New (to me) 850 in the garage

[DrewGS]

Well...I haven't posted lately because I have made little progress on my project lately. I've been busy with my DL650 (some wrenching...mostly riding).

Anyway...this came home today and thought I would share! It had three owners - the first two were brothers who had it since new (maybe someone here? I think it was in MN). From what I can tell, it's all original except the bars and mirrors - the originals came with the bike, but I think I would need all new cables, etc., to get the old bars back on. I told myself I wouldn't buy a bike until the project was ready, but I couldn't resist this beauty.

[alke46]

That's a nice looking 850. Congratulations

[steve murdoch]

Great looking bike.
Congrats on the new ride.

[dorkburger]

Good looker. Congrats. There was a member here a few years ago who did a beautiful restoration on one that looked vey similar to that which he later sold.

[DrewGS]

Maybe this is the one! However, it seems to have the original protective layer on the engine covers - i.e., it doesn’t look like they have been polished.

It sounded like the original owner had it for many years and then the brother. The guy I bought it from didn’t put many miles on it. He did tell me that one of the studs for the oil filter cover is stripped, so that needs attention right away. Also I’m not sure if he checked valve clearances so that’s on the list. Fortunately, that’s one of the things I have done already on the 650.

There is a short crack in the front fender. I’m thinking about taking it off and applying some JB Weld to the backside to keep it from spreading, but I haven’t started looking into that one yet for other solutions.

[Big Block]

Great looking bike.

[rphillips]

From here, that "Bike" looks great,...Handlebars & mirrors...no comment... Congrats.

[alke46]

I think we just need more pics, different angles and such.

[rphillips]

Yep, need more pictures of "'The Bike"' with less pictures of the bars & mirrors, I saw too much of them in the first picture... Of course, just my opinion.

[DrewGS]

Ha…will get some pics with less bars! After a closer look tonight, I’m thinking there may be enough slack in the cables and such to get the old handlebars back on. I plan to put s.s. brake lines on either way.

Speaking of brakes, I was not prepared for how good the brakes could be on a 39-yr-old bike. I thought they would be soft, but the feel of those brakes puts my 2011 V-strom to shame!

[davegs850]

Awesome looking bike!!! That is the best color!! It is an 83, Correct?

[DrewGS]

Yep! It’s an ‘83.

[ddaniels]

Very nice. Congrats!

[Redman]

Oh! Oh ! Nice !

[bwringer]

It's the fastest color, a "Cosmos Blue" 1983 GS850G.

I don't think mine has ever looked that good, even when I bought it 25 years ago.

This shot from 2007 may be about the best it's ever looked:




But with a little attention, they sure do work well. And yes, the brakes can be made to work very well.