Just purchased a non-running 1987 GS450L and have my stupid question of the day......

[DesertKyorugi]

Hi All, just purchased my first Suzuki, according to the PO it was running great until it sat for 6 months . Anyway, I took the seat off to remove the carbs and here is my first stupid question of the day.......Air Inlets.jpg
This can't be the best or most efficient way for the air intake?!!! Is there a mod for the airbox to improve air intake? I searched and can't seem to find any other than those pertaining to pods. Thanks

[Nessism]

That looks stock. I'd leave it alone and work on maintenance. Check the Newbie Mistakes thread linked in my signature for some things to look out for.

[Big T]

I think that you'll find that the airflow is perfect, because an engineer designed and tested it.

More airflow will lead to carb issues

[rphillips]

With stock air box, jetting is simple. Go to changing things & it can get to be a real PITbutt. Feel lucky it's all there & complete. How good are you at listening? Really good advice here, from folks that have been there & done that. Congrats on your first GS & Welcome aboard.

[DesertKyorugi]

Well, the carbs are off and sitting in the dunk tank. I am a retired aerospace engineer and not exactly a newbie to wrenching old bikes. Just never picked up a Suzuki until now. The bike only has 5600 miles but was very poorly maintained. PO said the shop did a carb and Master Cylinder rebuilt before it sat. The tach is not working and the PO was told the clutch is going out when he went to pick up the bike. Anyway, he parked it and was afraid to ride it.

[sacruickshank]

Well, the carbs are off and sitting in the dunk tank. I am a retired aerospace engineer and not exactly a newbie to wrenching old bikes. Just never picked up a Suzuki until now. The bike only has 5600 miles but was very poorly maintained. PO said the shop did a carb and Master Cylinder rebuilt before it sat. The tach is not working and the PO was told the clutch is going out when he went to pick up the bike. Anyway, he parked it and was afraid to ride it.

What about the tach is not working? Could be ...
a. years of accumulated gunk inside the tach itself is gumming up the needle. Shoot some WD40 or PB blaster inside might loosen it up. Made mine better, although not yet 100%
b. broken cable
c. the gear inside the engine that drives the tach from the forward camshaft is fried

A and B are cheap/easy to fix. C requires more work and $.

[Steve]

A and B are cheap/easy to fix. C requires more work and $.

Yeah, "C" might take a bit more work and "$", but we're only talking about 15-20 minutes and relatively little money. I doubt the gear is stripped, but it's less than $30. I would, however recommend replacing the seals in the tach drive, they are less than $10.

I would put my money on a new cable, but only after verifying that it is properly seated in the back of the tach.

Concerning the air intake: yes, that IS the best way.
Unless you plan on chopping the bike up into some other "look", leave it the way it is, you will be MUCH happier in the long run.

.

[rphillips]

Clutch was going out with 5600 mi. on a 450? That's very strange. Clutch hub rattling is normal for GS's. If it is slipping, could be cable too tight, or has a super slick oil or a "Slick 50" type oil additive in it. Clutch hubs were a problem for GS1000 & GS1100's, but never on a 450. Good luck.

[sacruickshank]

Replacing the tach gear might be a 15-20 minute job, if the gaskets aren't petrified to the valve cover or cylinder head. If they are, it's a several hour job to get the surfaces clean again.

I had that exact gear partially stripped on a past project.

[Steve]

The "gaskets" involved are between the tach drive sleeve and the cylinder head, it does not matter what condition the cover gasket is in.

Yeah, some tach drives are in the cover, but not the OP's.

.

[salty_monk]

I would expect the clutch problem to be worn springs.... replace all for brand new stock or half (3) for aftermarket such as EBC. There are 6. If you replace all with aftermarket the pull is really heavy plus it's not necessary.

[derwood]

focus on getting it to run first