I picked up an '82 GS850G a week ago with 19k miles and in nice condition. The PO had it for 5 years and did a nice job taking care of it. He was young and in his twenties but had an appreciation for the old GSes. But this year he put pods, 4 into 1 headers and a stage 3 Dynojet kit in. After I put 300 miles on it this week, I decided that it wasn't running the way it should. First I did a carb synch with the Carbtune and adjusted them resulting in an improvement. I'll give him credit that without benefit of the gauge he dialed them in pretty close. Then I cleaned up and reinstalled the stock exhaust resulting in a big improvement. Quieter, smoother and much better acceleration. The PO was using the 160 size jets which seem to work good with the stock exhaust and pods, but ran lean and bogged some with the new headers he had put on. Guessing it should use the 165 size in the kit with free flowing headers. Looks like if I reinstall the stock airbox I'll probably go back to the stock needles and 175 size jets. I got 42mpg on this tankful but should be 45+mpg with stock jets, aibox and needles. I'm glad I asked for all the original parts to do this when I bought it. It's nice to be back to the old GSes and tinkering. The spline is the weak gold spline hub on the rear wheel but still had 90% left, so I cleaned and Moly60 lubed it and reinstalled for now. A new "old" black spline I found on Ebay should arrive next week. I do like the look of the headers but I'll take function over form for ridablity. I'll be replacing the stock ripped seat cover soon to get it where I want it. I may leave the existing hbars on for now too. A new valve cover gasket is on order for when I check the valve clearances soon. Sounds good (like a sewing machine), starts right up on cold starts and may have been only 6k miles since last adjusted but I'll do it anyway.
Here are before and after pics:
...oh and a little add on the PO did that I'll keep to cruise the boulevard at night!!