New member, just bought a GS 850

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  • Fat Tire Trader
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    New member, just bought a GS 850

    Hello,
    I just joined the forum. Yesterday, I bought 3 old motorcycles. One of them is a GS 850. I saw the three bikes in the back of a scrap collector's truck so I left a note on his windshield. He called me the next day, yesterday and he sold me the three bikes.
    They are still on my trailer. I will unload them into my workshop later today.

    motos-1.jpg


    Thanks,
    Chris
  • jsandidge
    Forum Sage
    Past Site Supporter
    • Jun 2013
    • 1482
    • Norfolk, Virginia

    #2
    Awesome! Welcome to the forum. We can help you get that 850 on the road. Might lend a hand with the other ones too. Looks like one might be a Honda Dream, but I can't see the 3rd. What is it?
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
    1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
    1981 HD XLH

    Drew's 850 L Restoration

    Drew's 83 750E Project

    Comment

    • Fat Tire Trader

      #3
      Here's the 3rd one.
      motos-4.jpg

      Comment

      • Burque73
        Forum Sage
        Past Site Supporter
        • Mar 2016
        • 4711
        • Albuquerque, NM

        #4
        Welcome Mr Trader.

        That 850 has a kick starter, chrome front fender and tail lights and solid front brake rotors so is probably a 1979. Looks like it still has the air box too which is good. Lots of them have been tossed out and pod filters installed making it harder to tune the carbs. Personally, I prefer to keep mine as stock as possible which makes repairs pretty much by the book.

        You'll learn great tips and trick for things like changing tires (including which ones work best and which to avoid), valve adjustments (selecting and changing shims) and carb rebuilds (finding O-ring kits and cleaning properly) and much more from the folks here.

        That windjammer is highly sought after and you'd better guard it with your life. Just kidding LOL. Some like 'em but most, I'd say, would chuck into a dumpster.

        Anyway, again, welcome.
        Roger

        '83 GS850G Daily rider
        '82 GS1100GK Work in (slow) progress

        Comment

        • Rob S.
          Forum Guru
          Past Site Supporter
          • Dec 2013
          • 9393
          • New York City

          #5
          Originally posted by Burque73

          That windjammer is highly sought after and you'd better guard it with your life.
          You had me going there, for a minute. I remember begging someone to give me $25 for mine in the late '80's.
          1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

          2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

          Comment

          • Wingsconsin
            Forum Sage
            Past Site Supporter
            • Jan 2013
            • 1725
            • Sussex Wisconsin

            #6
            Titled ? -- No title no bueno in many states ?

            Comment

            • Burque73
              Forum Sage
              Past Site Supporter
              • Mar 2016
              • 4711
              • Albuquerque, NM

              #7
              One just popped up for sale in Roswell if you want another.

              Roger

              '83 GS850G Daily rider
              '82 GS1100GK Work in (slow) progress

              Comment

              • steve murdoch
                Forum Guru
                Past Site Supporter
                • May 2004
                • 8491
                • St. Catharines, On.

                #8
                Roger, that one seems almost too good to be true.
                Half an hour of detailing and you have yourself a beauty.
                2@ \'78 GS1000

                Comment

                • Burque73
                  Forum Sage
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • Mar 2016
                  • 4711
                  • Albuquerque, NM

                  #9
                  Originally posted by steve murdoch
                  Roger, that one seems almost too good to be true.
                  Half an hour of detailing and you have yourself a beauty.
                  Yeah, maybe. I like the 83 in my garage now though and can't really justify or handle another at the moment.


                  I know it may be too far away to be of any interest to Fat Tire Trader here, but how many 79 850's do you see in that shape, for that price? Seems like it's only missing an airbox too.
                  Roger

                  '83 GS850G Daily rider
                  '82 GS1100GK Work in (slow) progress

                  Comment

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