Boingk's GS850

[boingk]

Hi guys, former member here and great to be back; both here on the site and owning a GS!

I picked this one up from ebay, yet to take delivery:

She's an '82 GS850, apparently with 'extensive' work done. I know this includes the stator, so that's good news. Used to be a daily rider, hopefully to be so once again.


The plan for now is to:

1. Pick her up
2. Ride her home
3. Look her over

After I do that I'll write back with some more. The general plan of attack is to polish up the rear wheel shaft housing, both engine side cases and any other large expanses of metal to a reasonable lustre... and then go over her with a fine toothed comb to see if there is anything else that needs doing.

Cheers - boingk

 

[Steve]

She's an '82 GS850, apparently with 'extensive' work done.

Yep, part of that "extensive" work will include:
- '80/'81 frame
- '80/'81 engine
- '80/'81 tank
- '80/'81 gauges
- '80/'81 wheels
- '80/'81 airbox
- '80/'81 side covers
- '80/'81 tail piece
- '80 turn signals.

I would put my money on the fact that it is a 1980 GS850, not an '82. :-k

Other than that, it's a great-looking bike.

Check the production date on the steering stem to be sure.

.

 

[boingk]

Haha, thanks Steve.

I'm guessing the fellow probably quoted the year of first rego on his papers.

Cheers - boingk

 

[Steve]

That's a possibility. Might even be normal in your area, but is some places, if the "man in blue" decides to get up-close and personal with your VIN plate, your bike might be taken away for some "invesitgation".

You might want to do some inquiries before things get nasty.

.

 

[boingk]

Not to worry. We've got a database called the Registration of Encumbered Vehicles Service, you run the VIN details and get any secrets the vehicle is hiding.

My VTR1000F, for example, was cosmetically written off and then repaired and inspected by an authorized inspection station before being reregistered for the road and passing into my hands.

Quick run through on the smartphone and we're good to go.

Cheers - boingk

 

[boingk]

Cobbled together my 'picking up a bike and then riding it 200 miles home' kit, haven't used one in a while so if there's anything obvious missing please suggest something:

1: Fresh fluids (4 litres 10W-40 Diesel oil, Dot 4 brake fluid, 75W-90 gear oil)
2: Fresh filters (oil and air)
3: Emergency battery (12.6v 2.2Ah Lithium Polymer)
4: 1/2" and 1/4" driver sets (6mm through 21mm plus extensions)
5: Assorted screwdrivers
6: Spark plugs
7: Fuses
8: Spare wire + heatshrink
9: Rags and degreaser
10: Mobile phone and credit card!

That combo generally fits in a small hiking pack and will get me out of trouble for most situations... not to mention get the bike to a basic level of maintenance before a longish freeway trip.

My first stop is usually the mechanics for an inspection, then insurance and registration offices so I can legally own the bike. After that we're off to the servo to fill with fuel and top up the tyres before the ride. I generally change the oils and filters at the mechanics beforehand as they have the gear to take care of the used oils. Fitting an inline fuel filter to a bike that has been standing for a while is a good idea in my opinion, too, if you do not have the opportunity to drain the tank. I like the sintered bronze clear-bodied type.

Anywho, that's the plan at the moment. As before if it looks like I'm forgetting anything at all then just let me know.

Cheers - boingk

 

[tfb]

Ah, the adventure of riding the new acquisition home! The 850 shaftie is a wonderful machine -- enjoy it mate!

 

[boingk]

Hey, FB!

I've always thought your project was awesome, have checked out your site many times.

The 850 is indeed a good steed... I used to have one and loved it, but sold it before I really rode it much. This is an unashamed grab at nostalgia for me.

- boingk

 

[Hakamisu]

Welcome back to the forums. I am also a new 850 owner. Mine is an 82' though. Mine also looks to be in a little rougher shape (which was the idea, I geuss). Looking forward to see more of your bike.

 

[nikosg]

nice one! my mates got one of those except its a bit different now

where are you in aus mate?
Melbourne?!

 

[boingk]

Cheers guys!

You'll have a blast on your 850 when you're done, Hakamisu, they're a rock-solid steed with a good torque curve and very reliable once sorted. Don't worry about the rougher shape, I've had some shockers that ran very well once they were serviced.

niksog, I'm up just North of Canberra in the Southern Highlands. I've got family in Melbourne, though. Your 400 build should be a hoot, never ridden one of the 400 fours but have always heard that they ran very well.

My last 850 was different looking for sure:

Cheers - boingk

 

[boingk]

This weekend I made the trip North to see my girlfriend... and also to pick up the 850!

