GS450S neaten up

[wally]

Thanx Niels!

Got the seat back yesterday and test-fitted the rails, then test-fitted it all on the bike.





I even did the tail piece frame a while back (bit dirty now...):


my friend said i should put the fairing back on, but i prefer naked bikes:


so tomorrow it will be fitting all the parts and getting it ready for decal application Monday. also refurbish the Suzuki tank emblems.

[pete]

Now you're talkin' Wally! Lookin' real good

Feels good to see it coming back to one piece don't it?

Also, I think someone in the wanted section is looking for a genuine 450S fairing if you're thinking of selling that one...

[wally]

sure does! But what amazes me are all the small little details things you don't think of or remember! needs a good was and polish after the decals have gone on!

i will look in the wanted section, thanx!

[ndaugbjerg]

Wally,
Settle down ther. If you raise the bar too much further, your going to go from inspiring to discouraging. Just pulling your chain; Stay with it.
Niels

[wally]

I was gonna ride the bike to work this morning and then the guys would install the graphics on-site for me. Started her up fine, pulled out of the garage and put her on the side-stand, came back 5 seconds later and fuel was leaking out of the carbs somewhere - but only on the side-stand....

Will have to check it out tonight or tomorrow...

[ndaugbjerg]

Wally,
If it only does it on the side stand, it could be a float level issue.
Niels

[wally]

fixed! and it was pretty simple too!

turned out to be the little T-connection that feeds the fuel to the carbs.
the one leading to the right-hand carb wasn't seated properly.

pushed it in a 1/2mm and it was perfect!

REALLLYYYYY glad i didn't have to take the carbs off!

[wally]

Decals got fitted yesterday! Looks great! I still have some alignment of body panels to sort out, but the colours are spot on and it fits!







have to finish the rubbers for the grab rail and i am going to give the rims a quick dusting as well so they look in tune with the new paintwork.

[Englishman]

Looking nice Wally. The graphics look sharp and remind me of the style on an old RD400 from my youth.

Mark

[wally]

Thanx! It appears our graphics in South Africa differed from the ones in the states...

Took front wheel off tonight, washed and scuffed it. Plan to prep and hopefully paint it tomorrow.

btw - how does one remove the little chrome cap ends on the heads? I also need to refurbish the Suzuki tank emblems - any suggestions on how to paint the lettering?

thanx!

[pete]

Thanx! It appears our graphics in South Africa differed from the ones in the states...

Took front wheel off tonight, washed and scuffed it. Plan to prep and hopefully paint it tomorrow.

btw - how does one remove the little chrome cap ends on the heads? I also need to refurbish the Suzuki tank emblems - any suggestions on how to paint the lettering?

thanx!

Looking great Wally! More nice work

The chrome end caps are attached to the valve cover by two screws that are accessed from *underneath*.

You'll notice the bottom half of the end cap is just like a sheet of chromed metal, allowing access to the screws.

If you need to do valve adjustments, wait until you have the valve cover off and it will make it much easier.

[wally]

Thanx Pete, I notice the black GS has one missing and I wanted to use one from the Cafe project in the meantime to round it off, so I won't be taking cylinder heads off. But I can't see how I would be able to get in underneath there to take one off...

I repainted the front wheel over the weekend. Got the fright of my life when the paint on the cap and the actual paint differed radically! Serious bling!!!



Then I remembered redoing my Ranchero's dash, I sprayed some chrome trim pieces and then clear coated it and the chrome went flat. Tried the same thing here and worked a treat!



Letting the paint settle for a day or two, then I will tackle the face of the spokes and polish the lip.

Next weekend the rear wheel and the tank emblems in between.

[7981GS]

It looks like the bike will be looking sharp.

Eric

[6pkrunner]

Agreed! She does look sharp, clean and crisp. Nice - real nice.

[ndaugbjerg]

Wally, I was torn between black and gold and went black. I did, however, paint the center of my brake rotor gold. I really like the gold. I think you ought to look at doing your rotor black; Just a thought. Whatever way you go, I think it's going to look great!
Niels