Covid relief

[Markrkolb]

I bought 3 bikes last fall as a winter project- 79 gs550 80 gs550 and a 250 rebel for my wife. All non-running. The 79 came first, got it running fairly easily and did a lot of deferred maintenance. The rebel just needed a carb clean. The 80 has been a disaster, mostly self-inflicted. I spent one entire day chasing down what i thought was a starter issue, only to finally figure out that it has a clutch safety. The 79 does not. I have never really worked on bikes before, i was an auto mechanic when i was in college but that was almost 50 years ago....anyway despite lots of time and money wasted it has been a very nice therapy during a difficult winter. I have enjoyed reading the forums and looking at the great pics. Thank you to all the kind souls who take a few minutes to help a stranger😀

[steve murdoch]

This is a great site.
Now that you have some experience hopefully you will be able to help out a new member.

[rphillips]

What's the status of the "80" at this point, was the clutch safety the only problem?... Pictures are always great. Congrats & welcome.

[Markrkolb]

The 80 550 has had many issues, electrical associated with the kill switch, broken carbs that the PO tried to fix with tape, runs hot, won’t idle, etc.....mostly sorted now and chuck hahn has the carbs for a rebuild....i will post pics when it is back in one piece. The most important thing i want to pass on is to avoid mechanics who don’t understand these bikes...i paid a local guy over a grand to fix the carbs and he made it worse...a super nice guy but he was not experienced. In spite of everything i have enjoyed the experience😀

[rphillips]

There was something floating around here lately, If your bike is older than your mechanic, it probably isn't good.