What the heck was I thinking...

I've always liked these. They go cheap around here. Surprisingly comfy, wide soft seats and Gixxer genes in the motors for sure!

In reply to ae86andkp61:

Yep, the can-a-tuna's are actually pretty good all rounders for beginners. Fast enough to humble you, but a bit more docile than sport bikes. 90% of their riders think they're the baddest E36 M3 ever, so they're typically seen shirtless wearing only shorts & flip flops.

The can-a-tuna is a pretty good all around bike, well from what I can tell riding it around my neighborhood. Hasn't been anywhere else yet, due to the aforementioned snafu. Hopefully that will be solved in the next few weeks.

What is the snafu? Well, when I went to register the bike, found out I couldn't. Turns out the bike started life in North Georgia and back in 2006 it had a Georgia salvage title. WTF? It came with a clean Tennessee title. Ran a VIN check which didn't tell me a lot, but did show the salvage title in 2006, issued to Progressive. Bike was probably auctioned and ended up in Tennessee in 2007 where it was rebuilt, and back on the road for 9 years. But since Georgia records showed the salvage title and no records of being rebuilt and inspected in Georgia, they wanted it inspected first before they would allow me to get it titled. It got it inspected last week and title paperwork was sent in, should get my title in 4-6 weeks. Then I can finally register it.

Downside to finding this out is that it will have a rebuilt Georgia title. Should have had rebuilt on the Tennessee title, but it didn't. Doing research turned up instances where Tenn issued clean titles to rebuilt vehicles, so someone isn't doing their job at the DMV correctly. Unfortunately I don't know what happened to it and don't know who did the rebuild in TN. But no signs of damage that I can find, still has the original frame, frame number matches VIN. All the plastic on it was repainted, so that was most likely replaced, along with a few other parts. Definitely doesn't help the value of the bike having a rebuilt title.

So what do I do now? The best grassroot solution, keep the bike and enjoy the hell out of it. Not much else I can do with it otherwise.

If you are wondering why didn't I do the VIN check before, I didn't do it as most reviews said that VIN checks on bikes aren't as good as car ones, some even saying they are worthless. I only ran it afterwords to try and find out more. Even that check only listed DMV events, so it shows titles issued, registration/renewals and the salvage title, and what city and state it was associated with. No info on what the accident was that caused Progressive to total the bike, nor info on the rebuild. Of course hindsight is wonderful. Oh well.

FYI Tenn. isn't the only state which issues a clean title instead of rebuilt. I guess it's a little too late for Caveat Emptor(let the buyer beware)but on the bright side, they are good all around bikes. Your post should serve as a warning to us all.

Some states do issue clean titles, but per Tenn DMV site, it should have been listed as rebuilt. Info below from this link

"Each vehicle that has been approved by the Anti-Theft Unit for a rebuilt title will have a notation in the remarks field of the title stating “Rebuilt Vehicle - Anti theft Inspection Passed.” There will also be a decal affixed to the driver’s door jamb with the same statement."

Of course even if it had rebuilt on the title, Georgia would still have required the inspection. Doesn't matter much now, bike is what it is. I'll make the best of it. Edit: Yep, best to always check out a vehicle, even a clean title doesn't always mean it is clean. On a side note, at least I know about it, there are plenty of bikes out there that were wrecked and the owners didn't turn it into insurance and fixed it themselves. So you never know for sure.

Part it out. Make money on it. Buy a replacement.

I bought mine new in '06 and love it. With a taller windscreen, Corbin saddle, bar risers, and luggage it's a great touring bike.

It will let you know when you are pushing it too far; the muffler will drag in right hand turns and the foot peg in lefts when you get too far over.

MulletTruck wrote: In reply to ae86andkp61: These are oil cooled, Bullet proof and easy to maintain. The valves are nut and adjuster. Suzuki says a valve adjustment every 7500 miles but do the first couple then ride it. Check em about every 15,000 miles and you will be fine. Most of the time you can reuse all the gaskets but I would keep a set around just in case one gives you fits. If you have any questions just ask, I have had a few of this engine group in a couple Bandit1200 and older slabside GSXR Street fighters. My current bike is a Bandit 1200 with 160K miles. I was also a tech at a Suzuki Dealer for years.

