Vintage bike ownership experience...

[Guest]

Hi All,

As some of you already know, I bought this 850G because it is the twin of one I bought brand new in 1981. Back then, the ownership experience was all positive; the bike was perfect, and remained that way for as long as I owned it. I don't remember ever having a single problem with it.

Now though, 36 years later, the experience is very different (yes, I know y'all are thinking "Well DUH!"). I've had the bike for seven months now, and it still isn't road worthy (though good progress has been made). So my question is: do any of you have a vintage bike that you can honestly say is "dead reliable", that you know you could hop on tomorrow and ride for 1000 miles and count on getting you back without any problems? I know that if I replace every single part on it with a new one, eventually it will become reliable, but that's not what I bought the bike for. I'm just wondering what I've gotten myself into.....

 

[GS1150Pilot]

My 1150. I put a ton of work into it, but it's a rock now. And I have done 1000 mile trips on it, so I know it will.

 

[GSXR7ED]

My bike has been parked for over two years...maybe three. But when I took her to New Mexico in 2013, she got me home every time between Alamogordo and Las Cruces.

She was in the bike shop initially and had good diagnostics and passed Delaware inspection. With the help of MrBill, I made some upgrades and rode the heck out of her.

Once I got back to Delaware, she needed wear/tear maintenance...which I'm still working on...hehe!


Ed

 

[storm 64]

I have two ready to go... It's not that hard to get them running and keep them running. Break it down into four basic categories. Chassis, ignition, charging system, engine, fuel system. Sort out each category one at a time. Starting with the most needed. It also helps starting out with a decent motorcycle to begin with. I find talking to the motorcycle helps keep everyone happy too. ☺

 

[cowboyup3371]

My 550T now as long as I'm not being stupid. It took a while to get it here though so just stay patient

 

[Guest]

my 1100 es is pretty darn solid. loads of work into it, both by me and the po, and regular attention

 

[Sandy]

Both of mine. In fact in 10 days I'm heading out on a 2,000+ km trip on the 750.

 

[Guest]

My bike has been parked for over two years...maybe three. But when I took her to New Mexico in 2013, she got me home every time between Alamogordo and Las Cruces.

She was in the bike shop initially and had good diagnostics and passed Delaware inspection. With the help of MrBill, I made some upgrades and rode the heck out of her.

Once I got back to Delaware, she needed wear/tear maintenance...which I'm still working on...hehe!


Ed

You have posted several thousand times in the past 2-3 years. Can I ask the obvious question: Why are you not spending more time on your bike rather than hang out on the forum?

 

[Guest]

I have a 79' KZ400B and 80' GS850G and both are properly equipped to ride when ready. Would not be excited to ride the KZ on a 1000+ mile trip unless I had a few extra days. Have run a 36 hour 1100 miler on the GS.

It has to do with maintenance and also what you start with. I see a lot of guys who buy "bucket of bolts" machines and there are some many issues to work out they never get to ride. Being discerning with the initial purchase takes you down the road to "readiness" much quicker.

 

[Burque73]

I've had several 300 and 400 mile days, and one over 500 on the 850 and only one call for a tow home. I neglected to check the charging system and overcharged the battery, r/r was toast! Since that was corrected, it's been very reliable. I'd ride it anywhere tomorrow, if time permitted. As far as dead reliable, I wouldn't say that about any vehicle. Some more than others sure, but there's always the possibility of a breakdown. I figure if I minimize the risk of breakdown as much as possible, make sure my insurance which includes towing is up to date, I'll take my chances.

I am amazed how comfortable of a ride the GS has compared to our other vehicles. My wife isn't crazy about the passenger seat though. She has been mentioning some soreness from the edges of the seat which I don't experience. Oh, as mentioned starting with a bike in nice condition helped a whole lot.

 

[Guest]

So my question is: do any of you have a vintage bike that you can honestly say is "dead reliable", that you know you could hop on tomorrow and ride for 1000 miles and count on getting you back without any problems?

