Vintage KTM GS500 dirtbike any info?

[herman maire]

anybody know any details on this bike? I came across this early 80's 4stroke KTM GS500, it needs to be restored as the timing chain broke so engine needs a rebuild . They are asking $600 but I was thinking of offering $400 but I cant find any engine part parts available.

Any thoughts? Its very possible its just not worth the headache. How would this compare to a CR500 honda ?

Any replies appreciated.

[herman maire]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Tanami]

But love em none the less...

look you here...

http://enduroklassiker.com/artikel/

Andre ships everywhere. speaks english and is prompt and friendly.

[herman maire]

Originally Posted by Tanami

But love em none the less...

look you here...

http://enduroklassiker.com/artikel/

Andre ships everywhere. speaks english and is prompt and friendly.

Thanks for the reply.

Is it because of the difficulty in getting parts make them just not worth it? Would this be as powerful as a CR/KX 500

Thanks

[lewismedlock]

Looks like a Rotax mill.

[Kai Ju]

call these guys :http://www.rotax.net/

Talk to Elliot, nobody knows these Rotax engines like they do.


BTW, it's not a chain but a belt......

[herman maire]

Originally Posted by Kai Ju

call these guys :http://www.rotax.net/

Talk to Elliot, nobody knows these Rotax engines like they do.


BTW, it's not a chain but a belt......

Thanks for all the replies.

I called and spoke with Ron Woods himself, he was super, super nice. He gave me some pretty sound advice. Since the timing belt broke, he suggested that the only way to purchase this bike would be if I could take the head off to inspect the damage otherwise its just too risky. The parts to repair these Rotax engines are just too expensive.

How are these bike to ride?

[bk brkr baker]

I spotted one just like this at the swap meet at Mid-Ohio a few years back . I was like a moth drawn to a flame as i had missed one locally a couple of years earlier.
I asked if it ran and the guy said it was supposed to but they hadn't been able to start it.So I made a deal contingent on the bike running.
Now , I already had 2 Can-ams with the Rotax , so I had an idea of how to start it. The guy said they hade filled it with oil.Bad idea , it turned out.
I tickled the Bing and gave a gooid kick and it fired , and at the same time the oil filler plug shot out of the frame and a gyeser of oil shot 8 ft. in the air. And came down on everything around the bike including me. It's only supposed to hole about 2 and a half liters and they had filled the frame completely.
After I drained allthe oil , I put in the proper amount and rode away on my new bike.

Oh, the Rotax 4 stroke is supposed to have a non-interference head . that means if the belt breaks no damage should occur. That's what i've read. No way would i argue the point with Ron Wood though, he's had his hands on hundreds of these motors, he's indeed the man.

[stainlesscycle]

Originally Posted by bk brkr baker

Now , I already had 2 Can-ams with the Rotax , so I had an idea of how to start it. The guy said they hade filled it with oil.Bad idea , it turned out.
I tickled the Bing and gave a gooid kick and it fired , and at the same time the oil filler plug shot out of the frame and a gyeser of oil shot 8 ft. in the air. And came down on everything around the bike including me. It's only supposed to hole about 2 and a half liters and they had filled the frame completely.
After I drained allthe oil , I put in the proper amount and rode away on my new bike.

ha! i remember that. a friend of mine sold that bike to you - he bought it earlier that day there,my friend filled the oil in frame :) i dunno what he was thinking. what a mess that made.

[herman maire]

Originally Posted by bk brkr baker

I tickled the Bing and gave a gooid kick and it fired , and at the same time the oil filler plug shot out of the frame and a gyeser of oil shot 8 ft. in the air. And came down on everything around the bike including me. It's only supposed to hole about 2 and a half liters and they had filled the frame completely.
After I drained allthe oil , I put in the proper amount and rode away on my new bike.

Oh, the Rotax 4 stroke is supposed to have a non-interference head . that means if the belt breaks no damage should occur. That's what i've read. No way would i argue the point with Ron Wood though, he's had his hands on hundreds of these motors, he's indeed the man.

Thanks again for the replys. I got a good laugh from your geyser of oil .

I am sure there are better deals out there but I did buy the bike, I paid more than I probably should have.

I made the mistake of starting 2 treads. If anybody is interested, I will be updating my progress in the "thumper" tread
link here http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=811738