I got a lift up with a mate and his partner who were heading for a day by the water, and after filling out papers etc I rode the (unregistered!) bike the half-hour back to my girlfriends place.

The trip was good; I got reacquainted with the GS series and felt very much at home in doing so. It was a warm day out and everything went well - all the lights worked, all the instrument lights work (even the gear indicators!) and the bike handles and goes well. The only thing that doesn't work is the speedometer... but given 70mph/110mph is roughly 5,000rpm in top that didn't really matter.

Anyway, here she is after picking her up:

And here we are after a bit of suds, polish, fresh engine & gear oil and some new hydraulic fluid:

That last shot is just before I made the run back home (200 miles / 320km) and after I rode it into town to get inspected and then registered for the road. She made the trip home fine and seems to get reasonably good fuel economy, too. Haven't worked it out exactly yet but its around the 5 litres per 100km mark, or roughly 47 miles to the US gallon. Not bad.

The plan at the moment is to finish servicing her; the battery is in need of a proper charge and fluid top up and I didn't get to change the transfer case oil, only the bevel drive oil. The front brake fluid reservoir is also badly UV damaged and will need replacing soon, I may also do the lines while I'm at it.

Everything else will be staying stock and the only things I want to change are the grips, which are perished, and the metalwork, which is oxidized. An afternoon with a tub of Mothers Metal Polish and a rag and she'll be looking grand.

More as it comes.

Cheers - boingk

 

[boingk]

Bought a wire wheel and buffing attachment for my drill that, combined with some metal polish, is doing wonders for the finish on the metalwork.

Pictures when finished.

- boingk

 

[boingk]

Polishing going okay, here she is outside work:

A few more hours of elbow grease and she'll be ready for me to do the engine fins. The muffler especially is coming up well.

I also ordered some new shocks for the rear, should turn up next week:

Cheers - boingk

 

[boingk]

Shocks turned up:

- boingk

 

[boingk]

Screen also showed up today, getting a regular stream of parts now so work should speed up a bit.

No pics as of yet but I'll certainly recommend the cheapo kit I got for about $50 posted. Includes screen cut to size and drilled for fitting, looks like four hardpoints on the screen and two point to mount to the bars. Instructions are rough but it looks like everything is there.

More as it happens - boingk

 

[boingk]

Tested the shocks out today, rode down the coast to see my Dad and then back.

They were okay at first but I soon needed more preload, after that they seemed pretty good. Much better than the shot originals anyway, which were only good for one thing at a time and didn't tolerate anything other than an undulation - certainly no good on bumps.

They aren't best shocks I've ever had, obviously, but certainly good for everday riding. The low price ($150 shipped) was a big bonus - turns out they're from a mob called 'JBS'*. I'd certainly recommend them to someone after a good set of inexpensive shocks with proper preload adjustment. The cartridge is prefilled with 17psi of nitrogen and can be refilled easily.

Adding this part the next day, in hidsight, they're actually pretty good. I was giving the old girl a bit of stick coming back through the twisties and she didn't put a foot out of line at all. Adding to that the rear was firm but comfortable (no sore rear or back after 360 kay / 220 miles) so I am actually quite impressed, especially (again!) for the price.

For reference I am 6'2", 90kg/220lb without gear and the bike is otherwise stock except for a rear GearSack rack.

Cheers - boingk

*Edited to reflect the fact that the shocks are JBS and not JBL as I previously wrote. They are available here on ebay or here on their home website.

 

[boingk]

I have a list of items on order to remedy the annoynaces but other than that she goes along well and seems to be solid and reliable. The bits on order are:

• Master cylinder assembly
• Dual braided brake lines
• Clutch springs
• Choke cable
• Gasket set
• Unifilter

They'll be fitted as they arrive, the main one being the gasket set as it will necessitate a fairly complete engine strip to install.

I'll update as I progress.

Cheers - boingk

 

[boingk]

They'll be fitted as they arrive...

Well, all the parts are here... but the bike is getting its seat recovered!

My Dad kindly offered to get the seat rebuilt for me so its down at the shop getting a full dual layer foam treatment in addition to new period-correct black vinyl and side piping.

On the upside the new parts looks good, the front brake assembly and master cylinder kit I ordered I was particularly hesitant about but now its here it actually looks very good. It even came with an additional rebuild kit and front brake light sending unit.

Cheers - boingk

 

[boingk]

Clutch springs, choke cable and Unifilter:

Does anyone have any tips for the installation of choke cable and clutch springs? Never tackled a clutch before but assume its covered on Basscliff's site.

Cheers - boingk