'92 reg gpz500

[ocatoro]

potentially off to see a 1992 gpz500 tonight...

what should I be particular about? it'll be my first bigger bike.

I know the brakes are obviously much weaker on the older ones and the drum on the rear... but beggars can't be choosers.

I have read a while ago, something about the older ones destroying their engines in spectacular and expensive fashion... is that common? are there any early warnings?

this one does look in nice condition from the pictures, and it's cheap.. but obviously if it needs lots of work, I'm going to miss "summer", so I don't want it.

what say ye?
____________________
CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Shinigami]

any pics? link to for sale ad?
____________________
Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[ocatoro]

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDMxWDU3MQ==/$T2eC16J,!)0E9s37FbPbBRqdV2rTGg~~48_80.JPG

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDMyWDUxMg==/$(KGrHqJ,!lgFGjgt1YoEBRqdVulyhg~~48_80.JPG

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDM1WDU3NQ==/$(KGrHqVHJBsFC18!)6-iBRqdV-P0jg~~48_80.JPG
____________________
CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Scotsman37]

Check for when the last time the engine was taken apart to inspect the circlips because when the bike reaches about 40,000 miles or so they have a tendency to fail and allow the gear cogs to move from bikes built by Kawasaki in those early years of 90s! It has happened to me with ZR550 and I know of others it also happened to when their Kawasaki bikes reached about 40,000 miles. If the engine has been inspected recently for metal fatigue + wear tear of engine parts and the parts were replaced then you should be ok otherwise stay clear of it!

[Rogerborg]

I find mine an absolute joy to ride and you should have no problems getting used to one quickly. I mean, literally by the end of the road I was fine with it.

However, mine's a decade newer. That one's the old model and it's getting to the mileage where things start to go a bit unfortunate. Have a read of this thread. It would have to be much cheapness, many bargains.

It's also still on dual exhausts rather than a single (lighter) stainless system. Pay careful attention to the bottom of the end cans where they meet the pipes, and see if the downpipes that are on it have a daft link pipe between them, placed right under the bike and in a prime location to pick up all the road crud.

Even with the dual front and a rear disk on my late model, the brakes aren't all that - you'll want to keep that single caliper in tip top condition.

The stock mirrors are wurfress, by the way. You can dick around trying all sort of alternatives, or you can chop them in half, drill and tap, and drop in some threaded rod to make them as long as you like. Body filler, Hammerite, job's a good 'un.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[ocatoro]

cheers folks, i think i might give this one a pass, i missed out yesterday on a cheaper one on a 99 reg because i had to work. it's not cheap enough for me to risk these things, and like you say, mileage is coming time for things to begin going, most likely why it's for sale to begin with.
____________________
CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Rogerborg]

I think that's probably the right decision, especially if the seller has convinced themselves that they're sitting on something valuable.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stinkwheel]

The drum rear brake is better than the disc. Other than the very late twin disc models, the front brake is identical but a mirror image between the 1st and 2nd generation ones.

I've had both and the 1st generation one definately seemed pokier. I also preferred the 16" wheels. Others would disagree.

Also bear in mind that the 1st generation ones are over 20 years old now. Even if kept in pristine condition with low mileage, many of the rubber and plastic parts like radiator hoses, brake lines, airbox rubbers etc. are going to start letting go and will need replacing.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[cg125erinit]

+1 on the rear brake drum. they can be machined true but often a new wheel is a must for mot pass if its shot.

also the rear shock will be well past its best. fork seals tend to go on these too so check for weepage.

agree with stink re: wheels and perishable items.

gpz's were good bikes but they are not a good first bike imho. get something made this century. I spent hundreds of hours on mine and a lot of money I could have just as easily spent on a decent modern bike.

spend 1.5-2-3k on a decent low mileage used modern machine. sv650's are practically free on ebay these days. 1500 would get you a great efi model with bugger all miles.

20 year old bikes are just not worth the hassle anymore. at least until you get all weepy, saggy and nostalgic and have learned a lot of hard and expensive lessons. oh and have a lot of nice shiny tools and consider an older bike a gibbs-style basement labour of love.