Resurrecting an '85 GS700E

[GSequoia]

Well this is going to be interesting.

This project followed me home yesterday. I paid $200 for the bike plus extras. It started out in life as a neglected GS700E, somehow the intake valves got messed up and made friends with the pistons. After awhile one of the valves in number three got tired and fell over knocking a hole in the piston.

Anyway long and short of it is my friend had to move, no more room for the project, so now it's mine. I've got a 750 case, cylinder block, head, and rotating assembly and plan to put it all together.

I'm new to the GS but not new to working on motorcycles or mechanics in general. I haven't worked on one of these multi-cylinder bikes in awhile though, my daily rider has one cylinder of fury.

Anyway on to some photos with light commentary. This project is going to get off to a slow start as I have some things ahead of it in line. I'm staring the build thread this early for information gathering and the chance to ask you all many irritating questions.

On with the show...

This tab (I'm guessing for the helmet lock) is bent and slightly cracked. That'll be an easy fix for me.

This label is ripped, a bit of a bummer really.

Rear brake appears functionally complete but is missing the dust cover.

Can anybody tell me what the rearmost hole in the rearset hanger is for? I'm missing the bolt on both sides and there is nothing behind it to attach to.

Man the turn signal / headlamp switch is just plain funky! I may need to look into different options, is there a European spec one that is better (flass to pass would be neat).

I was glad to see I have a 49 state model, it means more fuel capacity and this nifty trunk. Note the crudely cut out slots in the lower areas, does this tend to collect water perhaps?

Are these wings on the rear pegs just to keep the passenger's legs out of the wheel?

That's gonna need some lovin.

 

[GSequoia]

I rather like the massive headlamp.

Pipes are complete but boy will they need some polish work.

This dent looks awfully clean, I'm suspecting this is factory clearancing, correct?

What, never heard of double clutching?

Spare 750cc pistons and rods.

Extra cylinder block mistakenly got off eBay. Looking at the photos I'm thinking an air cooled 750 since the fins are larger than the oiler I've got below, yes?

750cc rotating assembly my friend got off SVSooke.

Familiar Sooke?

The lever on the gas cap is damaged. I'll need to fix that too.

I have one side panel, it has cracks but can be repaired. The tank has minor dents that I'll deal with prior to paint.

I'm sure I'm missing a good amount of hardware. I'm also missing both helmet locks, the seat lock, the rear brake dust cover, the knob for the rear shock preload adjustment, and a few other odds and ends. The stator cover is also pretty gouged, probably a bit too deep to correct. I'll start tracing down the little (cheaper!) stuff soon, hey, if you got something I need let me know too

Let's see where this thing takes me, probably in a handbasket, right?

Oh yaeh, tons more pics here: http://events.sequoia4x4.com/v/GS700E/20121006-AsBought/?g2_highlightId=39112

 

[tkent02]

I have an extra side panel, which side do you need?

 

[GSequoia]

I have an extra side panel, which side do you need?

Left side would be the side I need. I have a small (about 4" long) piece of it and that's it!

 

[tkent02]

Ok .

 

[SVSooke]

The second bolt hole in the passenger peg holder is for the exhaust to bolt to.You are lucky to even have a lever on the cap,mine broke off Seems to be pot metal but I could be wrong.Yes that's the stock signal/headlight switch for these bikes.IIRC that is a stock clearance indent on the pipes for the brake lever.

 

[GSequoia]

Ah, exhaust, makes perfect sense now

Also I remembered this morning that I'm also missing the rear axle bolt cover on the left hand side. It'll be fun finding all the little things I"m missing, I'm sure that will be responsible for all sorts of nice little delays.

 

[GSequoia]

Well $142 later and it's legally mine. I had to pay the transfer plus fee for expired registration plus the fee to register it as non-operational. Doing so now will keep me from having much higher fees when I get it running again.

 

[GSequoia]

Well I couldn't help but mess with it a bit tonight (shhh, don't tell my wife).

The instrument panel covers have seen better days, may need to sort that out if I get a lucky score.

And the back half of the front brake master needs to be replaced. THe mirror mount is stripped out. THe previous owner drilled through the mount and mirror and pinned it to get by. That won't stand! Too bad he screwed up the threads on the perfectly good mirror


Anybody have a broken RH mirror handy? I'm wondering if I can graft the stem from a mirror with a broken head onto the good mirror I have. The case is scratched up some but I think I can sand/polish that out. They're otherwise OEM Suzuki mirrors (which amazes me considering the bike has obviously not lead a charmed life).


