I know nothing about bikes but thought "why not buy one"

[JEEPRUSTY]

Depends on whata yah want the engine to do.

http://www.billzilla.org/2v4v.htm

[850 Combat]

4 valves per cylinder have a potential for more power at all RPMs. Smaller lighter valves can handle faster opening and closing ramps for good low end power, but they flow more due to a larger circumference to diameter ratio. There really isn't a downside as far as performance goes.

[Joe Garfield]

From one new member to another, Welcome

I had never seriously thought about riding a motorcycle, until one day I walked past an early 80's 650L and knew that was something I wanted to ride. I knew nothing about bikes but bought one within 2 weeks. I had more fun on that bike than I could have ever imagined.

I took the MSF course that year - it is a lot of fun. You use their bikes for the beginner class. I officially got my license through that course. I also took the Advanced course more recently on a bigger bike that I owned. It was still fun. I will do it again.

Good luck, congrats, and keep us posted. I just bought an '82 the other day that I want to fix up/restore but it's in decent shape already. They are cool bikes

[Kiwi Canuck]

where abouts are you from, the bike will be in brookswood for the time being.

I live about 10 minutes East of Brookswood, 238th Street and 48th Ave approx.

David

[BigD_83]

I took the MSF course that year - it is a lot of fun. You use their bikes for the beginner class. I officially got my license through that course. I also took the Advanced course more recently on a bigger bike that I owned. It was still fun. I will do it again.

While the MSF courses are great assets and arguably indispensable learning tools, here in British Columbia we no longer have provincially-sponsored courses. All of the Motorcycle Rider courses of which I am aware are now run through private enterprises, which has resulted in very high costs. The last time I checked while searching for a course for my girlfriend, all of the local courses started in the $800.00 range (yes, eight HUNDRED). While not a huge price relative to the cost of an accident, new bike, gear, etc, I do wonder if it is high enough that many new riders do not consider enrolling. That being said, rarely a weekend goes by where I don't see some sort of rider trainee on the road, either in a small group with lead and sweep instructors, or taking one-on-one instruction.

Having been a teacher/instructor/trainer of many things over the last 25 years, and having "taught" a few friends the basics of riding, I'd highly recommend taking a course from a trained motorcycle instructor.

[Joe Garfield]

$140 seemed like the top of my range in Vermont, though I've heard they can cost more in the US. The class is $25 in Ohio, at that price I would consider taking it frequently.

I just suggested the course because I saw others mention it and I enjoyed it, but for $800 I am almost sure I would balk. I thought I remembered the MSC talking about a Canadian counterpart but I guess that has changed.

I know what you mean about changing what you want, I'm usually all over the place until the last minute. I thought I wanted another L but am quite happy with my G.

If you haven't already, check out BikeCliff's Web page, lots of good stuff there.

[C_OUELLET]

Alright so I just bought a tank off a member of this site, should be here next week, we exchanged measurements and all the brackets holding the tank look identical. I guess I'll find out soon enough though. I've also found a new ignition on Amazon (where you put the key) as mine does not turn. Probably due to the bike sitting in the rain since 2006 :/ ... I've been pulling off all the small brackets and will attempt to get my work sand blaster working again. It's in t the very far corner of our building so I can probably hide out and work on my bike on the clock! I think I'm going to start looking at the bike wiring before attempting the engine. It needs a new battery, not sure what kind/size, and then from there I'd like to take out anything I don't need on the bike. Not sure how to go about that though.

[Joe Garfield]

I'm in a similar state with my bike. It was suggested to me to test the electrical before replacing engine gaskets, so the generator cover gasket only needs to be done once. That made me think about planning my repairs so that work doesn't have to be done twice, so I thought I would share the same message.

Testing the electrical is outlined fairly well in this forum somewhere. It requires running the bike up to 5000rpm, so first I'm doing what it takes to get the bike to that speed safely and quietly (exhaust repair, fixing a leak, etc). Then I can tear down the engine and do whatever else I need to do.

[recycled64]

You run the bike's engine to 5k in neutral, on the stand (unless I misunderstand the context of your post)

[Kiwi Canuck]

Today Chris came by my place so I could help him with the carbs.

We managed to get them apart without too much trouble, a few seized screws and one of the pilot jets required some creative effort to get it out.

The slot in the top of the jet was damaged, I didn't have an easyout that would fit, so I gave it a blast of heat and then I tapped a small T7 torx driver into the top of the jet and managed to get it to turn, she came out and other than the slightly enlarged hole at the top it looks good.

I will recut the slot in the top and see if it will still work OK (any comments on this fix and if it can be re-used without any issues)

Also one of the neddle jet seats would not come out even with heat, so I have dipped the carb with it still installed and will give it another go tomorrow.

Probably needs new seats and needles as the old ones look pretty seized and beyond repair, the cost of these OEM units are $$$$, what else is available?

While cleaning up one of the fuel bowls I went to undo the drain bolt and it just crumbled, so we need one of those, it's the small type, same as the GS850/1000 CV series carbs.

All in all a pretty nice time hanging out with Chris and just taking our time to disassemble/service the carbs.

Hopefully he can find the right micro fiche for these carbs as they are not the same as the GS450 sold in the US.

I did find the service manual for the GSX400 which shows the correct carb, but could not locate any parts microfiche.

I may update with a few photos when I go back into the garage tonight.

Cheers

David

[storm 64]

Sounds like you got some work done and had a good time too. Sometimes it's just as fun working on motorcycles than it is riding them.

[Kiwi Canuck]

Sounds like you got some work done and had a good time too. Sometimes it's just as fun working on motorcycles than it is riding them.

Yeah, we had a great time, I love working with someone else on this sort of stuff, no rush just enjoying the process, also nice to lend a helping hand.

[Kiwi Canuck]

A few photos of the carb work we did today

Here are a few random shots of the work we did today.

Carbs getting broken down.



Fuel "T" is completely solid blocked up with white hard crud, used a drill by hand to ream it out and then put it in the ultra sonic bath for a bit.



I finally got the frozen valve needle seat out, this was one of the worst carbs I've had to deal with as far as stuff seized up, almost everything required a fair amount for work to remove it, even the round slide and butterfly was stuck solid.



The 2nd carb is in the Berrymans dip for the night, and I will probably put this one back in for a few hours tomorrow.

Here is one of the bowls after a bit of polishing, this one had a blocked enricher circuit, took an hour in the ultrasonic and much work with carb cleaner and small pieces of wire to clear it.

[steve murdoch]

Dave, good on ya for helping out a new guy.

[Fjbj40]

For cleaning your internal parts may I suggest http://www.hoppes.com/bore-cleaners/no-9-solvent , one of the best cleaners for brass and other carb parts. You will be shocked how well it cleans. Rinse in isopropyl alcohol 99 percent after.

cheers,
Daryl