1982 GS450 Refresh

[pete]

Cheers Phil! Funny you should post because I actually got a bit of time to do stuff yesterday finally. Definitely keen to see yours in the metal, that'll make three GS450's I know of in Brissie (including mine) as there's another fella who parks one just around the corner from me at work. What did you do with your ignition switch?

I finally got some time to work on a mounting bracket for the speedo and tacho yesterday.

I'm liking the non-symmetrical layout, and the speedo positioning means no interference between the clutch and speedo drive cables.

The big gap between them will also allow me to put a different ignition switch in given the state of the original now.

I've still got to figure out some sort of enclosure for the tacho yet, the bracket will get tidied up with some satin black, and I'll likely leave the speedo as is.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

[cowboyup3371]

Interesting to see a relay sitting there Pete; what's the for again?

[pete]

Hey Scott, those are the two headlight relays. They were bolted up under the old dash but at the moment simply get cable tied to the left dash mount. I'll be able to neaten them up again once I have the new bracket in place.

[OutbackPhil]

You might be able to buy a gauge housing to fit the tacho. I remember a fair few years ago now looking into aftermarket 'go fast' stuff for cars and you could get autometer gauges etc and separate housings for them in black and chrome for people that wanted to mount them onto the bonnet. Super cool looking but super impractical.

I got rid of my original ignition barrel and bought an aftermarket one which I mounted on the left side of the battery box under the seat. Now the ignition is a single key behind your left leg when sitting. Works fairly well however I need to tighten it up now there's a bit of movement. It's a 3 position key but I've only bothered to wire up one way. I guess I could've wired them both up to do the same job but it works for me.

I've actually seen a GS450 parked up on Turbot Street in the city, along that mass of bike parking areas heading toward the storey bridge. It's a maroon colour, looks fairly original. Could be the 4th GS in the Brissy club?!

Cheers

[pete]

Ah good call, I'll have to do some searching around. I was simply going to bend some thin steel or aluminium but if something exists already that might be even better depending on price etc.

Sounds like a good solution to the ignition key! I did a similar thing with the Kat where it's mounted down by my right knee but can't find a suitable solution on the 450.

You sure that wasn't mine you saw? How recent? I park on Turbot St although I park just before Edward St at the base of the big wall that leads up to Wickham Tce. The other 450 is blue and parks back around the corner in Albert St. I've only been parking there since April last year though as the company I work for moved buildings up from the Valley.

[OutbackPhil]

Maybe that is your bike then. Probably 3-4 months back I guess, on the bike parking strip below that cliff face area. Caught my eye cos you don't see too many GS450s just parked up in the street like that.

Ah good call, I'll have to do some searching around. I was simply going to bend some thin steel or aluminium but if something exists already that might be even better depending on price etc.

Sounds like a good solution to the ignition key! I did a similar thing with the Kat where it's mounted down by my right knee but can't find a suitable solution on the 450.

You sure that wasn't mine you saw? How recent? I park on Turbot St although I park just before Edward St at the base of the big wall that leads up to Wickham Tce. The other 450 is blue and parks back around the corner in Albert St. I've only been parking there since April last year though as the company I work for moved buildings up from the Valley.

[pete]

Yeah that'll be mine alright! I park there every day, only time you won't see it there is if I'm on leave or if I've ridden the Kat, which you'll see there instead.

[diptenkrom]

I know trhat this thread isnt the newest, but can you tell me what the exhaust is on this bike? i really like it, except i wish it was on the other side... But i have been looking for a high mount exhaust, and aside from building one myself, i have not seen any real options.