I still like that big headlamp

 

[jwhelan65]

I have many parts for your bike, are you looking for the complete gauge assembly or just the bezel cover?

 

[Bevo]

Looks like a fun project!

 

[Guest]

Good lord and I thought my rebuild was tough lol. Good luck on yours!

 

[GSequoia]

I have many parts for your bike, are you looking for the complete gauge assembly or just the bezel cover?

Hmm, good question.

In theory jus the housing is broken (back panel and a small chip on the bezel around the "glass") but before I make that call I should probably test them all. I know that the IP has been messed with because the main bus connector was out of place and hanging down.

There are some disadvantages to not witnessing a machine running before buying it, aren't there

 

[GSequoia]

I have many parts for your bike, are you looking for the complete gauge assembly or just the bezel cover?

Actually one thing comes to mind.

I recall that you changed your shock. Do you have the OEM adjusters or did you graft that to the replacement? I don't know what condition my shock is in (nor really what to expect at 60k miles) but I do know that it is missing the preload knob.

 

[jwhelan65]

Actually one thing comes to mind.

I recall that you changed your shock. Do you have the OEM adjusters or did you graft that to the replacement? I don't know what condition my shock is in (nor really what to expect at 60k miles) but I do know that it is missing the preload knob.

I have the preload knob, I have a Hagon on mine which eliminates the adjuster all together. I can get you a good deal on one if you are interested.

 

[GSequoia]

Just to verify that I'm correct that ti's the preload knob, not rebound here is the photo of my complete and missing knob.

Maybe before I get too far I should try teh adjustments out to see if the shock is shot. I'll do that at some point this weekend.

 

[Bevo]

I think if your planning to ride the bike lots when done it may be best to have the shock rebuilt and freshened up. The cost is not great and the performance gain will be well worth it.

If those are compression and rebound damper adjusters you will have some rubber lines and seals on the nitrogen/oil charge. That rubber may be dried out and leaked your charge away.

 

[SVSooke]

Either I have extremly good liuck(not likely) or these shocks are tough.All 4 of mine the preload adjusters still worked .Only real weak point seems to be the little nylon gear in the damping adjuster.As far as I can tell all the shocks I had still worked quite well,the one in the 85 is working nicely at 0 preload and#1 damping.Ok I don't really push it either but IMHO that's good for a shock this old.

 

[GSequoia]

Okay, I compiled a partial list of missing items. I say partial because I'm just going off what I noticed on the body.

Cap for clip on, inside (opposite of bar end weight)
OEM Bar end weights (existing ones are Uhhhhgly)
Tool kit basket
-I've seen mention of it on ebay. Does the tool kit go in the cavity where the battery is under teh seat? If so I'm missing the basket.
1 rubber isolator for battery basket (not at the bolts, the ones on the pins)
Tank pucks
2 (of 3) plastic clips for tail (Not worried about that, common item)
2 helmet locks
Seat lock and brackets(?)
Front master cylinder (sight glass bad, mirror mount forked)
1 isolator for side panel at tank
2 isolators for side panels at frame
Speedometer cable retainer at fender
Speedometer cable sheath damaged
Left rear axle adjuster cover
Tool kit
Rear brake caliper dust cover
Left side panel (missing)
Right side panel (damaged, repairable but if I find a cheap undamaged one I'll take it)
Tail lamp (chipped)

Does this side stand look right? I don't know how much play is normal.
As it lays when folded up.

Holding it in.

I messed with the preload and rebound adjusters and they physically turn, not sure they're doing much though since I don't know how they should behave.

Also I took apart the gas cap, I may be able to straighten out the lever to be functional but I'll never be able to make it right. I at least realized I can remove the lever itself if I find a lever separately somewhere. The cap opens and closes easier now, the original grease in the lock cylinder bore was hampering operation. The job isn't done yet though as it seems the lip in the tank for the latch is a bit messed up, that will be a delicate operation to repair but I'm sure it can be done.

The only evidence I can see of the bike being down is the bent brake lever, there are scratches here and there and the tank has a few minor dents but the pipes look real good. I'm wondering if it's only gone down at a slow / no speed or if the pipes have been replaced.

One note - In previous photos at the vin sticker it appears the frame has a dent, this is just a trick of the light and messed up sticker.

 

[jwhelan65]

My stand is somewhat loose also, the back side is where you adjust the tightness. The spring should pull it tight enough that it doesn't bounce around.