81 GS 450 the long way back......

[olddaddy]

After my battle with the bearings yesterday I managed a little progress today. I got both sets of bearings installed and got the rear wheel back on the bike. Not quite a roller yet, still need to do the forks first. I hope to get to that next weekend. Cooler weather is about eight weeks away, so I am motivated again.

[pete]

Good stuff! Glad to hear you got your bearings sorted, I really need to track some down and take care of that, but I'll probably wait until I'm doing tyres so I can knock both things off at the same time with the wheels off. Having said that I just had the front off last night and tonight to do the Ikon fork springs

I'm liking the look of that white wheel, should look great with that bodywork of yours too, and are they stock shocks I see? Do they still go ok? Mine were like struts after sitting for the best part of 10 years...

[olddaddy]

More progress

I managed a few hours in the shop today and made some more progress. The main thing was getting the forks rebuilt and back on the bike. I drilled the rotor and will install the front wheel maybe tomorrow. I got the tailpiece, seat, battery, and side covers back in place also. I found a piece that appears to be missing. It looks like there should be some sort of cover on the front wheel opposite the rotor side. The L parts bikes have a plastic cover, but it doesn't fit my S wheel. Anybody every seen one for the S wheels? Now that the wheels are powder coated that side looks unfinished.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v53/olddaddy/Suzuki%20GS%20450%20Rebuild/?start=all

Hopefully the link will take you to the pictures..........I'm not good at the link thing.

[pete]

I managed a few hours in the shop today and made some more progress. The main thing was getting the forks rebuilt and back on the bike. I drilled the rotor and will install the front wheel maybe tomorrow. I got the tailpiece, seat, battery, and side covers back in place also. I found a piece that appears to be missing. It looks like there should be some sort of cover on the front wheel opposite the rotor side. The L parts bikes have a plastic cover, but it doesn't fit my S wheel. Anybody every seen one for the S wheels? Now that the wheels are powder coated that side looks unfinished.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v53/olddaddy/Suzuki%20GS%20450%20Rebuild/?start=all

Hopefully the link will take you to the pictures..........I'm not good at the link thing.

Mate that's looking great! Your link worked fine

As for the bit you think is missing, is it this side of the wheel?



If so, you can see where I didn't think it needed painting either... There's nothing missing there, it's just exposed.

[olddaddy]

I managed a bit more work on the 450 this weekend. I got the rear brake all set and adjusted, and adjusted the chain as well. Installed the front fender, caliper and speedo cable. Installed the new windscreen and set the fairing in place for a trial fit. The new turn signals are too short to be fully seen, will have to come up with some sort of extension. Feels good to see it coming together. A few more weekends and I'll be riding again.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v53/olddaddy/Suzuki%20GS%20450%20Rebuild/

[pete]

She's looking great! And man I love that paint job still...

I'm tackling paint on mine soon so I hope I can get it at least half as good as that!

You're gonna be hootin' on that thing in no time at all

[olddaddy]

I went out for a short, 50 mile ride this afternoon. I wanted to sort out any remaining issues, and luckily had none! The carbs that Bill Rea rebuilt for me worked perfectly. At present all is right with the world and the bike is running great. All the effort over seven months has paid off and I am back on the road again! I love this little bike. My next ride is Thursday,which is Turkey Day here in the States, 220 miles planned with dinner in the middle, can't wait!!!

[pete]

I went out for a short, 50 mile ride this afternoon. I wanted to sort out any remaining issues, and luckily had none! The carbs that Bill Rea rebuilt for me worked perfectly. At present all is right with the world and the bike is running great. All the effort over seven months has paid off and I am back on the road again! I love this little bike. My next ride is Thursday,which is Turkey Day here in the States, 220 miles planned with dinner in the middle, can't wait!!!

Awesome news! Real glad to hear she's running so well

Have you got updated pic's since she's finished? I don't think I've seen any of her all together with the new paintwork and so forth...

Turkey Day... thanks giving day?

[olddaddy]

I just got in from a grand day out riding the GS450S. I ran 220 miles up to my in-laws for Thanksgiving. All twisty back roads both ways!!! The bike ran great,the rebuilt carbs from Bill Rea are simply amazing. Still some minor shakedown stuff to tend to, but the bike is back on the road and definitely rideable. I am really looking forward to the nice weather now thru next May, lots of riding to do till the heat returns. Thanks for the space to post and for reading along. It was great fun making the bike go again.

[pete]

Mate that's great news, glad to hear you had a great ride

I hope to be doing the same real soon, getting very close to down now.

Have you got some full view pic's of your finished 450? Don't think I've seen her completed and I love that paint scheme...

[olddaddy]

Here's the link to my photobucket page. I have to admit it's a mystery to me how to make the damn thing work! Pics are upside down,in no order etc.,but here they are. I think my next one is going to be dark green with a cream insert!!!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v53/olddaddy/Suzuki%20GS%20450%20Rebuild/

[pete]

I see what you mean! But if you turn your monitor upside down she looks great

Next paint job should be nice by the sounds too!