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Proud poppa of a rusty 83 GS1100L

  • Thread starter Thread starter Xanthius
  • Start date Start date
X

Xanthius

Guest
Hello all. New guy here from western Washington state. Yesterday I got myself a free 83 GS1100L which I plan on restoring to some degree. What degree will come down to budget more then anything but I'm also just dying to get back on 2 wheels after a 10 year or so hiatus. Ironically enough, my bike has a nearly identical hiatus since it last ran as well.

So my current plan is replace all fluids, plugs, and filters before even trying to start her. A battery recharge or replacement and cleaning of, well, everything of course is in order. Once I've gotten her running, I'll start to work out a plan for what I want to do as far as restoring/customizing. This will be a daily driver for me so won't be going too crazy regardless.

The previous owner knew almost nothing of the bike other then that it hasn't ran in a decade. So, my major issue at the moment is no keys. She couldn't find them anywhere and, as the bike was free, I took it anyway.

So my question is if anyone knows the best and/or cheapest way to get keys. Should a key for the ignition on this model also be the same for the fuel tank and seat? My main concern is the seat at this point so I can start disassembling things. I gently tried a screwdriver but no go and wasn't about to force it at this point. I have the vin but couldn't find key codes anywhere, though I haven't removed the ignition to see if they put it on there anywhere.

So any help, advice, questions, greetings, or critique of my plan or anything shall be met with gratitude. Thanks all in advance and I'm very happy to have found this site as it's truly a wealth of info. Have a great day all and with a little luck, work, and hopefully minimal cash, I'll be back on the road in the proper fashion in a few months :)
 
Keys have three digit numbers, should be on ignition switch. One key fits all as long as nothing has been changed out. Oh, and welcome to this excellent site.
 
And when you find the number, let us know. One of us should have a duplicate we can send ya. Some dealers or locksmiths can make keys,
 
Thanks for the warm welcome all and my first order of business will be getting to the code on the ignition.

I tried putting pics in before but was having issues. My laptop died so only access is via my phone. But here goes nothing... ;)
20151123_152807_zpsekf7zk77.jpg.html


 
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I found the code and it's 434. I am not looking for a freebee or anything so happy to pay for a key, if anyone here has one. I'll put a post up in the parts wanted section tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll also ask around at local locksmiths and dealers to see what they'd be charging. Regardless, thanks as always :D
 
When you get it up and worthy, join us at the PNW rally this coming year.

A carb cleaning is in order as well a new O rings behind the carb to head mounts. Replace all the O rings in the carbs and make sure the rubber plugs over the primary circuit are all there and seal. Flush the tank with fresh fuel as well. If there is any gas in the oil you may want to clean and change the O ring in the fuel valve.

V
 
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Remove the switch and go to a locksmith. They usually charge me 10 bucks for 2 keys. Usually while you wait. You have to use the ignition switch, not the gas cap or seat lock stuff, because it has more points in it to be arranged. The ignition switch will open the other two as it has the necessary points. The other two have fewer points to arrange and keys made from them don't have enough to operate the switch.
 
I opened up a second thread for the keys and had another member make some for me. Thank you very much though.

While I'm posting, update is I'm awaiting a few extra bucks again to get a screw extraction kit. Big emphasis on the word rusty in the title. Ah well... One step at a time. If it takes me years, I shall not be stopped. Lol
 
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