refreshing the stable?

[deathbug74]

so...not quite a 'testing the waters' post, but turning to the collective knowledge of BARF for opinions. we're considering moving on from the 500's (probably keep the 250 as a backup).

each has some issues, none terminal:

ex500 - left fork leaking. coolant leak, mostly likely water pump. clutch ball end broken off from a standing still drop in the driveway (rolling forward waiting on the garage to open). battery questionable. (if get the fork seal done, i might as well do cartridge emulators at the same time, no?)

(edit#1)it's a 2006, ~27k miles, and running well. chain and sprockets less than 500 mi ago. 1 drop, and one moving lowside (too much front brake); scraped the fairing, bar end and muffler, but no cracks; replaced stock pipes with slip ons, but still have the stockers. tires are good, somewhere around 1k miles

gs500 - gas tank rusty inside, most likely salvageable. looking at $300ish for gas tank resto, plus another $250ish for carb cleaning and sync. battery was replaced, but is questionable. chain is also questionable from sitting/age, but sprockets are good. replaced the tires when it came to us, and it's been stored inside since, so they should still be good. bodywork is practically immaculate.

(edit#2)this one is a 2005. came to us via her brother, who bought it new. he put ~560 miles on it, "went down" (don't have details), had the dealer put it back to 100%, and never got back to riding. she finally talked him out of it in 2013.


the conundrum is that both have some issues, which leads to the question: is it better to get them to tip top (running) shape before selling? sell as is? in the case of the GS, would it be better to part it?

thoughts? pros and cons? something i haven't thought of?

 

[HadesOmega]

I think if it is within your skills , free time, and toolset to fix the problems yourself you should do it yourself. Paying someone to do it is $$$$. Otherwise try to sell it as is.

 

[fubar929]

Running EX500s and GS500s are a dime a dozen. Who's going to want a non-running project/pile of junk? In November? If you want to get any money out of those bikes, you'd better get them running and reliable...

 

[davidji]

How much do you expect to get for them as is? How much if you fix them up? After parts cost how much more do you expect for them fixed up than as is? How much do you value your time?

Would you rather spend spare time getting your new bikes set up, or dealing with the old ones?

I doubt I'd fix the GS. Maybe the other one.

 

[Frame Maker]

I vote for option #5...

- Sell the GS500.
- Part out the EX500, but keep the engine, electrics and front fairing.
- buy AK-1 frame kit and install EX500 parts :thumbup
- enjoy owning and riding a very unique motorcycle that only a few people have... :ride

[/url]DSCN0081 by andbike, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Frame Maker]

option #5b...

- keep the GS500, use it as a donor bike to build something super cool for next year's Dirtbag Challenge.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Note that when parting out a bike, you still have to spend quite a bit of time with taking the parts off, photographing and advertising them, and sending them off to the buyers. Then you still have to deal with what's left.

If you part out one or both of them, set a goal for how much you want to make, then start dropping prices once you reach that goal, possibly offering the remains for super cheap, just to have it gone.

 

[Kawikiwi]

How does the motor look on the gs500? I’ve got one in my garage that I’ve been meaning to rebuild but haven’t had the time. If you’re looking to part out, I may be interested.

 

[russ69]

What year are those things and what's the mileage?

 

[deathbug74]

How does the motor look on the gs500? I’ve got one in my garage that I’ve been meaning to rebuild but haven’t had the time. If you’re looking to part out, I may be interested.

What year are those things and what's the mileage?

adding info to the original post shortly. short answer is the EX is a 2006, ~27k miles. the GS is a 2005, ~550 miles (no, not a typo). unsure on the actual state of the engine in the GS, but it's as clean as would be expected for the mileage and sitting. no reason to doubt it needing more than the efforts to revive after sitting, but it came to us dormant.

How much do you expect to get for them as is? How much if you fix them up? After parts cost how much more do you expect for them fixed up than as is? How much do you value your time?

