New member from Chico, CA

[Mclaughc]

I just picked up my first GS. I bought this non running GS from my neighbor's brother who had owned it since he was 18 ( he’s 52 now). I’m looking forward to tinkering on this bike and making it a fun town bike.

The bike:
1978 GS550. I’m not sure if it’s an e.
vin:GS550111188

known issue
the bike cranks over nice but doesn’t start. The fuel leaked so bad from the peacock that there want a lot of time spent on the ignition.

some of the issues I know that need to be fixed:
petcock - I ordered new seals for the original.
fuel lines

while waiting for those things I will start with testing the spark.

pics to come soon

Chris

[Rob S.]

What bike? .........

[Nessism]

Welcome!

Be sure to check the newbie mistakes thread linked in my signature. It will help you...

[rphillips]

I don't think there is a better site for someone with their first GS. How much do you know about its history? Why not running?, has it just sat for too long, did something break and was never fixed, hopefully nothing too serious. Whatever you need to know is probably here. Good luck and welcome...

[Rich82GS750TZ]

You gonna tell us what it is? Show us some pics?

[Redman]

Welcome Chris,
thanks for introduction (you get extra points for that har har)

tell us more.
you have worked on other bikes?
did it sit unused for long time?

let me guess: it had charging issues, and so PO let it sit for about 5 years.

pictures.
we all like pictures.

what model? Year?
post pic and let us figure it out.

.

[Mclaughc]

You gonna tell us what it is? Show us some pics?

Pics to come and more details too. I love forums and don’t use Facebook so I will be doing a lot of reading and searching.

[Mclaughc]

Looks like one pic per post for now.

[Mclaughc]

[Mclaughc]

[rphillips]

OK, looks pretty nice, a 1978 GS550 C and looks like most everything is there. Have you looked inside the tank yet? sometimes that's a problem. Do you know why it's not been ran lately?

[Mclaughc]

The guy I bought it from has had the bike for 34 years. I have known him for 12 years of that as he often visits his brother who is a friend and my good friend, and immediate neighbor.
He has always ridden the bike on clear days when he visits his brother until just a few months ago when he asked if he could barrow my spark tester for the plugs. I was told that it wouldn't start and he was having issues with the petcock. After he added silicone sealer between the petcock and tank, it would still leak but it ran very rough and would then die.

I just went out and tested the coil packs and they are all delivering good spark.
I ordered new seals for the petcock from RMATV (another great OEM source).

While testing the spark, I see that there are many dry hoses so I will be replacing all of them when I get the fuel supply parts. When I look under the cap, I don't see any rust but it does smell old. I will stick a probe in there and look around a bit better this week.


I also plan on running through all the basic maintenance after I here it fire. If I don't get the fire then I will be looking at air supply next.

Chris

[rphillips]

It seems, and hoping, this may be a relatively easy project. Just my opinion, Siting for months, not yrs. Possibly some fresh gas with appx. 3 oz. pr. gal of Seafoam could possibly get it going without having to go all through the carbs. That would be a huge benefit... Keep us updated.