Sweet! Bought back my first bike for a song!
05-13-2009, 06:26 PM
#1
Senior Member
SuperSport
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 987
Sweet! Bought back my first bike for a song!
I only started riding in Dec 07, bought a very mint Suzuki GS500 for $2200.
Later I upgraded to the Superhawk, and sold the Suzuki in July for $2400 on craigslist within a matter of hours. The kid I sold it to had the nerve to negotiate with me after he had already agreed to buy it, so I gave him $100 off just to get rid of him.
Then I got a call out of the blue yesterday from a guy looking for parts for it and he had my number from the guy he bought it from. Turns out he was trying to sell it, and I picked it up for $1000!
Basically it sat there in this kid's parking garage where I rode it to, and sat and rotted until the kid had to move back home and didn't have time to sell it, one of his friends picked it up. This guy put a new battery in and some carb cleaner in the gas tank, the poor thing wouldn't idle and would sputter and die below 4000 rpm.
I managed to get it to the gas station, push starting it a few times... and got some fresh gas and air in the tires and was able to ride it all the way home slipping the clutch to keep it revved up.
I'm not sure if I'll keep it or resell it... kinda cool to see your first motorcycle after you thought it was gone for good. Can't wait to get it cleaned up and running like a top again.
Looks kinda goofy next to the big vtwin, but it's a decent commuter bike. My superhawk would be happy to share some riding time, I'll have put 15K miles on it in a year. And even if I do sell the GS again, well, I'm sure I can get $2K for it. It's like being paid to ride!
Later I upgraded to the Superhawk, and sold the Suzuki in July for $2400 on craigslist within a matter of hours. The kid I sold it to had the nerve to negotiate with me after he had already agreed to buy it, so I gave him $100 off just to get rid of him.
Then I got a call out of the blue yesterday from a guy looking for parts for it and he had my number from the guy he bought it from. Turns out he was trying to sell it, and I picked it up for $1000!
Basically it sat there in this kid's parking garage where I rode it to, and sat and rotted until the kid had to move back home and didn't have time to sell it, one of his friends picked it up. This guy put a new battery in and some carb cleaner in the gas tank, the poor thing wouldn't idle and would sputter and die below 4000 rpm.
I managed to get it to the gas station, push starting it a few times... and got some fresh gas and air in the tires and was able to ride it all the way home slipping the clutch to keep it revved up.
I'm not sure if I'll keep it or resell it... kinda cool to see your first motorcycle after you thought it was gone for good. Can't wait to get it cleaned up and running like a top again.
Looks kinda goofy next to the big vtwin, but it's a decent commuter bike. My superhawk would be happy to share some riding time, I'll have put 15K miles on it in a year. And even if I do sell the GS again, well, I'm sure I can get $2K for it. It's like being paid to ride!
05-13-2009, 10:50 PM
#7
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Way Out West
Posts: 2,547
I haven't ridden one of those, but put a bunch of miles on its grandpa, a good friend's early 80s GS450. A great little bike. 60 mpg. Quicker than most all the cars on the road and terrific for white lining city traffic.
If I were you I'd keep it. If I could buy back all the bikes I've owned for what I sold them for, I'd write the check tonight and figure out how to cover it tomorrow.
If I were you I'd keep it. If I could buy back all the bikes I've owned for what I sold them for, I'd write the check tonight and figure out how to cover it tomorrow.
05-18-2009, 02:20 PM
#8
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: May 2005
Location: North Wales, PA
Posts: 809
my first bike was a 1982 GS 450L. my wife has a gs 500. and we just got it back from the shop. it sat there all winter so the gas was a little stale too. but I wrung its neck on the way home and it was running alot better by the time I got home. just need to clear them out. although the crap gas we have now isn't helping.
05-18-2009, 03:02 PM
#10
Senior Member
SuperSport
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 987
Yeah, it's amazing how fast gas goes bad now.
I guess I didn't used to own bikes and lawnmowers, but still, never used to have an issue with gas sitting unused in the tank for 6 months.
I guess I didn't used to own bikes and lawnmowers, but still, never used to have an issue with gas sitting unused in the tank for 6 months.
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