83 850gl restore

[catfishjn69]

figure this would be the place to start so here I go. I decided to restore my dads old 850. he bought it new in 84 for around $2200. the only reason he bought it was to show my step mom that he could. yeah they are still married. I have ridden bikes from the time I took the training wheels of my bicycle till I got out of college and started to get the urge again now that I tuned 50. so back to the bike it has been sitting since about 1987 in the garage, at that time dad had the carbs rebuilt by someone? So about 2 years ago I went and got the bike. right now it has around 800 miles on it. it still has the initial service sticker on the gauges.
So here I go with getting this thing back on the road. I have drained the gas (he did have stabil in it) and the tank doesn't look bad. of course I had to start it (got it to sort of run). but as you can imagine the float on carb one was stuck so fuel ran out of the air box.

so here are my plans:
got a new key made(he couldn't find the original)
rebuild carbs(ordered o rings and have to order float bowl gaskets)
also ordered the fasteners and o rings for the intake
new air filter
new oil filter(change oil)
new tires(these still have the nubs on them but majorly dry rotted)
go through the brakes
buff out the tank somehow he got some kind of splatter on it in the garage.
then see what else pops up
I have seen posts about factory manual when I click the link I get crazy numbers page) so open to suggestions on finding one
any suggestions for best place to get parts

not sure if I am going to keep this or not but it is growing on me

thanks
Jeremy

[Dogma]

That sounds like a good plan.

Add to your plan to check into the charging system as soon as it's running. Or maybe plan to check and clean all the major power connections and grounds as preventive maintenance. 33 years is a long time for corrosion to progress. Perhaps being garage kept it'll be OK, but it's better to check than get stranded by a dead battery and cooked charging system. Cheaper too.

Also, pics?

[catfishjn69]

thanks I have read the stator papers and will check it out. I don't see anything in the way of corrosion with a quick inspection. hopefully being in the garage helped out in that reguards
I will try to post some pics when it isn't in completely tore apart. hopefully parts come in this week and out of the shed next week.

[Wingsconsin]

figure this would be the place to start so here I go. I decided to restore my dads old 850. he bought it new in 84 for around $2200. the only reason he bought it was to show my step mom that he could. yeah they are still married. I have ridden bikes from the time I took the training wheels of my bicycle till I got out of college and started to get the urge again now that I tuned 50. so back to the bike it has been sitting since about 1987 in the garage, at that time dad had the carbs rebuilt by someone? So about 2 years ago I went and got the bike. right now it has around 800 miles on it. it still has the initial service sticker on the gauges.
So here I go with getting this thing back on the road. I have drained the gas (he did have stabil in it) and the tank doesn't look bad. of course I had to start it (got it to sort of run). but as you can imagine the float on carb one was stuck so fuel ran out of the air box.

so here are my plans:
got a new key made(he couldn't find the original)
rebuild carbs(ordered o rings and have to order float bowl gaskets)
also ordered the fasteners and o rings for the intake
new air filter
new oil filter(change oil)
new tires(these still have the nubs on them but majorly dry rotted)
go through the brakes
buff out the tank somehow he got some kind of splatter on it in the garage.
then see what else pops up
I have seen posts about factory manual when I click the link I get crazy numbers page) so open to suggestions on finding one
any suggestions for best place to get parts

not sure if I am going to keep this or not but it is growing on me

thanks
Jeremy

it will grow on you -I have a 1983 GS850GL as well -
I can't imagine selling it - It was purchased to be a project bike and I have loved every minute of it - You will too

[2BRacing]

Welcome to the forum! Wow, that bike is not even run in yet with only 800 miles on it!

Good luck with the restoration!

[Big T]

Two things

Be prepared to tear down the top end to replace gaskets, seals and rings
Include new brake lines