Buying My First Bike Today

[exbellicus]

I am buying a 80 GS450L today. It is not currently running, but I got it for next to nothing and am going to fix it up with a mechanic friend of mine, hopefully it will be a simple solution! The current owner said its getting a spark and turns over, and he recently cleaned the carbs with no improvement, but doesn't know what else to check.

Do you guys have any good parts sites bookmarked for this bike? Also are there any of you GS guys near Dallas(TX) that could help out if we get stuck?

Thanks
Brett

[Steve]

The first thing I would recommend is CLEAN THE CARBS.

Yeah, you said that he said that he recently cleaned the carbs. No telling how he cleaned them or how well, so you may as well do them yourself and know for sure.
Contact GSR member Robert Barr at cycleorings.com to get a set of o-rings for your carbs and intake tubes, too.

Parts sources? Sure:

Alpha Sports
Babbittsonline
Bike Bandit
Carolina Cycle
Cycle Parts Nation
CYCLE-RE-CYCLE
Full throttle
Motogrid
MR Cycles
PartShark
Partsnmore
Ron Ayers
Z1 Enterprises

Be aware that not all of them carry all the things you need, but are good sources for what they do carry.
Also, some have minimum order amounts, so watch out for them.
Lastly, if two sources are close in price, check the shipping costs. Some are reasonable, others not so much.

Overall, the consistently good ones are (in no particular order) PartShark, Babbitts and Cycle Parts Nation. I have also used Bike Bandit and Carolina Cycle on more than one occasion with great satisfaction.

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[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. exbellicus,

Good luck with your bike. If you read over your mega-welcome again I'm sure you'll find some more information that might help. Please keep us informed, and show us some pictures!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Redman]

Yep, are some GSR members in Dallas area (south of Dallas I think).

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