23,000 miles, lovingly maintained by one owner for 25 years and looking and running almost exactly as it did when it was the King of the standards. 

To be right up front about the price, I am looking for the premium price that someone who knows and cares about this model will agree this particular example is worth.  Very, very few are in original, unrestored condition this good.  Here is one example that sold for $4,100 on eBay.  Mine is quite close – better if you want an 83 rather than an 82. 

“King” motorcycle when new, it still shows why today – beautiful style, comfortable seat and riding position, a willing motor.  I purchased it in like-new condition in June 1988, when my new-Dad caution was, after two years without motorcycles, overwhelmed by this beauty.  25 years later, this 83 GS still brings a smile to me and stunned disbelief from people when they learn it’s 30 years old. 

This bike has visited Americade in Lake George twice and pretty much knows the roads of central and western MA and northern CT and RI.  It has always been garaged, but it has certainly been caught in the rain “in the line of duty” on a few occasions – and lovingly cleaned thereafter. 

The pictures and videos will tell the story.  This is a non-restored, mostly-one-owner original in very good condition.  Departures from stock include:

•      Shocks (Progressive PS Magnums)
•     Higher, wider handlebar that’s less racy but more comfortable.  Nobody but a GS expert will know it’s not stock – but you’ll be more comfortable every minute you ride.
•       Mirrors with shorter stalks appropriate for that handlebar.
•       Steel-braid lines professionally installed in 1991, without a single problem since.
•      16/40 countershaft and rear sprockets.  Stock is 15/42.  60 mph is about 3,400 rpm instead of 3,800 in 5^th gear, and 3,800 rpm puts you at just about 70 mph.  2^nd and 3^rd gears are more usable around town, and 4^th on country roads.  After I made that change, I wished I had done it a decade earlier.  I’m betting Suzuki chose 15/42 to get quarter-mile bragging rights back in the day (it did).  But the 16/40 combo dramatically improved the GS for everyday riding.  This bike pulls smoothly from idle - the 83’s were the best of the GS1100E series for that – so the higher gearing is not an issue from a stop.  It’s just smoother and quieter at every speed when you’re moving.

Otherwise, this bike is stock.  It was stock when I bought it in June 1988, and I have not installed any non-stock parts, except the list above.  If your purchase is as a collector, this is an almost-one-owner, known-history, stock-in-all-significant-ways bike. 

I uploaded two videos to Youtube. 

This one shows and describes the bike.

This one shows and describes spare parts (virtually all are OEM) that come with the bike. 

One of the two videos shows that the original shocks, handlebar and brake and clutch hydraulic cables are included.  That video also shows a period-correct sissy bar with a padded backrest is also included, though the chrome mostly wore off, so it would have to be re-chromed or painted. 

The bike has a spare OEM seat.  The seat on the bike is perfect; the spare seat has a typical-for-this-model split in the front, which is why I replaced it with the one on the bike.  The bike also has TWO stock, original exhaust systems, and the spare is yours with the bike if you want it. 

The bike starts easily, is ready to ride a few seconds after starting cold, and runs well.  If you’re after this classic “King” model in great condition cosmetically and mechanically, I hope you will consider bidding. 

Payment terms are as follows.  Please do not bid if you do not agree.

1.     Within 2 business days of your winning the auction, you make a good-faith payment of $100 via Paypal.  That payment is not refundable.

2.     Within 8 more business days, a bank or US Post Office check arrives at my home for the entire balance.  I will not accept this payment via credit card of Paypal – too expensive – or by personal check.

3.     If I do not receive your good-faith payment within 2 business days, I will re-list the bike and leave negative feedback.  If I do not receive a bank or USPS check for the remaining balance (total winning bid less the good-faith payment) within 10 business days of your winning the auction, you forfeit your good-faith payment and I re-list the bike.

That all sounds quite draconian, even to me.  My defense for that is that these requirements come from my experience.  You have an easy solution if you are not able to meet these requirements or you think them unreasonable – don’t bid. 

That said, if you have ANY questions, including about payment, please feel free to email me, preferably before you bid.

