just bought 79 gs 850

[Pacman]

Definitely a non-stock seat.

BTW, nice bike. I look forward to seeing your progress toward bringing another '79 back from the dead. In my very humble opinion the '79 was the best year 850 that Suzuki made. I like the VM carbs and having a kickstart is just about the best thing in the world. I hate push starting a bike. I'm getting too old for that.

Chris

[kevinmccaffrey]

Many bikes

fabulous machine even though compared to what's available nowadays....HARD to beat! she'll haul.....seriously!!! mine came from an estate sale. went totally through her..new everything.... too bad she's not as pretty as yours...i digress... carbs need to be immaculate! and kept that way; ignition is borderline...but dats what wuz done in "da old days" ..if you keep after the points and condensors you'll be ok! put in an inline filter in the fuel supply/line. valve adjustment is critical as are intake boots/o rings.. you must keep intake box tight as per OE. now if you care....this engine can and may be constucted to prodoce MUCHO.. HP, at the expense of otherwise "bulletproof" reliability and expected life...sooooo WHAT'S IT GUNNA BE>>??? DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?? shafties are a proven design and maintainance is pretty simple..keep fluid in 'er... watch for leaks and correct same. my forks seem to leak/seep...so i s'pose that should be next on my list of repairs dis here machine NEVER fails to make me smile/happy....after all...i only got a few bucks in 'er..compared to the costs associated with new[er] bikes foreign/imported..or domestic. it's a TOTAL GAS when somebody...usually a car [corvette] wants to try me.. NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! .....AD'IOS

[syren]

Well thanks again for the help again. I'm sure I will be asking more questions once I get some parts in for the bike in a few weeks. I am going to keep checking out the sites I was linked and try to learn more about the bike and what I need to be doing to get it running smooth. I will be checking out other posts as well. Like I said in earlier posts I am a total newbie when it comes to mechanics so this will be a learning experience for me. Luckily I have you guys and a few friends who know their way around a garage. I work in IT so if I can return any questions related to computers/internet just let me know, I'll be happy to reciprocate!

Thanks again guys.

[rustybronco]

I really mean it, wow. This is probably the first (and only) forum where I actually recieved helpful information for once without hecklers!

In addition to the items already suggested to do. I would like to add... strip it down to the frame and do a complete restoration...

Now do you feel like you are at a "normal" forum?

Glad to have you aboard!

[syren]

haha. Yep! That's better

[C.V.]

Hey new guy! Just another '79 shaftie club member saying welcome. You are definitely in the right place. Endless supplies of good natured help around here, so never fear to ask questions! Good luck brother! get on those carbs and valves, and let us know how its going!

Cheers!~

C.V.

[syren]

Took a pic

I got a chance to get a closer look at the bike today. I haven't done any of the suggestions that were offered yet but I am going to for sure. Take a look at this pic and tell me what you guys might think. Where do you think the oil could be coming from and why? I know it may be hard to determine from this pic but any thoughts will help on where I can start. I planned on doing all the valves/gaskets/o rings. Plugs and wires and change fluids. Then cleaning up the excess oil and get a nice shine then running the bike to see where it might be coming from.

[Larry D]

There's a rubber oring in the tach cable seat. Probably toast, along with any other rubber components throughout the bike.

[Pacman]

I second the tach cable o-ring. It's coming from above the head gasket. So I'd say o-ring or maybe valve cover gasket.

Get is running and then clean the hell out of the front of the motor. You will most likely see quite clearly where it is coming from.

Chris

[syren]

OK another question. I have been reading up a lot about carbs since I am going to do the cleaning myself (and with a friend). I came home today after work to get a hands on look and I noticed the 4 vaccum hoses coming from the carbs. 1 seems to be coming off the side of the bike by itself and not plugged into anything. Carbs 234 all seem to run to the same place under the bike just sitting on top of what seems to be the frame or airbox, not plugged into anything. I searched the forum here and I saw a post that talks a little bit about them but it was mixed reactions on wehter or not they were supposed to be plugged into something. Someone said 234 were into the atomasphere and 1 went to the fuel cock (maybe it was 4 went to the petcock and 123 were open). I checked the service manual and they talk a little about useing them to balnce the carbs but it didn't seem to say where to unplug or plug them back into. My questions is, what are for and does anyone have an article on them? Are the supposed to be unplugged like they are? Are some supposed to be unplugged. If they are not supposed to be unplugged, why would someone unplug them, to try to get a reading from the carbs?

The fuel like is also coming from the tank and running down the the bottom of the bike through a hole near the kick stand. I am going to need to get a new hose because its all chewed up for some reason but there is no gas leaking from it either. I will refer to manual on where to plug it back into I just thought I would mention it. I also got some new pics I am going to post soon. I think I want to paint it flat black.

[syren]

Forgive me, I found this. http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...locations.html

I looked all days and I thought it said "Where do these horses go?" lol. Sorry.

[C.V.]

Forgive me, I found this. http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...locations.html

I looked all days and I thought it said "Where do these horses go?" lol. Sorry.

That guide is for CV carbs, you have VM's on your '79.
Carbs 1,2, and 4 vent to air, hose from carb 3 goes to the petcock. The fittings for the carb sync are on the intake boots, not the carbs.

[nity11us]

Welcome,

GS850GN owner here also. Just gettin' my parts purchased for the rehab after left turn into the side of van. Fairly new here also. Good folks.

--Nity Al

[tas850g]

i'm drawing a blank as i try to visually picture the carb sync ports but i believe these ports are on the intake case, not the intake boots. 1980 had them on the intake boot. When you read more about syncing the carbs it will become more apparent.

[Steve]

Well, someone with a little more model knowledge is gonna have to chime in. Look up the 850's here.....

http://suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html

Looks to me like your bike is a "GL" model, only I don't think those came out until '80. Raised handlebars, chrome fenders usually indicate an "L". That link also says they changed carbs and ignition systems between '79 and '80. Sometimes, Mr Suzuki kinda mixed and matched the parts that were left over, especially at the end of a model year.

Where's all the 850 people when I need 'em.........

Well, ... one of us is here.

I was kinda surprised to see chrome fenders on it, too, as they are usually found on the L models, but there was no L in 1979. Somebody might have grafted them in there, and I think they look OK. The L model does not have the tail piece behind the seat, though. Its tail light is one that stands up from the chrome fender. The handlebars have been changed to some that resemble L bars, but that's personal preference. The forks are definitely non-L. Overall, I'd just say that it's a personalized '79 850G.

I think the first cosmetic thing I will change is the seat. It looks comfy but I really don't like the look.

When you are ready to get rid of the seat, please let me know.

My son might be interested in it for his '81 850. Could offer a trade for a stock seat that is split along one edge or cash.

.