New 450. I couldn't help it.......

[koolaid_kid]

Thanks !! I just need the two side panels and the front fender as long as it's not chrome, I want a painted one. Color doesn't matter, I'm going to paint the whole bike anyway.

It's not running, so, I was sitting on it last night thinking how much fun that little bike is going to be. I explained to the wife that it's kinda like a moped on steroids.

LOL. I remember when the Black Bomber was a big bike that could be (and was) ridden cross country. Now it is just a moped. LOL.

When you sat on it, did you twist the throttle and make Vroom, vroom noises?

[Griffin]

LOL. I remember when the Black Bomber was a big bike that could be (and was) ridden cross country. Now it is just a moped. LOL.

When you sat on it, did you twist the throttle and make Vroom, vroom noises?

I take it you're talking about this:



And not this:

[koolaid_kid]

Ummm, yeah, the first one.
It signaled the beginning of the end of the British bikes. Cheaper, far more reliable, did not leak oil and you did not have to tickle the carbs. Plus it had an electric starter.
I was on my T200 and rode with one from Pearland to downtown Houston (and back) one Saturday night. We had a blast.

[Big Rich]

Just thought about it and thought I'd bring it up: Larry, your stock front wheel is REALLY skinny (1.6" wide so it can fit a 90/90-18" tire). The good news however, is that the GN400 uses a front wheel that is identical to yours in every way except for the rim width - it is 1.85" wide. Same diameter, same color, same axle spacing, etc.

And since I'm sure your charging system will need some TLC, a stator from any modern GS500 will bolt right in. And if you get the R/R from a GS500, it will bolt right into where the stock 450 R/R sits.

Just a couple things to think about!

[nejeff]

Nice find! I was looking for a little GS twin around here for a long time and all I could find was L's so I settled on a KZ400.

If you switch to the 1.85 rim it won't get you into a larger tire, 90/90 -18 is still as big as you should go on a 1.85

[Larry D]

Thanks for the info guys !!

I'm going to start a project thread.

[tkent02]

Is there a slightly wider rear wheel? Don't see the point of upping the front wheel if the rear is the same tiny size.

[Big Rich]

Only the 16" from the L model. And I think a GN rear wheel is the same - 16".

[Rob S.]

Ummm, yeah, the first one.
It signaled the beginning of the end of the British bikes. Cheaper, far more reliable, did not leak oil and you did not have to tickle the carbs. Plus it had an electric starter.
I was on my T200 and rode with one from Pearland to downtown Houston (and back) one Saturday night. We had a blast.

"You meet the nicest people on a Honda."

[dorkburger]

Cool bike. Good luck with it.....A former co worker of mine occasionally talked about a gs 450 he rode years ago, and last I knew of he had it sitting unused for many years. At the time I had no love for small bikes, but now do. Sometimes I wonder if he still has it, and which 450 it was.....he is 6 foot plus, so im thinking not an L model.......

[Larry D]

Thanks All !!

To follow along with my rebuild please go here........

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=2085396#post2085396

[pete]

Nice score Larry! These are fun bikes in the twisties, just remember you don't ride the torque wave because there isn't one

About 6K to 8K on the tacho will keep you in the fun zone

I run 90/90-18 and 100/90-18 Avon Roadriders on mine with 32PSI front/rear and feel it has never handled the corners better... oh and Ikon springs and shocks front/rear as well.

Also, if you want to put a SH775 R/R on... ummmmm you will need to find somewhere for it as it is *huge* compared to the stock R/R... just following on from Rich's tips