1981 gs450s

[pete]

Excellent Larry, that's great news!

[Larry D]

No pictures this time.....but, I got the new tires/wheels back on the bike. The big news is that the ignitor works and I have big blue sparks on both plugs !!!! In even bigger news.....I ran a fuel line from The Mighty GK over to the 450S and....wait for it......wait for it......I started up the 450S !!!!! It ran a bit rough, as I didn't have the airbox tight and smoke just rolled out of the left cylinder and muffler because, only God knows how long it been since the left cylinder fired. But, it ran for the first time since I've had it.

Now it's time to slay some lingering electrical gremlins, give it a good tune and take it out and ride it like I stole it !!!!

[pete]

Awesome news Larry!

What's the plan with electrical stuff?

Here's what I did on mine... new stator and SH775 R/R, stator direct to R/R and no bullet connectors, soldered instead. PO had done the headlight bypass on the one stator leg already. Fitting the SH775 is a PITA but worth it!

Recently, I put an Eastern Beaver 3 way mini blade fuse block in and did the coil and headlight relay mods with the 20A micro relay they have as well. Another worth while upgrade!

I don't like the single main fuse on the 450's, much prefer having 3 separate ones like this...

[Charlie G]

It's always a joy to have that project bike roar to life. Congrats!

cg

[Larry D]

No real plans electrically....just get it operating properly. I think it has grounding issues at this point, nothing major, it should be an easy fix.....(fingers crossed). Once it gets running reliably, I'll sort out if it needs a R/R and/or a stator. bwringer and koolaid kid are helping me get the electrical gremlins sorted out. It's really nice to have these two guys that are (1. closeby and (2. willing to help. We are hopefully having the last electrical repair session tomorrow night. I'm anticipating riding it to work at the end of the week.

There was certainly a huge smile on my face when it fired up and ran.

[pete]

Excellent Larry, and if there's any specific queries to the 450 feel free to ask, I've been through mine once or twice

[Larry D]

After a little investigation last night, all indications are that I need to re-build the starter. The brushes are well worn and need to be replaced. I've been busy with other projects that have been dominating my time lately....I also need to get a set of headlight ears, as mine are bent up pretty good, which makes the front turn signals all wacky looking.

With a bit of luck, I should have this bike on the road next week !!!

[pete]

Great news!

[Larry D]

It's been a little while since an update....so....I got the starter rebuilt and it works wonderfully. The problem that I'm having now is it won't rev with the throttle. I can control the revs with the choke easily. When I reduce the choke, the bike will idle, but, as soon as I give it any throttle, it will die. I was able to take it around the neighborhood for a ride, although it wasn't very fun.....trying to keep the revs up and such....

I've had a very busy last couple weeks and, along with my back going out, I haven't had much time to mess with the 450S. I'm thinking that I didn't quite get the carbs completely clean. When I get a bit of time they are coming back out for a closer inspection and possibly another dip.

Anyway, I'll get it figured out and be riding it to work soon.

[Nessism]

Good work Larry. Your approach seems thoughtful and well executed.

One thing I remember about the 450 is the carburation was very cold blooded. I'd lift the needle for sure, and make sure you have a proper air filter and the airbox lid installed. Not sure that will solve the problem, but it won't hurt.

Good luck and keep going...

[Larry D]

Yes Ed, I have the airbox, lid and filter all installed......It will idle fine at 1100 rpms, but, as soon as I touch the throttle, it will die.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but, if I can control the revs with the choke, then the carbs should be clean.....right ?

My off-work time has been swamped with everything else except motorcycle stuff. I hope to give the 450S some attention this week.

[Larry D]

I answered my own question.....I pulled the carbs and the pilot jets were completely clogged. I had an initial startup a week or so ago. I had more work to do , so, I removed the carbs and let them set on the bench with gas in them. I suppose with what little crap was in there and letting the gas sit in the bowls clogged them up. Regardless, they and the bowls are dipping until tomorrow. It should do the trick......I see riding that little bad boy in my future.

[pete]

Great to hear she's running Larry and hopefully you got the idle sorted as well...

[Larry D]

I have determined that the first carb cleaning didn't do the job. The bike will run with the choke, but, as soon as you take it off the choke, it will die. Everything else is right, carbs are bench synced, idle mixture screws are two turns out, no air leaks, plenty of good electrical power, etc........So tonight, the carbs come back off to be disassembled and re-dipped. I think I'll leave them in for a day and a half this time.

Luckily the 450 is a snap to remove the carbs, so, should be done by the weekend. Hopefully up, running and riding by Sunday night. The saga continues......

[Larry D]

So.....had a very productive weekend with the 450S. I re-dipped the carbs and re-assembled with the same results....barely ran on choke and not at all with the throttle. I pulled the plugs and they were very white.....seems that the carbs aren't getting any gas. "How can that be ?", I asked myself...."The carbs are spotless, I have fuel flow from my temporary tank setup, everything is set correctly." .....or wait.... is everthing REALLY set correctly ??

The only thing that would prevent fuel flow, would be if the float height wasn't set correctly. If the floats are set wrong, they would shut fuel before the bowls fill up or would overflow the carbs by not shutting off at all...... So, I went on a search to find the stock float height on the BS34SS carbs on a GS450S.

For the record, the STOCK float height for this bike is 24.4mm +- 1mm.

Problem solved. Plenty of fuel. Bike runs fine. Carb syncing and final tuning this evening. Should be able to ride it to work tomorrow !!!!

As an aside, I did sneak in a nice 50 mile ride on the GK.