GS 550L Gets a make over

[kcorbin]

Bend your bars!

I did something similar with my L bars. With the bars on the bike, my dad and I took a long thick prybar (like 4') and inserted it below the bars in between the mounts to the triple tree (wrap the bar with a cloth or something to not scratch the paint there). Then we took another long solid bar and stuck it in the end of the handlebars all the way up to the first bend. Then we applied multiple heavy doses of grunting to bend them up and out.

Because of the flex, you have to bend them a little bit past where you actually want them. If you have them off the bike, the vice would definitely be the way to go.

To get them even we just tried to get the front wheel as straight as possible and then measure from the end of the bars to the ground and then also to the back of the seat (and some eyeballing). If you are off 1/4" you will never ever notice the difference while riding. Your own arms are probably not within 1/4" of each other.

Bend them, then sit on the bike and repeat until it feels good. You can also change the angle of the upright section of the bars by loosening the mount clamps and finding a good position; I set mine so it was pretty much vertical. This made my riding position just slightly forward of upright and perfectly comfortable.

I have to say, it was the best single thing I ever did to this bike and it cost me nothing (I didn't even need new cables or brake lines). The improvement in handling, stability and long term comfort were like night and day.

(I swear I heard the bike itself thank me too. I think the L's were always mad at the factory for equipping them with the Worst Handlebars Known to Man. )

[Redneck]

I placed the lower portion of the bars in an industrial 12" vice. I used a cheater bar that had just a slightly larger inside diameter than the L bars outside diameter. Push it all the way up to the bend and then pulled. Eyeballed it at first when I thought it was good I laid them on the floor and did angle measurements on each side to determine if they were even. It really was not too difficult. There is some slight uneven to it but you really have to be looking for it to find it. Then I powder coated them black. They are very comfortable.

Well did her first real trial run today. She ran like a dream, the throttle is responsive all the way up and down from 8K. It was great to ride. The modified L bars felt great. The only downside to today was I have to go ahead rebuild the front master cylinder now, and #2 carb is still leaking. I also need to fix the front brake switch it is not working and therefore will not pass inspection.

I believe now that the problem with the #2 Carb is there is probably a crack in the float. It takes about two hours before the carb starts overflowing. This tells me that the float is slowly filling with fluid and then sinks and allows more gas into the carb. I plan on changing that tomorrow. I have a couple of spare floats sitting down in the garage.

Man it was great to be riding again. I wanted to jut take off and go for a long haul run but until I get it inspected I can't afford the ticket if I get stopped.

Paul

[pete]

I placed the lower portion of the bars in an industrial 12" vice. I used a cheater bar that had just a slightly larger inside diameter than the L bars outside diameter. Push it all the way up to the bend and then pulled. Eyeballed it at first when I thought it was good I laid them on the floor and did angle measurements on each side to determine if they were even. It really was not too difficult. There is some slight uneven to it but you really have to be looking for it to find it. Then I powder coated them black. They are very comfortable.

Well did her first real trial run today. She ran like a dream, the throttle is responsive all the way up and down from 8K. It was great to ride. The modified L bars felt great. The only downside to today was I have to go ahead rebuild the front master cylinder now, and #2 carb is still leaking. I also need to fix the front brake switch it is not working and therefore will not pass inspection.

I believe now that the problem with the #2 Carb is there is probably a crack in the float. It takes about two hours before the carb starts overflowing. This tells me that the float is slowly filling with fluid and then sinks and allows more gas into the carb. I plan on changing that tomorrow. I have a couple of spare floats sitting down in the garage.

Man it was great to be riding again. I wanted to jut take off and go for a long haul run but until I get it inspected I can't afford the ticket if I get stopped.

Paul

Excellent stuff Paul! Glad to hear she's running again

Those last things should be easy fixes so you should have her inspected in no time at all!