Would you rather spend spare time getting your new bikes set up, or dealing with the old ones?

tools and skills-wise: can handle removing and reinstalling the forks. don't get along so well with carbs though. need more research on the water pump.

guessing on prices? as a guess, I'd think around 1500 as is for the EX, maybe 2k with the mechanical issues sorted. on the GS, i think 1000 would be doing well, maybe around the same parting it. thinking maybe a little over 2k would be doable running, given mileage/condition. don't know how realistic any of those are, though.

 

[Kawikiwi]

adding info to the original post shortly. short answer is the EX is a 2006, ~27k miles. the GS is a 2005, ~550 miles (no, not a typo). unsure on the actual state of the engine in the GS, but it's as clean as would be expected for the mileage and sitting. no reason to doubt it just needing some effort to revive after sitting, but it came to us dormant.

Can I come do a compression test? Does it turn over? (I’ve got a spare battery)

 

[deathbug74]

How much do you expect to get for them as is? How much if you fix them up? After parts cost how much more do you expect for them fixed up than as is? How much do you value your time?

Would you rather spend spare time getting your new bikes set up, or dealing with the old ones?

I doubt I'd fix the GS. Maybe the other one.

Can I come do a compression test? Does it turn over? (I’ve got a spare battery)

haven't deciding on parting quite yet, but i'll let you know if i do.

compression test is probably something i should so either way though. haven't tried turning it over either.

 

[Maddevill]

Without fixing those bikes you are missing out on the entire market if new riders looking for their first bike. They will not want to look at any with issues. All the problems sound rather minor. I'd fix them then sell.

 

[Slow Goat]

Sounds like the GS needs the least work, do the tank yourself.

Part out the EX or sell it as-is and use the $ for the carb work on the GS.

If you want to then sell the GS, wait until March and you’ll get more buyers and a higher price when Spring Riding Season hits. A 13yr Old bike with <1,000 miles and perfect bodywork should go fast then. The Used market is stacked right now, great for buyers not so great for sellers.

 

[Strigoi]

Note that when parting out a bike, you still have to spend quite a bit of time with taking the parts off, photographing and advertising them, and sending them off to the buyers. Then you still have to deal with what's left.

If you part out one or both of them, set a goal for how much you want to make, then start dropping prices once you reach that goal, possibly offering the remains for super cheap, just to have it gone.

Parting out a bike also takes up a lot of space. I had a garage full of a DRZ in pieces and was dealing with trying to sell the small stuff for months.

I bought DRZ400SM with a blown engine for $1600 (PO kept a bunch of parts). I kept the wheels and Leo Vince exhaust that were on it (reason I bought it) and still made well over $1000 on the deal. Money can be made parting out bikes. It's a pain in the ass to do though.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Parting out a bike also takes up a lot of space. I had a garage full of a DRZ in pieces and was dealing with trying to sell the small stuff for months.

When I parted out a Ducati Monster in 2003 it didn't take up any more space than the whole bike ever took. You must have been doing it wrong.

I bought the bike back from the insurance company for $700 and made about $2100 parting it. That was about the difference of what I thought it was worth and what the insurance company was willing to pay me for it.

 

[Frame Maker]

so...not quite a 'testing the waters' post, but turning to the collective knowledge of BARF for opinions...
thoughts? ...something i haven't thought of?

Did you see my other posts suggesting some alternative options for both bikes? Maybe those suggestions weren't of interest:dunno

Parting out a bike also takes up a lot of space. I had a garage full of a DRZ in pieces and was dealing with trying to sell the small stuff for months.

this ^^^

Speaking from first hand experience, there is a glut of used Ninja/EX500s for sale right now... and eBay is swamped with used 500 Ninja parts. Fairings, fairing stays, headlights, and gas tanks are selling for good money if undamaged, but there is a huge glut of everything else. Once you've sold off a few desirable body parts, the remaining parts can't be given away. I've had an EX500 rolling chassis on CL for the past month with zero replies. Not even the usual lowballers offering to take it for free.:rolleyes

 

[deathbug74]

Thank you everyone for the input...it's kind a push to get them rolling again.

 

[Sticka]

If you want to get rid of them, message me. I am local!