Sebastian's GS850

[Sebastian24]

Hello,
My name is Sebastian and this is my new to me 850. This is my second bike I've ever owned (past - '05 gsxr600). I look forward to modifying it to really make it mine, and I will be leaning towards the cafe racer look.
I do not know the modifications already made on the bike besides the very obvious ones such as the 4 into 1 header, seat, handle bars, non-existent turn signals, and so on.
Although the bike runs really well, I intend to change all the fluids as "first order of things", as well as taking a look at the chain tensioner. Iv'e read it can be rebuilt and it will quiet down some, or change it to a manual one. Not sure which direction I will go with that until I have it out.
The very next will be to add turn signals, change the gauges to some smaller ones, change the mirrors to ones on the end of the bars, and get a proper cafe seat on there. I'm really excited to work on this thing and see what I can really turn it into. I will post all the updates as I go, and feel free to yell at me whenever I make poor choices, all advice is very welcome

 

[Steve]

Nice start. :encouragement:

Among your changes/updates, please consider adding something to the exhaust system to keep the decibels to a reasonable level.

.

 

[Guest]

Cool "street tracker"!


I have a D&D street pack canister on my 4 into one header. That might be an option.

 

[Sebastian24]

Nice start. :encouragement:

Among your changes/updates, please consider adding something to the exhaust system to keep the decibels to a reasonable level.

.

Cool "street tracker"!


I have a D&D street pack canister on my 4 into one header. That might be an option.

Thanks guys.
I've been looking at some pipes on dime city and I think this is the one for me
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/chrome-17-inch-shorty-reverse-cone-megaphone-muffler.html
I'll look at D&D as well.
Even with just the headers open it feels like it's a bit quieter than my old gsxr with a 2 brothers exhaust on there, but a bit quieter would be even better, I agree

 

[Sebastian24]

Tiny updates while waiting for parts. I figured out that the seat I have on there is a pretty nice seat
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/black-legendary-motorcycles-bratt-seat.html
also, I used goof off on it and it looks spectacular, just like in the pictures on the website. Not sure if I will keep it or not, I think I will end up going with a cafe tail instead of the brat.
Also, after spraying the seat with the goof off, I took a shot at the case. Lo and behold it is cheap rattle can paint, so my black engine and tranny will be easily restored to a nice polished look.
More updates to follow as stuff starts coming in
Will need to dig in the harness as idk what's been cut and re utilized, but my brake light won't turn on the second filament, it just stays one solid color :\

 

[Sebastian24]

Hey guys, quick question. As I'm slowly trudging along getting the bike where I want it to be, I've been trying to find an exhaust for it. Problem is that everything I look at cafe/tracker/vintage mufflers are too small. The O.D. of my 4 into 1 exhaust is 2 1/8"
Is this really that uncommon or am I looking in all the wrong places?
Thank you,
Sebastian

 

[Spyder]

There is a reducer on mine to convert the 2 1/2" header to the 2' D&D muffler... These are found at any auto parts store as well as some black header paint to cover the galvanized look...

 

[Sebastian24]

There is a reducer on mine to convert the 2 1/2" header to the 2' D&D muffler... These are found at any auto parts store as well as some black header paint to cover the galvanized look...

Thanks spyder, I found reducers as well as a 54mm muffler

BUT, the bike is in pieces now.... :biggrin:
As the weather changed, I noticed that it would start breaking up a bit when colder outside. Found the intake was leaking, not only around the filter but the boots as well. Then I was looking to install my turn signals, and found that the front-end wires are all hacked up. So all that combined with the petcock not functioning properly and having an inline shut-off valve made me want to tear it down.
This is "the plan of attack" as of right now

1. Change all fuel and vacuum lines
2. Clean and paint tank and fender (not sure If I should tackle this myself...or if I will try to put a gs550 tank on it)
3. Clean up the wiring and install new headlight, headlight bracket, and gauges
4. Install clubman handlebars and new levers
5. Install new controls
6. Install new air filter (do I just order a jet kit and install individual filters?)
7. Change out the knobby tires for some smoother rounder ones (this will be later on down the road, but I feel like they're unstable at higher speeds)

