New from Oregon, GS425

[A74R1]

went on a ride Saturday to go pick up a new pair of summer gloves.... on the way back I lost power to the right cylinder in 2nd gear around 10k rpm while trying to pass a truck. Figuring I friend a coil or condenser, I managed to make it home on just the 1 cylinder. Upon inspection found that the contact point on the right side decided to destroy itself, separating the point from the spring and frying the points. Got 2 on order and going to replace both at the same time.. guess this is what I should expect for a 35 year old bike being on the road for the first time in 21 years..

[Charlie G]

It was never a difficult job to set points and time them, but I don't miss it. I'd look into converting it if I were you. It might be a bit pricey though.

cg

[A74R1]

It was never a difficult job to set points and time them, but I don't miss it. I'd look into converting it if I were you. It might be a bit pricey though.

cg

Looked into that and have read mixed reviews..

I've read about some that convert and don't get much more than a few thousand miles out of the new electronic system before it fails..

I think it's close to $350 to convert my particular bike over, and I'm thinking it may be cheaper to keep with points..

Perhaps I should just carry spares with me?

[Big T]

Change your condensors also (you can do that without changing the timing)

$350?

No Dyna S for your bike?

[Gorminrider]

+1 the above from BigT is excellent advice

[pete]

The Dynatek DS3-3C that can go on the 425 includes coils as well as the Dyna S, so it's a bit dearer than the others.

[A74R1]

got my points today from ebay ($20 w/ shipping for the pair)... some really bad Chinese knock offs I'm guessing. Anyways, needed a bit of spring modification and mounting holes lengthened out but I did manage to make the $8 part work and seems to be running well. We'll see if I make it into work tomorrow...

[BigD_83]

That's the spirit...what kind of tools do you have access to for working on your bike?

[850 Combat]

I bought OEM points and condensers for a '79 GS850 I got free about 20 years ago. They were about $100. Ididn't even know there was aftermarket avilable. I like the old 400/425. They are real roller bearing GS. The 450/500 have plain bearings. The shaft drive 650 does too. Nothing wrong with Plain bearings, but to me, a true GS doesn't use them on the crank, they have a two stroke type crank assembly.

Good work, by the way.

I don't envy you barrelling up the Sunset back and forth from the West side, if that is what you do. You meet the nicest people in the area, but a lot of them will fight for every inch of the Sunset. Tailgating seems to be mandatory. Leave a gap, and someone squeezes into it.

[A74R1]

I bought OEM points and condensers for a '79 GS850 I got free about 20 years ago. They were about $100. Ididn't even know there was aftermarket avilable. I like the old 400/425. They are real roller bearing GS. The 450/500 have plain bearings. The shaft drive 650 does too. Nothing wrong with Plain bearings, but to me, a true GS doesn't use them on the crank, they have a two stroke type crank assembly.

Good work, by the way.

I don't envy you barrelling up the Sunset back and forth from the West side, if that is what you do. You meet the nicest people in the area, but a lot of them will fight for every inch of the Sunset. Tailgating seems to be mandatory. Leave a gap, and someone squeezes into it.

I wouldn't dare take the Sunset in either.. well I do to a point and then take some of the backroads in through the West Hills. West Union is a nice parallel route, as well as Germantown Rd.

Great to see yet another GS member close in the area... I get out to Tillamook often with Dual Sport rides on my little XT. It's a nice destination after meandering through the TSF.

[BigD_83]

Yes, you have a lot of members in your area.

GustovH and Big_T gave us a nice tour of the west side of Portland and out to the coast last year at the PNW rally.

[A74R1]

Finally was able to get my battery looking a little better... and added my model badge!!

Previously didn't have anything holding the battery in other than the +/- cables, so decided to address it last night. Painted the 3 visible sides of the battery black and cut up an old belt I had lying around. Ended up with pretty much the look I had in mind. Don't think I need a cover now...

[Charlie G]

You have done a nice job with your 425L. May I respectfully suggest you remove the last vestige of "L-ness" and just have it say GS 425

cg

[A74R1]

You have done a nice job with your 425L. May I respectfully suggest you remove the last vestige of "L-ness" and just have it say GS

cg425

I fully respect your suggestion... but I'm thinking I may keep it as a nod to what it used to be. No shame in riding an L

[BigD_83]

You have done a nice job with your 425L. May I respectfully suggest you remove the last vestige of "L-ness" and just have it say GS 425

cg

I think you should leave it on, just for the "L" of it