New here and my new '80 GS550E

[Guest]

Hello all! I bought my bike about a week ago and immediately started doing research and found this place. This is completely new to me in the aspect I plan to tear it down and treat it right. It currently doesn't run well and I friend plans to help me since he has more experience with older bikes. I previously owned a 2008 Honda CBR 600RR... Sold it to pay for wedding rings and a house down payment. Now were getting settled down and I wanted a project I could be proud of and enjoy. So here it is the day I brought it home. Has new tires, rear shocks, front & rear brake pads, and was told it has new jets and carburators were cleaned... Yet its not running right lol. First I plan to clean and seal tank and get it running well and ride it for a bit and tear it completely down.

[Phred]

Two clues as to why it is not running right. First is the pods, second is the muffler? If that is what you call a muffler .

[Thomas T.]

Well it only runs if the choke is held and the if given throttle it dies. I don't calls those mufflers those are straight pipes and boarder line annoying and I'm 25 yrs old. My dad walked outside when I started it. I don't know much about, but I plan to research before I do anything I might regret.

[posplayr]

I would figure out what jets are in it as compared to stock. It is generally recommended to ditch those emgo puss and get k&n or the equivalent from APE

[jbird7262]

Agree... loose that exhaust, invest in a Vance/Hines or equivalent 4-1, and some good air filters, I like Uni foam pods. You will get lower mpg's but gain performance, and upset the neighbors. Hope you didn't pay too much for her.

[Thomas T.]

I paid $850 for it. Those 4 into 1 look good but I'm not looking to put a huge amount into this bike and doubt my wife would approve almost $400 on one part. I'm going to pick up a tank kit this weekend and look around for a new petcock. Mine has a small leak and the screw won't turn.

[BigD_83]

I see the cafe craze has caught on wherever you are...which is, where?

You can update your User CP (in this new layout, I think in My Profile- About Me) with location and a signature, like jbird's, so you don't have to continuously repeat that information in threads.

Welcome to the GSR.

[jbird7262]

I'm sure you can find a suitable replacement exhaust (used) here on the forum in the "classified" section, but what your running for pipes won't help your tuning project.

[Thomas T.]

I ordered a jet kit hope it's here in a week or 2. Plan on ordering a pro-15 tank clean/seal kit here soon and new brake lines. But I came home today and fuel was leaking from the petcock. I knew it would be an issue. But I haven't had much luck finding anything or than a rebuild. I know from researching most people say don't bother....

[jbird7262]

I hope you don't have a petcock with a center to center 50mm spacing, kind of hard to find, especially 1980 which doesn't have a lever or reserve, so far I'm ok with my 750 but setting up a 1984 GS450 into cafe and rounding up tanks, one 78 which has a good Cb750 shape, no cap or p/c, and just landed another tank that is the same design as my 750E with the knee insets w/ cap and p/c but will have to rebuild the p/c. Got upswept emgo exaust adapters, swaping clubs from bike to bike, grips, bar end mirrors, new sprockets, chain, welding up a seat pan or cutting down the stock 450 pan, 7in.H/L, new r/r. rear brake shoes, mini signals, detab some of the frame, thats a start. I like "redcoat" for the tank with an oxalic acid bath.

[Thomas T.]

Yep that's one....