Resurrecting an '85 GS700E

[GSequoia]

Just to verify that I'm correct that ti's the preload knob, not rebound here is the photo of my complete and missing knob.



Maybe before I get too far I should try teh adjustments out to see if the shock is shot. I'll do that at some point this weekend.

[Bevo]

I think if your planning to ride the bike lots when done it may be best to have the shock rebuilt and freshened up. The cost is not great and the performance gain will be well worth it.

If those are compression and rebound damper adjusters you will have some rubber lines and seals on the nitrogen/oil charge. That rubber may be dried out and leaked your charge away.

[SVSooke]

Either I have extremly good liuck(not likely) or these shocks are tough.All 4 of mine the preload adjusters still worked .Only real weak point seems to be the little nylon gear in the damping adjuster.As far as I can tell all the shocks I had still worked quite well,the one in the 85 is working nicely at 0 preload and#1 damping.Ok I don't really push it either but IMHO that's good for a shock this old.

[GSequoia]

Okay, I compiled a partial list of missing items. I say partial because I'm just going off what I noticed on the body.

Cap for clip on, inside (opposite of bar end weight)
OEM Bar end weights (existing ones are Uhhhhgly)
Tool kit basket
-I've seen mention of it on ebay. Does the tool kit go in the cavity where the battery is under teh seat? If so I'm missing the basket.
1 rubber isolator for battery basket (not at the bolts, the ones on the pins)
Tank pucks
2 (of 3) plastic clips for tail (Not worried about that, common item)
2 helmet locks
Seat lock and brackets(?)
Front master cylinder (sight glass bad, mirror mount forked)
1 isolator for side panel at tank
2 isolators for side panels at frame
Speedometer cable retainer at fender
Speedometer cable sheath damaged
Left rear axle adjuster cover
Tool kit
Rear brake caliper dust cover
Left side panel (missing)
Right side panel (damaged, repairable but if I find a cheap undamaged one I'll take it)
Tail lamp (chipped)

Does this side stand look right? I don't know how much play is normal.
As it lays when folded up.


Holding it in.



I messed with the preload and rebound adjusters and they physically turn, not sure they're doing much though since I don't know how they should behave.

Also I took apart the gas cap, I may be able to straighten out the lever to be functional but I'll never be able to make it right. I at least realized I can remove the lever itself if I find a lever separately somewhere. The cap opens and closes easier now, the original grease in the lock cylinder bore was hampering operation. The job isn't done yet though as it seems the lip in the tank for the latch is a bit messed up, that will be a delicate operation to repair but I'm sure it can be done.

The only evidence I can see of the bike being down is the bent brake lever, there are scratches here and there and the tank has a few minor dents but the pipes look real good. I'm wondering if it's only gone down at a slow / no speed or if the pipes have been replaced.

One note - In previous photos at the vin sticker it appears the frame has a dent, this is just a trick of the light and messed up sticker.

[jwhelan65]

My stand is somewhat loose also, the back side is where you adjust the tightness. The spring should pull it tight enough that it doesn't bounce around.

[GSequoia]

My stand is somewhat loose also, the back side is where you adjust the tightness. The spring should pull it tight enough that it doesn't bounce around.

I'll have to take a look at that. Right now it seems that it sticks out too far to me (that photo is taken straight down so the side stand sticks out about as far as the footpeg). I keep hitting it when I put my feet down, of cousre some of that is not being used to the bike.


It feels weird sitting on something so small, it'll be kinda neat when it has things like an engine in it.

[GSequoia]

A couple of shot of what killed it before I got it...

Pistons 1, 2, and 4.


Piston 3.




Pretty FUBAR.

[jwhelan65]

Wow, never seen one like that! any idea what caused it?

[GSequoia]

Wow, never seen one like that! any idea what caused it?

60,000 miles of either never checking the valves or somehow royally messing up the job. If you see the other three pistons all have marks from continued contact with the intake valves. One of the valves in #3 finally dropped and Ryan nursed it home some ten miles (don't know why, he's a tow truck driver and could have easily lined up a free tow!). The resulting carnage is what happens when you run it with a large foreign object in a bore.

It will get better treatment by me.

[jwhelan65]

60,000 miles of either never checking the valves or somehow royally messing up the job. If you see the other three pistons all have marks from continued contact with the intake valves. One of the valves in #3 finally dropped and Ryan nursed it home some ten miles (don't know why, he's a tow truck driver and could have easily lined up a free tow!). The resulting carnage is what happens when you run it with a large foreign object in a bore.

It will get better treatment by me.

If you need any parts let me know I have tons for this model

[GSequoia]

If you need any parts let me know I have tons for this model

So far the list I put up above is all I've got transcribed. It will be awhile before I start with the actual assembly (I have to take care of a few things first to keep the wife happy). Phase I is mostly information gathering and identifying the easy to notice missing parts.

[Toasty]

Piston 3.




Pretty FUBAR.

WHOA. That's crazy!