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Getting my first motorcycle into shape : GS550L in Lowell.

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    Getting my first motorcycle into shape : GS550L in Lowell.

    Since buying my 1980 GS 550 and joining I have begun work.
    So far I have: put wd40 on corrosion prone parts for the winter, changed plugs, changed oil, changed oil filter, unstuck the choke cable, replaced and oiled the air filter foam, and cleaned the lock, run the engine, and shifted gears on the center stand.

    There are exhaust leaks, a mushy rear brake, and a brake light issue to work around next.

    #2
    Have fun!!!
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
    1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
    1981 HD XLH

    Drew's 850 L Restoration

    Drew's 83 750E Project

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      #3
      Don't forget..
      Valve adjust
      Brake system teardown and rebuild
      New brake lines
      Fix charging system wiring
      Replace carb boot and carb o-rings
      Ed

      To measure is to know.

      Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

      Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

      Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

      KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

      Comment


        #4
        So due to an exhaust leak I tried to pull the outermost pipes for fitting new gasket.
        A bolt broke on it's way out well after being successfully unstuck.
        I bought a set of feeler gauges for the valvetrain.
        For brake lines I intend to go stainless, including stainless ends.
        Hopefully this will not cause grief at inspection.

        Due to some bad news from the temp agency this project will not be done this spring,
        for want of funds for more parts and nice MC pants.

        Comment


          #5
          Were you able to get that exhaust bolt out?

          I had a nightmare of a time trying to get that thing out. Ended up buying a new head on ebay for about 70

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by DanSkor View Post
            Due to some bad news from the temp agency this project will not be done this spring,
            for want of funds for...nice MC pants.
            Levi's 505s?
            Last edited by Rob S.; 03-06-2019, 07:23 PM.
            1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

            2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by DanSkor View Post
              Due to some bad news from the temp agency this project will not be done this spring,
              for want of funds for more parts and nice MC pants.
              It’s nice to know there’s others out there rebuilding GS’s who can’t throw the money they want to in it and have to wait. I know exactly how you feel.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by jboge123 View Post
                Were you able to get that exhaust bolt out?

                I had a nightmare of a time trying to get that thing out. Ended up buying a new head on ebay for about 70
                Sprayed with wd40 (all I had on hand), let sit some days, sprayed with pb blaster, let sit some more days.
                Bought brand new 10" duralast vise grips (Didn't own any, wanted anyway). Got them to bite into the bolt. Lost a fair amount of thread. Did not remove the bolt.

                Will get slightly undersized left hand drill bit.

                In other news the other exhaust bolts are soaking up pb blaster. The battery is out and needs rewatering.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Heat can make a difference too

                  and sometime bolts are destined to never come out

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Today I took another stab at the bike. The tank, engine guards, and exhaust pipes were removed.
                    Everything appears to be in the way of everything on this make and model.
                    The oil pan is leaking from stripped drain threads and the damage is on the female side.
                    Exhaust bolt? Work in progress.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Post pics when you can.

                      BTW, welcome to the site!

                      Ed
                      GS750TZ V&H/4-1, Progressive Shocks, Rebuilt MC/braided line, Tarozzi Stabilizer[Seq#2312]
                      GS750TZ Parts Bike [Seq#6036]
                      GSX-R750Y (Sold)

                      my opinion shouldn't be taken as gospel or in any way that would lead you to believe otherwise (30Sep2021)

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Wrinkly old 1980 diaphragms that will not go in the slots.
                        JBM will get a chunk of my tax returns.
                        IMGP9447.jpg

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                          #13
                          Tried a torch and vise grips. Drilled into the exhaust bolt on #4. Then proceeded to, you guessed it, break a bolt extractor in said bolt.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            I am such a fan on using a MIG welder to attach a nut to broken exhaust studs and bleeder valves. Sometime I will go through a bag of nuts, but eventually the stud loses and comes out. Even if the stud is below the surface you can use the MIG wire to build up material. Use the hottest setting possible and let it cool down before twisting on the nut. If you do not have a welder, hopefully you got a buddy that needs a case of Harpoon IPA (my favorite when I was in MA) that has small MIG.
                            1981 Suzuki GS250T
                            1982 Yamaha Seca Turbo
                            1985 Suzuki GS550E
                            2004 Suzuki GSF1200S

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by fbody_mike View Post
                              I am such a fan on using a MIG welder to attach a nut to broken exhaust studs ...
                              That is my plan. My backup plan is abrasive drilling.

                              ED: corrected minor grammar/typo
                              Last edited by DanSkor; 05-26-2019, 08:15 AM.

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