Project 85 GS1150EF project.... no start

[Carter Turk]

NGK D9EA spark plugs are considered the stock plug.
Congrats on getting it running. Woohoo!
What's the deal with the bike rolling in gear mentioned in PM?

[1150newb]

I think I have the clutch/wheel thing sorted out. I believe I have the arm in the right spot and adjusted the cable correctly. At least now when I pop it in gear, release the lever the wheel doesn't turn manually. (I've not tried as before with me rolling it down a hill.) I did pull the right cover off and removed all the plates (did not take out the entire basket), inspected, measured. All seems in order there. I'm going to replace cable as a rule just the same. It's not expensive. My thoughts are when it was dumped on the right side the lower arm moved on the clutch pinion so it was not engaging with the release piece correctly. I'll know more when I get it going again and go through the gears under some load.

[1150newb]

So I've redone the seals, new brake pads, cleaned up the front wheel/forks and reassembled. Starting to look like a bike again. Next up is new petcock and while the tank is off, install a new clutch cable. (the sun is hitting those gold rims just right. I really didn't polish them that well. lol)

Couple of questions for any ES or EF owners (or anyone for that matter really):

1) What color is that fairing insert supposed to be? This is the piece that wraps around the instrument cluster and trails along the tank. Grey? Black? I'm thinking its grey.
2) What would anyone recommend to renew this piece?

[Carter Turk]

Mine's black, but faded from the sun and missing most of it's mounting platform.

[1150newb]

Mine's black, but faded from the sun and missing most of it's mounting platform.

Yeah, I thought grey because my 'fade' is so consistent. Maybe I'll look closer in the tucked away areas that would have minimal exposure. I'd like to bring this color back without painting. I've used a trim restorer polish (available at most auto stores) in the past. This is the stuff for polishing the plastic trim around truck wheel mouldings or bumpers. Maybe I'll try it but wondered if anyone had any other tips. If I can get these parts to come back I'll tackle the rear fender/tail piece as well.

[dorkburger]

Yep, black.....

[1150newb]

Well the bike is coming along. I believe I've sorted most or all immediate issues. Could still use tires. Should have the touched up fairing parts back this coming week. I couldn't get those black inner fairing pieces to come back to life via polish etc so I hit them with a misting of rattle can paint. Turned out well. I put the front signals on and have taken it out a few times to get it through the gear box and get it into some higher revs. Two things have come up. Left hand signal switch is missing the little springs inside the assembly. Switch still works but its manual. I've tried to source out a donor switch and until I do, I'll live with it. Also the speedo isn't working. I disengaged the cable at the front wheel and put my cordless drill on it. It did spin and moved the speedo needle to the max the drill would turn. (I don't own a corded drill that would spin the cable faster and give me a more accurate idea) Can I deduce that the drive assembly be the culprit? If it was cable it would not move the needle at all no? Or because there is a finite speed to my drill maybe its not accurate? Any thoughts? TIA

[dorkburger]

Yes, probably the drive. Just make sure the cable where you connected the drill to still has its square end and did not break there. If you can safely raise the front wheel, spin it and see if the drive turns. Sometimes the cable doesn't go into the hole. I usually raise the wheel, catch a couple of threads on the coupling, then turn the wheel slowly until I feel the cable drop in.
I'm on my second speedo drive, and it's starting to make squeaky death sounds.

The drive can be disassembled a bit, but not completely. I have a thread on it, but I need to fix the pictures due to Photobucket. I'll look into it...

[dorkburger]

Also, the signal switch does not return to dead center.

[1150newb]

thanks Glen. when I suspected my switch wasn't operating correctly I did find the link (can't remember who posted it BassCliff? ) that had a great pictorial of the assembly teardown. So I knew to watch for the springs. I've had my left switch assembly apart (carefully...) and there were no springs at all. But I did not know it doesn't return to centre. Also my speedo cable has a slotted end not a block. This slotted end fits to the flat blade in the drive hub. Odd?

[dorkburger]

Yep, youre right. Slotted.

Fixed thread.....

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?219838-1150-speedo-drive-quick-rebuild&p=2024804#post2024804

[1150newb]

thanks for the thread link. You mention you did the refurb because of irregular sounds etc but did it still function? Or was it unfunctioning and then after you serviced it, it then worked? thanks again.

[1150newb]

Pretty much finished. Another big GS back on the road.

[1150newb]

one more pic

[1150newb]

and still one more