Hello from Ohio!

[Guest]

Hello all,

I just picked up a GS650GLZ (was able to identify the correct model number from this site, thanks!) today for $900, then immediately rode it 32 miles home. I believe there is something screwy with the carbs, as after it warms up it has a hard time idling unless its on its kickstand! It also seems a bit sluggish under 4k RPM. Other than that, i believe it needs some attention to the front brake, and thats all i noticed on the drive home. Here's a picture:



Now I have a lot of reading to do on how to fix her up nice.

[Phred]

Pretty nice looking bike. The carbs sound like they need a good cleaning though and the brake lines are likely original. You might want to change them over to stainless steel lines. Check out Basscliff's website for Carb tutorials and tons of other info. Someone will be along to welcome you soon. Once it is tuned up right you will have a lot of fun with this one.

[Steve]

What part of oHIo?

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[solarisin]

What part of oHIo?

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Cincinnati area. Today would have been a great day to ride it a bit more, but due to the holiday I wasn't able to get the title transferred or tags on it!

[trtsmb]

Nice looking bike! Welcome.

[Redman]

Hello all,

I just picked up a GS650GLZ
....

Welcome to GSR.

Thanks for the intro with the good picture.
(overcast days are good for photos)

Bike looks to be in good stock original condition.

Good that you find it comfortable, at least on your 23 mile ride home.

On longer rides if you start to find it uncomfortable, say wrist hurt (due to goofy angle of holding you hands) or if shoulders or back or abdominal get sore (due to having to hold self up against the wind with elbows bent): the bars would be the suspect there.

Might want to check manufacture date of the tires (a good idea on any new purchase), especially with what looks like discoloration of the rear tire (could just be dust from storage or dirt roadd, I see same on shaft tube).

Do tell us more of your adventures.

There are a bunch of GSR members in Dayton area, and some in Cinci area, and some in NE, and a few elsewhere too.

I had 650, although a 650G, for 20+ years.

CAnt think of why run better on sidestand, other than maybe a carb float sticking when upright and operates freely when leant over.
Or maybe one carb float height misadjusted to low, but then operates better when leant over.
Just quessing.
Haven not heard such symptoms mentioned before.
Would be better to post those symptoms in the carb-fuel section.



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[Steve]

Cincinnati area.

I am just up thee road from you, give me a holler some time.

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[Rob S.]

Welcome abroad!

How many miles on the clock?

[cowboyup3371]

Howdy from Miamisburg

[solarisin]

Thanks all for the welcome.

My wrists did actually start fatiguing a bit on the ride home, but I figured its just because I hadn't ridden for a few years. Now that you mention it, though, the bars do seem a bit too close together. That may be my first upgrade, after figuring out the idle issue and fixing up the brakes. I will definitely make a post in the carb section about it!

As far as the discoloration, the guy I bought it from lived on a farm back a dirt road, so its all muddy. Didn't even get a chance to wash her off before taking a picture. I will check the date on the tires, though, but they didn't have any dry-rot in the sidewall that I could see.

The odo on it shows 11,500 miles, however the title shows not original mileage. Previous owner says the guy he bought it off of changed out the instrument panel at one time, and that it has closer to 30k on it.

Its funny, actually, a couple buddies and I all bought bikes within the last couple weeks, and they were all 1982 model years from different makes. A 82 Honda CB650 Nighthawk, 82 Kawasaki KZ400, and my 82 GS650GL.

[cyberpvnk]

Hello from Columbus. I had the same bars on my L and got rid of them fast. Very painful positioning.

[dorkburger]

Welcome. Good luck with the bike. Cool that you and your friends all on 2 wheels. Sound like a couple of wrenching get togethers may be in order. Enjoy.

[eil]

Hello fellow L model rider.

You and your friends have good taste in motorcycles.

The tread pattern on the front tire leads me to believe it might be ancient. If the tires are more than about 5 years old, scrap 'em for new, it could save your life.

Speaking of survival, it's also highly recommend to rebuild your brakes, front and rear, and upgrade to stainless steel brake lines. Suzuki recommended replacing the rubber lines every two years. Most GSes I've seen have not had them replaced once in 35 years. Search the forum, lots of info both of these procedures.

I second the recommendation for a good thorough carb cleaning.

Some people--who are possibly crazy--like the rototiller-style handlbars on the L models. I do not and I was amazed at how much more comfortable and confidence-inspiring the more standard-style bars made the bike for me.

Welcome!

[Redman]

....

............ Now that you mention it, though, the bars do seem a bit too close together. .......

and... too close to you, too far back, and wrong angle .... and... and...

Search for twr1776 posts, see pics of his 3 bikes to see how he modifys the L out of them by changing the bars.

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