My 1100E has been very good to me and it is my daily rider. When I get to it this summer the GSXR1000 in my sig is going to be sold and my only bike will be the 1100E (the ZX-6 is my wife's bike, though registered to me). I have certainly done my share of maintenance and repairs on the 1100E, but nothing crazy for a 35 year old bike. Rebuilt carbs (jetted to suit pods and 4-1 pipe), rebuilt front suspension, new shocks, new wheel bearings, new swingarm bearings, new brakes, an SH775 series regulator, some cleaning/tweaking of wiring and some cosmetic work have gotten me this far. If our weather ever settles down it will be repainted this summer and I will consider myself pretty much done aside from the regular maintenance related to a bike that is getting miles put on it.

I'm not sure I really want to do a 1000 mile trip on any bike, but I would jump on the 1100E for any ride without worrying that it is going to strand me along the way.

You have posted several thousand times in the past 2-3 years. Can I ask the obvious question: Why are you not spending more time on your bike rather than hang out on the forum?

Sometimes it can be much easier to talk about it than to dig through the pile in the garage and make time to get the work done. I know, I'm a world class procrastinator.


Mark

 

[Guest]

So as the initiator of this thread, I guess the message is: keep at it, and once I get the bike sorted, then it will be reliable. And it helps to start with a decent bike, which I did. See the photo.....

 

[chuck hahn]

Any of my bikes I would ride 500 or 600 miles right now and not have a second thought.....all except the TX750 and thats just because I havent found that rock solid oil that I trust to not foam up yet. But soon as I do find that oil my confidence wont wain.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

So as the initiator of this thread, I guess the message is: keep at it, and once I get the bike sorted, then it will be reliable. And it helps to start with a decent bike, which I did. See the photo.....

View attachment 51803

If you find value in the rekindling of the relationship with an old bike, I say yes, that is about right.

 

[GSXR7ED]

You have posted several thousand times in the past 2-3 years. Can I ask the obvious question: Why are you not spending more time on your bike rather than hang out on the forum?

It just worked out that way. I won't tell you I've spent several hundred dollars buying rebuild parts and having Steve rebuild my carbs...not forgetting to mention acquiring forks from an 1100 to swap my single front disk to two. I'm sure I'll pull my head out soon...but right now, I'm enjoying the dialogue.

Case in point, this thread!

Moar pics please!!!


Ed

 

[Guest]

I am amazed how comfortable of a ride the GS has compared to our other vehicles. My wife isn't crazy about the passenger seat though. She has been mentioning some soreness from the edges of the seat which I don't experience. Oh, as mentioned starting with a bike in nice condition helped a whole lot.

You can try raising the footpegs so her legs don't press on the sides of the seat as hard.

 

[Burque73]

You can try raising the footpegs so her legs don't press on the sides of the seat as hard.

Interesting thought. I'll have to look into that. She's about 5'3" tall BTW. I just don't want her knees to bent at an uncomfortable angle though. Happy bride, happy ride!

 

[BigD_83]

Interesting thought. I'll have to look into that. She's about 5'3" tall BTW. I just don't want her knees to bent at an uncomfortable angle though. Happy bride, happy ride!

How experienced is she as a passenger? My wife (5' almost 4") finds she slides around a little on the back of the 650G, as she currently has no grab handle or back rest to make her feel more secure. I can tell that that, at times, she is squeezing hard with her legs, enough that she is sore after a short while. The seat is fairly wide, which provides good cush for the tush, but makes it difficult for those with shorter legs.

B.C.G.S. suggestion is interesting, as you might only need to raise the footpegs a smidge to relieve some of the pressure on her inner leg.

 

[Guest]

Moar pics please!!!Ed

I've put my "beautification" efforts on hold until I can get the old girl running right (it doesn't make any sense to me to have the most beautiful 850 in the world if it doesn't run right). But when I do, it won't take my long to really spiff her up, and then I'll post "moar" pics!

 

[GSXR7ED]

Thank you, thank you!!!!


Ed