new used bike or old used bike?

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froldt · #1 Unread post by **froldt** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:35 am

So I can't wait to get a bike of my own. I've even found one that fits most of my wants, and is only a little above my price range (can't find one that fits the "free" category).

So I tell a couple of family members about it, and they don't want me to buy it. They want me to buy a newer bike so that I don't have to worry about fixing it as I go, etc. I understand this.

However, I want to own the bike (actually own it, if it's broken, it's my broken bike, not the banks). To do this, I want something in the $1000 range, so that I have money left over to pay for a year's insurance, my riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, chaps), and plan in for the immediate changing of the fluids, new spark plugs, cables, etc.

My theory is that I can pay for the cheaper bike, have good quality gear, get some experience wrenching on a bike (as opposed to a truck/car/tank), and have fun on my first bike. If it breaks down, heck, winter's coming up, and that's the best time for it to not be used anyway!

So, I'm debating between paying more for a newer (still used) bike, which would cost a bit more insurance, or paying less for an older bike (I'm debating on an '82 GS750T) and assuming I'll be working on it.*
Any suggestions/tips?

*(By the way, the bike runs right now, and was used until recently as a daily commuter. It's got a fairing I can take off and sell, or store.)

deedee1 · #2 Unread post by **deedee1** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:38 am

It sounds to me like you know what you want. Thats what really matters. Is the bike in good condition overall? Are you expecting it to have any problems? Have you checked it out thouroughly?

Most of all is it the ONE you want?

Have a great one and ride safe
Deedee

mustangski · Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:13 am

Just because it's an older used bike doesn't make it a heap that will need to be repaired on a daily basis. I had an 84 magna that ran great, it had it's small problems but none that strapped me for cash. I would go with the older bike and take your chances, if it runs good now you just might not ever have a problem with it.

froldt · #4 Unread post by **froldt** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:23 am

That's what gets me, I just don't know about the bike. I took it for a quick test ride (maybe .75 mile straight line and back), and it rode ok. Has the fairing, so I'm not used to that. Shifted fairly smoothly, accelerated good. She started right up, and it didn't take too long to get her warmed up a bit.

When I went to park it, it revved up as I turned the bars, so I'm assuming that the throttle cable is too short. The clutch is rather stiff, so I'm hoping a new cable (haven't checked prices on anything) will fix that. The rear brake spring needs replaced, as the current one sticks a little.
As with any purchase, I plan to change all the fluids and plugs, and will check the brakes.
So those are the things that I know I'll do, whether they need them or not.

I will also remove the fairing and remount the headlight. I want to seal the tank (dunno if it's been done yet). The whole thing needs cleaned, but that's ok. The tires should last me till next riding season.

So, that's the condition of the bike as I know it. '82 Suzuki GS750T with just over 44k miles. I'm thinking that with it being a daily rider, the little maintenance stuff should cover it, and I can plan for that. I don't know enough to be able to really check it out well, like I should, and I don't know any mechanics well enough to take it to someone.

qwerty · #5 Unread post by **qwerty** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:08 pm

Hmmm? My experience with bike engines that speed up when the handle bars are turned is that the cable needs re-routing. Could easily be a free fix.

flynrider · Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:37 pm

The bike sounds promising. From a maintenance standpoint, a daily commuter with 44K on it is a lot better than something with 5K miles that's been sitting for most of its life. The nice part is that (for some crazy reason) higher mileage daily communters are usually priced lower than those low mileage garage queens that will nickel and dime you to death.

Just remember that it is a 24 yr. old bike, so you're going to have to get your hands dirty eventually

If you want to learn to wrench it's a great way to go. I would highly recommend the purchase of a shop manual at the same time you get the bike. You don't have to wait for something to break before you start the learning process.

Gadjet · #7 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:22 pm

I say go for it as well. The engines on those old Suzuki GS's are darn near bulletproof.

As querty mentioned about the throttle cable, it does sound like it just needs to be re-routed. A stiff clutch can also just mean that the cable needs to be cleaned and lubed, but replacing it is a good idea if you want to play it safe. Just hang onto the old one, clean it up, and keep it as a spare.

If you want more info on the old GS's, check out The GS Resources site I found it to be a great source of info when I had my '83 GS650GL

TooBama · #8 Unread post by **TooBama** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:33 pm

How much cash are you looking to spend? I had a VERY tight price range due to my wife (between $1800 and $2500) when I first started looking. I eventually found my 2002 Suzuki Savage for $2200. Not a bad commuter bike (forget going over 80) for the price, although this coming spring I'll be in the market for something sporty.

froldt · #9 Unread post by **froldt** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:58 pm

qwerty, I hope that's it, just a re-routing of the throttle cable.

flynrider, I plan on getting a manual for the bike, that's a definate necessity. I've had one for every vehicle that I've owned.

Gadget, I'm hoping that the clutch cable is just attached to the lever at a funny angle, or something else that makes it stiff, or that it just needs lubed. However, I figure that I should assume the most expensive repair, so that I'm thrilled when it's something else.
Thanks for the link, I've been browsing GSresources for a couple of days now, and have found lots of great information!

TooBama, the guy's asking $1200 for this bike. I'd like to get it to less than a grand (taxes and all), then assume about $500 for parts/repairs/whatnots, and I can go ahead and pay my insurance for a year, and buy my safety gear.
Yes, I could afford a newer bike, but this leaves me money to invest else-where. (for examples, in tools; or actually invest). Even if the bike breaks down, for that kind of price, I could sell it non-running or part it out and get back most of my initial investment

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!

qwerty · #10 Unread post by **qwerty** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:37 pm

You could also shop around for a second bike, same as the first. That way, you aren't pressed to make rapid repairs, and you can shop for parts. I have several friends into old bikes, and they all own 2 or more of the same model; 2 to ride, and 1 or more for parts. Some of them buy wrecks and go ahead and strip all the good parts off. One guy rides CB750 K5s, and he has 2 runners, 2 parts bikes, a complete set of rebuilt carbs, a rebuilt head, reground cams, already-bored cylinder and piston set, a complete rebuilt engine ready to run, and various other major sub-assemblies ready to go. This guy buys filters by the dozen and oil by the case.

Dealers are usually WAY out of line for parts on older bikes. Last time I checked, Honda wanted $50 for a CB750 air filter, JC Whitney wanted $12. That assumes the dealer even has the part you need, which is becoming a pretty iffy assumption these days.

When I crunched the numbers, it was cheaper to have 2 bikes maintained and repaired with aftermarket and used parts than 1 bike maintained with OEM NOS and repro parts.