Bike Deal??

Ok, First yea, I know its not a Kawi...please bear with me on that, just a general question...Thanks for Indulging me...
Howdy

Soooo a neighbor of my brother has an 82 Suzuki GN 400..4 stroke, think its a single cylinder,...not sure if its running or not, Havnt had a chance to go Look at it yet.... guy wants $150 for it and has a clear title, his parents bought it new for him years ago, seat has been recovered, tank and tins repainted..
i am wondering if its worth a gamble to "Bobber " it and resale it??
Of course it needs a battery at very least, maybe tires......is there any
room to make a buck on it?? I have no idea what kind of money these bikes bring and I am not Looking to add a bike this size to my garage. ??
'Thanks
Ed

If the bike is in decent cosmetic shape you may be able to pick up a few bucks if you get it running and make it reliable. Do some maintenance like clean out the carbs, clean out the brake system, new battery and tires, and any other basic work needed to make the bike a runner.

As for making it into a bobber, doesn't the world have enough of those POS bikes already? On a side note, I've often wondered what would happen if someone modded a bike, such as bobber guys do, and removed the shocks, lower forks, ect, and then the new owner crashed the beast because it handled like shit. Seems to me the guy that modified the bike and made it unsafe should be held liable.

In this state he would be. He's wind up owning YOUR bike.
Steve

Check those National coast to coast buyers, I never payed attention to the Suzukis. But one of the Guys from California that bought a couple of mine had GS 400 Suzukis (electric start only)? wanted. He gave me a flyer with bikes wanted about 3 yrs. ago.
That's all I recall Suz; 400 with electric start.
Check ebay for parts, see what's selling. Or just do a quick flip. Too many little bobbers out there already.
Good luck.

Nessism wrote: If the bike is in decent cosmetic shape you may be able to pick up a few bucks if you get it running and make it reliable. Do some maintenance like clean out the carbs, clean out the brake system, new battery and tires, and any other basic work needed to make the bike a runner.

As for making it into a bobber, doesn't the world have enough of those POS bikes already? On a side note, I've often wondered what would happen if someone modded a bike, such as bobber guys do, and removed the shocks, lower forks, ect, and then the new owner crashed the beast because it handled like shit. Seems to me the guy that modified the bike and made it unsafe should be held liable.

^ that

750Kruzer wrote:

Nessism wrote: If the bike is in decent cosmetic shape you may be able to pick up a few bucks if you get it running and make it reliable. Do some maintenance like clean out the carbs, clean out the brake system, new battery and tires, and any other basic work needed to make the bike a runner.

As for making it into a bobber, doesn't the world have enough of those POS bikes already? On a side note, I've often wondered what would happen if someone modded a bike, such as bobber guys do, and removed the shocks, lower forks, ect, and then the new owner crashed the beast because it handled like shit. Seems to me the guy that modified the bike and made it unsafe should be held liable.

^ that

I am not a huge fan of Bobbers, Although I have seen some that looked nice, Im just trying to see if the bike would sell better if it was made into one. I think it would cost a Lot to put it totally stock and looking good. The more I think about it, probably be a money pit anyway, think Ill pass on it.
Thanks For your input.
Ed

If it's there, can run and in decent shape a quick clean up shouldn't take anything.

Tires (if you wanna go that far) and a brake flush are really all thats usually needed, i CLEAN the carbs (no new parts 90% of the time, unless i need bowl gaskets) and give it a good wash/wax.

No harm in looking.
Steve

I was with you up until the bobber part. If it cleans up good, leave it stock you won't have issues selling it for a good bit because there will always be new riders or guys that want to get their old lady a small bike.

Bobbing it will probably hurt resale value as most people into bobbers would rather make their own.

Hell bobber's are cheap to unbuild all's you need is a hand full of cutoff wheels
and a few rattle cans of cheap flat black paint..

And it takes real skill, knowledge plus money to restore a bike.
Steve

Alright enough Chill out already!
Good Grief!
I dont own a bobber, never have, I was just floating an idea, didn't expect all the nasty comments!
I may be one of the oldest forum members on here, but at least I try and keep an open mind!

Relax People!
Ed