1983 gs 850 GL

[Crazy Carlos]

okay, so I got this bike back in april of 2011. I rode it around for the summer and fall and now that it's cold and snowy out I'm ready to start tearing it down and cleaning it up. I've looked up a few guides for rebuilds, but since this is my first bike I'm going to be learning alot. I could use any advice as far as the order of things goes making sure I only have to do this thing once. So far I know for sure that these things need to happen.



-New tires
-New handle bars
-New SEAT!!! that thing is ugly.
-The motor needs to be resealed. I'm pretty sure it leaks from everywhere. When I changed the oil I could swear it got worse (pretty sure the dirty oil was holding everything in.)
-I've noticed getting this thing to go back down to a low idle is hard. I'll get it to idle well at a stop with the dial behind the carbs but then once I ride a block or two down the street and come to a stop it's back at 3,000 rpms again. Any ideas?

NO WORRIES! I have a partner in crime who actually knows a thing or two so I won't be totally blind, but I'd like to try and do as much on my own as I can with a little help from my GS friends online!

Here we go!

-Carl-

[Good Times]

Welcome aboard CC.

You've got a nice project ahead of you. I don't think that's an L. Definitely a mix match of parts, but it looks like a G to me.

That seat cracks me up.

You'll find all the help you need on this forum. It's great place to be.

[Redneck]

Go back and read through a lot of these articles especially the first few post they will tell you where to start. As far as the idle goes that may be fixed with a good old carb cleaning. I mean that kind that includes a carb dip. My biggest advice I can give is get yourself a bunch of milk crates or plastic bins, ziplock bags, masking tape and sharpies. Label everything. Trust me or you can be doing like I am and going I think I know where that goes. Gaskets, for the engine, the general consensus is to buy OEM. That should fix most your leak problems as long as it is just 30year old gaskets. Be prepared they cost me little over $200 for all the gaskets and o-rings. That is my biggest advice, oh and replace all the bolts and screws as you go along. Good luck.

Paul

BTW I agree that seat is UGLLLLYYYY!

[Crazy Carlos]

Thanks

I will be doing a lot of searching through these forums. I'll be really glad to have this group along for the project! Currently searching for a new seat...

[brslk]

I agree with the others. That is one of the ugliest seats I have ever seen, but man does it ever look comfy!

Bruce.

[Crazy Carlos]

Day 1

So I took the battery off the tender, installed it on the bike so I could drive it one last time to the shop where I plan on dismantling it. Got her all hooked up and turned the key. Not even one light... I must have blown a fuse somehow but I've never had an electrical problem with this thing.

Till tomorrow....

[downsy]

Try taking the fuses out , might have some corrosion in the contacts , use a small wire brush, give them a clean and put them back in and it will probably be ok . If not you know it's something more serious , but try this first

[Crazy Carlos]

Checked the fuses today... I'm assuming that when I was disconnecting the battery I grounded out the main fuse cause it's bad. Gonna go get a new one tomorrow!

[Crazy Carlos]

It's all good! replaced the fuse and it fired right up. Must have grounded it out. Anyway I'll be riding it down the road a bit to the storage unit on Saturday to get started! I've noticed that on the left side stator cover, it's been covered with some sort of poxy type thing. Since I've changed the oil it's began to leak from the bottom of where the patch is... I'm sensing that there will be multiple surprises throughout this project.

[downsy]

Way to go Carlos ! Enjoy the rest of the journey , their will always be surprises and frustration , but when you have a problem just post in on the forum and somebody will have an answer

[downsy]

The poxy type think is probably what somebody used to stick the stator cover side badge on which has since fallen off somewhere , nothing serious !

[Crazy Carlos]

The poxy type think is probably what somebody used to stick the stator cover side badge on which has since fallen off somewhere , nothing serious !

Curiosity got the best of me and I chiseled the "poxy" or whatever it is off. Looks like before it had crash bars somebody punctured the stator cover. no major leak but I can definitely see a seam of oil on the circled edge... if you look at the left side photo you'll see the poxy I'm talkin about.

[Crazy Carlos]

Stripping her down!

Well here she is as it stands now. We've gotten the pipes off and a couple footpegs but until I finish painting my new place and get moved in I'm gonna be stuck here. Probably 2 to 3 weeks... anyway I'm really excited and starting to look online for some new stuff!



No more seat!!!

[DannyMotor]

I'm glad to see that seat in the 'swap-meet' box!!!

[DanTheMan]

She's got L bars, G tank, G fork legs, and G tailsection. I'd say it's G that someone put L bars on.