1980 Suzuki GS

gs110x700960xxxxx

Note to bidders: If you have feedback lower than 10 you must email me prior to bidding to review my terms and conditions. Note to scammers: Don’t even think about it. Practice your English on somebody else and I don’t care if your uncle is the Sultan of Brunei and you’re on a ship and can’t do Paypal. I take only wire transfers and Paypal for international transactions, I don’t take payments for bundled shipping, none of those scam-specific things. Got it?Note to International Bidders: I will assist in shipping at your expense to just about anywhere in the world. Remember that ocean shipping requires a crate but air shipping may only require a pallet. Also note that this bike is over 30 yrs old so may qualify for import to many countries (Israel for example) at reduced tax rates. This Auction: Rarest E-engined bike—only made for the 1980 model year in the L chassis At a quick glance, this bike looks like the more common GS1100 GL bike of the early 80’s but then you see the 16-valve motor and the chain drive and realize this is a different animal. This bike is completely stock in appearance, just as it came from the factory with only the minor changes mentioned below to improve cold starting, reliability, performance and safety. The E’s were ahead of their time in the early 80’s and aren’t out of place on the highway or back roads still today. This particular E was owned by a minister in Cleveland who had a garage full of bikes so none got too many miles and the storage conditions were exceptional judging from the cleanliness and nearly complete lack of corrosion. Based on our evaluation of typical wear points, we believe the 5k miles on the clock is accurate. The engine and transmission are tight and smooth and the bike has none of the noises or rattles common to E bikes if they have not been ridden and maintained carefully. This bike starts right up from cold and idles steadily till warmed up, pulls out smoothly, brakes are quiet and progressive. Suspension works as new. All lights, gages, switches work as new including horn, signals, gear position indicator, gage lights. Riding experience is pure time warp. Body work is in remarkable condition, nearly nick free, perfect tabs on the side covers, tank and frame paint shows lovely. Wiring, under tank and behind side covers is clean and tidy with factory tie downs and rubber boots are in excellent condition and correctly positioned. Updates and reconditioning done on this bike included: · Brake system clean out, rear master cylinder and caliper overhaul · New Dunlop tires (and tubes)--note tires were fitted after pics were taken so ignore appearance of tires in photos · Carb overhaul, jet adjustment, synchronization on the bike, #1 and #4 tops and float bowls were polished as they were by the factory · Fork seals replaced, fork oil upgraded to 20 wt based on experience in this climate · Engine alloy covers removed, polished, gaskets replaced (see photo illustrating polished bits) · Handlebar switches checked, cleaned · Battery replaced, tender pigtail installed · Oil and filter changed, Castrol 10-40 · Chain lubed and adjusted (original 630 O-ring chain in very good condition) · Charging system tune up: all connectors replaced and shrink-wrapped to prevent deterioration · Tank flushed of old fuel, inspected (completely rust free) · Original owner’s manual, supplemental manual for L model and Suzuki Riding Tips manuals included · Clear OH title from original owner notarized and ready for immediate transfer Flaws and Issues No significant cosmetic issues to note other than expected light scratching or tiny paint blems. The exhaust system is beautiful but not perfect with a few small pits evident on close inspection; all exhaust hardware is original, though and shows very nice. There are no mechanical, electrical or functional issues. The bike performs and looks substantially as it did when it left the showroom in 1980. No leaks, no rattles. About the Seller Although I am not a dealer, I do make a living as “Akron Suzuki Works” repairing, restoring and selling vintage Suzuki’s. I’m a mechanical engineer with 35 yrs of hands-on tuning, modifying, racing, touring and rebuilding experience with Japanese and European bikes. About half of my work is GS restorations for clients (see some pics included to get an idea what we do). One of my project bikes last year was featured on the GSResources bike of the month page; http://thegsresources.com/halloffame/2010/gs_photo_aug_2010.htm An included photo shows a typical parts order for a client project illustrating how thorough we are here in our renovation procedures. The last 2 photos are of '83 E's in current inventory. They will be priced the same as this auction bike. I’m not listing these bikes to get rid of them, I’m listing them to find buyers who appreciate what these bikes were in the day and are willing to pay reasonable money for what I work hard at: approximating as-new cosmetics and reliability. So while I don’t have anything against bottom feeders (hell, that’s how I get these things at a reasonable starting point)! This would probably be a good time for you guys to push on to another auction because we aren’t going to get too far. Further note on pricing: Last year a bidder told me that $5500 is “way too much” for a spectacular, low-mile E I had advertised. The bike had undergone a painstaking refurbishment including brake cylinders, front and rear suspension upgrades, Michelin tires and tubes, charging system replacement and rewiring, handle bar switch replacements, Xenon headlight upgrade and on and on. The project took $2500 in Suzuki OE and primo aftermarket parts plus over 50 hrs of shop time going over every connector, switch and adjustments on the bike. If you think $5500 is ‘way too much’ for a historic bike in exceptional condition then ASW bikes are not for you. Our buyers appreciate that it takes time, talent and treasure to coax a vintage bike into condition for a reasonably trouble-free second life. You are getting a completely sorted out bike with a lot of Suzuki expertise built into the deal. As with all of our bikes, this one is just coming out of climate controlled storage. Check with a few other sellers, even dealers, and ask if they drain fuel tanks, tend batteries and monitor the humidity in their storage areas? You’ll likely get a blank look normally reserved for someone who just asked for a no-smoking booth in a biker bar.For the Lawyers… As everybody knows by now, you are buying a 31 yr old vehicle here which is sold as-is where-is with no guarantees that it will do what you, I or anybody else expects it to do. I do guarantee that it has been described accurately and back that up by canceling a sale if you win the auction and come to pick up the bike and it does not meet your expectations based on my description. Man I wish I’d gotten a guarantee like this from about half the bike sellers I’ve dealt with on eBay over the years! Additional Notes about Akron Suzuki Works I have a 2-bay shop and a few part-time Suzuki nuts who love to put GS bikes in primo condition for your daily riding and viewing pleasure. I look for low miles examples of GS750, GS850 and GS1100 bikes and get them looking and running as close to new as possible. We have sent bikes and parts to Europe, Canada, South America and all over the US. Our most recent export was a Suzuki to France last December. I have several other very nice '83 GS1100E's (welded cranks, best cam grind of the series.) These bikes are ready to ride anywhere, clean titles, new batteries and tires, upgraded charging systems. You can see more pics on my photo server at http://suzuki-gs-bikes.smugmug.com/ After 60+ GS restorations in the past 6 years we have identified the weaknesses and common problems that these durable, well-designed machines suffered from. We go over each bike with these things in mind and make logical, professional repairs, upgrades and minor modifications to improve function and reliability. GS guys know I am referring to charging system problems, cold blooded starting, fuel system and carb problems and of course a long list of things that happen over time to any machine. We incorporate Suzuki factory service bulletins that have been issued over the years and we keep an eye out on the GSResources site and web forums for good ideas. We prefer genuine Suzuki OE parts where available including filters and gaskets because they tend to fit and last better than aftermarket parts. We select after market parts based on experience with what works best. We also take pride in making these bikes easy on the eyes. Whenever possible we leave the excellent quality factory paint alone. The alloy case covers, peg mounts and trim are usually giving up their clearcoat so we strip them and professionally polish them to a chrome-like finish. The photos show the cases and removable metal parts after cleaning and polishing, ready for re-installation. OE bits are still available as you can see from the photo of a recent order for a client bike.