so NOW what do I do...?

right around 5 years ago (when Hurricane Katrina happened) my 4000 mile mint Suzuki TL1000S was stolen. It was recovered about a month later, minus most of the bodywork and painted (badly) primer red. The ignition switch had been hammered and destroyed, but I don't think the bike had actually been run by the thief. It sat unused as I didn't have the money (or initiative) to get it running again.

Fast forward to today. After spending significant $ on getting the bike running and the primer stripped off (the factory paint job is ruined) over the last two years, it's about ready to get re-registered and running. What do I find but a potential donor, a '99 model about 100 miles from here that's a theft recovery with no title. I'm thinking I can take the bodywork, repaint and get my bike back to almost mint condition. Problem is that even mint examples are only worth about $2500 these days. It'd cost me a paint job and time to take off the parts.

The problem? I've got four complete GS1000's and a parts bike GT750 in my garage (and another GS1000 in pieces). My wife will KILL ME if I bring home another derelict bike. I'm not exaggerating much. I thought I might be able to put my GT750 motor in the donor TL but I can't register it with no title. I could make a track bike out of it, though. I can part the donor out which is probably more trouble than it's worth and not likely to make much $.

A few months ago I posted a question about building something like a XR1200 using a TL/SV engine. That's a possibility, too, but it's YET ANOTHER FRIKKIN' PROJECT.

The potential donor is asking less than the cost of replacement OEM bodywork. I think I have to buy it.

Ideas? Can anyone take a GS1000 off my hands and give it a good home?

Regardless of how mint it looks, it will always be a theft recovery, and resale value will take the appropriate hit. Enjoy the ride and don't sweat the bodywork; you can't see it from behind the handlebars anyway.

The TL-S (especially pre-recall '97s) will come back in terms of value, if you're willing to sit on it that long. In the mean time, you have an easy 120-130hp to screw with.

Hide the donor TL at my house. Seriously, it's not that far. And I need a motivator to get my '97 running again. Maybe we can split the cost and I can poach some parts.

For real. Drop me a line.

alex wrote: The TL-S (especially pre-recall '97s) will come back in terms of value, if you're willing to sit on it that long. In the mean time, you have an easy 120-130hp to screw with. Hide the donor TL at my house. Seriously, it's not that far. And I need a motivator to get my '97 running again. Maybe we can split the cost and I can poach some parts. For real. Drop me a line.

the GRM messaging feature is offline (3:30am Central, go figure. I'm up with sick kid). I'll try again later.

My racing buddy has a GS 1000, and it is kinda growing on me. How much $ are we talking? Columbia MO isn't far from NW AR.

You say your wife will kill you if you bring it home. I get that. Do you have a single buddy who owes you a favor? Say a couple months rent free storage space?

BAMF wrote: You say your wife will kill you if you bring it home. I get that. Do you have a single buddy who owes you a favor? Say a couple months rent free storage space?

working on that very solution...

4eyes, I've got a couple of alternatives. I'm at work right now, so I'll PM you later with more info.