new old bike beatiful 81 gs850 survivor.

[Blastr2783]

Been a xs11 yamaha fan for years, but recently saved a 1981 gs850 from behind a pawnshop. Beautiful survivor one owner 13400 mile bike that was left in the weather for 5 months with fuel in the tank and carbs. Bike starts and runs smoothly through 3rd gear, then it wheezes and strains in 4th and 5th. will hit 65 in third and drop to 50 in 5th. Gonna pull the plugs and carbs. New plugs rebuild and sy,nch the carbs, but wondering if the vacuum activated pet cock could be responsible for sluggish performance? anybody know.

[AJ]

Sounds like a good plan. Gotta post some pics of your survivor. Always nice to see an older but a goodie.

[Big T]

Pictures and a carb clean are required

[Blastr2783]

from my phone

will post pics tommorow, gotta get batteries for my camera.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Blastr2783,

Check the maintenance lists in your "mega-welcome". Take no shortcuts. New intake boots and O-rings, a proper carb clean, and valve adjustment to start. Not to mention all the fluid changes, plugs, filters, etc. Yes, a faulty petcock could cause starvation issues or leak gas into the crankcase and dilute the oil. Test and replace if necessary.

I've got a lot of GS850G goodness for you. 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

[Steve]

When you finally get that 850 running well, be prepared to re-learn how to ride a shaft-driven bike.

The eXSessive 11 was one of the worst bikes to ride because of all the shaft-jacking when you rolled on and off the throttle.
The 850 does virtually NONE of that.

.

[Blastr2783]

Thank you mr. Cliff

I will do all that you recommend. I have owned 4 xs11's over the years and they require similar maintence when purchased.

[Octain]

Been a xs11 yamaha fan for years, but recently saved a 1981 gs850 from behind a pawnshop. Beautiful survivor one owner 13400 mile bike that was left in the weather for 5 months with fuel in the tank and carbs. Bike starts and runs smoothly through 3rd gear, then it wheezes and strains in 4th and 5th. will hit 65 in third and drop to 50 in 5th. Gonna pull the plugs and carbs. New plugs rebuild and sy,nch the carbs, but wondering if the vacuum activated pet cock could be responsible for sluggish performance? anybody know.

Sounds like a good start for sure. We've seen and experienced it a lot round these parts. A bike sitting in the eliments for too many years needs lots of service to make it run good and safe.

For starters, tank cleaned, brakes, carbs, valves, tires, filter and oil, air box in good shape, petcock, and it goes on ..

Have fun and keep us posted!!

[Blastr2783]

body work weekend

My weekends consist of tuesday and wednesday

[DanTheMan]

Your bike must be a GS850L model judging from the tank. Welcome to the L club.

[motocycle shawn]

bike

i think i have a dent free tank for that bike and a newer fuel float unit too.

[Blastr2783]

Your bike must be a GS850L model judging from the tank. Welcome to the L club.

The tank is not original to the bike. hopefully get it and the fenders painted by tommorow evening, going with hunter green.

[Blastr2783]

i think i have a dent free tank for that bike and a newer fuel float unit too.

cool, PM me.

[Blastr2783]

Fresh fron the hangers.

[DanTheMan]

Looks nice. But, I was right, it is an 850L, you've got the leading axle forks, drawback bars, stepped seat and small, teardrop tank.