I am also selling the bike locally.  If I am get above my reserve price locally and this auction has not yet gone over my reserve price, I will end the auction. 

Common questions & answers

·      How much is your reserve?  The minimum amount that will allow me to not cry when this motorcycle leaves my driveway belonging to someone else.

·      Is this licensed and ready to ride?  Yes.  This bike has been licensed and ridden every year since I purchased it in 1988 except for two.

·      Can I get a test ride?  No.  If you want to see the bike in person, email me.  After we talk, if we agree that your visit is the next step, we’ll set up a visit time for you to see the bike.  We’ll start it, and if you wish I’ll ride it within your view to demonstrate function in a parking lot or with you following me with a vehicle.  But no test rides.

·      Ever been crashed?  No.  This has a normal title in my wife’s name in Massachusetts.  (Yes, my wife approves of the sale.)

·      Ever had any crankshaft work?  I was asked that question about 5 years ago in a discussion about Suzuki GS’s.  (Ride this bike to any motorcycle gathering and you’ll understand; people will look at your bike and you will get questions.)  Apparently, GS1100’s ridden hard would sometimes twist their crankshafts, increasing vibration at the minimum, and doing Really Bad Things at worst.  The fix was to true and weld the crank.  My Web research showed that Suzuki corrected the problem during the 1982 model year by changing from a pressed-together crank to a welded crank. 1983 models have welded cranks and never had the twisting problem.  This particular bike has been ridden responsibly, never raced.

·      Lots of GS1100E’s have had after-market speed parts added, even those not raced.  Did you change anything?  No.  This bike was totally stock when I rode it from the dealer in June 1988, I have owned it since, and I have made no changes.  Clutch plates were replaced about 10 years ago – with Suzuki OEM parts installed by a professional mechanic.

·      What things are broken, missing, dented, chipped, and so on?  1.  Heat guard on the right exhaust had a tab break and so I removed it; despite that, neither I nor my passengers have ever had any problem with a hot exhaust.  2.  Battery low-voltage light stays on because I chose to not spend the extra money for a sensor when replacing the battery.  3.  Two hairline cracks starting in the right side cover; they are hard to spot, but one of the videos shows them.  4.  The oil temp gauge dial indicator wavers back and forth sometimes; no impact – the bike has never had an overheating problem.  5. Small chip in the paint in the right front of the gas tank; I point it out a photo and a video.  6.  Two mounting tabs broke on the left side panel; a video explains the repair.

·      How many owners?  Two.  The original owner bought it new and traded it in 5 years later at Montgomeryville Cycle Center (now in Hatfield, PA).  I bought it there in June 1988.  It looked absolutely brand new.

·      Are you including the original owners manual and tools?  Yes.  I am also including a Suzuki Service Manual – from Suzuki, not an after-market book.

·      Will you sell to a buyer outside the USA?  Yes, but I have no experience with Customs, licensing, and so forth; a buyer would have to arrange and pay for all fees, shipping, etc.  I will make myself available to your freight-service’s pickup, or will ride the motorcycle to your shipper’s depot for gas money if it’s 50 miles or less away from me.

·      Will you deliver?  No.  Please see the next question.

·      Could I come get the bike and ride it home?  Yes.  Were I about to take a trip of more than 100 miles, I would change the oil and filter (I’m including a new filter with the bike), check and if necessary lubricate and adjust the chain, and check the tire pressure.  That’s all I think needs doing.  That said, if you’re planning a 1,000-mile ride home, keep in mind this motorcycle is 30 years old and plan accordingly.  You would also have to bring your license plate and registration for the motorcycle to ride it away – which means it would have to be yours before you came to pick it up, and thus means you would have to pay for the bike before coming to pick it up so you could use my title and get your own.

·      Where is the bike?  South-eastern Massachusetts.  West of Boston and north of Providence, Rhode Island.

·      Can you store it for me while I get my title, registration and license plate?  Yes, for up to four weeks, in my home’s garage, covered with a bike cover (not included with the bike, sorry).  No charge – but if my garage were to burn down, your bike isn’t insured unless you got your own insurance.

Added 9/1/13

Hello!  Two topics: