Another new member

[Guest]

HI guys,

Managed to get a 1978 GS550 project bike when at home in the UK at Christmas. Unfortunately the bike wasn't delivered until after i had gone back to work here in Saudi Arabia. It is in bits as the previous owner, an experienced project builder, that i know from the Shed Built Motorcycles group on Facebook had already stripped and carried out some work on the engine and had sprayed the frame (pics to follow honest!). My intention is to work on the bike when home on leave (just to make it even more difficult).

I will post up a thread as i have read a couple of rebuild and cafe racer threads on here that were really informative; i don't think mine will be something to learn from.... more for entertainment.

I have read the "must reads" and noted some helpful advice re pictures so i will sort out an account with flicker or something similar.

Look forward to getting to know you guys and thanks in advance for the advice and good-natured banter that i am sure will follow. BTW having broken a couple of the top mistakes by newbies...i will give myself some extra PT today after duty!!!

Thanks for letting me in!

 

[Guest]

Think i have it now!
fefd4f2e-d763-405c-8570-e46037907039 by Mike Balmer, on Flickr

 

[Guest]

Guys please ignore me as i try to get the right size photos for future...

3ebf2939-5053-4f45-81a0-9fb856ab97b2 by Mike Balmer, on Flickr

 

[Guest]

Welcome Mike. Interesting project!

 

[Redman]

Do make an update when you get to work on it.

 

[Steve]

Guys please ignore me as i try to get the right size photos for future...

Perfect size on <my> computer. :encouragement:

.

 

[ddaniels]

Welcome aboard. Yes we love pictures....especially this time of year.

 

[Guest]

Welcome to the best, most informative GS site I know of. On this site you can find the answers to everything GS related as long as you know what question to ask. The hard bit is knowing which question to ask (after perusing all of the tutorials and beginners mistakes threads)

 

[Guest]

You can pain the suspension like that? Mine are scratched and look meh. Is it a simple job?

 

[Guest]

You can pain the suspension like that? Mine are scratched and look meh. Is it a simple job?

Hi Noreg, i haven't done anything to the bike yet, this is how i bought it! From a friend of a friend who is a really good bike builder but he had too many projects going and was moving house so i got a real bargain! However i didn't strip it down myself so that will be a challenge and the guy i bought it from is a long way away; like Stavanger to Namsos! (i used to live in Stavanger when working at the NATO HQ with the Marine Jaeger Commanados - great times)

 

[Guest]

as long as you know what question to ask.

Thanks Erki, that's the gift in most things in life, knowing the right question to ask! Appreciate the welcome mate

 

[Guest]

Welcome aboard. Yes we love pictures....especially this time of year.

thanks you sir, unfortunately i will be here in the Sandpit until the end of Feb then home for two weeks when i hope to make some real progress. Plenty of pictures then i promise!, and thank you for the welcome.

 

[Guest]

.

Thanks for the welcome Steve and for helping me get registered, i am assuming you spoke to someone as i registration happened after contacting you.

 

[Guest]

Do make an update when you get to work on it.

I will thank you Redman

 

[Guest]

Welcome Mike. Interesting project!

thanks for the welcome Steve, yes i am really excited to get home at the end of the month and see it for the first time! My wife knows that i will probably spend most of my two weeks at home in my workshop!

 

[dorkburger]

Hi Mike. A late welcome. Good luck with the project when you get to it.
Stay safe over there.

 

[Guest]

Thanks dorkburger

 

[rphillips]

Hey, just wondering, have you worked on bikes before? or is this a new endeavor? Either way, Welcome & good luck.

 

[Guest]

Hey, just wondering, have you worked on bikes before? or is this a new endeavor? Either way, Welcome & good luck.

Thanks for the welcome, no i have not done a lot with bikes before other than ride them so this is going to be a challenge. That said, i know i'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but i take instruction pretty well so as John Lennon said, "i'll get by with a little help from my friends".

 

[Burque73]

Mike,

Looks like you're finding your way around this site just fine. I wanted to mention a cool feature you may be interested in.

There is a map on the home page of GS'ers around the world. not every GS owner of course, but it's really cool to see how many there are.

It so happens that you have the opportunity to be the first in Saudi Arabia. Not required by any means, just a fun thing.

Check out the map and follow the instructions on that page if you'd like to participate.

Cheers!