Ok, so I basically did all the newbie mistakes and more so far, instead of systematically going through and fixing everything that's messed up. In my defense I didn't know some of the stuff wasn't functioning properly. I can't stand when someone jerry-rigs stuff, and OCD kicks in, and research takes over and here I am now... with a multitude of parts laying around :eagerness:
I'll try to get some more pictures up as I make progress, so far I re-did the coil wires (who's great idea was to glue the wires in the coils???) and spark plug caps, new tail light, mounted turn signals, fluids, and a bit of cleaning.
ok ok, /end rant haha

 

[Spyder]

Yeah, I tried to "just ride it" when I got mine too. Never works that way... I had to dig into it and find and undo all of the rediculousness and DO all of the things that haven't been done. Whoever had it before me just wanted it to "look" like a cool bike. The rest of us want it to RUN like a cool bike, THEN look like one... And my CDO (same as OCD, just in alphabetical order LIKE IT SHOULD BE) would kick in and I just couldn't stop with the simple stuff...
Good luck with her ! ! ! Looking forward to your progress.

 

[Sebastian24]

Yeah, I tried to "just ride it" when I got mine too. Never works that way... I had to dig into it and find and undo all of the rediculousness and DO all of the things that haven't been done. Whoever had it before me just wanted it to "look" like a cool bike. The rest of us want it to RUN like a cool bike, THEN look like one... And my CDO (same as OCD, just in alphabetical order LIKE IT SHOULD BE) would kick in and I just couldn't stop with the simple stuff...
Good luck with her ! ! ! Looking forward to your progress.

hahaha
Thank you sir, trying to find out the intake options now, if I could only make up my mind....lol

 

[Sebastian24]

A bit of an update on the bike. I started gathering a bit of parts for it. I also started having some issues when the bike gets going...idk if i'm running the bowls dry or what. I can't really find out what the issue is until the petcock gets here, which will hopefully be this evening or tomorrow.
I took the gauge cluster off, lowered the headlight, started taking some off that ugly engine paint off, ordered new cables (speedo cable, rpm cable) but I have no idea which gauges I should get. 2.5" or 4". I am putting those "clubman style" handlebars with bar end mirrors on.
Now does anyone know if I can use any 7/8" front brake handle and brake reservoir? Also, what tank is that on the white bike? I found the proper seat but can't figure out the tank :\
This is what she looks like now

 

[Sebastian24]

this is the bike and tank I am talking about

 

[loud et]

this is the bike and tank I am talking about

That looks like a stock 850 tank that has been modified (sides cut out, recessed knee pans welded in etc etc..)
That's my guess.
Basically yes, you can use most 7/8 bar hand controls (brake /clutch).
Keep in mind the brake hose and clutch cable come out at different angles on different units. Oem units are usually good quality on most makes. Aftermarket units from China on e bay may look good but they may or may not be good quality.
I'd sure hate to see you bang up a good tank.....I went through hell to find a good 850 tank and I still ended up doing a ton of work to make it nice.
Let me know if you want to sell that tank or seat depending on what direction you go and what parts you do or don't need.
Nice bike...

 

[Sebastian24]

That looks like a stock 850 tank that has been modified (sides cut out, recessed knee pans welded in etc etc..)
That's my guess.
Basically yes, you can use most 7/8 bar hand controls (brake /clutch).
Keep in mind the brake hose and clutch cable come out at different angles on different units. Oem units are usually good quality on most makes. Aftermarket units from China on e bay may look good but they may or may not be good quality.
I'd sure hate to see you bang up a good tank.....I went through hell to find a good 850 tank and I still ended up doing a ton of work to make it nice.
Let me know if you want to sell that tank or seat depending on what direction you go and what parts you do or don't need.
Nice bike...

Oh wow just seen your post.... unfortunately the tank was already dented, kind of hard to see in my pictures (potato phone) but on but sides it looked almost like it buckled under some weight. Maybe someone stored something on top of it?
Anyways I still haven't decided what to do about the handle bars... I feel like even the Renthals are a bit awkward, or maybe bc I'm 5'6", but I'm really hugging the tank lol. Almost like my Crotch rocket stance... I'm trying to figure it out bc after about 30-45 min of riding my arms start getting tired and my back as well. I have a feeling it has more to do with the foot controls than anything else. I need to figure out how I can relocate those

 

[Sebastian24]

Merry Christmas to everyone!

And thinking about this gift for myself

 

[Sebastian24]

Just a little mock up