So I've got another one (850G)

[AF_Bill]

Dan, thanks for the reminder. I really didn't think about that but the latches open VERY easy.

[Steve]

So I was able to pick up the saddle bags and bracket at the shop. VERY happy with them. Need a lil cleaning and paint but they are perfect.

Nice score on the GK bags.
I got a full set of GK luggage for "Junior" and really like it.
(Click the link in my sig.)

The only problem is that the bracket is for an 82 850 and all the mounting points don't match up perfect. So I'll need to figure out something later. ...

It's even more fun when you have the luggage rack to install for the trunk, too, but I used a small piece of 1" x 1/8" flat stock to bridge the gap between the bike frame and the bag mount.

It was fun tryin to reinstall the seat. Had to take off the grab bar to make it work.

Does your seat have the little bridge across the rear hinge? I found that you can leave the hinge pins out completely. The bridge across the hinge will hold under the frame-mounted part of the hinge and the latch/lock on the other side will keep that side down, so the seat does not go anywhere. You may have more room at the sides with your setup, I have a rail that is across the top of the bags that is the front part of the luggage rack, and that definitely won't allow the seat to hinge open very far.

Don't forget to latch them and lock them when you ride off, I've had mine fall open on a big bump in the road with wind to help in the opening of them.

Good advice, but I have not found the GK locks prone to bouncing open.
Granted, I only have about 2000 miles or so on the bike, but have not had a single one bounce open.

Dan, thanks for the reminder. I really didn't think about that but the latches open VERY easy.

My latches open easily, too, but as mentioned, I have not had one bounce open yet.

That is, unless it bounced open without me noticing, then bounced closed, too.

.

[russellhartzell]

Thank you Bill. Just let me know.

[AF_Bill]

Does your seat have the little bridge across the rear hinge? I found that you can leave the hinge pins out completely. The bridge across the hinge will hold under the frame-mounted part of the hinge and the latch/lock on the other side will keep that side down, so the seat does not go anywhere. You may have more room at the sides with your setup, I have a rail that is across the top of the bags that is the front part of the luggage rack, and that definitely won't allow the seat to hinge open very far.

.

I do have that little bridge on the rear hinge. I'll have to check and see if there is something i can do to keep the seat down. I kinda dig the way it looks without the trunk and rack. I'm gonna start looking over the winter for a small sissybar to install on the seat.

[AF_Bill]

So I really haven't done anything to Newbie or Broken since my shop is being used as a storage room . I'm currently workin on enclosing the side porch so I can move some couches outta my shop. While thats goin on, I just ordered rebuild kits from Z1 and will be ordering parts for my 650. More updates (and pics) to come later.

[AF_Bill]

Well, I've been slackin on both bikes and now I've got the motivation to fix one, if not both. The carb kits for Newbie (aka BAGS) around christmas time. AND I cleaned out my shop so my bikes are ready for some work. I'll keep ya posted on the progress this weekend.

[AF_Bill]

Small update. Nothing major.

So I finally got into the shop and started workin on the 850. I've changed the name from Newbie to Bags.

So I wanted to go back to the stock turn signals and keep the front running lights. Needless to say, it didn't work the way i planned. So I installed a longer stem from the rears (yamaha turn signals). So I then decided to screw around and mock up two 4in fog lights to see if I want them on my 650. Not sure I like the way they look but then again, its a ROUGH mock up.

[7981GS]

With twin chrome larger lights, it would look like a Triumph 675 Street Triple coming.

Daniel

[AF_Bill]

I think I 'm gonna pass on the dual headlight setup at this time. I'm gonna reinstall the headlight tonight, pull the carbs off, and start rebuilding them. It's gonna get to 60 degrees today and almost 70 on friday. So I'm gonna try and get some riding in this weekend.

[AF_Bill]

Ordered new tires yesterday and according to MSS they'll be here on Monday (YAY!!!!) While I'm waiting, I took off the carbs and started to rebuild them. Not too much else goin on with her as of right now. I DID, however, decide on a new headlight that I might use on Bags or Broken (my 650G). This light would work for either project and fit pretty well. Now both bikes are gonna get fairings, the one for Broken is gonna be an EMGO cafe fairing. The one for Bags, I'm not sure who makes it, but it's cracked a lot on the bottom so I'm modifyin it to fit my style. I'll post pics later today with some notes on what I plan on doin.

Here's the headlight.

[Steve]

Personally, I would want to see the pattern it projects before I dedicated a bunch of modifications to its installation.

Not only the projected pattern, I would be interested in the shielding to prevent glare in the eyes of oncoming drivers.

You have a link to the light?

.

[AF_Bill]

Not a problem Steve. I should have posted it along with the pic.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/306-683

[Steve]

YIKES!

I thought stock headlight prices were bad.

.

[AF_Bill]

Yeah. This would probably be the most expecsive part on either bike lol. Everything is used (except for the tires).

[AF_Bill]

Ok, so today I rebuilt the carbs. Not too hard since this is my first set of bike carbs I've ever rebuilt. While I had the carbs apart, I sanded down the tops to give them a brushed finish.

Before



After. Also, I picked up some allen head bolts from Home Depot for the carbs. Only cost me $7.50. Looks good IMO.
BUT, I did run into a problem. One of the needles (I guess thats what it is) stripped out. I tried to use me screw extractor set to remove it but it didn't work at all. So I'm gonna have to take it to my parts guy to see if he can help.