is this a good idea [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

adamh

2nd October 2007, 13:42

hey guys i just got a gpz500 offered to me for $200 and im told that all it needs in new radiator(spelling) and has a crack in the exhaust and bearings in the bars. it also needs warrent and rego.

just want ur guys opinion if i should try fix it up as i have been told it will only cost a couple of hundy to fix but around $1000 all up including new rego and w.o.f.

thanks in advance

edit: radiator lol

idleidolidyll

2nd October 2007, 13:45

the old GPZ was a good bike but by the sounds of it I'd be looking deeper for more problems. You might be biting off a bucket load of problems.

however, if you really can have it in good running order for $1000 all up, go for it

Crisis management

2nd October 2007, 13:48

Do you believe the seller????

In my experience everything costs 3 times what you expect so plan on spending lots more......if you want to go ahead with this get it inspected at a bike shop (you pay for this service) and decide after that.

adamh

2nd October 2007, 13:51

well the seller is my brothers flatm8 and friend also kiwifruit knows him and probably more about the bike than i. but kiwifruit even said around 1k to get it going and to get an exemtion on my licence to ride it lol.

adamh

2nd October 2007, 13:53

and i know a bike mechanic personally and am sure he will check it for free.......maybe

Colapop

2nd October 2007, 13:54

El Fruito told you to get it? Have you had it into a shop for an appraisal?

idleidolidyll

2nd October 2007, 13:56

and i know a bike mechanic personally and am sure he will check it for free.......maybe

do that first.

as an ex service bloke in a bike shop i could tell you lots of stories about runaway costs fixing up old crap.

Pwalo

2nd October 2007, 13:56

There's nothing wrong with a good GPZ, but as has been said if you're not sure what condition it's really in get it checked by a mechanic.

Just remember you'll probably need to have a look at a few things. Carbs (if it's been sitting around for a while), tyres, chain and sprockets, clutch and throttle cables, steering head and wheel bearings, cooling hoses. The usual stuff on any used bike, but especially one that's being offered at such a low price.

Look it could be a real bargain, but restoring bikes is not cheap. Have a look at the thing and make a list of what needs to be done, and get some costs together.

adamh

2nd October 2007, 14:00

its got BRAND NEW tyres on it and yea ill need it checked because he binned on it i beleive and put a hole in radiator and crack in exhaust. mr fruit was gonna buy it but was offered it at a higher price lol i think he just wants to get rid of it.

Crisis management

2nd October 2007, 14:02

My concern (for you) is that I suspect you don't know much about the mechanics of motorcycles, it's the "bearings in the bars" needing replacing that sort of gives this away.
An old bike like this is guaranteed to have a gazillion things wrong with it, which is ok if you can fix them but not so ok if you don't have those skills, so I'm suggesting that a "profesional" opinion might be of some use eg. mechanic.

Don't use your friends for this opinion, get someone independant and save yourself the agony of pissing off your mates complaining about the "assistance" they gave you.

Treat this as any other purchase, check it out properly and make up your own mind.

xwhatsit

2nd October 2007, 14:04

adamh

2nd October 2007, 14:06

El Fruito told you to get it? Have you had it into a shop for an appraisal?

havnt had it in a shop yet as i only saw it last friday at my brothers party. would take it in but dunno if seller would mind or not

adamh

2nd October 2007, 14:09

I wouldn't bank on getting the exemption, it's not a given that you'll get it.

That said, if you're in Taupo you could probably get away with no exemption ^_^

Is it deregistered? Or has the rego/WoF just lapsed -- if so, find out how long the rego has lapsed for, because you're liable to pay the inbetween bits (continuous registration drama, or something), aren't you?

lol wat are u saying about taupo?? lol

it was deregistered i think about 2 months ago and wof has lapsed.

i may get an exemption if i sit on a small 150 and 250 and take a photo at an angle that make me look tall as kiwifruit said cause im 15 and 6'1 or 6'2 cant remember :P

xwhatsit

2nd October 2007, 14:31

lol wat are u saying about taupo?? lol

it was deregistered i think about 2 months ago and wof has lapsed.

i may get an exemption if i sit on a small 150 and 250 and take a photo at an angle that make me look tall as kiwifruit said cause im 15 and 6'1 or 6'2 cant remember :P

Hahaha -- Taupo, wild, lawless town ;)

Ah, it was deregistered. I'm not sure, but I think you have to get a CoF. They do a much nastier and thorough check than just a normal WoF. I think many bikes on this forum would fail such a check, even if they get through WoF no problem. I'm sure somebody can advise you better with this.

Yep, I still wouldn't count on the exemption. Restricted or Learners? Also -- importantly -- do you have a car license? Because if you do, your chances are quite low. That said, you just said you were 15 so maybe not.

I wouldn't call it a good idea, but my opinion's not worth that much.

breakaway

2nd October 2007, 14:33

What the fuck? $200 and you have to ask? Buy it.

Get the appropriate chceks done though (money owing, rego lapsed, etc)

I don't get why when anyone comes up on a killer deal (Saw some dude get a hold of a FZR for hardly any money (<$500)) recently, and I can't beleive he had to ask.

Just buy it, if it turns out that it's fucked, sell it, for parts, you'll get more than $200 for the rims / discs alone.

adamh

2nd October 2007, 14:35

Hahaha -- Taupo, wild, lawless town ;)

Ah, it was deregistered. I'm not sure, but I think you have to get a CoF. They do a much nastier and thorough check than just a normal WoF. I think many bikes on this forum would fail such a check, even if they get through WoF no problem. I'm sure somebody can advise you better with this.

