Alright, so I'm fiending for my airhead fix. I'm a member of the monolever camp, but unfortunately the only options near me here are R100GSPDs. There's a thoroughly hacked, butchered, and welded on G/S available 4 hours away, but the guy wants $8k for it. No thanks, senor. Anyway, I found 2 GSPDs. One is a black '91 w/ 50,000 miles on it, a wonky looking rear shock and it looks a little rough around the edges. The guy is asking $4,000US for it. The second (better) option is a red '93 with 20,000 miles on the clock, optional rear "sport suspension" (a WP piggyback shock), and pretty clean all around. The guy is asking $5,000 for it, but is VERY motivated to sell. I'll probably offer him 4. Asking prices in Mexico are typically much more optimistic than in the states and thereby flexible. (photos below) I'm going to go check them out (and maybe ride one home) on Sunday. I'd never seen a solid red GSPD. Could this be original paint?
I'd go for the Red GSPD with 20k miles. nothing wrong with paralever with 20k miles. you've got a ways to go before service is needed for tranny or drive shaft. when you are ready to sell... don't think you will have any problem getting most if not all your $$ back.
i hope the red paint isn't original because it's UGLY. It's like a GS coated in lipstick. Also, it'll need a new rear tire. Good luck!!!
I'm in the 'Red' camp on this one. I have nothing but love for my Bumble Bee. PSSST - You know, for about ~$1,000 you can get a lengthened mono-swingarm, shaft and mill that hub down for a rear spoked wheel, AND grab a mono FD from Fleabay. (Which is about how much a shaft replacement costs, if you get BMW to do it for you) You know ... when the shaft explodes
I got some better photos of the black one, so figured I'd give it a fair shot with the peanut gallery: Cylinder base weeping, open fork boot Mileage looks dubious. Odo looks a little wonky Anyone recognize this rear shock?? It looks like he just made that little adaptor and fitted whatever dirt bike shock he had laying around. Muffler not bolted on at the back. Hmmm. Comes complete with 'Barbie and Ken' solo seat and rack Well, at least it has brand new tires.
Is it the perspective and maybe a leaning street or does the black one look all crooked-like. The forks look like they're almost an angle. Hard to tell with 2d photos and not seeing it in person.
Yeah, I saw that too, but thought that maybe it was just that the bars are turn to the right a bit. Tough to tell though. It definitely went onto my list of stuff to check.
This is a case of saving most of the rest of the Duc until I'm back in the states and can get the thing plated. No chance of doing it here for under $1000. Need a lawyer, etc. Serious BS. I just need something to ride around on all the incredible dirt roads we have here and that most certainly is not the duc. I'm still chipping away at little bits and pieces on the Duc, but parts are slow to come here. I've had an order in with SKF Mexico for some seals for 2 1/2 months now. Not much movement. As soon as I get them, I can start reassembling the engine. I still need to ship off the frame and wheels for powdercoat.
The black one looks a little more used but looks good higher miles. OH that rear shock is one size fits all solution!!! Red one looks good lower miles clean so really depends on the price. Paralever is guranteed to go out could be 1000 miles from when you buy it or 1,000,000 miles. Your a wrench geek - put it on the centerstand and rotate the rear tire - you will know if something is wrong right away. My 89 GS with Paralever is great to many horror stories :eek1 about them failing gives it a bad rap!!! That said the Red one with lower miles - much cleaner and a motivated seller is the way to go!!!
I like the red one, nice clean bike. that red looks like henna red, an official bmw color, ala r65ls, along with various bimmer cars from the 80's. not stock for that bike, but from the pics, looks like a nice repaint.
Yep. Orientation doesn't really affect function on reservoir shocks as it does on emulsion shocks, but yes, you should put the reservoir (heavier) end of the shock up to reduce your unsprung weight. That shock is definitely a bodge job.
I kinda like the red one a bit more as well, just because it seems like a better bet. Too many unknowns in hte black one, although its a pretty good deal.
....I have got to believe that dirtroad week-end bike trips in Mexico are off the charts!! My vote would be for the red one, as quality differential seems greater than price differential.
Although the black looks BADASS, I'm with the others, the red one seems to have had a better life. The hose clamps on the fuel lines point to an anal owner.
