GS 450 all electrical dead

[Gateway]

I am buying a 82 GS 450 cheap. I have not seen it in person yet. The previous owner said. All the electrical went dead, starter, horn display, lights etc. I imagine maybe a bad fuse, bad ground. I'm thinking it will be an easy fix. Is there anything odd or different on these that will leave me chasing my tail? I am picking it up Friday.

[jeffasaurus2]

If everything is dead I'd look at the battery/fuse first. Just to be safe I would take a look at the charging system to ensure that it's functional.

[barnbiketom]

dead battery or bad ignition switch/dirty switch contact/corroded wiring connectors easy fix but who knows lol

[argonsagas]

I am not certain if the 450 works the same way as the 1100G/GK, but what you describe is often attributable to the regulator/Rectifier (R/R)

checking this is really easy.



With ignition OFF, pull the main harness connector off the R/R

Turn on ignition.

If the R/R is at fault then once the connector is pulled loose, the electrical system will come back to life and (presuming the battery is fully charged) you can even start the engine and drive the bike for about an hour.

[pete]

There's only one fuse on the '82 450's and it's a glass one under the left side cover. The glass fuse holders are dodgy so it's likely it's not just the fuse but the holder as well. Very easily fixed.

Alternatively yes ignition switch or R/R are possible, but again reasonably simple fix.

Of course there are other possibilities but hopefully it's the simple answer!

[Gateway]

Thanks, I am picking it up Friday and can't wait to jump in head 1st! This is going to be a beginner bike for my son!

[barnbiketom]

There's only one fuse on the '82 450's and it's a glass one under the left side cover. The glass fuse holders are dodgy so it's likely it's not just the fuse but the holder as well. Very easily fixed.



Of course there are other possibilities but hopefully it's the simple answer!

Sounds like a great bike and i bet pete is right!!

just don't fix it at the seller's house or he will change his mind hahahhaah

[Gateway]

Update!!!

Well my son and I went and picked up the 450. It only has 6,800 miles on it and in really nice shape.We got it home and I started poking around. It should have been a hint when the guy said, " I bought a brand new battery and now nothing works " I looked, and looked again and to my surprise there is NO positive lead!So I connected to ground made up a temporary bit of wiring BINGO!! She has all lights ect AND>>>> RUNS great! Maybe the best $300.000 bucks I spent so far this year!!

[eil]

Wow, nice score!

[cableguy]

As much as you were looking forward to a project I'm sure you'll adjust to idea of being able to ride it right away
Congrats on the great deal!

[pete]

Excellent! Now we need pic's!

[Gateway]

Well, the kid loves the thing and that surprises me because he is a " crotch rocket " lover and the second he sat on it he fell in love with it! Now we are going to put a different set of bars on it, a 2 into 1 and new tires. Then she'll be ship shape. My wife is having a cow. She seems to think his 1st vehicle should be a car. Blah Blah Blah!!!

[pete]

Tell her he'll be a better *driver* once he becomes a good *rider*

[argonsagas]

Tell her he'll be a better *driver* once he becomes a good *rider*

That is good advice.

People who run emergency service vehicles (ambulances, etc) often prefer having motorcycle riders as drivers because they know riders have learned to look and see what is both ahead and around them, not just look ahead blankly as so many "drivers" do.

That said, if he is a novice to riding, get him enrolled in an MSF course.....right away.

[pete]

Yep, I was amazed at the difference myself when I learnt to ride...