TOPIC:

I have been toying with the idea of selling my beloved '81 GPz 550 for years.  I have owned it since I bought it as second owner in 1986.  It had originally set in the showroom until 1985.    I rode it hard in the late 80s (college) neglected it, rode it more, let a friend have it in 2008, had it returned highly neglected in 2022, resurrected it, and now it sits in my garage and still isn't getting ridden much. 

It is in as good of shape as a 43 year old bike can be that gotten ridden over 30k miles.  Small paint chips, a few scratches.

I know it is a bit of a classic so I am not giving it away and I don't need the money but I hate to see it not being appreciated as much as I feel like it might.  It runs well and is as stock as it can be at its age.  I really have no idea what a reasonable price might be?

Here are a few pictures.

No ideas?   $5000 ?  $500 ?

I don't have a clue myself.  I see it continually referred to as a classic bike.

Does anyone have a suggestion of how I might find out it's value?

Thanks,

The photos are way too small to judge condition, and we don't know where you live.

If you live by a major USA metro area, I'd start at $3000, assuming it runs perfectly and is turn key, with clean title.

Thanks a bunch - that was all I was really looking for - a general ballpark as I had no idea whatsoever.

I live in Central Indiana and have the title.  I will most likely start trying to sell it by posting it here and in ADV Rider.  When I do so, I will post a lot more pictures and some history.  I also have so spare parts.

Question to any of you who has sold bikes:  Does one let people test ride bikes if they have driven miles to potentially buy it? Someone shows up, wants to ride it and dumps it - I am screwed, yet I don't blame someone for wanting to know a bit about what they are getting into on a 43 year old bike.

What is the etiquette here? 

Thanks again,

Many people ask for money in hand before allowing test rides.

And this question reminds me of when a friend was selling his CR125.  A black dude shows up and takes the bike for a ride.  Being black is not pertinent to this story, only that back when this happened, in the 1980's, dirt bike riding was heavily white in my area.  So the guy goes blasting down the street, then turns around.  On the way back, he proceeded to pull a wheelie in the first four gears.  And I'm not talking about a small wheel lift; the bike was 90 degrees to the ground.  That guy could RIDE!  His comment: running rich.  I believe him.  Anyway, he bought it.  

Pricing is hard to determine, especially with 80's Japanese bikes. I'm going to sell the 81' Suzuki GS 1100E with around 18k miles on it. Gonna do some research to determine what to ask for it. I don't want to under price it because it runs great with a clean title.

I'm considering looking for a GS series bike to restore this winter.  They look to be easy to work on.