Taking on a first project bike, thoughts and advice plz

[AN GOF.]

ive had my eye on a bike thats been parked outside some flats for at least a couple of years. Pinned a note to it about 6 months ago and have just got in touch with the owner.
He has the V5 and i can have the bike for £80, it was running when left 2 years ago but had run out of MOT and the owner is a laug haul fisherman so he didnt bother doing anything about it and its just sat there.
It has been sat in the full face of the atlantic ocean for those 2 years as you can see in the final photo which is taken where the bike stands.
No money has changed hands yet so id like some thoughts on if its worth taking on etc.
All i know is that its got Suzuki on the seat. I realy want a good project to get my teeth into but have limited mech knowledge atm ( hence the reason to try and take on a project to greatly increase my knowledge and skills). I have been servicing my current 600cc bike and have done lots of work on old minis in my youth but have never takin on engine removal and rebuild etc

https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa124/angof/project%20bike/PIC0002Small.jpg

https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa124/angof/project%20bike/number.jpg

https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa124/angof/project%20bike/PIC0005Small.jpg

https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa124/angof/project%20bike/PIC0006Small.jpg

https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa124/angof/project%20bike/PIC0007Small.jpg

https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa124/angof/project%20bike/PIC0008Small.jpg

https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa124/angof/project%20bike/PIC0009Small.jpg

[400bandit]

It looks like a GS550 to me? I may be wrong on that though. As far as projects go I'm not to sure about this one first project or not. If it is a GS550 they are supposed to be a rock solid engine, I believe that what nath on this forum has one, and he did a 20,000 mile trip round europe on it
However, it looks pretty damn corroded, I think there are better project out there for 80 quid. All that salt air will have ruined nuts and bolts making them a nightmare to get out. Calipers look beyond repair too. I would steer clear myself but I am no expert, far from it. Projects are fun though so good luck what ever you choose to do

Joe
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[Jockey]

Certainly looks like a 550 suzi,(modded) although all is not lost, ask him to give it a good home and give it to you, otherwise you will indeed have a real challenge on your hands due to everything the sea air has done to it, it could possibly be used as spares, maybe only just, it`s your decision, have a go and think very carefully about this one!! -Jockey.
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Current bike VFR 400 R NC30, others now gone.

[J.K.R]

As said the salts pretty much killed it. Bolts/Screws will be shearing and chewing heads up left, Right and centre.

Sorry to put a damper on the project like, Not worth £80 IMO. Theres not much that isnt going to need to be replaced or seriously refurbished

Would gather a bit more cash and wait for something thats not been outside like that, Would say stick with the old suzuki's though
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www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

[virus]

you will be lucky if the wheels arent dead, now worth 80 in that situation,

Btw nath has a honda cb550/4.


Cheers
John
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[400bandit]

My bad, sweet bike though!
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[AN GOF.]

Thanks for the solid advice ppl I will give it a miss and buy another 70/80`s GS550 and rat it up

[Endless Nameless]

It's a GS550L as far as I can tell, and it's also fucked as far as I can tell. The engines are supposedly indestructible though!

Please don't "rat up" a tidy/ original GS550 though, decent original ones are getting harder to find now. By all means buy a tatty one and rat that though- that's something I quite fancy doing myself.

I'm a big fan of these bikes, so make sure you keep us (me!) posted.

Of course if you can get the bike pictured for a case of beer or something it might be worth it for spares- you could use most the bits on it without any further modification on a rat project, it comes pre- ratted!
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A2 passed 22/07/08; restriction up 22/07/10 (just so I don't forget)
'79 Suzuki GS550E. Yes, that's a GS550, not a GS500.
Supersports "In a video editing competition I'd kick your sorry ass"

[sunnydevon-2008]

i live right next to the sea and i had an old cb 250 to do up but never got round to it and that was still fine after it had been stood for 3 years.most of it was just bad surface rust

[ms51ves3]

I'd try and knock him down to £50. Afterall if it does go tits up you won't have lost much money.