Tune-up suggestions /common problems

[Anonymous]

Hey all
So I just completed the sale on my first bike, which just happents to be a 78 gs 750. it only has 9300 miles on it but unfourtuanatly the previous owner left it out all the time so the body has a bit of weather damage, but ill take care of that later.
Ok so the heres the deal. before taking it out I am going to spend a day or two in the garage. change the oil, change the plugs, lube the chain check tire pressure, cheack brake fluid. Is there any thing else I should go over, dont be afraid to mention somethong if its small, thats the stuff I want to over look the least.
Also I would like to know from any of you if there are common problems for this particular bike that I should keep an eye out for. I just like to have a heads up on things like this.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the GS community.

Consider replacing the points and condensers. If they still look like they are in good shape, you can get away with setting the gap. If they are in fair shape, you can file them with a point file and then reset the gap.

Fork oil should probably be changed.

Check the chain tension. With the bike on the center stand, there should be between 3/4" and 1-1/2" of slack in the chain. Rotate the rear wheel and check the slack at various points along the chain, since tight spots will cause the chain to have uneven slack.

Don't neglect the air filter.

Also, if it has an in-line fuel filter, replace it. If it doesn't, consider adding one.

If the bike has been sitting for any lenght of time, you may need to remove the carburetors and clean them.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

WHILE IT ON THE CENTER STAND YOU MIGHT GIVE THE WHOLE FRONT END A GOOD LOOK OVER--IS THE TRIPPLE TREE LOSE--ARE THE NUTS THAT HOLD THE FRONT AXEL ON STILL THERE AND TIGHT-- LUBE THE SPEEDO AND TACHO CABLES--BE SURE THE REAR WHELL IS ALIGNED POPERLY--LUBE THE CLUTCH CABLE--ADJUST THE CLUTCH. AND WHEN YOU ARE DONE LET ME TAKE IT FOR A RIDE.

[Anonymous]

Forgot to mention... check the water level in the battery.

[Anonymous]

I just had someone give me an old 78 GS750. It also has been sitting outdoors for a long time. What I noticed was that the brake lights weren’t working. It was an easy fix yet very necessary. The front and rear brake switches weren’t doing their jobs. The rear switch needed to be lubricated with WD 40 and the front brake switch need to be taken apart and cleaned. When taking the front brake switch apart be sure not to lose the tiny spring that is located under the contact. I also needed to re-solder the wiring to the front brake switch, the years of rain and snow got the better of it. I also noticed that my kill switch on the handle bar tends to connect and disconnect intermittently. As a mater of fact I would clean all the connections. These tend to be a problem on old bikes and if ignored it can be a real pain.

Another thing you will want to take care of is your brakes. The callipers will probably need rebuilding, brake lines and pads will need to be replaced.

Older GS’s tend to have a problem’s with their charging system. It would be a good idea to be sure and clean all the connections on the stator, regulator rectifier, battery and be sure that the ground is really good. Be sure that you test the system with a fully charged battery. Read the stator papers in the garage section listed on the home page it will give you an idea of what I am talking about.

The carbs will probably need to be rebuilt, this isn’t a hard task and you will find tons of information re: carb rebuild on this site. The only problem you might run into is trying to find “O” rings that require replacing. I found some of my “O” rings at “Home Depot” and some of the very kind people here have been very helpful with finding the more difficult ones.

If you haven’t started the bike yet, and it has been sitting for a long time it would be a good ides to give it a little head start by pouring about one teaspoon of oil into each cylinder through the sparkplug hole, lubricate the valves by taking the valve cover off and pouring oil onto the cam’s and other parts. Once lubricated and having replaced the valve cover crank the engine with the kick starter with the ignition switch in the off position, this will help loosen the rings and valves and coat some of the engine parts with oil before you fire it up.

Good luck with your new GS you’ve got yourself a great bike. With a little maintenance this bike is reliable and will last you a long time. And the information on this site is really really good.

Roman

[Anonymous]

CHECK YOUR TIRES !!!
If it's been outside for awhile you might have developed some dry cracks.
NOT GOOD.