Bying a 1980 GS 1000 L

[Guest]

Lets just say I am going to buy the afore mentioned bike. Lets just say I think it's worth replacing alot of the parts to make it run very well and be realiable. I want to put on a 4 into 1 V and H header Corbin Gun fighter type seat kinda old school.
Here is my question How difficult is it to get new parts for this style of bike. I look around the internet and I find more vendors you all list that are useful than on the open internet. How hard is this going to be.
I want to make sure the electrics work well, and the fuel delivery is functioning properly. I hope the rest I can find if I need it.
Thank you very much, Sachsaca

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. sachsaca,

I've owned my 1980 GS850GT for over two years now and have never had a problem finding any part I've needed so far.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[almarconi]

I want to make sure the electrics work well, and the fuel delivery is functioning properly. I hope the rest I can find if I need it.

Most parts are still available oem. Parts that are not available oem can usually be found used on e-bay or this forum. There were enough GS series bike produced around the world that getting parts is really not a problem. I have a 1980 750L and have not had a problem finding parts.

[sachsaca]

Sachsaca got it

I drove 4 hours from Roxboro NC to Morganton NC had my 13 year old daughter go with me. She played hookie due to dad. The bike is a metalic light silverish teal green ?????? ok me too.
The bike is rough, from front to back, it's not beat up though. The owner has had it for a few months but did not title it. The person he got it from was the original purchaser in 1980 and I heard he almost cried but finances take their toll don't they.
Well the bike needs a good rebuilding, it's dirty but 90% there. The air box is missing but there was a filter there so hey. The air volume box is in place attached to the carbs but the end carbs on both side were un attached. The tires are dry and cracked in some places, front must be replaced! The battery was about dead when I got there but it started and I rode it a little ways and came back and pondered. I kept looking at this dirty 29 year old motorcycle, I tried hard to see the diamond in the rough and with hope in my hreart I laid down 900 smackaroos too much probably but hey it's what I wanted.
I got it home and I couldn't get it started and thought right there I got messed over. Put a battery charger on it and went to a wake for the death of an old friend in our family. I came home to listening to my wife bark orders at me to get her things(unfair) she fell and got an avulsion break. The tendons across the top of her foot ripped a chunk of bone off of the outside of her right foot, she is in pain I took care of her as best I could then off to mom and dads garage to see if I really got messed over. I put the key in turned the petcock screw out for gas and instant my baby fired up, I took it for a ride. The guy I brought it from said it was tight and man was he right when you goose it it goes, when you let off it brakes down hard no back firing no jumping even with the air box out and the carbs with gaps in the side open. There is a new stator in it and it has a blinding white head light.
I think I got lucky today sometimes it does go that way, it will cost me some money to fix but I knew that. I was listening to a new bike going down the road today and then listened to mine as I drove the road, I love the throatyness of the stock exhaust this 1000 gives off. I think I got lucky.

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. sachsaca,

Sounds good so far. But I encourage you to get some new tires before you take it any farther than around the block. Do you know how old the tires are? Check this out: How Old Are My Tires?

Congratulations! OK, now lets' see some pictures.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[sachsaca]

Carb Question?

I believe I have the original carbs, Mikunis VM 29 or the like not really sure of the numerical portion Im just getting into the technical side of things tryin to find stuff to read on this. What is needed to put pods on each carbs. Ive read on here I will need to rejet but what size???..How hard are these to rework with new gaskets and o rings. never done it but i'm good with my hands and funny about how things should be done. anal sometimes

Don't be too hard on me, this is a learning experience for me big time, i hope to be able to have this thing running smooth as silk and be able to know the electrics and fuel delivery.