79 GS850 - Shooting for cross country reliability on a college budget

[Steve]

Going to the top of the clearance range is actually preferred by many of us.
Some will actually go just a bit over, to .09 mm.

You now have a copy of the spreadsheet, just enter the info and do what it suggests.

.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Take a careful look at the charging system. Even if it is currently working I would install a Honda regulator. The 79GS850 has a 12 pole stator which can be hard to find.
YOU should NOT be turning the motor with the shims removed
I see that you removed the cams

[Lunchbox88]

Im looking to replace the seat or find a kit to re-foam and recover it. Does anyone know what models of bikes I could pull a seat from, or have anything laying around. I like the flatter style with a small ridge instead of the bucket style.

Also an update:
-New break pads just came in, so hopefully in a day or two I will find time to go over all of the calipers.
-Checking dealer tomorrow for shims

[DanTheMan]

Im looking to replace the seat or find a kit to re-foam and recover it. Does anyone know what models of bikes I could pull a seat from, or have anything laying around. I like the flatter style with a small ridge instead of the bucket style.

Also an update:
-New break pads just came in, so hopefully in a day or two I will find time to go over all of the calipers.
-Checking dealer tomorrow for shims

So, you have a Saddlemen bucket style replacement seat? Your bike is a '79 GS850G? I didn't notice on your frame pictures how the seat mounting was set up. Does it have a side latch/key and hinges or a rear key and hooks at the front? The standard seats are available through e-bay, they show up there and several people will post them in parts section here. You could also post in the Parts Wanted. Looking good so far.

On edit: I see you've got the standard "G" latching and hinge system. Shouldn't be too hard to locate one of those seats.

[850 Combat]

1979 -1981 GS850G and GS1000G seats fit your bike.

I'm not sure about your O rings, I have the other type. Per David Barr, it would be the 32mm. I'm sure he knows.

[Lunchbox88]

So, you have a Saddlemen bucket style replacement seat? Your bike is a '79 GS850G? I didn't notice on your frame pictures how the seat mounting was set up. Does it have a side latch/key and hinges or a rear key and hooks at the front? The standard seats are available through e-bay, they show up there and several people will post them in parts section here. You could also post in the Parts Wanted. Looking good so far.

On edit: I see you've got the standard "G" latching and hinge system. Shouldn't be too hard to locate one of those seats.

Yes correct its the keyed latch and hinge system. I just didnt know what other bikes use the same size seat and mounting system.

[Lunchbox88]

1979 -1981 GS850G and GS1000G seats fit your bike.

I'm not sure about your O rings, I have the other type.

Thanks! Steve helped me with the o-rings, the VM carbs use the smaller 32mm intake o-rings.

[Lunchbox88]

Big Weekend Update (3/13/11)
So this weekend I was able to get alot accomplished on the bike. Turns out that the fuel mixture screw that was broken, was acually broken off flush into the carb The hole that it is stuck in is super tiny and way back next to the slide, so I devised this method for removing it. I ground down a pick to a smaller sturdier right angle point then used some clippers for leverage. Even with this setup it still took about 15min to work it out.


After that I put all new o-rings in the carbs then tackled the intake boot o-rings and boy were they trashed.

(Trashed one)

(Replaced)


I re-shimmed the valves where necessary, and installed a new valve cover gasket, then I started to tackle the brakes. Also every set of pads was destroyed but the rears were the worst. The pads were no longer existent and the metal backing plate was worn into. The calipers were cleaned, checked for functionality, and greased. Then new EBC pads where installed on all calipers along with a new rear rotor which was obviously destroyed from pad negligence. Time for more pics.

(How I found the calipers)


(The pads I took out)


(After new pads)


While I had the wheel off I cleaned and re-greased the splines on both the wheel and the driving hub. All of the splines looked to be in great shape still

Im getting close to safety inspection time so Im getting excited. List of things to finish before I get inspected:
-Bleed all brakes
-Replace fork seals
-Finish blinkers
-Put everything back together

[cowboyup3371]

Looking really good. I'm sure you'll have a great check ride on it when you are done.

[Ranger]

STOP dont order a carb rebuild kit.

The fuel mixture screw can be bought individually. I posted it somewhere on here. If you give me a few days I can head over to the place I ordered mine and get a part # for you. I think it was like $10 or less for each screw. I really should post it in BassCliffs site since I seem to be the only one who's done this.

If you don't have a response from me by Tuesday night, then PM me as I may have forgot. I do have an extra if you use the same as my carbs. Either way they DO make them and sell them individual for our GS's.

[Lunchbox88]

STOP dont order a carb rebuild kit.

The fuel mixture screw can be bought individually. I posted it somewhere on here. If you give me a few days I can head over to the place I ordered mine and get a part # for you. I think it was like $10 or less for each screw. I really should post it in BassCliffs site since I seem to be the only one who's done this.

If you don't have a response from me by Tuesday night, then PM me as I may have forgot. I do have an extra if you use the same as my carbs. Either way they DO make them and sell them individual for our GS's.

Sorry Ranger, I already got the kit for the needle. Its alright though because one the gaskets was messed up in one of my carbs so I got to use that as well. I would still like to know the part number though in case I ever need another one, because non of the fiches seem to have it listed.

[DanTheMan]

Looking good, however, looking at the picts, I see an inline fuel filter. You might want to lose that thing, it'll more than likely mess up your fuel flow to the carbs.

[Lunchbox88]

Looking good, however, looking at the picts, I see an inline fuel filter. You might want to lose that thing, it'll more than likely mess up your fuel flow to the carbs.

Yeah the fuel filter is only temporary. When I get the tank clean and and new fuels lines it will be removed.

[Ranger]

Sorry Ranger, I already got the kit for the needle. Its alright though because one the gaskets was messed up in one of my carbs so I got to use that as well. I would still like to know the part number though in case I ever need another one, because non of the fiches seem to have it listed.

Well if you're not mad then I don't care. Figured you'd need to save the money, I also had extra gaskets heh.

I'll still get the part # for everyone else anyways and post it, lot cheaper than buying a whole kit for one little screw if you don't need to.

[Lunchbox88]

Been making some progress over the last couple days. Free time is hard to come by during the week but I make sure I get at least 30min of wrench time in a day. Bled the brakes, and you wouldn't believe the brown chunky stuff that came out. The rear was the worst, but from the condition if the pads I expected it. Besides an oil leak at the valve cover which I will deal with tomorrow, the bike should be fairly mechanically sound. Electrically though its a different story. After A little testing I have concluded that the charging circuit is indeed messed up(read: Doesnt work at all). I didnt have time to dive into it any further yet but Im going to read the stator papers again to make sure I do all of the tests right. Also I am currently working with an electrical engineering buddy who just finished making me a turn signal controller. I will post pictures and more details in a day or two. My attention will be almost completely focused on electrical now as I already started replacing the corroded fuse box with a more modern automotive style box. Hopefully I will have a better diagnosis of my electrical system here in few days. Cross your fingers.

Edit:Grammer