anything I need to know about '82 850G

[123repeater]

I am pretty sure I'm going to buy an '82 850G is there anything I need to know about this model.. It will be my second bike, the first being an '81 550T. Any suggestions/comments about the shaft drive on the GSs, any info at all will be appreciated..
thanks ben-

[rustybronco]

Check the rear wheel splines and grease them. the air box seals may have deteriorated and have to be renewed. check the charging system voltage. check the fork seals for leakage and check the fluid level in the forks. change the fluids...
hopefully it's running correctly.

where in "the mitten" are you?

[123repeater]

Thanks Rusty... I'm in Edwardsburg near South Bend IN..

[rustybronco]

no wonder you posted "you miss it when you are away".
If you were close, I would have helped, if needed.

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. repeater123,

Outside of generally refreshing the necessary components and bringing the bike up to maintenance standards, the '82 had a spline gear in the rear wheel that was made of softer metal and tended to wear out quicker than earlier or later parts. Just pull the rear wheel and have a good look at the splines, replace if necessary, lube it good with Moly 60 paste if not.




This is a good spline gear:



This is a bad spline gear:



Here's one of each:



I love my 1980 GS850GT. Check out my website for lots of 850 lovin'.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[jimfj]

Ben,

Buy that bike. I have the same one and I love it. The power is awesome and its extremely comfortable. Mine is all stock, but I have friends with 850s with 4 into ones and pods ect. All good and fun.

Plus one on the drive splines. Mine were in the same condition as Cliff's. Not completely gone but almost.

Change all your fluids. Takes a little time but easy. Change the brake fluid and bleed the fronts well. It took me a couple of times but they are great now.

Raise the needles on the carbs. A simple, very little cost way to make that bike flat move If you need help let me know, I can walk you through it.

Once you go and look at the bike check the charging system quickly by putting a meter across the terminals on the battery with the bike running at different engine speeds. This will tell you if everything is working as it should.

A good fun bike that will take you anywhere, and bring you back.

Good Luck and let us know how we can help.

Jim

[123repeater]

Thanks Basscliff, good to see pics. Thanks Jim, yes it has much more get up and go than the 550 but I don't think it is quite as good on gas... Maybe I should be a little more conservative on the gas when I leave stoplights but it's hard... Very, very hard..

[rustybronco]

It should be around 43-49 mpg, depending on how hard "wristed" you are.

[kilog55]

Ben,

Buy that bike. I have the same one and I love it. The power is awesome and its extremely comfortable. Mine is all stock, but I have friends with 850s with 4 into ones and pods ect. All good and fun.

Plus one on the drive splines. Mine were in the same condition as Cliff's. Not completely gone but almost.

Change all your fluids. Takes a little time but easy. Change the brake fluid and bleed the fronts well. It took me a couple of times but they are great now.

Raise the needles on the carbs. A simple, very little cost way to make that bike flat move If you need help let me know, I can walk you through it.

Once you go and look at the bike check the charging system quickly by putting a meter across the terminals on the battery with the bike running at different engine speeds. This will tell you if everything is working as it should.

A good fun bike that will take you anywhere, and bring you back.

Good Luck and let us know how we can help.

Jim

could you raise the needles if you have a jet kit in? i just installed my stage 3 and im on the 3rd notch like they said what will this accomplish?

[Steve]

Raising the needles (remember that you have to lower the clip to raise the needle) will richen up the mixture a bit with half-throttle openings. Since that is where most of us tend to do our modest acelleration, it really helps with response.

I will tend to concur on the fuel mileage, but will also add that it can get better, too. We have gone on several trips and my wife has seen mid-50s several times, with a high of just about 59 for one tank in the mountains of West (by God) Virginia. On the other hand, we have also seen high 20s while running 70-75 mph into a headwind, trying to keep up with the rest of the group.

I will also agree with "buy that bike". We now have THREE 850s in the stable. The newest one will be a summer project, so it's not on the road yet.

.

[kilog55]

now im wondering if i should try it out or not not like i have to tear anything apart (cleaning and replacing rubbers now) so maybe i should drop it one notch

[rustybronco]

Steve,
I have never gotten over 49.9 mpg. I bet your wife is not the 6'1'-238lb L/A that I am.

[seuadr]

Steve,
I have never gotten over 49.9 mpg. I bet your wife is not the 6'1'-238lb L/A that I am.

We prefer people of accomplished girth THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[kilog55]

i was getting 45 or so last year 6'1" 290ish not quite all LA