New with 1979 GS425L

[Guest]

I've been perusing this site over the past year but finally joined. Lots of good info on here from folks that I've used along with the Clymer to do work to my bike over the last year. A picture of the GS425L when I got it is below, along with a picture of the bike as it stands today.

Maintenance/replacement work done so far includes:

Oil and filter change
Battery replace
Gas tank clean with vinegar
Fuel line replace
Speedo cable replace

Valve adjustment
New breather cover and valve cover gaskets
Replace points and adjust timing
Carb rebuild (dip, o-rings, set float heights, new boots, intake o-rings)
Carb sync with homemade manometer setup
Clean and oil air filter

New front and rear tires and tubes
Replace front and rear brake pads
Front brake line replace/reservoir clean
Replace leaking gear shift oil seal

New Daytona-style handlebars
Bar-end mirrors
Relocated rear turn signals to taillight housing
Shaved down L-style seat and sewed new cover
Wiring cleaning/repairs/add some better grounds
Replace turn signal flasher unit


In the works:
R/R replace with SH775

Sept. 2014


Sept. 2015

[trtsmb]

That's a pretty rare bike.

[steve murdoch]

They look/ride so much better with proper handlebars.
So far, so good.

[Gorminrider]

That's a pretty rare bike.

That's what I was thinking! I've seen 425s but never a 425 L ... and what interesting vented side covers! Take care not to lose those! maybe a safety line or maybe some new rubber sockets - I think they are a "standard" item across many models and can be fairly easily found...?
But mean mostly to say I am glad to see you are taking good care of it, St Hubbins.
PS...Keep an eye on those signals. You could carry some nice saddlebags with them back there but I've heard somewhere that the weight x vibration of them may distort the tail light mount. Maybe just web-blather more to do with a different bike with a severe vibe problem but it came to mind as a "just in case".

[Guest]

I agree Steve, the handlebars were a huge improvement, much better than the buckhorn style.

The side cover on battery side was missing when I got it, and the other cover is partially broken so I've ziptied it on. Until your mention of the mounting sockets, Gorminrider, I hadn't realized what the mysterious holes were on each side of the frame, just now I'm putting two and two together and realizing they're the lower mounting for the (missing) and broken side cover. Duh. Thanks.

I will keep an eye on the taillight with the turn signals. Saddlebag space was actually the main consideration for moving them further back, though I like the aesthetics as well.