GS 550L Gets a make over

[Good Times]

+3 --- Have already been thinking about what's next......

[Sci85]

+4....Thankfully I have my MX bike but still, really want to get on the street. I almost broke down and bought a brand spanking new Triumph scrambler a couple weeks back. I would have done it too except for the severe beating I would have gotten when I got home...

[Redneck]

SCI-
+4....Thankfully I have my MX bike but still, really want to get on the street. I almost broke down and bought a brand spanking new Triumph scrambler a couple weeks back. I would have done it too except for the severe beating I would have gotten when I got home...

I actually found a running 1982 Running Goldwing for an excellent price that would require no immediate work other than getting the title and plates put in my name. But the beatings that would occur if I came home with it.

Well on a sadder note tragedy struck last night... I was prepping the tank for putting in the liner. I used laquer thinner in the tank to clean it up, then mixed up and added the two part apoxy liner that claims to be better than both POR15 and Kreem.... When I removed the glad wrap I had put over the tank to protect it I realized that some thinner had leaked up under the wrap. It did not totally destroy the paint job but it has that ooops I spilt gas all over my cheap paint job look. So I called it a night and decided to practice guitar all night.

Today I am going over to Adam's and zip tying wire, installing spark plugs and fuel lines, attaching the gas tank and hopefully firing up the old beast and hearing her roar. Wish me luck.

Paul

[GateKeeper]

Come on guys, we are all very close to the finish liine......a few more weeks, and a number of us should have running bikes.....mine might be running, but not painted, it's the best I can hope for, plus I do have a new bike on order, so at least I will be able to ride something, but it will be in at the same time as the old bike gets finished up.....so I am no further ahead....LOL

[Sci85]

Good luck Paul! We want audio though

[pete]

+4....Thankfully I have my MX bike but still, really want to get on the street. I almost broke down and bought a brand spanking new Triumph scrambler a couple weeks back. I would have done it too except for the severe beating I would have gotten when I got home...

Now see that's a new bike I could understand getting... I love the new Scrambler and is probably the only "new" bike I'd ever consider owning at this point. Definitely some inspiration for my 450 there

SCI-
+4....Thankfully I have my MX bike but still, really want to get on the street. I almost broke down and bought a brand spanking new Triumph scrambler a couple weeks back. I would have done it too except for the severe beating I would have gotten when I got home...

I actually found a running 1982 Running Goldwing for an excellent price that would require no immediate work other than getting the title and plates put in my name. But the beatings that would occur if I came home with it.

Well on a sadder note tragedy struck last night... I was prepping the tank for putting in the liner. I used laquer thinner in the tank to clean it up, then mixed up and added the two part apoxy liner that claims to be better than both POR15 and Kreem.... When I removed the glad wrap I had put over the tank to protect it I realized that some thinner had leaked up under the wrap. It did not totally destroy the paint job but it has that ooops I spilt gas all over my cheap paint job look. So I called it a night and decided to practice guitar all night.

Today I am going over to Adam's and zip tying wire, installing spark plugs and fuel lines, attaching the gas tank and hopefully firing up the old beast and hearing her roar. Wish me luck.

Paul

Aaaargh bugger Paul! Did it strip it right back or just marks in it? If there's just marks in it then at least it won't start rusting from the outside and you can fix it up later.

Good luck with the firing!

[Redneck]

There is life

She lives... if ever so briefly. Well my signature says it all. Rookie in training. Well I made another critical rookie mistake. I forgot to order anew gasket for the Petcock. So I tried to use the old one just to be able to get her to run. So I installed the fuel sender and the petcock. Put in some clear vinyl tubing for a fuel line. Got it all hooked up, tank installed. We add the gas (petrol for you down under and british members) and the petcock begins to leak like a siv. Gas was raining down all over the place. I almost wanted to cry. So I have to go and see if my local bike shop happens to have any gaskets on hand if not I will have to order one.

The good new though. I was bound and determined to get her started. So we used the little bottle that come with the mighty vac brake bleeding kit and filled it full of gas and hooked it to my fuel line. We begin to fill the carbs. After a refill of the mighty vac bottle we begin to see gas back up in the tube. Then the fuel line begins to leak all over the place. So tomorrow I am also going to get some honest to god fuel line when I make my order.

So Adam looks at me and says well you have gas in the carbs, so I turn on the choke, flip her to run, and push the start button......... She fires right to life and idles beautifully for 10 whole seconds till all the fuel is gone from the bowls. I was so stoked. Then so bummed to realize that more than likely I will have to order the petcock gaskets and wait another week or so before I can actually get her up and running. I am so bummed.

Pete- The tank is not so bad after cleaning it up immediately it did not look so bad, Adam actually had to look hard to find it. So we are going to try and buff it out and see if some turtle wax or macguires will bring back the shine. Well I will let you guys know what I find out tomorrow.

Paul

[DannyMotor]

Congrats on getting her to crank Paul! Like GateKeeper said.... hopefully those of us in mid to near-finished project will have the same outcome!

A whole fleet of Suzy GS 4-bangers brought back from the brink!

[Good Times]

Good job Redneck! It started, it counts!

[Flyboy]

No video, it didn't happen
Congratulations Paul, its been a long road, don't be too bummed, you a heck of a lt further down the track than I am, it will be a year before Jennifer's pistons sqeeze any air/fuel mixture.
Can't wait to see a vid of you taking her up and down the road for he first time, I am really happy for you.

[Redneck]

Thanks guys I do appreciate it and there will be video when there is a full fledged gas tank on her or something that holds enough fuel to keep her running long enough for a decent video.

Paul

[Good Times]

...plus I do have a new bike on order...

I hope it isn't coming via USPS!!!!!

[7981GS]

Z1 Enterprises stocks all of the different petcock gaskets/O-rings and they are just around the corner from you.
You could have the parts in one day.
I was surprised to find out that I didn't have the valve cover gasket for the GK in stock Monday evening.
I ordered valve cover gaskets from them on Tuesday and they were here on Thursday!


Eric

[Redneck]

SCORE!!!!! Local dealer had the gaskets in house. But today has been set aside for family day other than going by the bike shop. We have to go pick up supplies for the little helpers Diaromah(sp?) and then we will be boiling and painting eggs this afternoon and evening. Tomorrow afternoon after all the Easter festivities are done I am going to run over to Adam's and we are going to give it another shot.

Paul

[pete]

Awesome stuff Paul, so glad to hear it ran! If only briefly...

Hopefully a good cut and polish will fix your tank and she'll be just like she should