New 1983 GS850L Owner

[Oggy]

Greetings. Early '80s naked sport touring bikes are getting hard to find. I've been hunting for about 3 years and kept missing my chance. Cb750, XS650, KZ... GS650....etc....Everywhere I lived had nothing at all for sale so I'd travel 3 or 4 hours to see a bike and it would be gone before I got there or else the seller would flake out and not answer calls. I tried all summer to find something local in northern Arizona but again ended up driving 4 hours to Las Vegas on the 4th of July to look at a bike. Driving that distance means I have no room to negotiate. The seller knows I'm paying the asking price or else I drive home empty handed so I found one for $1300 that had a KG luggage rack and a NC windscreen, newer Dunlop tires and had not been neglected and had low mileage 06700. It is stamped 9/82 manufacture but was finally purchased in 1987 in Chicago. I'm the second owner.


Since I weigh about 160lb with my boots on...my main concern was the 600lb weight of the bike but the more I compared bikes it seems everything over 550cc is over 500lb in the early '80s. The '79 CB750 that I've searched endlessly for is 550lb. So what difference is 50 pounds going to make? If I can adapt to a 500+ pound bike then I can adapt to a 600lb bike. Of course loading and unloading it from a sidewalk into a camper van required major ingenuity. 600lbs stays exactly where it wants to stay until a greater force makes it move. I simply do not have enough ass to put it on the center stand. It takes all my effort to get it to start thinking about getting on the center stand but I need someone to pull the bike at the same time to get it all the way back.

The bike itself is a beast. It's like riding the space shuttle. I'm going 70mph with 1/8 throttle. This is the first bike I've owned with enough power to pop a wheelie in 4th gear, as I almost found out when I tested the throttle. There is torque to spare in every gear. It is balanced and easy to handle. I can barely move it on level ground but it's no problem to ride it. I have to remember to never park facing a downward-sloped curb or I will never be able to back it up by myself. I'll have to wait for cars to move to I can go sideways.

The owner was a little too short for the seat so he didn't ride it much but he gave me receipts from 2018 for about $1100 in maintenance including the Voltage Regulator, front Master Cylinder, oil and carb tune and tires and windscreen so the bike is basically ready to ride. The original keys and tool kit were included.

Issues:
The big foam air filter is toast. I see Babbits wants $60 but there is a UNI filter on ebay for $20. I'll give that a try.

The Tach cable twisted off the fitting on the engine end. Those are a dime a dozen.

The neutral light doesn't come on. The bulb is good but no green light in neutral. I also noticed the bike won't turn over in neutral unless the clutch lever is engaged, which is what happens with other bikes that have a neutral safety switch. So, it's in neutral but the neutral safety switch doesn't think it is. I tried to get the light to come on in any gear position but it never flickered. The PO had an alarm installed but the wires have been cut so that might have something to do with it.

I noticed the gear indicator light shows 2 4 whenever I'm in 2nd OR 4th. Is it supposed to show one or the other? Or both? 1, 3, 5 gears show their respective lights individually.

I'm in the market for a KG back rest to fit on that luggage rack so I can add an upright luggage pack. I want to go to Moab for a weekend.
I also found a triple A floorboard/heel toe shift kit for an '82 GS850. Anyone know if there are differences that would mean it doesn't fit on an '83?

I'll be getting a service manual but a factory manual is what I really want. Not just a supplement but the whole factory service manual.

I've got terrible internet service so I can't contribute to the forum much but I do enjoy reading/learning about the mechanics of these bikes. I figure this GS850 will introduce me to the world of big bikes because the smaller bikes are not appropriate for rides on the highway. I'm a conservative/defensive rider. I anticipate the worst. The speed limit sign is maximum when conditions are optimal, but conditions are never optimal, so I'm a slow rider. I figure if I don't yield to a bad driver then that makes ME a bad driver...so I do a lot of yielding while cursing silently in my head.

