GS450T Restoration

[daj12192]

I'm finishing up the restoration, and in the process of putting the front tire back on. I noticed that the spring in the right fork is slightly higher than the one in the left fork. I tryed several times, but I believe the tire is mounting level on the spindle. Is this much of a difference bad? Should I do anything like fit a spacer or just let it go?

 

[Dogma]

Pull the springs out and see if they're different lengths. Also, check them against the length limits specified in the service manuals. These do tend to lose length after so many years under load. I would have thought they'd go at the same rate though. Possibly a broken coil? If they are out of spec or broken, put new ones on the to do list.

They only look to be different by a few mm. If they're not broken or way out of spec, they're probably not an immediate threat. Don't try to correct anything with spacers, you'll never get the preload and rates matched significantly better than what's going on now.

 

[daj12192]

I think I know what might have happened to it. The whole time it was in storage it was on the kickstand leaning on that left spring. Probably compressed it over the years. As long as these are okay for the time being I'll keep them. But like you said eventually get new ones.

 

[hillsy]

I think I know what might have happened to it. The whole time it was in storage it was on the kickstand leaning on that left spring. Probably compressed it over the years. As long as these are okay for the time being I'll keep them. But like you said eventually get new ones.

As long as the forks are tight in the clamps and the axle / wheel is bolted up properly, the forks will sag together.....so storing the bike on the sidestand shouldn't compress one fork more than the other.

As for the difference in length, I'd be more inclined to think someone may have re-assembled the forks incorrectly (damper rod washers, etc). But if that checks out and one spring is just longer than the other by a few mm, you won't notice it anyway.

 

[daj12192]

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but I finished up the restoration a couple weeks ago. All in all spent more than I planned, but I'm happy with the end result . Redid brakes, tires, sprocket and chain, carbs, intake boots and o-rings, petcock, shocks, and all the regular stuff. The engine still needs washed off, but I can't legally drive it yet as PA keeps messing up my title application . If anyone needs any help working on a similar bike just give me a holler, I learned so much by reading this site. It really wouldn't have been possible to have gotten it done without it, so a big thanks to everyone here.

 

[herostar]

Look'n good!

 

[Guest]

Nicely done! That's one fine lookin' 450 you have there now

 

[davidduarte]

Nicely done! That's one fine lookin' 450 you have there now

ditto on that, sweet looking bike!

 

[Hornswaggle]

Nice job and looks great! Enjoy your new ride

Was that luggage rack on it when you got it or did you add it? I'd really like to add one to mine like that but haven't had much luck finding one.

 

[davidduarte]

Nice job and looks great! Enjoy your new ride

Was that luggage rack on it when you got it or did you add it? I'd really like to add one to mine like that but haven't had much luck finding one.

that rack looks identical to the one on my 80 450E.

 

[daj12192]

Nice job and looks great! Enjoy your new ride

Was that luggage rack on it when you got it or did you add it? I'd really like to add one to mine like that but haven't had much luck finding one.

It came with the bike stock. I think the only place you would find one would be on eBay or at a junk yard.

 

[rollerrocker]

Where should I buy my 1980 gs450L chain? do I need a special one? I read posts about the cheap ones on amazon don't last.Is it true?or is it a competitor post. 39.00 for the chain there.
How much was your chain , i'm guessing you bought a sprockets-chain set. I don't want new sprockets.thanks.