hello. got a few questions to ask

[ms5490renegade]

Next Friday I'm picking up a gs550e from a friend of mine at an absolute steal of a price. He says it needs new carbs. I can't seem to find them online. can anyone point me in the right (and safe) direction? Also, how difficult it it to tune carbs? I'm a jeep guy so i can do basic work pretty easily...Thanks ahead of time,Matt

[Motorcycle Forum]

[ms5490renegade]

this is how it sits today, stripped down and cleaned up before i pick it up. It stays inside his living room

sent from my EVO 3D

[Easy Rider]

Next Friday I'm picking up a gs550e from a friend of mine at an absolute steal of a price. He says it needs new carbs. I can't seem to find them online.

Was it FREE ??
If not, it may not turn out to be such a steal after all.
Hope you are still friends when this is over.

You should NEVER buy a bike that is not running......especially not one that is in pieces.
What if he is wrong about "needing new carbs" ??

After looking at the pictures, I think HE should sell it to somebody else for parts.........and YOU should look for another bike that is running.

[ms5490renegade]

Was it FREE ??
If not, it may not turn out to be such a steal after all.
Hope you are still friends when this is over.

You should NEVER buy a bike that is not running......especially not one that is in pieces.
What if he is wrong about "needing new carbs" ??

After looking at the pictures, I think HE should sell it to somebody else for parts.........and YOU should look for another bike that is running.

He took it apart to clean it up. He said there was gas sitting in them and they need replacing.


sent from my EVO 3D

[Easy Rider]

He said there was gas sitting in them and they need replacing.

Just like the other parts of the bike, carbs can be cleaned.......often without even taking them off the bike.

AND there is no reason to take a bike apart that far just to "clean it up".

Somehow I get the feeling that you put more stock in what "he" said than what I am trying to tell you.......so I quit.

Read my last post again.

I still think that you are in for a lot of frustration and disappointment, but it appears that you are gonna have to learn that for yourself.

I think you got a good screwing when he sold it to you and you just haven't figured that out yet. You will soon enough.

[ms5490renegade]

Just like the other parts of the bike, carbs can be cleaned.......often without even taking them off the bike.

AND there is no reason to take a bike apart that far just to "clean it up".

Somehow I get the feeling that you put more stock in what "he" said than what I am trying to tell you.......so I quit.

Read my last post again.

I still think that you are in for a lot of frustration and disappointment, but it appears that you are gonna have to learn that for yourself.

I think you got a good screwing when he sold it to you and you just haven't figured that out yet. You will soon enough.

I haven't bought it yet. I'm just asking questions. I want you to tell me the god honest truth. I'll get pictures and inspect the %%%% out of the bike

sent from my EVO 3D

[ms5490renegade]

Thanks for you input tho. I do appreciate it

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[slozomby]

i take it this friend is willing to help reassemble/repair the bike w/ you?

there are a couple of carb sets on ebay around $150-200 depending on year.

[ms5490renegade]

i take it this friend is willing to help reassemble/repair the bike w/ you?

there are a couple of carb sets on ebay around $150-200 depending on year.

He offered but he's in Cincy and I'm in indy. I have a few friends that ride that are eager to help. I like a project too

Um I just talked to him and he said it was idling rough. It needed new floats. He took it out today for 2 hours no issue. I'm excited to begin my riding





sent from my EVO 3D

[DrBob]

Man, I wish I had a dollar for every time someone posted about a 'great bike' they got a 'great deal' on a non-running bike that the seller swears 'only has a minor problem' and 'only took apart to clean or paint it'.' The story is always the same, and it never ends well.

Ask yourself some simple, common sense questions. Why would someone take a perfectly good motorcycle apart just to clean it? If there was nothing wrong with it, why do they not want to simply bolt it back together and ride it? Or bolt it back together and sell it for 5-10 times as much money? How do you know all the parts are there? And the hardware? Do you even know how to put a bike together? Let alone what bolt goes where on this particular bike? And why one Earth would he want you to buy new carbs simply because the old ones are dirty from having gas in them? This is one of the most common problems with a motorcycle, and the answer is not $200 for new carbs, it is $7 for some carb cleaner and MAYBE $20 for a rebuild kit. If he has never heard of a simple thing like carb cleaner, what makes you think he took the darn thing apart correctly and has ANY idea what is wrong with the bike?

Do yourself a HUGE favor, and run away. Or tell him to bolt the bike back together, get it running, and then buy it for a fair price based on how well it performs on a test ride.

[ms5490renegade]

Man, I wish I had a dollar for every time someone posted about a 'great bike' they got a 'great deal' on a non-running bike that the seller swears 'only has a minor problem' and 'only took apart to clean or paint it'.' The story is always the same, and it never ends well.

Ask yourself some simple, common sense questions. Why would someone take a perfectly good motorcycle apart just to clean it? If there was nothing wrong with it, why do they not want to simply bolt it back together and ride it? Or bolt it back together and sell it for 5-10 times as much money? How do you know all the parts are there? And the hardware? Do you even know how to put a bike together? Let alone what bolt goes where on this particular bike? And why one Earth would he want you to buy new carbs simply because the old ones are dirty from having gas in them? This is one of the most common problems with a motorcycle, and the answer is not $200 for new carbs, it is $7 for some carb cleaner and MAYBE $20 for a rebuild kit. If he has never heard of a simple thing like carb cleaner, what makes you think he took the darn thing apart correctly and has ANY idea what is wrong with the bike?

Do yourself a HUGE favor, and run away. Or tell him to bolt the bike back together, get it running, and then buy it for a fair price based on how well it performs on a test ride.

I asked him to strip of down and clean it. He thought the carbs were bad because it was stored with gas in them. I've been talking him down from 1000 for a few months now. I appreciate the concern but i am going to run with this. This is one of my closest friends, jeep friends. He wouldn't screw me over

sent from my EVO 3D

[Easy Rider]

I This is one of my closest friends, jeep friends. He wouldn't screw me over

None are so blind as those who WILL not see.

If you are not going to take our advice (just the two of us have combined experience of about 80 years), why did you come here and ask in the first place ??

And why is this story not consistant ?? Just a few days ago, the bike was in pieces with the carbs off.........and now it is running but a little rough.

Maybe the advice would have been a bit different if you had told us the REAL current status.
Your friend is not worth much as a mechanic. An engine that is running but a little rough probably needs plugs and some carb cleaner. Likely that the floats have nothing to do with it.

But I'm not big on wasting my breath, so I'm done.
Good luck.

[Apertureguy]

You can easily buy a running bike for that amount right now.

[ms5490renegade]

You can easily buy a running bike for that amount right now.

I asked where I could buy carbs. I didn't ask for advice or criticism but ill accept keep them in mind.
I'm not spending a grand on something not running. I'm way below $500 in on this so I'm not worried. Worst case, I buy it and part it out. I will take all of your advice and will ride it before I buy it

sent from my EVO 3D

[BobtheElder]

In my humble opinion, below $500 is a pretty good deal. Even if the bike isn't running it's hard to go wrong.

As far as bikes go, I and others I know have taken bikes apart to blast and PC or paint the frame and parts, do engine case polishing etc... and such. Not that unusual for someone who's into that stuff.
Keep in mind that even if you buy replacement carbs they will probably need rebuilt. Look for a rebuild kit and get someone who knows bikes to help you or show you how to do it on the carbs you have.

By the way, if the bike runs and rides I'd do the rebuild over the winter when you can't ride it much anyway...