Reviving 1981 GS1000GL

[Guest]

Back around 1998 my brother in law ran into an oil leak problem on his GS1000Gl on his way home to the Yukon and parked it at a friends place on Vancouver Island. He told me I could have the bike but I would have to go and pick it up. Road trip! From Manitoba to Vancouver Island, pick up the bike and transport it back to Manitoba on the back of my Toyota 4X4. Fixed it up and rode for a couple of years. I couldn't really afford the cost of insurance and so gave the bike to another brother in law, but he only parked it in his machine shed on the farm. So now retired and needing a project I am reclaiming the bike and have started the restoration. Sent the fuel tank out to be cleaned, (fifteen year old gas can get pretty groty) and cleaned the carbs today. I needed a resource as I had no manuals and so found this forum. I hope by the end of the summer the bike will be ready to go again. I hope to trailer it behind my motor home in the fall as my wife and I travel to the US.

[eil]

Hi Rascal,

You came to the right place. See the link to BassCliff's mega-welcome in my signature. It will lead you to factory service manuals, tutorials, and more. Be aware that this bike needs a complete going-through before you can call it road-ready. We're here to help you with any questions you might have.

Welcome!

[alke46]

Pictures are what we all like to see.. And welcome to the forum.

Larry

[RGM]

In bc you can get collector plates. Only cost me about 290 per year for insurance

[Rascal55]

Photos

[Rascal55]

[Rascal55]

[Rascal55]

Getting close now. Tank cleaned and relined, Carbs cleaned and reassembled, new intake boots, brakes bled with new fluid and new reservoir, new paint and a few more things to do. It does run now though.

[Rascal55]

After cleaning the carbs for the third time, the bike runs quite well. Ran into a leaking fuel cock problem. Went to my local Suzuki parts dealer and they had one in stock. I was shocked._MG_9636 (800x533).jpg

[eil]

After cleaning the carbs for the third time, the bike runs quite well. Ran into a leaking fuel cock problem. Went to my local Suzuki parts dealer and they had one in stock. I was shocked.

That would be quite a shock! Most dealers carry little if anything in terms of spare parts inventory. Especially for old bikes. Buddy of mine brought his 1996 Honda Magna over to change the sprockets and chain. Turns out he bought the wrong rear sprocket. Didn't have anything better to do so we jumped in the car and hit up all the bike repair shops we could think of and nobody had a suitable replacement. Not a surprise, really, but it was worth a shot. He ended up placing an order for one at the local Honda dealership (which was the last place we checked).