I'd like to ride with any Flagstaff GS owners. Maybe go to Monument Valley.

[gsrick]

Welcome to the forum. Good choice in getting a GS, but if you think the 850 has torque, wait until you get on a 1000 or 1100, with will fit in the 850 frame since they all use the same frame. I'd opt for the factory filter over a Uni. They are pretty cheap filters. Some guys will park their bikes on boards to get it up on the center stand, but it really is just a technic you need to learn. Most people try to pull the bike up, when what you need to do is step down on the center stand pedal. It's more of a pushing the stand into the ground than jerking the bike up and back. Once you get it, it will be easy, it's like a light bulb going off when you finally figure it out. The place to visit when you get some time. it's where we have the manuals below and tutorials for most things GS. http://gsarchive.bwringer.com/


Here is your service manual. http://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac/...nual_HiRes.pdf
Your owners manual. http://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac/...ers_Manual.pdf
Some wiring diagrams. http://gsarchive.bwringer.com/storag...nd%20Mods.html

[Steve]

Yet another from another 850 owner. .

Let's address some of your concerns.

Since I weigh about 160lb with my boots on ... I simply do not have enough ass to put it on the center stand. It takes all my effort to get it to start thinking about getting on the center stand but I need someone to pull the bike at the same time to get it all the way back.

Rick mentioned the technique, here is a bit more detail. Start with the bike on the side stand. Step on the center stand tab with your right foot, lift the bike off the side stand while pushing down on the tab. You will feel when the right side of the center stand touches. At that point, lean over the bike, STAND on that tab. Yes, you can actually lift your left foot off the ground. Lift on the grab rail under the left side of the seat and the handlebar, the bike will come up on the stand.

The owner was a little too short for the seat so he didn't ride it much but he gave me receipts from 2018 for about $1100 in maintenance including the Voltage Regulator, front Master Cylinder, oil and carb tune and tires and windscreen so the bike is basically ready to ride. The original keys and tool kit were included.

Unfortunately, "profesionally serviced" does not guarantee a good job. However, it IS good to know that some of the stuff has already been addressed. By this winter, you will want to be looking into replacing the voltage regulator with one that works a LOT better and will save your stator in the process.

The big foam air filter is toast. I see Babbits wants $60 but there is a UNI filter on ebay for $20. I'll give that a try.

If you want to go to something other than stock, there is a K&N filter that fits in the stock airbox. It might also be close to $60, but you will only buy it once.

The neutral light doesn't come on. The bulb is good but no green light in neutral. I also noticed the bike won't turn over in neutral unless the clutch lever is engaged, which is what happens with other bikes that have a neutral safety switch. So, it's in neutral but the neutral safety switch doesn't think it is. I tried to get the light to come on in any gear position but it never flickered. The PO had an alarm installed but the wires have been cut so that might have something to do with it.

That might be true with other bikes, but Suzuki saw fit to have you pull the clutch ANY time you wanted to use the electric starter, regardless of gear selection. That "safety" feature takes two minutes to bypass, if you are interested, and can be returned to stock just as easily if you feel the need.

I noticed the gear indicator light shows 2 4 whenever I'm in 2nd OR 4th. Is it supposed to show one or the other? Or both? 1, 3, 5 gears show their respective lights individually.

Might need to clean the contacts in the gear selector switch. It is just inboard of your left footpeg, will require removal of the gear shift lever and a cover for access. There is no gasket there, no oil spillage. Once you have the cover removed, you will see the switch. A couple of screws hold it to the engine, but BE CAREFUL, there is a spring inside that is easily lost if you are not expecting it. Pull the switch back slowly, rotate it to keep the inner part pointed up so the spring does not fall out. Clean it liberally with contact cleaner, spread a bit of dielectric grease on it put it back, it should be just fine.

I also found a triple A floorboard/heel toe shift kit for an '82 GS850. Anyone know if there are differences that would mean it doesn't fit on an '83?

