OK, so there is this Gl500 for sale in my development. An ugly brute it it is, but still I have taken a liking to it, in a pitiful sort of way. There is not rust to speak of, just some mild pitting on the chrome. It needs tires and the tach doesn't work, but it starts up, seems to make good compression (although I have not checked with my gauge) and there is no smoke at all from the exhaust. However, when I rode it in my development, I notices that it does not want to rev. I mean it won't go above 20 mph in first gear (acts similarly in second but at a somewhat higher speed). The throttle will be wide open, but it does not seem to make a difference. I am guessing that there is something wrong inside the Keihin carbs. I am not that familiar with Keihins and not a CV carb expert by any means. This bike seems salvageable, but I could use some info and advice.
I'm no help, other than I have one parked in my driveway - FIL's '82. It's a good runner, but it needs steering head bearings and lube in the rear suspension.
Probably the carbs, the '82 GL will have the newer, better, TI ignition system and won't have the high-speed coil trouble the older bikes had.
How much do they want for it?
Shawn
Probably a torn diaphram in the carb. Also noted for another torn diaphram that is more expensive to fix, though I saw a replacement one somewhere on the web once (otherwise you buy a whole rebuild kit).
Generically an easy fix.
sounds steep for a poorly running bike IMHO. I onc bought a 93? Suzuki Bandit 400cc inline 4. Just cleaned the carbs and rode the E36 M3 out of it. Had 50 thousand miles when I sold it. Paid 400 bucks and this was about 5 years ago
These are CV carbs with no diaphragms. Just open them , clean and reassemble.
There are two small air cutoff diaphragms that can wear out but they aren't really necessary and can be bypassed without causing any harm to the bike.
If it's the GL500 Interstate with all the luggage, then I could see $800.00. If it's just a GL500 then $400 would be a fair price.
Shawn
In reply to Trans_Maro:
it is nor an Interstate, but it comes with a set of luggage. The bike is not in bad shape, but it has been sitting for a long time. Running bikes for less than $700 or $800 are extremely rare in these parts. I probably won't buy it, but I like the style of the GL/CX engine setup.
This is a link to his Craigslist ad:
http://poconos.craigslist.org/mcy/3831043657.html
It doesn't look too bad.
I don't think the color is stock and it has the Hondaline crash bars installed, they're a popular option and hard to find in good shape.
Might not be a bad deal if you don't mind putting some work into it.
I can take those apart and put them together again in my sleep, they're dirt simple bikes.
If you buy it, clean the carbs, check the ignition, set the valves and chain tensioner and see how it runs. If you need help fixing it, just send me a message.
Worst case scenario, if you need to pull the engine for something, it takes about 15 minutes to get it out of the frame. Probably half an hour if you've never done it before. You can even pull them without draining the oil or coolant if it's something quick.
If it has 40,000 miles or more on it, I would recommend you do the "triple bypass" service on it. You need to change the camchain at 40,000 and the motor needs to come out for that.
Since the engine is out, change the stator, water pump seal and camchain all at the same time, then ride it and forget about it for another 40,000.
If the chain tensioners are broken (they do break occasionally) they are NLA but N.O.S. ones can sometimes be had on eBay and good used ones come up all the time.
Hope this helps.
Shawn
P.S. I have a CX500, a CX650 Eurosport and a GL650 Interstate in my collection, I love them all.
Its priced at $800. Most people build some wiggle room not their price.
In reply to spitfirebill:
He is firm at $800. I am moving on.
