GS650 Restore/Cafe Project. Need some input!

[Guest]

Met my dad for the first time a couple years back and he was pretty stoked to find out how into bikes I am. He's had this bike for around 10 years and it's had to sit for 5 of them. He decided I could actually do something with it and we hauled it home this weekend. I plan on getting it cleaned/tuned up good and getting it ridable before making a cafe/brat bike out of it. Plan on dishing the tank if it's salvageable, lowering the back a bit, and building my own dovetail cafe seat out of fiberglass. I'll probly keep and modify the wasp fairing but I'd love to find an old school honda full race fairing. So in saying all of that, I've been a forum stalker for years. I've got ideas and builds piled up on paper and running out my ears. But I've yet to actually get my hands dirty on a build. I was hoping you guys could help get me started. There's no battery but we hooked the cables straight to a jumper box and we got it to turn over and try to fire once. Now all it will do is click in the solenoid. I was told I should pull the started and try to try jumping it by itself to see if it'll turn over. Anyone have a better idea on what could be going on? And what else should I check out or get to work on besides the obvious? I know it'll need tires, a battery, fork seals, carbs cleaned, cables and lines checked, and brakes gone through. Looking forward to some input!

[OldTwin]

Welcome to the site, and great to hear you've reconnected with your dad!

I applaud your approach to get the bike up and running before you make any changes. Once it's up and running well, you should just ride it for a season and then you'll have a good idea of the type of changes that will be beneficial to performance, not just cosmetic in nature.

As to your cranking issue, always start with the easiest and most obvious solution. If the bike was starting and running fine when it was last used 5 years earlier, the problem is most likely associated with corroded grounds and connections in the starting circuit. I'd start by thoroughly cleaning all grounds and connections in the circuit before thinking about removing the started. Methodical troubleshooting via process of elimination is the best approach. Pulling the starter should not be the first step. Best of luck!

[beardedxglory]

Good point. We've checked for that a little but I remember a few spots being questionable. I just dont understand why it would turn over good one minute and not at all the next. I've been looking into a new battery but theres so many out there it's flat overwhelming. Ebay has plenty around 40 bucks but every local place I've called wants 60-80. Any recomendations?

[Rob S.]

Is it an '82?

What's the specific model?

If you put those in your signature, it's easier to get help.

[Steve]

Is it an '82?

What's the specific model?

If you put those in your signature, it's easier to get help.

Looking at the picture he posted, it's an "E".

But I agree about adding the signature.

I would also suggest adding a location.

.

[Charlie G]

Welcome,

That looks to be a 650e and to a few of us here a somewhat sought after and hard to find. Not saying it's rare. It's never a good idea to Jump start a bike. Take a look here at this thread. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...bie%20mistakes

[beardedxglory]

Crap. Yeah its an e. And i didnt find anything on that thread about jump starting. Or battery references.

[beardedxglory]

Crap. Yeah its an e. And i didnt find anything on that thread about jump starting. Or battery references.

[Pete's GS]

Very rare as most Suzy 650s were Gs with shaft drive. Could be a very good runner though.

[Charlie G]

Crap. Yeah its an e. And i didnt find anything on that thread about jump starting. Or battery references.

Nothing useful there? Try post #1 here... http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ers-CLICK-HERE!!

cg

[Cyrano]

It's never a good idea to Jump start a bike.

Care to elaborate on this Charlie. I can understand that some bikes won't like being jump started from a vehicle with the engine running [link] but hooking up to a car battery or starter pack isn't going to cause any problems.

[Steve]

... but hooking up to a car battery or starter pack isn't going to cause any problems.

Normally, I would tend to agree with you, but I have seen some of those "starter packs" that boost the voltage a bit so they don't have to pump as many amps. It's the excess voltage that will kill the GS.

.

[Charlie G]

Care to elaborate on this Charlie. I can understand that some bikes won't like being jump started from a vehicle with the engine running [link] but hooking up to a car battery or starter pack isn't going to cause any problems.

Feel free to jump in and set the fellow on the right path.