1100GS, 27000 miles, 'been stood for a while' - what to look for???

Dave T

Dave T

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Hi... first post on here in a long long time....

Used to have a 1200GS until an argument with a white van :mad: and have been GS free since. Bought a Yam XT660 as a bit of fun, but am looking for something for more long distance and more pillion friendly. There's an 1100GS on an N reg for sale in a dealers by mine, 27000 miles for £2k, but no more info than that at the mo apart from 'it's been stood for a bit'. Don't know about MOT or history. Was offered £2100 elsewhere for my XT so I think a swap for the GS would be about right. Going for a look at it on Wed...

Key question... what should I be looking out for on an 1100 GS? What breaks/falls off/costs serious money to fix?

Thanks in advice...:beerjug:
 
At that mileage not much , gearbox can be a weak point per 1997 otherwise bulletproof . If mine was not too cramped for a 6 foot 6 frame I would have kept it :beerjug:
 
Thats very low miles for its age, so should be okay.
If its stood a while battery may be shot?
 
battery will likely be dead
tyres may well have cracks in the sidewalls (MoT fail)
brake fluid will need changing.
alternator belt may well need changing if original
 
Take a good look

At the rubber brake hoses at that age they can break down internally and balloon
Easy job to fit braided hoses
 
My 850gs had stood for along time in a dealers before I bought it.
I purchased it with about 11000 miles on the clock.
Either it had the wrong brake fluid in the brake system, or the brake fluid had absorbed moisture, but within a short time the pistons in the ABS pump seized resulting in a replacement pump being fitted.
If you do go for a test ride it might be worth checking it works, (if fitted).
 
My 1100 ...

... had been stood; the water absorbed in the brake fluid corroded a neat channel in the bottom of the master cylinder. Cheap enough to fix but a bastard to find :nenau
 
My '95 1100GS had 20k miles and had not moved for five years when I got it - in addition to a complete 24k mile service here's what I've had to do so far:

Replace the plastic fuel tank with a steel tank.
Replace the original fuel filter, internal and external fuel lines.
Replace the battery.
Rebuild the front brake calipers and re-finish the discs - four of the eight pistons were seized.
Replace the front brake master cylinder which was too pitted internally to rebuild.
Replace all the old, swollen brake lines.
Replace the leaking head gaskets with the revised design head gaskets.
Replace the original cam chain tensioner with the new revised tensioner.
Replace the tires, which had very little tread left and were who-knows how old.

On principle, not necessity, I have replaced many of the deteriorated rubber parts and the spark plug wires as well.


The bike had lived all its life in northern California, which has a very mild climate, so it had very little corrosion. It was also serviced by a very reputable BMW dealer for its entire life (except for the last five years where it sat ignored inside a private garage under an official BMW cover...).

All the best with your decision.

Bob Johnson
 
Hhmmm...
Well, it was cosmetically tatty in places - small dent on tank, 'beak' needs re-painting and the whole thing needs a bloody good clean. No tax/MOT so couldn't ride and as suspected the battery was flat as can be so couldn't start it today.

Things of note:
Good points:
1. Suspension front and rear has been replaced at some point (well... the shocks weren't original so they must have been changed at somepoint :nenau and I guess this is a good thing)
2. BM panniers
3. H&B engine bars
3. Tyres look ok.
4. Heated grips
5. Only been stood since Jan.
6. Alarm

Less good points:
1. Clocks are in Kms so I guess it's an import (41k kms IIRC).
2. Apparently runs great, apart from at around 60mph where the engine is a bit rough. Change of lambda sensor and new throttle potentiometer haven't cured it. Dealer thinks there's possibly an air leak somewhere... :eek
3. It appears to be leaking oil from the driveshaft or final drive as there was 1-2ml (clean) oil pooled on the rear rim. Couldn't see where from though as it all appeared to be dry on the FD.
4. Bike has ABS which 'he thinks' is working fine.
5. Dent on exhaust header size of 50p, pushed in about 1cm

Will be sold 'as seen'.

Gave the impression of not being the best looked after example, but I guess for £2k...

Anyway, I don't think it's right for me as my spannering skills don't stretch to finding a mystery engine problem... Could be as simple as needing a decent service with all the clearances doing as it looks in need of TLC, but maybe not.
 
£1k max - I picked up a similar example, slightly better condition as mechanically sound but cosmetically challenged for £1k.

Tom
 
Thanks for the comments :beerjug:

My situation is I have a Yamaha that I need to part ex/sell if I'm to buy a GS, BUT...I can't afford to be without a bike for more than a week as it's my only transport - I can borrow a car for a week but not much more than that.

Budget wise, the XT is worth £2250 (had another part ex offer today) and I can probably sling say another £500 at a GS but not much more.

Anyone want a swap???? :augie
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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