Yep, I still wouldn't count on the exemption. Restricted or Learners? Also -- importantly -- do you have a car license? Because if you do, your chances are quite low. That said, you just said you were 15 so maybe not.

I wouldn't call it a good idea, but my opinion's not worth that much.

only on learners and i was thinking myself that i probably wouldnt get it. i get learners car licence aswell.

also if i get it all rite and ready to blast off how much do u think it would be worth? 60000 ks i think not sure tho.
wat about it i get it going but no wof or rego?

adamh

2nd October 2007, 14:37

breakaway

2nd October 2007, 14:46

Yes. Now quit dicking around and go buy it already

adamh

2nd October 2007, 14:50

Yes. Now quit dicking around and go buy it already

lol when i get payed tomorrow maybe...

MSTRS

2nd October 2007, 15:15

Hahaha -- Taupo, wild, lawless town ;)

Ah, it was deregistered. I'm not sure, but I think you have to get a CoF. They do a much nastier and thorough check than just a normal WoF. I think many bikes on this forum would fail such a check, even if they get through WoF no problem. I'm sure somebody can advise you better with this.

Yep, I still wouldn't count on the exemption. Restricted or Learners? Also -- importantly -- do you have a car license? Because if you do, your chances are quite low. That said, you just said you were 15 so maybe not.

I wouldn't call it a good idea, but my opinion's not worth that much.

CoF is for trucks and buses (and maybe taxis). If a vehicle is out of the system (never been regd, lapsed, dereg) to put back on the road it needs to be (re)vinned (a super-wof check). For a bike this is about $200 plus a period of registration.
Unlikely to get an exemption on a learner licence, esp at 15.
As for eventual value, what year is it? A mid-90s GPz 500 or equivalent is worth around 2500-2800, assuming it is in good road-going condition.

adamh

2nd October 2007, 15:20

CoF is for trucks and buses (and maybe taxis). If a vehicle is out of the system (never been regd, lapsed, dereg) to put back on the road it needs to be (re)vinned (a super-wof check). For a bike this is about $200 plus a period of registration.
Unlikely to get an exemption on a learner licence, esp at 15.
As for eventual value, what year is it? A mid-90s GPz 500 or equivalent is worth around 2500-2800, assuming it is in good road-going condition.

not sure on year.
it looks in good condition kind of i couldnt see whole bike as it was in a garage covered by god knows what and all i could see was the left side and top of it.

MSTRS

2nd October 2007, 15:23

I think this guy paid a little much....value probably closer to $1500/1600
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-115059830.htm

MSTRS

2nd October 2007, 15:25

And then the buyer tries this...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-119944202.htm
HA!!!

adamh

2nd October 2007, 15:44

And then the buyer tries this...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-119944202.htm
HA!!!

haha thats halirious lol but the 1 i can get i beleive is 500r
saw one on youtube.

MSTRS

2nd October 2007, 15:53

haha thats halirious lol but the 1 i can get i beleive is 500r
saw one on youtube.

S or R....very different beasts. Found this thru google...

However, things can get VERY complicated. The GPZ500S/400S are two cylinder water cooled engines and are coded EX500/400. The GPZ500R is a four cylinder water cooled engine and is coded ZX500, but the GPz400 is a four cylinder air cooled engine and is coded ZX400.

klingon

2nd October 2007, 16:21

I think this guy paid a little much....value probably closer to $1500/1600
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-115059830.htm

And then the buyer tries this...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-119944202.htm
HA!!!

The cheeky sod has even copied and pasted the original seller's words and used his photos! :laugh:

adamh

2nd October 2007, 16:24

S or R....very different beasts. Found this thru google...

However, things can get VERY complicated. The GPZ500S/400S are two cylinder water cooled engines and are coded EX500/400. The GPZ500R is a four cylinder water cooled engine and is coded ZX500, but the GPz400 is a four cylinder air cooled engine and is coded ZX400.

wow i didnt know the 500r was the zx500!! thanks for that but doesnt help with the whole should i get this bike thing lol. but thanks anyways

adamh

4th October 2007, 01:23

wat does every1 else think? lol

BMW

4th October 2007, 05:53

most bikes that are done up are a labour of love.

So if you want a project go for it. But the parts alone are worth more than $200!

Matt_TG

11th October 2007, 19:51

Just buy it mate. I love my GPZ750R.

Here's a page of Kawasaki model numbers (https://www.z-power.co.uk/merchantmanager/view_information.php?pId=22), helpful when Googling for info.

adamh

11th October 2007, 21:00

Just buy it mate. I love my GPZ750R.

But the 500 may be a lil differnt and well if i fix it all up it doesnt seem as tho anybody would buy it looking at the one on TM.

Plus I would have to sell my scooter to pay for it and if I cannot sell it I would be stuk with a bike i cannot ride and no transport until I do.

FROSTY

13th October 2007, 19:26

Short version--Theres a shit load better bang for buck out there than the 1000 that bike "might" owe ya at a conservative estimate.
Long Version.
Pay the two Hundy.
Sell the bike as parts. Use the money you make to get a bike you can LEGALLY ride on your learners licence.
Jorja only paid $1400 for her lil 2005 suzuki 125.