82 850GL Resto...here we go

Very nice work GT

soon we will be ripping up the roads, and all the work will be just a sweet memory...

Worked on the rear turn signals last night. They were shortened by a PO and I have decided to keep them that way. When I use saddle bags for a trip they won't fit with the long signals.

So I started with this:


This is what was under the sticky tape ball:


So I soldiered a loop in the ground wire (a PO cut the terminal rings off) and grounded them in the fixture like so:


Neatened up the soldier, put a little heat wrap on and.....voila!




Picked up some large stainless washers and rubber washers at Lowes and go the lights mounted and wired up.

I'll be doing this in no time:

Nice job on the wiring GT. I'm in the middle of getting mine back on the bike but would feel better replacing a few of the connectors. Where did you get your new molex connectors?

Hey Sci, thanks. I stopped by my local electronics/electrical wholesaler. Radio shack should stock some as well. They had everything I needed except the stock colored wire. I went with the molex connectors because they were the closest thing to stock I could find locally. As you know from being on the forum, there are a lot of options. There's everything from molex to weather proof to removing all connectors and soldiering the wires. I'm staying stock for the most part. That's why I went with the molex.

GT, I've been trolling your thread here for about two weeks on and off now. I've enjoyed reading about your progress so much!! I have an '82 850G that I've been himming and hah-ing over. To rebuild or not to rebuild, this is the question! I have to tell ya, you've been the impetus for me to go ahead, bite the bullet, dive in and rebuild! Well, that, and finishing my garage build to a sufficient degree to have a place to work on it. So, 9 electrical outlets across two circuits (20A a piece), 6 fluorescent fixtures (gotta be able to see what I'm working on, right??), and a couple of manuals later (can we say hello to my new friends Haynes and Clymer?) - I'm ready to set up the motorcycle stand and start digging in.

Hopefully my girlfriend will be as tolerant of me as your good wife has been with you throughout this process!

I'll be combing through your thread a lot in the next months to make use of the wisdom, knowledge, bumps, and bruises you've been so generous to share with us. Thank friend! I'll look forward to the end of your epic saga!

Daffid, I appreciate the comments and yes, my wife has been both supporter, motivator and periodic loaning institution during this process.

You will enjoy the build. I started with the thought of fixing a few oil leaks and just couldn't stop myself until I had it down to the frame. There have been times when I've asked myself why I did this. "Why can't I just leave good enough alone?" My Dad's favorite thing to tell me growing up was, "Son, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" It's just in my DNA to see what makes things tick. As I am getting the bike back together though I really like the result. Glad I did it.

The manuals are good to have and I use the schematics on parts sites as well to see how things go together when I forget. I took a lot of pictures and video with my phone along the way. You guys just get to see the good stuff. If you are doing wiring I suggest a color wiring diagram if you don't have one already. It makes things a lot easier to sort out. BassCliff's site is awesome as well. This forum has by far been the most useful resource though. Start a build thread and post up in other forums (electrical, appearance, etc.) when you get stumped. The shared knowledge in this online community is staggering. The love for these bikes, even the lowly "L" , motivates us to keep them on the road.

I hope to be following your thread soon.

Round 2?

GT, I've been trolling your thread here for about two weeks on and off now. I've enjoyed reading about your progress so much!! I have an '82 850G that I've been himming and hah-ing over. To rebuild or not to rebuild, this is the question! I have to tell ya, you've been the impetus for me to go ahead, bite the bullet, dive in and rebuild! Well, that, and finishing my garage build to a sufficient degree to have a place to work on it. So, 9 electrical outlets across two circuits (20A a piece), 6 fluorescent fixtures (gotta be able to see what I'm working on, right??), and a couple of manuals later (can we say hello to my new friends Haynes and Clymer?) - I'm ready to set up the motorcycle stand and start digging in.

Hopefully my girlfriend will be as tolerant of me as your good wife has been with you throughout this process!

I'll be combing through your thread a lot in the next months to make use of the wisdom, knowledge, bumps, and bruises you've been so generous to share with us. Thank friend! I'll look forward to the end of your epic saga!

[Sci85]

Nice job on the wiring GT. I'm in the middle of getting mine back on the bike but would feel better replacing a few of the connectors. Where did you get your new molex connectors?

You are correct.

The GS shuffle right?

This isn't bad though. 15 minutes tops. I'll wait until I do the brakes and fix it then. I'll have to take the fender of at that time anyway to get the line holders installed.

ahhhhhh, I see.....

it's only one bolt holding the wheel, probably easier and safer to take it off, you might not have the clearance to lower the forks so much with the wheel on....

nope....Lower Triple Cover. Dang it! Has to come back off. Think I can lower the legs enough to get it on without taking the wheel off? We will see.

Brakes ??

by chance....

Dohp!!!!

Weeeelllllll.....look ee there..... anyone see what I missed when putting the front end together?

She's getting a little closer. One full day working on the bike made a big difference. Getting the wiring harness finished up helped as well. Carbs will be the next big thing, but with the tutorial, it should be a snap right? Ha!

I like the way it's coming together so far. I'll have a Z1 order to call in before too long.

[Sci85]

Great progress GT. She's almost ready to ride!

[pete]

Lookin' good GT! Come on now shouldn't you be done already?

Will be awesome to see her in one piece again

Just a second......crap.....I thought I was building a go cart. It's been so long I forgot it was actually a motorcycle.



Harness in, worked on more wiring. Got the rear end mostly on. Clear coated the inside of both fenders after cleaning and removing rust. Shored up the wiring on the "new-used" tail light. I have the bracket soaking in some vinegar to de-rust.

Polished the lower legs, and a bunch of other little parts. Put the front end and front tire on. Handle bars on.

Will clean up the coils, install them and start on the brakes soon. New pads, lines, and paint the calipers.

She's coming together.

Get cookin' man! I'm getting anxious to see the final product

I'd like to do something this thorough someday, been a lot of fun following this

You're in good company. When I started this my friends would ask, "What are you working on now?". That has turned into, "How much longer?" or "Man, you just should have bought a new bike."

I just got to the point where I decided to be more about learning as much as I can about the bike and getting it done "right." I tend to get lost in the minutia from time to time. But that's what I enjoy about the build. The final product will come and I will be happy with it when it does.

But I do miss riding. That balances me a bit.

More pics later.