New Forum Member

[Guest]

Hi all.
thought I should introduce myself as I know I’ll be making full use of the forum.
recently purchased a great ‘86 GS850G from a lovely bloke up in Scotland who did a great job restoring it.
I’m in sunny Kent, south east England.
I haven’t yet worked out how to post a picture but here is a link to one https://ibb.co/Lh0N4sZ
Bobby

 

[Guest]

That's an 86? I didn't think they carried on that body style that long.

 

[Guest]

That's an 86? I didn't think they carried on that body style that long.

Think they went to 88.

 

[Guest]

Okay. I didn't know that.

 

[steve murdoch]

I like the black on black.
Welcome to the site.

 

[Grimly]

Iirc, officially until '86 in Europe, and a Dutch or German importer put some together for a couple of years after that. The cost of building new bikes from spares must have been eye-watering, but some people were prepared to pay it.

 

[allojohn]

Very nice! Good score.

 

[Nessism]

 

[oldGSfan]

Such a handsome bike, just clean strong lines, no frippery.

 

[Rob S.]

Such a handsome bike, just clean strong lines, no frippery.

No frippery. (I hate fribberly )

No chain, either. Show me a picture of Robert Zimmerman riding a shaft driven motorcycle, and I'll show you a tree climbing hippo.

 

[ddaniels]

Nice looking bike. I typically don't care for black bikes, even though I have one, but the black wheels makes it seem more masculine or something. Nice!

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome. Good looking bike. I've been a fan of black wheels since before it was cool.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the welcome people

 

[rphillips]

I've also not been fond of Black bikes, but this ain't bad at all. Enough chrome, alum., & stripes for enough contrast to make it not look cheap & trashy, instead it's kind'f shady & sinister in a pleasant kind of way. Looks like you did good. Just my opinion. Congrats & welcome.

 

[Guest]

Welcome.

God that is a beutifull bike. Sometimes I wonder if I should get mine professionally restored.

Your first gs?

 

[Guest]

Welcome.

God that is a beutifull bike. Sometimes I wonder if I should get mine professionally restored.

Your first gs?

thanks, I?m really pleased with it-he did a great job on the restoration.
i think this age GS850G normally has a black engine but ( as rphillips says) I think the bare engine looks good against the black.
It?s my first gs and my first bike for 20 years so I?m going easy!
originally liked the idea of a gs1000 but prices and riding inexperience led me to the 850g.

 

[Guest]

thanks, I’m really pleased with it-he did a great job on the restoration.
i think this age GS850G normally has a black engine but ( as rphillips says) I think the bare engine looks good against the black.
It’s my first gs and my first bike for 20 years so I’m going easy!
originally liked the idea of a gs1000 but prices and riding inexperience led me to the 850g.

Is it the original exhaust? If not, what brand is it?

I think I agree that the bare engine looks good, I like it unpainted. Are the clutch/tranmission panels just polished or are they clearcoated?

Is there a big difference in power in the 1000 and the 850? I considered buying a 850 for parts, but it costed more than my 1000, and it seemed to be in a worse condition, so I never go around to it. I believe the 850 and 1000 is pretty equal, and I just LOVE long trips on mine (although it is a bit older so maybe yours have improvements). I also find it suprisingly easy to ride despite being a lot more heavy than the modern bikes Im used to (Tracer 700 mostly).

 

[Guest]

Is it the original exhaust? If not, what brand is it?

I think I agree that the bare engine looks good, I like it unpainted. Are the clutch/tranmission panels just polished or are they clearcoated?

Is there a big difference in power in the 1000 and the 850? I considered buying a 850 for parts, but it costed more than my 1000, and it seemed to be in a worse condition, so I never go around to it. I believe the 850 and 1000 is pretty equal, and I just LOVE long trips on mine (although it is a bit older so maybe yours have improvements). I also find it suprisingly easy to ride despite being a lot more heavy than the modern bikes Im used to (Tracer 700 mostly).

its a Delkavic exhaust-sounds great without being silly.
the panels don?t have clearcoat - Not sure if that would be a good idea or not?
i agree with you about the weight, i was nervous it would be too much after so long without a bike but it is surprisingly easy to ride. Having not ridden for a while I don?t notice the difference compared to modern bikes! The only thing I notice is that it would be nice to have an extra gear for the motorway, sometimes feels like I?m revving it too high.

 

[Guest]

its a Delkavic exhaust-sounds great without being silly.
the panels don’t have clearcoat - Not sure if that would be a good idea or not?
i agree with you about the weight, i was nervous it would be too much after so long without a bike but it is surprisingly easy to ride. Having not ridden for a while I don’t notice the difference compared to modern bikes! The only thing I notice is that it would be nice to have an extra gear for the motorway, sometimes feels like I’m revving it too high.

I have only had my bike since december, and I have only been able to ride it since april/march (in between the snow days). I was initially looking at Kawasakis but another traffic teacher tipped me about this bike and I couldnt be happier with it. Having it stuck in the garage for months was torture. So I am pretty new to these bikes myself, but the people on this forum is truley amazing. I don't think I've ever experienced an online community that is as helpfull.

I have some aftermarket 4-1 exhaust, I really want 2-1. I don't want a lot of sound (feel bad enough starting it up in the night when it revs because of the choke), but I like the look of the original exhaust. When riding I will normally wear earbuds (like noise removing ones) or earbuds (music type), so I don't hear a ton.

No idea if painting the panels is a good idea or not. Mine still has remains of the original silver paint (black paint? not sure what it was called), so I want to remove that and make them as shiny as possible. Ive seen some great results by just sanding them and polishing. And yours looks good.

Is the speed limits high there? Here the highest speed limit is 90 kmph, and you lose your licence at 126kmph (in the 90). But its mostly just 80. I find the lack of gears refreshing, I am done with all the shifting so quickly when Im just casually touring through a city. If I am not mistaken bikes are happy with more rpm than cars. The fuel consumption on mine is great too (5.36L/100km) on average the last 5700 kilometers I rode.

If I were to give one piece of advice, it would be to not drive the bike into snow to take a cool picture, its heavy and getting it out is a pain. And if there is sand make a plan for how to turn around.

 

[rphillips]

GS 1000G = 90HP & 850G = 78 HP. Both very close in dry wgt., between 550 & 560 lbs. Wet wgt. right at 600 to 610 lbs.