right around 5 years ago (when Hurricane Katrina happened) my 4000 mile mint Suzuki TL1000S was stolen. It was recovered about a month later, minus most of the bodywork and painted (badly) primer red. The ignition switch had been hammered and destroyed, but I don't think the bike had actually been run by the thief. It sat unused as I didn't have the money (or initiative) to get it running again.
Fast forward to today. After spending significant $ on getting the bike running and the primer stripped off (the factory paint job is ruined) over the last two years, it's about ready to get re-registered and running. What do I find but a potential donor, a '99 model about 100 miles from here that's a theft recovery with no title. I'm thinking I can take the bodywork, repaint and get my bike back to almost mint condition. Problem is that even mint examples are only worth about $2500 these days. It'd cost me a paint job and time to take off the parts.
The problem? I've got four complete GS1000's and a parts bike GT750 in my garage (and another GS1000 in pieces). My wife will KILL ME if I bring home another derelict bike. I'm not exaggerating much. I thought I might be able to put my GT750 motor in the donor TL but I can't register it with no title. I could make a track bike out of it, though. I can part the donor out which is probably more trouble than it's worth and not likely to make much $.
A few months ago I posted a question about building something like a XR1200 using a TL/SV engine. That's a possibility, too, but it's YET ANOTHER FRIKKIN' PROJECT.
The potential donor is asking less than the cost of replacement OEM bodywork. I think I have to buy it.
Ideas? Can anyone take a GS1000 off my hands and give it a good home?
