Parked in 1985 . 1982 GS850 roars again -- video

[frasermanx]

I have never had a bike so old but so good. My new story -- 1982 GS850 cruiser parked in 1985 with a bald tire stilling holding air.

I already had a 1980 Gs850 cruiser that was given to me because the PO could not keep it running. After changing the plugs to the proper ones and cleaning the carbs twice.. I am able to ride it daily. the compression is 110 100 100 110 or worse 52k km. with a very dirty burnt oil cylinder head that one prospective buyer said was a bad head gasket -- that was a feature of this model ? ( any comments on that ? )

Anyhow when another one became available 1982 model I was intrigued because the mileage was 25k km. and I had grown fond on these cruisers with the big hard bags, Windjammer highway plow and very comfortable riding position ( unlike my '90 GSXR ) .. Great for city errands !! But I have never trusted the engine enough or the old tires to get on the highway

Sooo I bought the 1982,,, cleaned the tank ( no rust ) cleaned the fueltap ( still worked ), the carbs very carefully/thoroughly. New plugs, new oil, new air filter ( made from pieces of an auto filter )

the fun is that the license plate from 1985 is still on the bike !! Apparently the PO just lost interest and parked it ! Maybe because he didn;t want to buy new tires, the horn button broke ?? not sure ... but the engine sounds and runs like new... and the mufflers are solid without rust !!

I like the '80 for its simplicity tho.-- '82 is bigger, seat is flat not stepped, Windjammer even bigger than '80 and windshield is huge. Front end feels a little strange since the '80 has a forward axle and '82 straight axle to forks
heavier than '80 and '82 i can't get on the centre stand..

so here is the video ...
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9AzvPMd0pc>

I am now rebuilding the brake calipers, lines, mastercylinders.

Needs if you have these in your junk pile ... I will take / buy them !!
Tires. any condition ok
Would be great to get a new windshield too -- this one is cloudy.
One rear suspension unit looks like its leaking
Forks probably need rebuilding.
Steering head might be loose or bearings bad
Tank badges .. lost somewhere
Right hand battery cover GS850G
Tops of bags are broken at the hinges

Fraser in Toronto fraser.manx at gmail

 

[dpep]

The differences between the two bikes are because of the model, not the year. Your '80 is an L model and the 82 is a straight G model.

Cliff will be along shortly with your official welcome and the link to his site which you will benefit you greatly. You want to get new tires and new suspension first. Cliff's site will give you your options. "Tires. any condition ok" is not a good idea.

The reason you can't get your bike on the centerstand is probably because of the sagging suspension. Roll the back tire up onto a piece of 2X before you lift and it should come onto the stand okay.

Welcome to forum. 850s are truly great bikes.

 

[Redman]

Fraser,


Yep, everything dpep said.
Oh, by the way, make sure you see his list of 850Gs.
(hey, he used to have four 850s, and one of them was his original from 1980)

Other comment would be that the fairing and the bags on your bikes would not be stock parts of the bike. WOuld be aftermarket add-ons that someone added. So when asking about a replcement windshield or trunk lid you will need to specify which brand-model and such.

Other problem with getting it on the center stand may be related to having the sidebags mounted and that there may not be any good place for a hand-hold to grab onto and lift. Oh, maybe should say that dont get it on the centerstand by pulling bike back by handlebars, but by standing on the centerstand lever and pulling up on the back side of the bike. A stock bike has a little grip handle mounted in just the best place to pull up on, and that usally gets removed (or covered up) when side bags are mounted.

Here is a better link to your vidio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9AzvPMd0pc

.

 

[Larry D]

Nice !!

Sounds pretty good. Did you seal up the airbox well too ? Have you adjusted the valves ?

When you change the rear tire. Inspect, clean and lube the rear spline.

That bike will serve you well, it looks like a great start !!

 

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. frasermanx,

Oh my! You've got six posts already and I have yet to give you your "mega-welcome"! I'm falling down on the job. (Sorry Don!) You'll find lots of GS850 lovin' on my site. Now let me say "Hi"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[midnightcafe]

Welcome to the GS forum Fraser! What are your goals for the bike? restore to ride or anything more?

 

[frasermanx]

Riding the 1982 GS850

Riding the 1982 GS850

Riding is great.on the highway now that I have cut the windshield down -- its much faster !! .. but I wonder about all that thrashing going on ... 4 cylinders is more than I am used to .... but now I have 3 4cycl. Suz including '90 GSXR I always rode BMW airheads before What oil should I use ... ?? thnaks

 

[frasermanx]

Oil cooler ??

Oil cooler ??

Looks easy to install. Do other riders use them on the GS850 ? Looks like I will keep the 1982 and give the 1980 to my girl thx fz

 

[boingk]

What oil should I use ... ??

I would recommend a 10W-40 or 15W-40 oil, as that is what is specified both in the users manual and on the oil filler cap. I'm running a 100% synthetic performance oriented 10W-40 oil in mine, but thats only because I anticipate some harsh use conditions (short trips, fast rides, hot weather).

The final choice is down to you. Essentially as long as you change it and the oil filter frequently (12 months or 3000km, whichever comes first) then you'll be fine.

Anyone feel free to recommend a good oil, or ping me if I'm wrong on this oil/filter change schedule.

Cheers - boingk

 

[Turtleface]

I would recommend a 10W-40 or 15W-40 oil, as that is what is specified both in the users manual and on the oil filler cap. I'm running a 100% synthetic performance oriented 10W-40 oil in mine, but thats only because I anticipate some harsh use conditions (short trips, fast rides, hot weather).

The final choice is down to you. Essentially as long as you change it and the oil filter frequently (12 months or 3000km, whichever comes first) then you'll be fine.

Anyone feel free to recommend a good oil, or ping me if I'm wrong on this oil/filter change schedule.

Cheers - boingk

Stay away from anything that says energy conserving in the API label on the back of the bottle. It stands a chance of fouling your clutch. The mileage interval seems ok, but I'd probably change it at six months rather than a year. But, I overdo everything that can be overdone, so take that into account.

 

[toejams1]

There are a ton of "which oil is best" threads on here. However, by my completely unoffical and in no way scientic tally, it seems the majority of people on here seem to prefer the Rotella Diesel Oil. That is what I started using, and it is a bit more economical than conventional motor oil.

 

[frasermanx]

Thanks

Thanks

Ok .. now convinced ..rotella is cheaper and better. What about an oil cooler ? Looks simple to install. How many riders are using them ? Fraser