GS450s Build - Scrambler maybe? Let's get it running first.

[pete]

Fair enough, I'm just trying to get a rough idea of what sizes to look for when I get to that point.

[CDC]

Also as for shims, I'm not exactly sure what the previous owner did but there were 2 metal shims and a nylon washer in under the needle already, and the needle itself was adjustable. I moved the clip down one to the second lowest position and left the existing shims. It feels about right on the needle, but I still need to get out on the open road to evaluate the mains as I didn't want to do any WOT passes through my neighborhood with no plates on the bike.

[pete]

Interesting! Sounds like they already did something with the needles for sure.

I haven't double checked mine yet, but I believe they're non-adjustable.

I'm thinking about this though:

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/6sigmajetkit/m.html

If they're as good as they look, that would be perfect...

And I must agree with the WOT with no plates thing, that wouldn't be wise

[CDC]

Interesting! Sounds like they already did something with the needles for sure.

I haven't double checked mine yet, but I believe they're non-adjustable.

I'm thinking about this though:

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/6sigmajetkit/m.html

If they're as good as they look, that would be perfect...

And I must agree with the WOT with no plates thing, that wouldn't be wise

As for the 6sigma guy, I have mixed reviews. The kit had lots of useless stuff in it, and he sent it with the wrong type of mikuni mains. Then, when he sent jets back, I got 4 of the same jet instead of 2 and 2. I'm a bit miffed all in all.

[pete]

As for the 6sigma guy, I have mixed reviews. The kit had lots of useless stuff in it, and he sent it with the wrong type of mikuni mains. Then, when he sent jets back, I got 4 of the same jet instead of 2 and 2. I'm a bit miffed all in all.

Hmmmm I see...

I'm weighing up the cost of jets plus finding suitable washers vs. the price of that kit. Jets here will be something like $8.50 each for me and I believe I'll need a minimum of 4... a pilot and main for each carb, but I'd really like to get a couple of mains to choose from.

I have my carbs partially apart ready for paint, so I guess if I was to order one I could shoot him pic's of my jets and things to make sure I get the right stuff.

In that situation do you reckon you'd buy from him again or try to hunt things down separately?

Extra useless stuff in there doesn't bother me considering it'll be a good price vs. the cost of me buying jets alone...

[CDC]

Hmmmm I see...

I'm weighing up the cost of jets plus finding suitable washers vs. the price of that kit. Jets here will be something like $8.50 each for me and I believe I'll need a minimum of 4... a pilot and main for each carb, but I'd really like to get a couple of mains to choose from.

I have my carbs partially apart ready for paint, so I guess if I was to order one I could shoot him pic's of my jets and things to make sure I get the right stuff.

In that situation do you reckon you'd buy from him again or try to hunt things down separately?

Extra useless stuff in there doesn't bother me considering it'll be a good price vs. the cost of me buying jets alone...

Would definitely buy separately. The jets should be about $10 for a set of 4 (check chapparal). I was just hoping to save time by getting everything I needed to jet it in hand all at once, but of course it backfired. Shipping was quick, I will give him that.

[CDC]

Hmmmm I see...

I'm weighing up the cost of jets plus finding suitable washers vs. the price of that kit. Jets here will be something like $8.50 each for me and I believe I'll need a minimum of 4... a pilot and main for each carb, but I'd really like to get a couple of mains to choose from.

I have my carbs partially apart ready for paint, so I guess if I was to order one I could shoot him pic's of my jets and things to make sure I get the right stuff.

In that situation do you reckon you'd buy from him again or try to hunt things down separately?

Extra useless stuff in there doesn't bother me considering it'll be a good price vs. the cost of me buying jets alone...

The jets should be about $10 for a set of 4 (check chapparal). I was just hoping to save time by getting everything I needed to jet it in hand all at once, but of course it backfired. Shipping was quick and he has been working with me to make it right, I will give him that.

[pete]

Thanks for the tips.

I spent about an hour and half down there tonight getting the needles out (ugh) and trying to take half decent pic's (yeah right, don't give up ya day job!!), but as it turns out my needles are adjustable as well. Nylon type washer on top and one metal one underneath the adjusting circlip.

