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Hi guys, I wanted to start a thread for my GS450. This bike needs basically everything done to it. I got it basically for free and I knew it wouldn't be a cost or time efficient project, but I got it to learn the ins and outs of bikes and I think when I'm done I'll be damn proud.
What I've Done So Far:
I had no idea if it ran when I got it. The guy who sold it to me didn't even know what model it was. He said it was a GS400 and all it needed was a stator (lol).
The electricals miraculously all worked still, even the gauges. It shifts gears. The oil that was already in it looks great, looks like it was changed recently. I'll still change it along with the filter.
My brother came over and we had a mission to get it started. After having our brains fall out of our noses looking at wiring diagrams we somehow got the mess of wires all wired up and grounded correctly. And lo and behold... she started!!! She even idled for about 2 minutes before dying. There's no air box and who knows what shape the carbs are in so I didn't expect much. We were feeding fuel through a funnel. I just wanted to make sure the engine wasn't seized before tearing it down and getting to work.
So that's where I'm at now. The forks are in good shape, no rusting or pitting. Rear shocks.. who knows, might replace. The frame has some rust eaten through on the top, previous owner tried to repair it with JB Weld. I plan on cutting that section out and replacing with the same size tubing and plugs, which I already have.
Next Steps
Right now I'm working on getting the engine out. It's a bitch so I'm gonna take the head off and should be able to get it out relatively easy like that. I'm gonna tear it down and rebuild, replacing gaskets and seals. Will fix valve clearances and then rebuild the carbs. I'll be using pods (I know) so carb tuning and re-jetting will be in order.
Somewhere in there I'm going to strip everything off the frame, repair it and either paint or get it powder coated. I know frame repair can be controversial but what choice do I have beside find another frame. I keep my eyes peeled but it's kind of hard to find a 40-year-old frame, let alone one in good shape. I have faith in my ability to replace and weld so that it will be structurally sound. If I put some nice long and solid plugs in there I think it'll be good. I might even weld on some tubing underneath, running parallel, to give it some support.
The brakes and wheels need work as well. Probably rebuilding the caliper and replacing the shoes and pads. Wheels will need new bearings.
Once all that's done I'm putting all new wiring and electrical components on, using an M-unit. As well as new brake, throttle and clutch cables.
I've got a long road ahead of me but I'm having a blast and I enjoy a good challenge.
I look forward to your advice and I'll keep this thread updated periodically. In case anybody was interested in a color scheme, I was thinking a copper/bronze and black theme, similar to this:
What I've Done So Far:
- Removed rust and lined tank with Por-15
- Stripped paint off tank
- Replaced reg/rec with a mosfet
- Replaced battery with a lithium iron
- Replaced spark plugs and caps
- Semi cleaned the carbs
I had no idea if it ran when I got it. The guy who sold it to me didn't even know what model it was. He said it was a GS400 and all it needed was a stator (lol).
The electricals miraculously all worked still, even the gauges. It shifts gears. The oil that was already in it looks great, looks like it was changed recently. I'll still change it along with the filter.
My brother came over and we had a mission to get it started. After having our brains fall out of our noses looking at wiring diagrams we somehow got the mess of wires all wired up and grounded correctly. And lo and behold... she started!!! She even idled for about 2 minutes before dying. There's no air box and who knows what shape the carbs are in so I didn't expect much. We were feeding fuel through a funnel. I just wanted to make sure the engine wasn't seized before tearing it down and getting to work.
So that's where I'm at now. The forks are in good shape, no rusting or pitting. Rear shocks.. who knows, might replace. The frame has some rust eaten through on the top, previous owner tried to repair it with JB Weld. I plan on cutting that section out and replacing with the same size tubing and plugs, which I already have.
Next Steps
Right now I'm working on getting the engine out. It's a bitch so I'm gonna take the head off and should be able to get it out relatively easy like that. I'm gonna tear it down and rebuild, replacing gaskets and seals. Will fix valve clearances and then rebuild the carbs. I'll be using pods (I know) so carb tuning and re-jetting will be in order.
Somewhere in there I'm going to strip everything off the frame, repair it and either paint or get it powder coated. I know frame repair can be controversial but what choice do I have beside find another frame. I keep my eyes peeled but it's kind of hard to find a 40-year-old frame, let alone one in good shape. I have faith in my ability to replace and weld so that it will be structurally sound. If I put some nice long and solid plugs in there I think it'll be good. I might even weld on some tubing underneath, running parallel, to give it some support.
The brakes and wheels need work as well. Probably rebuilding the caliper and replacing the shoes and pads. Wheels will need new bearings.
Once all that's done I'm putting all new wiring and electrical components on, using an M-unit. As well as new brake, throttle and clutch cables.
I've got a long road ahead of me but I'm having a blast and I enjoy a good challenge.
I look forward to your advice and I'll keep this thread updated periodically. In case anybody was interested in a color scheme, I was thinking a copper/bronze and black theme, similar to this:
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