If it sounds like it has timing chain slap at idle, pull the tensioner spring re-stretch it a little and reinstall. shuts it right up.

So about the rebuilt title, Since it happened in 06 on an 03, I would say the bike was dropped and needed all new plastic, seat and exhaust. Probably clip-ons, levers and lights too.

Calculate that based on OEM new Suzuki parts, at shop labor book rate and BOOM! totaled bike.

Nothing really wrong with it but money wise it is totaled. You could probably back track and figure out who did the repairs and maybe get a receipt. Either way that bike isn't worth much and the difference between rebuilt and straight title won't mean much.

WOW Really Paul? wrote:

Appleseed wrote: And buy gear. Trust me.

But it's a Can a tuna......everyone knows those are exempt from that. Damn squids.

I was JUST getting ready to post this! And Kanatuna's aren't powerful.... but it's a bike. So have fun!

Flight Service wrote: If it sounds like it has timing chain slap at idle, pull the tensioner spring re-stretch it a little and reinstall. shuts it right up. So about the rebuilt title, Since it happened in 06 on an 03, I would say the bike was dropped and needed all new plastic, seat and exhaust. Probably clip-ons, levers and lights too. Calculate that based on OEM new Suzuki parts, at shop labor book rate and BOOM! totaled bike. Nothing really wrong with it but money wise it is totaled. You could probably back track and figure out who did the repairs and maybe get a receipt. Either way that bike isn't worth much and the difference between rebuilt and straight title won't mean much.

Pretty much what I was thinking. The previous owner said the guy they got it from had painted the plastic on it.

Probably could backtrack owners, but not too worried at this point, bike did pass inspection. Just waiting for the DMV to send me the title, so I can tag it. Weather is getting perfect for riding, so I am chopping at the bit to get out there.

In reply to 81cpcamaro:

Enjoy man, those oil-cooled GS bikes are awesome.

Update time. Last week I received a letter from the DMV so I could get the tag, then Saturday I got my motorcycle permit. And today the title showed up. Now it is officially mine and I don't have to deal with the DMV on it anymore. Hallelujah. Did take it for a short ride Saturday, man how I miss riding, felt good to back on a bike.

Update. It's been a while, been enjoying riding the Kat on the weekends. Even took a couple trips to North Georgia mountains for some nice mountain riding. Here was the last time I went there, on a cool Sunday morning. Beautiful day for riding.

After that I did a tune up on it, mainly a new set of plugs. It requires removing quite a bit of stuff just to get to them, can't imagine how much fun this would be on the side of the road.

I noticed lately the front tire is showing some cupping wear, and is down to the wear indicators near the center. Rear tire isn't too bad yet, but not enough tread left to leave it on. Tires on it are Tomahawk remanufactured tires, not terrible tires but looking forward to putting new tires on it.

Rear tire wear, almost to the wear indicators.

Since today (Sunday) was rather wet, figured it was a good time to take the wheels off. Not too bad to get them off, letting a shop do the tire change this week.

New tires to go on it. Pilot Road 4s in the original sizes. Currently has a 160/60 rear which is a bit shorter than the 150/70, so the speedo reads a bit fast. Going back to the original 150/70 size should get it closer.

I think you'll like those Michelin's. Good deal on getting some riding in.

Only a 270 kmh rating on the tyre... that will slow you down :) Reminds me why my family banned me from ever owning a bike lol

Yep, hopefully I can control myself and keep it under 270 kph.

Tires are mounted and wheels are back on the bike. I was only able to just roll around the neighborhood a bit, so I will report later how the tires do.

In reply to 81cpcamaro:

I think you'll be happy with them, I'm on my 3rd or 4th set of PR4s. You may need to run a slightly lower pressure in them than whatever your old tires liked, they seem a little stiffer than the average sport tire.

And remember to go slow on the first few corners to wear off the Mold Release, I always wipe them down with brake clean or wash them with simple green to take the release off.

I will try different pressures to see how it goes. Plenty of Kat riders use the PR4s, so they have good info on what pressure ranges work. It gives me an idea of what to try.

Yep, gonna be careful with the mold release. Shop might have cleaned them up some after mounting, but I plan to clean them anyways to be sure. Will also ride easy the first few times, not that I am that aggressive on the bike. Don't like pushing my luck too much.