[Redneck]

Carbuerator Chaos....... I am beginning to hate my Carbs. I knew we had an issue with #2 Carb believe it to be the float is no longer sealed and is filling with gas over time. I go over to Adam's to fix all the other small stuff we found when i took her on her test ride and before we even open up his Garage, I smell gas. We open the door and gas is puddled all over the floor. I am so glad I was patient and decided to wait and get the Sprocket cover powder coated. Now it is leaking out #2 and #1 I am frustrated. I am going to set the floats on ultral high and look into getting a new petcock.

Do you have to have the gas off on the old VM carbs or should the floats be stopping the gas from over flowing I am confused?

Paul

[pete]

Carbuerator Chaos....... I am beginning to hate my Carbs. I knew we had an issue with #2 Carb believe it to be the float is no longer sealed and is filling with gas over time. I go over to Adam's to fix all the other small stuff we found when i took her on her test ride and before we even open up his Garage, I smell gas. We open the door and gas is puddled all over the floor. I am so glad I was patient and decided to wait and get the Sprocket cover powder coated. Now it is leaking out #2 and #1 I am frustrated. I am going to set the floats on ultral high and look into getting a new petcock.

Do you have to have the gas off on the old VM carbs or should the floats be stopping the gas from over flowing I am confused?

Paul

Paul, do the VM carbs have float valves like my CV carbs do? Maybe they're a bit dodgy and not holding the fuel back like they should?

[Good Times]

Seems like the gas leaking from the #2 carb means a bad petcock. At least that's what I've seen in other threads.

[Redneck]

I am not disagreeing with you GT the Petcock is bad but should the floats keep the gas from over flowing and hold it in the tube..... aye aye aye...

I am not very happy about this.

Paul

[Redneck]

Well if I leave the gas on and put her on the kickstand she leaks gas, but if she is on the center stand she is good or if I make sure to turn the gas off with the switch positioned just right, she doesn't leak either.... I think I am good with that. All that is left is the rebuild kit for the front master cylinder, which is currently sitting at my bikes parts store awaiting pay day. So I am going to call this rebuild through. Thank you all for those who have followed this and I hope to get plenty of ride time in Sunny Northeast Florida in the coming years. Final pictures to finish her out.

What she started as



And what she is now.





Thank you once again to all those who have followed or provide thought and advice.

Paul

[GateKeeper]

Hey Paul.....

Congrats on a job well done.....hope you have many many years of enjoyment and many miles of riding....

now off to the next project.....LOL

[Flyboy]

^^^^ Ditto, well done Paul, you certainly did a fine job and she is looking great, may you have many safe and fun filled hours on her, now what is next????

[DannyMotor]

Bravo man... HUGE improvement!

[Redneck]

Next project is going to be a naked goldwing, or a GS 1100ES in the 82-84 range, but if I can find a Katana in that year range I may be willing to try and find more moeny. Just haven't quite decided and it actually depends on what comes available at the best price and whether or not I have the money at the time. I will keep you guys posted besides I can't ever give up this site it is full of to many great people. The wife is swearing no more projects..lol. I said but this time I have a running bike so the pressure is not as high to "Get 'er Done!"

Paul

[pete]

Next project is going to be a naked goldwing, or a GS 1100ES in the 82-84 range, but if I can find a Katana in that year range I may be willing to try and find more moeny. Just haven't quite decided and it actually depends on what comes available at the best price and whether or not I have the money at the time. I will keep you guys posted besides I can't ever give up this site it is full of to many great people. The wife is swearing no more projects..lol. I said but this time I have a running bike so the pressure is not as high to "Get 'er Done!"

Paul

Awesome stuff Paul! Happy for you mate, feels good to get her done and get ridin' don't it?

I hear ya' on the pressure comment... that's why I haven't even started on the little Duc motor yet, enjoying riding the 450 way too much to start thinking about the next project

[Tim Tom]

Congrats on finishing the build! For now at least, always something new comes up . The bike looks awesome. You should be proud! No go ride it!!

[Redneck]

Well rode her down today and got the inspection passed. Then rode down into Portsmouth and picked up my master cylinder rebuild kit. It is just so nice to be riding again.

Paul