G/S to ST (ish) conversion

[ahutcheon]

Had a look at an '81 G/S converted to a road bike.

It's in nice mechanical condition, and most of the G/S bits are there (mudguards to replace the Harley ones, airbox less one snorkel, bars, but not a serviceable original exhaust).

Full marks to the owner for turning it into what he wanted, but I have no real use for a cool-looking fairly noisy road bike. Would be easy to go back to a non-standard G/S by fitting knobbly tyres and most of the spare bits. But it would still be a non-standard (but very well done) colour, and with mudguards that didn't match.

Are original (or other suitable) G/S exhausts expensive/unobtainable these days?

Is a non-standard (presumably less valuable) G/S a practical bike for road riding and beyond, or do the period brakes etc. mean that the real value is in something closer to how it left the factory?

 

[Kenny]

Firstly, put the 'valuable' blinkers aside......these bikes are for enjoying.

It is 'nicely' modded...but yes, they make great road bikes ( I actually like them tinkered with rather than boring over-priced investment types etc ). As he has owned it for 24 years then should be in excellant condition. I'd ride it and see if you want to change anything for a while.

 

[cookie]

Are original (or other suitable) G/S exhausts expensive/unobtainable these days?

the original g/s silencer is NLA,. but the ST chrome version is still available at a price that i forget, but ISTR it is c.£550 dunno about the collector box.

kiehin make a stainless exhaust, but i've not seen one that fits properly.

 

[flatdog]

Whats that in GBP....@ 1K, certainly looks well worth it. I would.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Looks like a bargain at that price.

You could buy a moorespeed system for around the same price as a Keihin but you would need to fit the entire system and make a mounting bracket for the silencer

 

[Beemerboff]

It is at $2800- , reserve not met.

To get it back to a G/S with proper mudguards, fork brace, handlebars bars, crash bars and side stand, exhaust, side covers, air cleaner set up, paint, transfers, tires, carrier, pannier fames , correct seat, etc, etc, will cost more than that again that again, just based on the ticket price of the main items.

So if the reserve is $3000- you probably wont have an authentic G/S for less than $7,000- even with a bit luck on German Ebay.

That is probably a good to fair price here in Oz, but I dont know much about Unzud prices.

Forget about the Ebay ones that are bid to $16,500- but dont reach reserve, they usually change hands for less than $6,000- and the actual Ebay bike that was bid to $16,500 changed hands privately for $6,200-.