londonboards said:
The DK imports are a gamble. Ask me how I know?
Click to expand...
I'm not saying you didn't have a bad time with them, but to balance the books I took a punt with them and even they admitted I won. I've even been back to see Neil with my bike and he was interested to hear and see how I'd got on.

BTW I've joined the FB group. ;)
 
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Hmm, on second thoughts its missing headlight, starter, starter cover, gear shift mech, and possibly a whole bunch of crankcase bolts. Also some corrosion on lower frame and around silencer joints - I think the risks/costs are quickly adding up on this one.
 
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