I have a Markland floorboard/heel toe shift kit on my '80 850G(K) and love it. Actually, the way it's set up, it's more of a heel/heel shift, as there is no way to activate the front part of the lever with your toe. I just slide my foot forward and step on it with my heel. There are no differences between '82 and '83 that would affect installation of that kit.

I'm a conservative/defensive rider. I anticipate the worst. The speed limit sign is maximum when conditions are optimal, but conditions are never optimal, so I'm a slow rider. I figure if I don't yield to a bad driver then that makes ME a bad driver...so I do a lot of yielding while cursing silently in my head.

Around here, driving/riding like that will get you run over. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, enjoy it while you can.

.

[Redman]

Welcome to Gsr.

looks like Steve gave you good answers.

Short version About the center stand: don’t try to pull bike back, lift it while pushing down on the center stand tang, the force you are applying is in between the center stand and the bike frame (grab bar in front of schock).

[Redman]

If suspension has sagged that makes the center stand hit the ground sooner and gives you less leverage. You said previous owner was short, maybe he put on shorter shocks which cause the same thing.
after you improve your technique, and still have problems, maybe try the trick of running rear wheel up on a 2x4 and try it then.

[Redman]

Don’t scrimp on air filter.
i do not fully understand it all, but enough knolodgable people on here have said the 850s in particular are sensitive to changes in the air box.

interesting that you call it a sport tourer.
such a term or classification did not exist in the 80s that I know of.
and if it did, the L would not qualify.

sounds like you found a good one.

speaking of the various interlockes; you mentioned more like what was more common in 1990s and later. But on your bike it is:
- switch on clutch lever to interlock the starter, with no involvement of what gear nor neutral switch.
- sidestand switch (a-hem) only lights an idiot light on the dash (that some idiots don’t notice), does not cut out engine under any circumstance (can get going full speed ahead).

[jsandidge]

I also found a triple A floorboard/heel toe shift kit for an '82 GS850. Anyone know if there are differences that would mean it doesn't fit on an '83?

I have the same kit on my 82 850L, which is the same as your 83. The only modification needed will be on the brake pivot. The tab that connects to the rod fouls on the exhaust. I cut it off and re-welded at a slightly different angle. Good luck, you have a great bike.

[Grimly]

One thing stands out to me - if the PO was of shorter stature he may have had the springs reduced a touch, therebye lowering the frame to the ground by maybe half an inch or so. Along with cutting foam out of the seat, it's a common enough mod.
However, that lost half inch makes a huge difference to the ease of pulling the bike on the stand.
I know this because over the years of use, my original springs lost.... half an inch because of sag. What used to be a bike that was so easy to pop up onto the stand it was almost laughable, became an absolute bear to do. To the extent I had to run the front and rear wheels up onto 1" blocks to enable the stand to come down without a wrestling and swearing match.

[Oggy]

gracias for the advice and welcome. I'll start a proper service thread if these topics aren't easily resolved.

I've ordered the factory service binder and the Clymer manual (since my internet connection can't download a digital manual), a cheap air filter to get me started, a new tach cable. The receipts suggest the last oil change used 20w 50...which is what I put in a 50 year old V8 van. The level is a touch above the L.

I found the owner's manual and that gear indicator is definitely shorting out between 2+4 so they both light up in 2nd and 4th gear. I'll look into that while I'm waiting for the filter. It must be related to the Neutral light not glowing in neutral. ( I took the indicator assembly out and cleaned oil off, polished contacts, it but it changed nothing. I think the unit is faulty but not serviceable. Probably will replace it and the o-ring as a little oil was leaking from that spot.)
I've got an arthritic right knee that doesn't help with the center stand issue but putting boards under the wheels is a good fix if I plan on service.
cheers

[Wingsconsin]

I have one to0 -


The '83 GS850L is a very capable bike

I know because I have one - one that I have resto-modded heavily to accomodate me driving it over 2500 miles in one week touring the SouthEast

Meet ' Kaizen' -- (Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement)