New from Iowa

[Rust_to_Redemption]

I've been snooping around a bit, and even started a few threads when I couldn't find an answer to a question. I bought a bit of a project last September, a 1982 GS850L with only 14K miles on the clock. It had 2 PO, both of whom obviously did not ride it much. When I bought it, it had been sitting in a garage uncovered, non-prepped for storage for at least 2 years. Surprisingly, even after years of neglect, the bike would start. For $300 I was the third owner of a fine GS bike. I have spent the last 5 months getting the mechanicals up to 100%, which included tearing out all of the wiring loom and replacing it. In early December on our last "warm" day of the year I took the bike out for a test ride, and aside from the horrid seat (a PO covered it in grey-brown pleather), I loved every second of it. I am now going to start working on cosmetics, which will include new paint for the tank and side covers, new seat cover and shaving the seat closer to flat, and new handlebars and grips. Without this forum and the very knowledgeable people posting vital information here I wouldn't have been able to get the bike up and running quite so quickly (or quite so well).

[mnferwerda]

Welcome to the best forum for GSs on the internet!

[dorkburger]

Welcome. Nice to hear you got it running. Im assuming that you don’t like the L seat? There have been some interesting solutions for that here.

[tarheel]

Welcome - would love to see your seat after the upgrade. I'm not a huge fan of the L seat, but it's better than no seat!

[Phred]

For seat covers you might want to check out Pitreplica. They make replica seat covers with piping, embossing, and even the rear grommet for a fraction of the cost. As for the 82, there were some issues with the rear drive spline being made of a softer metal. Good luck with the rebuild. It took me a while but I rebuilt mine just by trolling this site before I joined.

[Rust_to_Redemption]

For seat covers you might want to check out Pitreplica. They make replica seat covers with piping, embossing, and even the rear grommet for a fraction of the cost. As for the 82, there were some issues with the rear drive spline being made of a softer metal. Good luck with the rebuild. It took me a while but I rebuilt mine just by trolling this site before I joined.

I actually ended up buying a pit replica seat cover for an 82 G seat. Looks like very good build quality, hoping for an easy install.

[Redman]

.................I have spent the last 5 months getting the mechanicals up to 100%, which included tearing out all of the wiring loom and replacing it.......

Welcome.

Impressive statement.

Just replacing the L handlebars goes a long way to modifying the L out of it.

.

[Steve]

I actually ended up buying a pit replica seat cover for an 82 G seat. Looks like very good build quality, hoping for an easy install.

Good luck with that, and hang on to that optimism. You will have to shave and re-shape the L seat a LOT to match the contours of the G seat.

Actually, since you will have to change that much foam, why not get some NEW foam and get something that will actually support you?

.

[Rust_to_Redemption]

Welcome - would love to see your seat after the upgrade. I'm not a huge fan of the L seat, but it's better than no seat!

Checked out your rebuild thread, your bike is in much much much nicer shape cosmetically than mine. Not sure I would tamper with a seat that still looks that nice!