1983 GS 850G: She waited for me, but can I wait for her?

[gsrick]

Put the bike on the center stand first, then you can loosen the triple tree pinch bolts just enough for a slow drop, don't over do it. They will probably be stuck, so you may need the assistance of a rubber mallet to get them to move. Your handle bars will stop them if it moves to fast. On the rear shocks, stick an allen wrench in the adjustment hole at the base and turn it to the lowest setting. You might not see much of a difference, but your weight will make it lower when your on it. Just watch out with riding two up, so you don't bottom out.

[Corporal91]

Awesome! Thanks for the tip. How much is too much? Somewhere in the middle?

[Corporal91]

Alright, today we made some good progress. I started tearing into the bike today and got some great photos. I stripped all wiring, lights, electrical, carbs, etc.. I have a rolling frame and motor. It is going to be a long project, and there will be many questions asked. First, I will get the carbs cleaned and rebuilt and get the old bird to fire up. It needs all new plug wires and boots, and the coils are so dirty and oily, I am thinking about just getting all new coils. I will upload pics as soon as I get back to my computer.

[mikerophone]

Nice.

The coils seem to attract oil and dirt, and they are an item that generally works or doesn't work. In my experience, as long as the connections are solid and clean they are easy enough to test. Just make sure you have very little voltage drop at the coil input leads and/or do the coil relay mod. I would test them and hit them with some Simple Green.

Here's a set I cleaned on one of my 850L's, cleaned up on the right:

[Grimly]

Seconded; while failing coils aren't unknown, these old 'zuk coils are pretty long-lived and a good clean will usually bring them right back into active life. Think seriously about new coils when and if you upgrade to a Dyna system or similar, to get the best out of it.

[Highway_Glider]

My GK has it's original coils on.

I did however change the cables and boots.