1983 GS450L Lives Again

[Fritzhund]

I thought that you might like to see how far I got with the bike:

All electrical components completely inspected/repaired as necessary
Side covers painted
Sissy/grab bar powder coated black
Oil and filter changed
Completely de-greased and waxed
Chrome cleaned and polished
Tachometer cable replaced
Carburetors completely rebuilt (Total teardown, dipped, and o-ring replacement)
Exhaust wrapped in fiberglass heat wrap

Still to do:

Replace brake lines and brakes/rebuild front caliper and master cylinder
(Safe for now, but on the list)
Replace front fork seals and powder coat headlight brackets
(Safe for now, but on the list)
Remove engine covers and polish. Gas tank will be painted black
(Winter project when I have a garage)
Valve adjustment and carb sync
(Next as per the service manual)

Very nice and road worthy at this point!
I should have it (legally) on the road by the end of July!

This bike was last registered in 2006 and has 11,065 original miles on it.
I am sticking as close to stock as possible.

Thanks especially to you Deb Voyner. It is in good hands.
Wait until you see it in person!

The cool thing is that it is from 1983, the same year I graduated from High School.

I have attached a photo.



Mark

[Calvin Blackmore]

lovely lovely bike
my god man yer 45!

polishing metal bits is a perversely addcitive thing

I took the old flaking OEM coating off mine a while back and with some wheels and compounds and finally a dremel tool

brought it back to shiny
its odd that something meant to protect makes a older bike look like total crap
I wonder if a lot of people make major decisions on old machines based purely on how gross it can actually be

oh and thanks for not using a sawzall
I know custom bikes are a niche but its always seems that a lovely well engineered machine is turned into a less than useful eyesore

more pics
and some pre cleanup pics pleease

[Fritzhund]

Thanks Calvin,

Yes, a Yank and a Geezer!

I love stock, and this was in such great shape when I got it that it will remain so as long as possible. My only non-stock method is that if it was "once" chromed and is "now" all fkd up, it will soon be powder coated gloss black. Beyond that, I'll polish the original and keep it clean. The header wrap is one of those things, and yes I have been all over this site and others regarding it. It looks great and has held up.

I would be happy to share some before shots. Stay tuned!

Mark

[ratdude]

wow

Stunning looking bike !

[pete]

Good to see another 450 back, and an excellent job done too

[Bill C.]

450l

Very very nice. You have a great looking bike.

[Fritzhund]

Thanks guys!


It was sweet when I got it but had been sitting for 5 years. I put a lot of work into it and still have more to do.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped out and answered all of my questions. It has been really appreciated!

Thanks, Mark

[Allie]

What a sweet bike, nice work! I always love it when they 'live again', very satisfying.

[davidduarte]

yay, another twin!