So, guess that means I don't need to worry about washers either unless it's still lean right on the bottom one.

I'll havta research chapparal for jets...

Anyways, enough of this thread jacking... let you get back to your build stuff now, after all it's your thread... ooops...

[CDC]

Current struggle is finding a decent set of shocks to put on back. I just changed the oil forks and they already feel much better.

The current shocks have some strange blue dual springs and I think they're aftermarket but unfortunately the shafts are pretty pitted and I don't think there's any way to salvage them unless I do something crazy involving a welder and a lathe. Any ideas for an affordable upgrade replacement?

[pete]

Apparently MDI brand are a reasonable shock for a reasonable price but can be a bit harsh going by reports on here. Not sure where to get them though...

I'm hoping to end up with Ikons on mine pending budget.

[CDC]

I ended up ordering a set of OEM shocks for $40 shipped from ebay and they actually look ok. Some flecks of rust high up on the shaft but way better than what I had on there. Figure I'll wear these out while I look for that perfect set of vintage aftermarket race shocks.

Currently waiting on a rear brake light spring and a new and hopefully less wiggly shifter linkage to come in and she's more or less ready for the street.

This week saw white dirt bars installed, front brake rebuilt and bled, high dirtbike tail fashioned out of an old steel filing cabinet (it's ghetto fabulous), and more cleaning and de-rusting. I also por-15nd the tank and while I have yet to see if it actually holds gas now, it did seem to bond to the metal nicely. Vac petcock was gutted and supplemented with an inline cutoff valve so I still have reserve.

I also need to rig up some kind of rigid as hell fork brace, a front fender, and figure out what to do with the battery box area. I have only a left side cover and the crazy rats nest wiring and huge battery are just too much to hide elsewhere on the bike I think. Any ideas for something to put there other than the oem side panel? Maybe if I tuck everything in there tight to one side I could mount a pouch big enough to hold a sixer or some tools.

Edit: like one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Leath...item3a648e9a1c

Also thinking about foot pegs and turn signals but those are relatively minor considerations.

[pete]

Man I gotta see pic's, I can't imagine all that stuff

As to your battery and side cover situation, I'm thinking about moving to A123 batteries like a couple of others on here have done as they're tiny in comparison.

I'll probably still put them in the battery box, but they'll be low down and not so ugly, and I'm still thinking I'd like to put a weather proof secure enclosure in that area as a storage compartment too.

My side covers will be going away as well, the scrambler pipe will make the left one impossible to mount.

[CDC]

A123 could be perfect.

Here is a shot of tail:

[pete]

Bit hard to tell from that angle but could be good. I like the 'bars too, I have similar black ones on mine...

[CDC]

Well, I'm getting to the part of the project where I actually get to ride and I must say I really enjoy this little bike. Took it on 2 4hr plus rides in addition to city jaunts in the last weeks and it's performed admirably, running nice and cool with great low end power and never giving me any trouble except for the still annoying intermittent headlight. I'm pretty sure now that the main connector on the wiring harness is also corroded, and I'm heading to radio shack for some contact cleaner and dielectric grease.

I still need to do something like an a123 battery for cosmetic reasons but last week, I relocated all the electronics from the tray on the left side and now everything's bolted to the top of the plastic inner fender. I need to wrap the wiring up nicely and then I can ditch the side covers completely.

Only major things I have to deal with now are the forks. They seem to bind up and get this extremely annoying harmonic bounce at about 35 mph, but at highway speeds they were nice and smooth. I have new steering head bearings to go in that may cure the problem, but I'm not convinced that I want to stick with these skinny things up front given their general condition. Does anybody know if the gs550 forks will bolt up without modification of the brake mounts/axle/wheel spacers? Any other alternatives that come to mind given the low budget objective here?

Also, I have a pic to share from my latest jaunt.

Very capable on gravel roads, and I think some real flat track tires (as opposed to the 30 y/o irc tires I have) would make it even better.



As you can see, I need to find some decent sheet metal tools to get the curve on the fenders right. It's going to look somewhat crude until I can shrink the steel properly, but they do keep the mud out of my face.