GPZ900-A1... What to look for?

[Jonno]

Hi
I might have come across at really cheap 1984 GPZ900-A1 for $1400, Redbook lists them at $2900- $3400 and at half this price something has to be wrong with it unless the guy is desperate (it is in a pawnbrokers shop at present and is incumbent free). Has reg and starts and runs well, no smoke at all, looks complete and in reasonable condition for its 20 years, and has gunmetal grey paint and white colour forks and rims, is that normal or someone done a shitty paint job?
(Have not had a test ride on it yet or had a really good look at it)

Anyway, what are the inherent things to look out for on these other than the usual checks please?

Wheel sizes; are they a problem for tyre selection, are the brakes good enough etc?

What are parts like to obtain and priced like for them?

Any information such as paint schemes, options etc is welcome information.

Basically this will take away the pressure and a lot of service km's and expenses from my 12R and will pay for itself after a year or so as a town-mule milk n bread runner

Thanks for any input.

[RG]

Shifty has one, he'll tell u about it.

[KwakaJim]

Jonno,

try this website for some info http://www.gpz.org seems to have a fair bit of information on colours models etc.

Don't know about that colour being standard but I am sure some one will know but if you repainted it in this colour you would have a winner.


Jim

[Lucas]

84 model come in Red and dark silver or Blue and silver

watch for rust in the tank
tyre chioce isnt real good if has orginal wheel 16" front 18" rear
later models come with 17" front and rear
anti dive forks can have a problem but A7 forks fit right on

dont leave the fuel tap on prime or it will flood no 3 and if cranked bend a rod
can have oil problems to cam shaft

but all in all with a few mod are a great bike
had 2 GPz900R's and just sold the GPz1000RX

[chalkbored]

I picked up one of these (85') a few weeks back, top condition, and I've owned and ridden these before.
It only cost a thousand dollars, so there are bargains to be had.

The paint job is definitely bodge, gunmetal was available on later bikes, but as a two tone color scheme (not white).

You might want to consider the front-end swap if tyres are an issue, and front brakes could definitely go an upgrade if you ride hard, maybe a set of second-hand twin pots, which I'm looking into myself.

BUT the GPz900r is a great bike which was one of the top two bike in it's day(the GSX1100EF was the other), and will still keep the latest and greatest honest in an experienced pair of hands.

[Jonno]

Thanks guys.

Oh Jim that link goes to Gladys Porters zoo mate..lol

[Lucas]

Try this one Jonno
http://www.gpz900r.org/phpbb2/portal.php

[Jonno]

wow, thats the one. Thanks

[KwakaJim]

Thanks guys.

Oh Jim that link goes to Gladys Porters zoo mate..lol

Doh forgot the 900r bit sorry

bloody keyboard can't spell



Jim

[Jonno]

No worries Jim.

[bonester]

Early GPZ900s were prone to problems with:
headbearings
cam chain tensioners ineffective (KLR600 can be modded to fit)
overheating (check headgasket)
carby diaphragms tearing (when new! only early ones apparently)
fuel tap problems leading to hydraulic lock- not from using 'prime' but from a sealing fault in the tap- went through lotsa them on my GPZ900- they always developed holes in the vacuum diaphragm.
Have a squizzy at the airfilter too- they can perish.
Look at the brakediscs closely too.
Good luck- they were a great bike.