79 GS 400 Street tracker build

[Guest]

Right I did start a kind of build thread months ago in the wrong place so have decided to starts it again here. I will start by saying I am absolutely useless at these build threads so will do my best.

It all started at the beginning off this year when I bought a gs400 off ebay. It looked sweet and was at a good price. It just needed a few bits for a MOT




It was a cool looking bike until it started running badly. After a quick head scratch and lots off swearing we found it had dropped compression on rh cyilinder.

A few hours later it looked like this

[costa]

It had a hole in the rh exhaust valve hence the problem . A new valve was order( how expensive are they) and I started looking at the rest off the bike.

With closer inspection it became apparent the PO was a bodge artist and a worse welder than my dog.

ill let the pics do the talking





Now im currently doing a welding coarse to hone my skills but I know my limits. I sent the frame off to Mike at survivor customs in Middlesbrough ( more talent in his little toe than I have in my whole body)
He welded the frame up properly with new top bars and some other additions.

It then came back to me where I sent it for blasting and powder coating with a friend

[costa]

So that was the frame sorted.

[costa]

While all this was going on I was busy changing the valve cleaning the engine ready for a repaint as well as painting the tank and seat ect. Again ill let the pics tell you


as the tank came to me










Im no expert painter but the finish has turned out better than it came to me

[costa]

On to the engine







I then got a new bike

[costa]

and realised that working in a garage with 3 bikes a beetle prokect and all my other shait just wasn't working so had a clean up

from this



to this



currently trying to sell my old fz750


and back to the gs build with my not so much help helper


So that kind off brings us up to date.

As it stands its now a rolling frame and the head is back on the block. I have just found a load off valve shims as I belive that's what did the old valve in the first place. A few parts still need to turn up but really its now just a time thing. Finish the engine rebuild, paint the motor, rewire the bike and put it back together. Im hoping to get this done before nov so I can hopefully ride it (for the first time off the drive since buying it )




Exhaust is done by the PO but for now its getting wrapped but will do a new one eventually (when my skills allow)

new shims


Ill try and keep this updated for you all.

Like I say im useless at build threads

James

[costa]

Also to add this is my first proper bike build. Im trying to do it on a budget were allowed. Im doing as much of the work as possible my self in the garage on evenings and weekends. Its my hobby and hopefully will be done this year lol. It will also be a rolling project when on the road. I don't want to cut corners but do want to ride it so think this is the best way. Hope you all like it

[Nessism]

Nice photos. Thanks.

Can't tell from the photos but if there was a hole through a valve it most likely occurred due to detonation. You best do some plug chops to check mixture before more damage is done. Pod air filters cause drastic changes in carb jetting needs, and lean running can lead to engine knock (detonation).

[costa]

Cheers mate. I never thought off that.

heres some better pics off when we removed the head

[Gooner]

Nice thread good luck with the build, look forward to seeing it completed.

[costa]

Not much to report this week. Iv finally got sent the right valve shim from Suzuki so can get the engine rebuilt. Then I now plan to soda blast the engine diy at work so will get some pictures up when I do.

[costa]

Totally forgot to update this but have been pretty slow anyway. Since last year iv managed to get the engine rebuilt and into the frame. Will hopefully get it started next week to check the engines all good.

Going to be slow going over the next year as we are moving house (no garage till I build one ) and our family is expanding.

Here's a teaser though