1988 gs450 bob

[Guest]

I decided to buy a project bike and ended up buying this bike off craigslist. Bike has already began being bobbed out. When I got the bike the bike wasn't running - I have replaced stator, r/r, fixed some horrible wiring(still havealot to go with that), rebuilt carbs, replaced valve cover gasket, and retorqued headgasket. Also made some homemade dragbars, but will be replacing them with some superbike bars.







I am looking to replace the shocks and I am confused about the stock length and the difference between eye to eye and eye to clevis. Any info on this would be appreciated. Has anyone used any of the shocks from dimecity?

[Big Rich]

Shocks are definitely one of those things that "you get what you pay for". Universal shocks from DCC might be perfect for you and that bike.......but probably not. Spend a little more for some Hagon shocks.

And you have eye-to-eye shocks. The clevis on a shock is a "C" shape that goes on the swingarm side.

[chris032188]

Shocks are definitely one of those things that "you get what you pay for". Universal shocks from DCC might be perfect for you and that bike.......but probably not. Spend a little more for some Hagon shocks.

And you have eye-to-eye shocks. The clevis on a shock is a "C" shape that goes on the swingarm side.

Awesome man! Any idea of the size for this bike?

[pete]

Welcome Chris! The 450's are fun little bikes.

Looks like you got some work cut out for you but definitely listen to Rich there on shock quality. I have Ikons on mine and love 'em. I can't seem to find the shock length at the moment though...

[chris032188]

Another issue I have is at idle it seems like the bike is almost miss firing? I put a video up so you guys could look at it and maybe point me in the right direction - in the video you can hear the "tssssk" noise it makes sometimes. I can feel it in the bike when it does it. Seems to be acceleration ok, and pulling ok. At about 12 seconds in and around 24 seconds you can hear it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5txlmsDjIbI
sorry thought i linked it -_- haha

[Big Rich]

Where's the video? I'm at work and can't watch it anyway, but just thought I'd ask.....

Unfortunately, a popping at idle can be any number of things. This is the point when you really have to go over the entire bike and make sure everything works as it should: valve clearances, carbs are spotless, charging system, etc, etc.. And I can't make it out from the pics, but what do you have for air filters?

[chris032188]

Where's the video? I'm at work and can't watch it anyway, but just thought I'd ask.....

Unfortunately, a popping at idle can be any number of things. This is the point when you really have to go over the entire bike and make sure everything works as it should: valve clearances, carbs are spotless, charging system, etc, etc.. And I can't make it out from the pics, but what do you have for air filters?

No air filters have pods on (i think the jet was changed to match the pods)

The bike pulls good and strong, just seems like its at idle, if i turn the idle up some it seems to make it stop. I cleaned the carbs out pretty good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5txlmsDjIbI

Also its not a popping - doesn't sound like a backfire type noise - its more like a tsskkkkk

[pete]

I've had that before... can't remember though whether the mixture screws were too rich or too lean when it happened but that was the cause.

[chris032188]

I checked the clearance and the right cylinder exhaust valve was .02 out of clearance (.1) New shim is ordered hopefully this fixes the problem. If not I will weld some sort of baffle back into the exhaust in order to richen it up. Seems like when I richened up the carb it didn't do anything to help it.


Next on my list is to clean up the spaghetti wiring I got going on and then fab up a custom battery mount, and move r/r and cdi so they are somewhat hidden for a cleaner look. Also I have been looking for a smaller tank because I believe the tank I have is from a gs850(its huge on the bike). Possibly going to do a swap over to a peanut sportster tank if I can find a good deal.

Also quick ? - Some of the peanut tanks I'm looking at seem that they don't have the vacuum line on them..Would they still work with the GS if I just ran it with the petcock on "on" or would that flood out the carb?

[pete]

They'll work, but you'll need to block off the vacuum port on the left carb and you have to remember to turn the tap on and off.

If you leave it on all the time you will flood the carbs.

The float needles should prevent it, but it will inevitably happen eventually...

[chris032188]

They'll work, but you'll need to block off the vacuum port on the left carb and you have to remember to turn the tap on and off.

If you leave it on all the time you will flood the carbs.

The float needles should prevent it, but it will inevitably happen eventually...

Thanks for the info!