1980 gs450 project, oh boy

[pete]

Your title thing confuses me... but I'm guessing that's not a good thing!

Not sure on tube sizes (the tyre shop just stuck 'em in for me) but those sizes should be good and I can highly recommend Pirelli Sport Demons.

I ride rain, hail, or shine and they have been great for me in all conditions and I have plenty of confidence in wet and dry on them.

[MLow]

Yeah it's just that the title is basically past the time to transfer and the owner lives across the country. So I may have an easier time going thru a security bond and get a bonded title, basically meaning as if the title was lost and then sold. I'd be the new owner but it costs a lot. And takes a whole day running around to offices.

[pete]

I get ya', PITA!

Can you write the PO a letter or something? You might get lucky with a helpful person who will do the right thing.

[MLow]

Yeah I have their address. I could try that, they would have to apply for a replacement title, which shouldn't be too hard but then I'm not sure how to title an out of state title to my name. Surely it has to be easier than getting a bonded title. So it's certainly worth a shot.

[jeffasaurus2]

If you can't reach the owner I know you can register it in Vermont via snail mail applications without title. Then, with that Vermont registration you could potentially apply for a new title in your home state, depending upon your home state's rules...

I've got a couple friends who have done this, works just fine in CO and allows them to get the bike legally on the road much quicker and for much less money.

[MLow]

And not even being a resident of Vermont? That seems like a huge loophole lol.

I have the title, and the original owner signed it all proper, just the buyer field is empty. But it's dated 2 years ago.

I suppose I could walk into the dmv and say I forgot to transfer the title. It's an ohio title and it doesn't say anywhere on the title that there is a time limit to sign in. But I am in Texas, so I can imagine they might get funny about that. The other way I guess would be to try to snail mail the PO and get them to get a replacement title which they sign and that way I am within some kind of time limit.

I know in Texas the time limit is 30 days, but the ohio one doesnt say anything about a time limit. Maybe I can get lucky?

[jeffasaurus2]

Even without being a resident of Vermont!

Seems like it'd be worth a shot to at least try with the title you've got!

[MLow]

Just looked it up and found a forum where people are doing it and getting titles. Pretty awesome, I'll give it a shot since the signed title I have says the purchase price was 2000, that's a chunk of tax I don't wanna pay.

[MLow]

Sent the check and forms in today to Vermont. We shall see. Made some progress on the instrument panel, and a bracket for the rear combo light. Other than than no spectacular updates.

[MLow]

Gave up on making a speedo/tach bracket and bought one for $20. Should be here today or tomorrow.

Cleaned up the speedo/tach.

Had to pry open the ring, then cleaned it real good with windex, used some lens cloths to dry and make it streakfree, then used rain-x anti-fog generously on the inside. Cleaned the components, then began the painful process of pushing the ring back into place. I used a couple flat head screwdrivers and a rubber mallet. Ended up knocking a few specs loose inside that landed on the inside of the lens. Oh well. It's still miles better than before.

The red color it makes with the lamp in there is awweeeesome sorry no pics. Soon as I get them mounted, I had to hold it together with both hands just to check if the lamps worked right in there.

Tires came in last night, I pulled the back off and found a TUBE inside a tubeless tire. Gosh, wonder whats in the front tire. Said ****it and dropped them off at my mechanics to take care of everything. $95 for both mounted and balanced including new good tubes. Tubes alone cost $35 so I think it's a pretty good deal.

Shot of the headlight.

Got a problem with high beam being very very dim. I swapped the h4 bulb with a known good one(it's very bright on both highbeam and low) and same problem exists. On the gs both bulbs are very dim on high beam. You can tell that it's kinda lighting the right element because the shape changes and is more in the middle and up. But it's very dim. No idea why.

Anyways that's it for now. Hopefully later tonight I'll have new tires on and ready. Finish the read combo light mount and get it on there. Get the speedo/tach mount maybe today. So lot's of stuff for later to do. That will all leave just the plate/registration/inspection/insurance, and then the transfer of vermont plate/registration to Texas. So a few hardware things, and then all paperwork. Woot!

[pete]

Good stuff mate... and having a tube in the tubeless tyre is a good thing! The key is the cast rims... they are supposed to have a tube and aren't designed for tubeless... I run tubes in mine and no dramas at all.

[MLow]

Got them back, spiffy shinkos(i know cheap tires), $81 for mount/blance/and tubes. So $181 total for a new set of tires. Just curious, do you pretty much replace the tubes with the tire? Always? Or is there a way to tell if the tube is bad? I know they are only 15$ but just curious. Cause the tubes that came out were pretty new looking.



Gauge plate came in, fits perfect.

Just need a trip to get some bolts.

Anyone have recommendations for the low output of the high beam? Gotta be something to do with the wiring right?

After things are buttoned up, just legal stuff left.

[pete]

Good stuff... I'm not real sure on the tubes but last tyre swap I only had the front tube replaced because they said it was looking pretty average. Rear tube didn't need replacing.

As for the low/high beam thing, I'd start by dismantling the controls and getting some contact cleaner in there.

I have a H4 using stock controls that have been cleaned up and it's fine.

If all else fails you can add a couple of relays and use the switches just to turn the relays on and off.

[MLow]

I'll try cleaning the electrical contacts in the handle controls. Sounds like that might be the issue.

Here she is in 99% complete state. Need a couple nuts for the tail light mount. No turn signals, thinking I may just get aftermarket ones since I'm missing one of the originals. And I'm going to pick up one of those license plate mounts.

[jeffasaurus2]

Looks great, glad to see things coming together for you!

Just noticed the peds you've got in the background, what've you got there? I had a kitted Puch Maxi for a while.