1981 gs 450e (startout $50)

[Guest]

hi im restoring a 81 gs 450e got a lot a help on here with parts i neded. i was talking to my step dad and told me not to start buying parts until the engine has a spark i was wondering the best way to do this if posible with the bare minimum hooked up.... the bike dosnt have a batery on it carbs or an air box everything eles on the engine seems to be there ...the wiring seems to all be there havnt really looked at it and not all that sure about what needs to be hooked up just to check for spark. i checked the oil its at the full line and seems pretty clean and the spark plugs seem pretty new the guy i bought it form said it ran about a year ago if any of this helps

[razor02097]

Spark should be second... compression first.

[lorello]

i dnt have the tank on it or battery and i need a new ignition where you put the keys cuz i dnt have any... wasnt sure if i could check with out the electrical hooked up or a carb n air box on it... im gettin the box n carbs in a few days hopfully so shouldnt be a problem id like to kno that the motor runs befor i buy them even if it just turns once or twice.. ive seen car engins start like outa a car just on a hoist wast sure if i could do this with a motorcycle engin or if i would need the electrical hooked up

[cowboyup3371]

Please tell us you are replacing your keyboard on your computer as well as it seems some of the keys on it aren't working correctly?


You're going to want at least the battery, carbs, airbox, and such to really tell. Why not just put the money into fixing it up right, start it, and ride it? That's the easiest way to tell if it will run and in the long run, much cheaper.

[razor02097]

Borrow a compression tester and a battery. You can hook the battery to the starter motor to get the readings.

[lorello]

alright thanks have to find sumone with one of those... n i was gonna fix it up anyway only paid 50 for it frams solid not much rust at all and all it seems to be missing is the carbs, air box, handle bars, tank, seat, rear fender, and battery.. engine seems solid so looking like a pretty good buy..

[razor02097]

That is a lot missing, but $50 for a roller and engine is a great deal... Do you have any plans for it? You going to restore it to factory or something else?

[mlymanz71]

I am going to have to follow this post simply because of one of two things. Either lorello is either posting from his phone or typing on here like he is text messaging someone. Your step dad is a smart man lorello make sure you have the basics going to the engine before worrying about the aesthetics. Compression test first, as cowboy and razor had said, might also want to put a drop or two of oil in the top of each cylinder to lube the rings since it has been sitting for a while before checking the compression.

[lorello]

sorry about the spelling horible at that.. and yea little used to texting and instent messenger.. but once i get the bike all done im planing on turning it into a bober style motorcycle thats gonna be a whole nother project tho

[bgmart450]

sorry about the spelling horible at that.. and yea little used to texting and instent messenger.. but once i get the bike all done im planing on turning it into a bober style motorcycle thats gonna be a whole nother project tho

An 'L' or 'T' might have been an easier start to a chop/bob. Then again you can do anything with enough effort, heh. Good luck getting her running.

[MAJikMARCer]

... but once i get the bike all done im planing on turning it into a bober style motorcycle thats gonna be a whole nother project tho

Please listen to your step-dad and the very wise gurus on this forum and get the bike in running order before you start worrying about cosmetics, much less bring a hacksaw/reciprocating saw any where near the bike.

You may get part of the way through this project and decide it's not worth it, don't mess up the bike, by cutting the frame or fenders or tossing parts in case the next person wants to restore. Even the big ugly handle bars are desired by some.

Plus, you never know, once you've put that much effort into getting her running well and riding safely, you may not want to bob her.

If you do, learn from the Projects section here. There are a number of very well done bikes. Do it hastily or without planning and you will find few friends here.

[pete]

Welcome to the forum!

Good advice so far, make sure you have compression, and spark is another good thing.

Looking forward to seeing you get her running, I really like these GS twins

[lorello]

does any one kno where i can find like a picture of how all the wiring hooks up on a 81 450e.... i already have a diagram of the wiring harnest but it dosnt show me what all the clips are for or anything and i have the wiring diagram thats in the service manual but those are kinda confusing to understand and dsnt show u pics of the actual clips n whatnot.. im pretty sure theres no fuse on my bike i read that these bikes only have one fuse the old glass kinds so if anyone knows the amp its suposed to be off the top of there head that would be awsome. thanks my wirings kinda a mess not sure whats there n whats not or whats hacked but seems to be there for the most part

[surviverguy]

do you have a multimeter? You're gonna need one!

[surviverguy]

The wiring will start making sense after you study it for a while. The connectors are indicated with boxes around the wires on the electrical schematic drawing. Luckily the system doesn't use very many wires or connectors compared to other types of vehicles. Just one 15 amp glass fuse was used between the starter solenoid and the two red wires. Red is battery to ignition switch. Orange is a common hot wire after the ignition switch. Orange/white is for coils and igniter power. You're gonna have to study the schematic and compare it to what's on the bike. My wiring was such a mess that I just started over with another harness used off ebay. I still ended up cutting out some of the plugs due to voltage drops. A soldering iron and solder and heat shrink come in handy also as well as crimp on connectors and plastic wire ties.