Hello everyone

[Guest]

I just bought a 1980 GS750L a few months back. The po had modified it into a brat style bike. Picture is my avatar. I love it, but recently it stopped working like it did when I bought it. Oil leak around the head gasket, charging issues, gear slippage, idle issues, low compression, then just wouldn't start. I'm doing an engine rebuild to start, because I want this beauty to keep rolling down the freedom road. I should note that I've never owned or worked on a motorcycle before this. With that said, I'm elbows deep in learning everything necessary to fix and maintain this baby.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Welcome aboard. You came to the right place. You can do this. Use the search to find answers to all your problems. All of your issues are fixable. When you don't find the answers you seek, ask questions in the appropriate sub-forums. This is a very helpful group.

[Redman]

Vint,

First bike...? No experience riding....?
Find a MSF class for this spring or early summer. Around here, and I assume same there, they fill up fast when open for registration in the winter, so start looking now.

Charging problem?
Find the Quick Test on Posplayer posting, and report in post in electrical.
Oh, that requires that you get it started.
Try charging the battery and see if can get it started.
You have a multi-meter? You will want one. No- You will NEED one.

Gear slipping? Really? Or mean clutch slipping?

Low compression? How low?
Engine rebuild?
Maybe get it running first.

Fostoria Ohio, between Toledo and Finday.
Are some Ohio GSR members, some quite active here, but I dont know of any close to you.

.

[VintMoto]

I actually took the safety course last year. Was very useful. The battery charges fine, but doesn't keep it's charge while hooked up to the bike. I do have a multi meter. There was one time I was riding, about a few weeks after buying it, that it slipped out of 2nd after just changing to it. Maybe it was the clutch not engaging properly. The compression was in the low 90s for all.

[Baatfam]

As others have said, start by getting it running, before even worrying about a rebuild. Get out your meter, and check the electrics using the instructions somewhere on this website.

If it only popped out of 2nd once, you may not have had it fully in gear. If it continues to pop out of 2nd under power, the dogs on the gears are worn and the gear will have to be replaced.
Let's hope that's not it, although it is not as hard as it sounds to change.

[Deuce]

Sounds like the PO put a can of "fix all" in it before you bought it, and it's wearing off.

[Big T]

You should go thru maintenance issues first
Hard starting and low compression is likely tight valves

[VintMoto]

Thank you everyone for your input. I shall look into the things you mentioned the next time I can get some free time out in the garage. I'm thinking perhaps a list or plan of attack might be needed to organize myself and the work to be done. Problem is, I'm not that organized.