The reason I came here

[Redman]

This MC?
This is an interesting statement.

The Flaming Knights Motorcycle Club was started in New Haven, CT in 1968. We are an international club with chapters coast to coast and beyond. We have no color lines and no motorcycle bias. WE RIDE WITH ALL. Although our lower rocker states where our chapter is located, we claim no territory. We respect all other MC’s. We are not a support club, but we do support the MC community wherever we go. We believe in the need to come together, stay strong, and support the MC lifestyle.


Anyway, we do not need to discuss that.

How can we help you with you and your dads bike?


And
I will recommend that you find a MSF class, rather than having some buddy teach you his bad habits.

http://www.ca-msp.org/

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[aarongs1100]

the bike is already being worked for the brake problem but with me being a beginner my first task will be to do a tune up on it ill look around the maintenance section for tips and thanks i will definitely be looking into those courses

[terrylee]

Go to Bascliff's site and about all the info you'll need is on there. Check out the ten newbie mistakes to give you a good starting point on maintence. One of the first things to do is adjust the valves if that has not been done for a long time. I don't know what has been done, but oil and filter change, clean air filter, check out the charging system to be sure working properly, lots of other things you could do depending on the condition of the bike. All this will be on Cliff's site, as well there should be a manual you can download. I have to agree be sure to take a motorcycle class, and try to practice on a smaller bike for a while if possible. That is alot of bike and you want to be sure you're comfortable with it. Might find a big empty parking lot and practice. terrylee

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. aarongs1100,

You have my sympathies. I recently lost my father-in-law when he was killed on his motorcycle by a hit-and-run driver. Sad memories will soon turn into cherished remembrances, it just takes time.

Now that you're here, let's get you some S.W.A.G.

If you are here you probably have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs about 20 years worth of maintenance. You'll find all kinds of helpful tips, procedures, manuals, etc, in the links below. Let's get started.

Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please Click Here For Your Mega-Welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[mcloud]

Hi Aaron and welcome to the site!

Thoughts and prayers to you and your loved ones.

I would recommend to join your local GS Group.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/group.php?groupid=6

If you're thinking of picking up a smaller bike to learn on, you should consider a GS550ES. Most of the mechanical knowledge will be easily transferabe to the 1100.

Cheers,

[Redman]

....
I would recommend to join your local GS Group.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/group.php?groupid=6

If you're thinking of picking up a smaller bike to learn on, you should consider a GS550ES......,

Aaron,

Yah, some of those guys in LA area, I know, are in the far northern part. I see you are further south. Maybe some are closer to you, I dont know.

About GS550ES: the ES would be a specific to having sport fairing.
SO maybe any 550 (E or L) would be just as good. Or any 650 E, G or L.
An 650G or L would have added benifit of being more similar to the 1100G (due to shaft drive). The 550 and 650 would both be 4 cyclinder, 2 valve per cyclinder, like the 1100G.

If you found a 250, or 300, or 400, or 450, those would be 2 cyclinder and chain drive, and electrical is somewhat different also from 1100G.

Oh, bye the way, the MSF classes are about learning to ride (not bike maintance).
I dont know about CA, but around here there are state substidised classes where you pay like $30. THese are typically at schools or jr colleges. And those fill up for the whole spring and summer scehdule well before winter is over.
And there are also other classses (same material, same certification) that are typically at Harley dealers, but cost like 250 - 350 - 400 bucks. THose are easier to get into. Those also have the added benifit of spectators standing around smerking at you.

Other reasons for taking the class:
- so dont have some buddy tell you stupid stuff like "dont ever use front brake" .... or ... "to make bike turn you tilt your head and step on the foot peg"
- take and pass class then dont have to take the state road test (at least here anyway).
- if some dummy in SUV drinking coffee and adjusting his Itunes and runs you off the road, his laywer cant make you look the the stupid one because you are not licenced and didnt have have the training.

[argonsagas]

Welcome, Aaron.


Losing a father is far from easy on anyone, and more so for you than most, as you said that you and your dad had a "special bond".

That is pretty unusual today, and delightful to see when it happens.

This forum has a wide variety of personalities, but all have a goal of being fair to each other and giving information to anyone who asks for it.
Sometimes that can go beyond mere advice and you get hands-on help.


Look for the different headings on the Forum, and place questions in the one(s) that seems most appropriate for what you need to know, because you will get the most replies there.

Best of luck to you, and please take the advice about the rider training course. It is SO well worthwhile.

[aarongs1100]

I know this is an old thread but thank you to everyone for your condolences. I have the bike at with me and wow does she sound great it really put a smile on my face i instintly was able to just picture my dad on it lol and i never really posted pictures of it so here one is ill be taking more after i wash it

[dorkburger]

Aaron, im sorry for your loss. This thread started before I was a member...That is a beautiful gs you were left with. The 82-83 1100e bikes are among my favorites. Good luck with it, and be safe. If you and your father have riding friends, consider a ride in his memory. Its been helpful for me...3 or 4 of us take a yearly trip in memory of my father. Its good to get away and remember, and to remind us why were here, and its always a happy ride.

[aarongs1100]

I cant ride this bike right now lol my father was planning on giving it to me but i would better about riding a bike this size if he was here and seeing how im 18 and live it home my would kill me if i tried to take it out for a ride

[dorkburger]

Understood I started street riding on a kz550 kawasaki. It was a good machine to learn how deal with riding on the mean streets.

[Kiwi Canuck]

I know this is an old thread but thank you to everyone for your condolences. I have the bike at with me and wow does she sound great it really put a smile on my face i instintly was able to just picture my dad on it lol and i never really posted pictures of it so here one is ill be taking more after i wash it

Fixed.

[aarongs1100]

lol thanks @Kiwi Canuck

[aarongs1100]

thanks for the fix guys lol that was my first time posting a pic

[BigD_83]

No problem. Btw, you might want to check your PB settings...just saying.

I know it's been a year, but my condolences on the loss of your dad. I lost my father a little over a year ago, quite unexpectedly, and even though I am quite a bit older than you, his death has left a very large void in my life.

I'm happy for you that the motorcycle helps you keep that connection.

...and welcome to the forum, btw.