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Not really a restoration, but it is a little bit of a project, and I figure better to post here than to put lots of posts all over the board, or have a running commentary in the owners thread.
Bought the bike 'right', it is a 1985 GS550L, it isn't my first choice of bike, but its pretty clean, 4500 original miles, been lightly crashed twice from what I can tell, probably the first owner dropped it and was scared off, and the second owner's neighbor knocked it down in its parking spot.
I'm the 3rd owner, and with a little luck, it won't get dropped any more.
Like any 27 year old machine, it isn't perfect, and will need some stuff to get it ready for what will surely be the busiest year of its life to date.
What I identified that needs attention so far:
Gauge cluster is broken where the bracket mounts to the cluster itself.. My plan is to plastic weld the broken pieces back on, straighten the mount and fix or replace one of the chrome covers that got damaged.
PO installed something resembling a superbike style handlebar, and the cables are too long now. I looked into cables from the E model of the same year, but before I buy them I am going to try to reroute the cables on the other side of the frame, to use up the slack. I know to be careful with routing, and if it looks like anything will cause concern I will just buy new, shorter cables.
PO also bought an aftermarket brake line that is about the right length, but I need a different angle banjo bolt to route the hose where it should go.
Back tire is junk, over 10 years old, and after some discussion in the tire sub forum, I decided on a matched set of Avon Roadriders. I'll be getting those installed tomorrow.
Being knocked down broke the turn signals on one side, the PO had bought aftermarket 'sporty' looking signals, I canned that idea and bought OE replacements. I do think I want to install 1157 sockets and use the turns as running lights as well.
The master cyl cover is ground up a lil bit, not sure if it got into the surface that seals it, may have to dig up a replacement. Hoping not.
The headlight mounting ear on the right side is bent, my plan is just to straighten it. The headlight bezel is dinged but functional, I'll replace it if I come across a better one thats not a ridiculous price.
The battery was boiled dry, unsure if it leaked out when the bike was on its side, or if the regulator boiled it out, I ordered the compufire RR to replace it, the series reg just sounds like the right way to do it, and I don't want issues with charging. I also ordered a trugel battery, and I am looking at several voltmeters, and have almost settled on the kuryakyn, mostly because there is a guy on ebay selling a super trick mount for it. It just seems smart to have a way to keep an eye on the charging system.
Other things in the works- I want to have the seat modified a bit, I am planning on approaching an upholstery shop here in town, Im thinking a little more height, a littkle less width, and not anywhere near as soft... more like a sport bike seat, with minimal padding at the lip in the seat to hopefully give me a little more space to move around. I'll probably pick up a second seat pan to do this, so I have the OE seat to put back on if desired.
I ordered some bikevis bullets and a modulator for them, a PIAA night tech headlamp, and xtreme white taillamp, and intend to order at least a modulator for the headlight, and possible something for the back of the bike.
So thats where I am.. my goal is to have a clean stock bike with sensible mods for safety and rideabilty.
About the only major upgrade Id like to make would be dual front disc brakes, but I think that may be a tall order, I have to presume the E model has shorter legs, and changing geometry is not something I want to do on this bike.
Anyway, here is a pic of what she looked like the day I brought her home-
Bought the bike 'right', it is a 1985 GS550L, it isn't my first choice of bike, but its pretty clean, 4500 original miles, been lightly crashed twice from what I can tell, probably the first owner dropped it and was scared off, and the second owner's neighbor knocked it down in its parking spot.
I'm the 3rd owner, and with a little luck, it won't get dropped any more.
Like any 27 year old machine, it isn't perfect, and will need some stuff to get it ready for what will surely be the busiest year of its life to date.
What I identified that needs attention so far:
Gauge cluster is broken where the bracket mounts to the cluster itself.. My plan is to plastic weld the broken pieces back on, straighten the mount and fix or replace one of the chrome covers that got damaged.
PO installed something resembling a superbike style handlebar, and the cables are too long now. I looked into cables from the E model of the same year, but before I buy them I am going to try to reroute the cables on the other side of the frame, to use up the slack. I know to be careful with routing, and if it looks like anything will cause concern I will just buy new, shorter cables.
PO also bought an aftermarket brake line that is about the right length, but I need a different angle banjo bolt to route the hose where it should go.
Back tire is junk, over 10 years old, and after some discussion in the tire sub forum, I decided on a matched set of Avon Roadriders. I'll be getting those installed tomorrow.
Being knocked down broke the turn signals on one side, the PO had bought aftermarket 'sporty' looking signals, I canned that idea and bought OE replacements. I do think I want to install 1157 sockets and use the turns as running lights as well.
The master cyl cover is ground up a lil bit, not sure if it got into the surface that seals it, may have to dig up a replacement. Hoping not.
The headlight mounting ear on the right side is bent, my plan is just to straighten it. The headlight bezel is dinged but functional, I'll replace it if I come across a better one thats not a ridiculous price.
The battery was boiled dry, unsure if it leaked out when the bike was on its side, or if the regulator boiled it out, I ordered the compufire RR to replace it, the series reg just sounds like the right way to do it, and I don't want issues with charging. I also ordered a trugel battery, and I am looking at several voltmeters, and have almost settled on the kuryakyn, mostly because there is a guy on ebay selling a super trick mount for it. It just seems smart to have a way to keep an eye on the charging system.
Other things in the works- I want to have the seat modified a bit, I am planning on approaching an upholstery shop here in town, Im thinking a little more height, a littkle less width, and not anywhere near as soft... more like a sport bike seat, with minimal padding at the lip in the seat to hopefully give me a little more space to move around. I'll probably pick up a second seat pan to do this, so I have the OE seat to put back on if desired.
I ordered some bikevis bullets and a modulator for them, a PIAA night tech headlamp, and xtreme white taillamp, and intend to order at least a modulator for the headlight, and possible something for the back of the bike.
So thats where I am.. my goal is to have a clean stock bike with sensible mods for safety and rideabilty.
About the only major upgrade Id like to make would be dual front disc brakes, but I think that may be a tall order, I have to presume the E model has shorter legs, and changing geometry is not something I want to do on this bike.
Anyway, here is a pic of what she looked like the day I brought her home-
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