GS850G in NH

[Jeepfreak81]

Hello Everyone, so I've been sort of unofficially floating around here for about a week or so now. I picked up a pair of 1980 GS850G's (one is for parts) and decided that I'd like a place to share and keep track of the work I do on it and maybe even get some input and suggestions. So here I am!

Here's a shot of the 2 bikes (the blue one is the running/rideable one)

My plan is to get the Blue one to the point where I can ride it and get it inspected. I'd like to be able to ride and get comfortable on the bike around town and what not while I rebuild some of the parts from my parts bike.

First up on the list:

- Swap the tires & rims from the parts bike to the blue one. The rear is brand new and the front is in decent shape (the ones on the blue one are weather cracked)

- Chop off the rear subframe on the parts bike and reattach it to the blue one (somebody hacked it off, maybe for a cafe racer project?) This should get me my rear tail light and turn signals plus restore the original look.

- Check & change fluids
- Check Valve clearances to be sure they are within tolerance
- Clean up and seal the Airbox

I think these should get me on the road then I'll move to phase 2 which will include things like

- Pulling the carbs off the parts bike and doing a complete cleaning and rebuild

- Rebuild all 3 calipers from the parts bike
- Clean and paint the tank from parts bike

That'll get me started

Thoughts, suggestions, and criticisms are always welcomed!!

 

[Jeepfreak81]

Here's a few shots of the rear of the bike that I'm dealing with

And one from the parts bike which I intend to hack off and attach to the blue one

 

[Jeepfreak81]

Tinkered on the bike yesterday. I hacked off the rear subframe section of the parts bike and used two 1/2" steel nipples inside the frame to help reenforce it onto the running bike.

Got the rear piece all mocked up next

Also did some other odds N ends tinkering on it. Opened the airbox to see what's going on in there. I can see air gaps between the box and the boots so will have to rebuild/seal up the airbox for sure. That's probably why the guy said it's "cold blooded"

 

[rustybronco]

You may want to weld those four small holes in the rear frame section closed.

 

[Jeepfreak81]

You may want to weld those four small holes in the rear frame section closed.

Ya, to keep moisture out you mean? Not even sure why they are there

 

[Steve]

I think these should get me on the road then I'll move to phase 2 which will include things like

- Pulling the carbs off the parts bike and doing a complete cleaning and rebuild

- Rebuild all 3 calipers from the parts bike
- Clean and paint the tank from parts bike

Thoughts, suggestions, and criticisms are always welcomed!!

I think that everything but the paint should be moved to Phase 1.

.

 

[growler]

i can't stand when people hack off the tail section and then do such a crappy job with the seat and rear of the bike. good on you for fixing that mess.

 

[Jeepfreak81]

I think that everything but the paint should be moved to Phase 1.

.

The Brakes and Carb on the running bike are in decent shape. Runs and stops good. I figure I can rebuild the stuff from the parts bike while I'm scootin' around on the ride-able one. I may end up getting done with the carbs before I really go riding anyway so we'll see.

 

[rustybronco]

Ya, to keep moisture out you mean? Not even sure why they are there

Yes........

 

[Jeepfreak81]

Made a bit of progress on the bike last night. Got the tail section all back together

I also started putting a center stand on my bike. I got almost done except couldn't get the spring on, that sucker is heavy duty. Had to give up and get ready to bring the kiddies to the fireworks anyway. Anyone have a trick for getting that spring on?

 

[Grimly]

I also started putting a center stand on my bike. I got almost done except couldn't get the spring on, that sucker is heavy duty. Had to give up and get ready to bring the kiddies to the fireworks anyway. Anyone have a trick for getting that spring on?

Lengthen the spring by inserting coins between the coils.

 

[ShadowFocus603]

I usually hook the spring, turn the stand to get one bolt through, then use the stand itself as a lever to extend the spring enough to get the second bolt started.

 

[Guest]

I usually hook the spring, turn the stand to get one bolt through, then use the stand itself as a lever to extend the spring enough to get the second bolt started.

what he said. Nice to see you reviving another one.

 

[Jeepfreak81]

Lengthen the spring by inserting coins between the coils.

This is what I ended up doing, except I used washers. Worked pretty good.

I ordered a set of new turn signals and an oil filter today. Should be here wednesday. Planning to use 15w40 Diesel oil in it as that seems to be what people are suggesting and it's cheap and easy to find.

 

[Jeepfreak81]

My new Turn Signals came last night from Amazon. They are just cheapy ones to get my by for now but look a ton better than what was on it. Plus my rear ones were junk anyway.

Good news is, they all light up. Bad news is - They don't blink. SOOOOOO I took the relay out of my parts bike thinking that was the issue. Still no blinky. Well then I realized that my new turn signals are only 10 watts compared to the stock 23 watts. AHA! So I guess I'm ordering a new relay and relay socket to upgrade that setup. I'll lose my auto-cancel feature but I don't care all that much about that anyway.

Here's what I plan to order - The relay http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00064LQKS...=UTF8&colid=VAZT4WGL85D8&coliid=IN901LPELLTCN

and the socket - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EUWMU2...UTF8&colid=VAZT4WGL85D8&coliid=I3JNG2MZMQKODJ

They should show up on Saturday which is perfect because I have sunday off. Got the front tires/rims switched this morning and now just need to do the rear. After that I'm going to register it and do the rest of the work while riding it a little bit.

 

[ShadowFocus603]

Did you test the blinkers with the bike running? I did the not running test on my 750L and had the same issue with them not blinking, especially if the battery is weak. Started the bike and they worked fine. Try testing with the bike running for the extra current or at least throw a charger on it while you do it to avoid throwing a ton of time at a non issue. My 750 drove me crazy til I figured it out. I actually posted a thread on it.
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=218441

 

[Jeepfreak81]

No I didn't bother starting it....will have to give that a try first.

 

[Jeepfreak81]

Have made some progress over the last week. In fact the bike is rideable at this point. Planning to change the engine oil over the next day or two. Primary and Secondary gear oil will be changed soon as well.

Swapped out the rear tire with my parts bike as it had good tread and is only 5 years old as compared to the weather cracked one that was currently on my bike.

Also got it registered as you can see!

Greased up the gears while I was at it. I took a trip to the local Honda shop looking for some Honda Moly 60 but they didn't stock it. They use it in the shop but didn't have any on hand. I ended up using some Sea-Doo Marine grease I had from working on my dirt bike.

Here's the rim side after cleaning but before grease

And the Bike side

Gears look ok to me, hoping to keep it that way.

 

[ShadowFocus603]

I'm digging the way you mounted those signals.

 

[Jeepfreak81]

I'm digging the way you mounted those signals.

Ya I like it, had to drill the hole out a tad to get them through.