Good, Bad, and not so bad but not so good GS850

[refeicul]

It started about 2yrs ago, I was 25 then and I came to the conclusion that I wanted to work on/ride bikes. I poked around craigslist and found a bike a 1980 GS850G. I did some research it was priced a little below BBV (blue book value.) So I said what the heck. I also first stumbled upon Cliffs site which sold me on it. Went down rented a truck paid the asking price and took home my first bike. The guy said “just needs a battery and clean up the carbs, it will only run on choke.” Man I didn’t know what I was getting into at the time.


Well I poked around it a bit, and got to know her a little better. I downloaded the manual, wiring schematic, and the carb rebuild pages. Took off the airbox resealed it and put it on a shelf. Tried to fire it up and I didn’t know why it wouldn’t fire at the time. So I bought those crappy carb rebuild kits that don’t even have all the proper jets. I thought this would solve all my problems (facepalm). I didn’t listen to what everyone said here and what was on Cliffs site. I just took apart the carbs (not fully) sprayed carb cleaner around and just swapped the jets with the ones in the kit. Threw it back on the bike at this point I didn’t even have a new battery in it. I was using the one it came with and a jump pack or a shop battery charger/jumper. Tried to start it without the airbox, nothing. I cranked the hell out of it with the shop jumper spitting out all it could it was set at the highest voltage which was labeled “jump” 200Amps. I saw smoke coming from one of the ignition coils and oozing what looked like wax. So now im shopping around for ignition coils and new OEM ones cost a lot more than I wanted to spend at the time. I ended up getting used ones from Neanderthal Cycle Salvage out of Cali. Tested them and they were on the high resistance wise plus they were butchered as far as wires and connectors. I also fried the igniter. I purchased new Accel coils and a used igniter from Neanderthal.


While I waited for those to come in I did some reading. I checked the valves which were smack dab in the middle of spec and I took apart the carbs again this time fully. And now I break one of the float pin posts. I couldn’t find a replacement so out of a fit of desperation I go to my local Suzuki dealer. Wonders they had one just sitting on a shelf from a 750 which by this point I knew would fit give or take a jet or two! So I change out the jets, diaphragms, etc. benched synced the carbs threw those on installed the new coils w/ relay mod (poorly at the time), new battery, intake boots, intake o-rings, airbox rubber. I still had not purchased a vacuum gauge to do a true sync. But still did enough reading on here, posting, and half listening. It lived and I rode it a bit, and then got the paperwork sorted insurance etc. At this point I’ve been riding for about 3 months on my brothers 86 450 Honda Rebel. So I take it out on its first virgin real ride.


The plan was to ride into PA on RT-78 take off my helmet and ride 611 up the Delaware River to RT-80 and back home total of about 150 miles. The ride was great until the last 6 miles; it crapped out on me in NJ traffic. I got a tow home and I poked around the igniter literally cooked, fuses blown, bulbs, battery, and some connectors. It was a mess. I thought it was just a faulty igniter for some reason. A member here had a few with the same part # so I bought 3. After tinkering and 2 igniters I found it was a faulty R/R and a loose connection from my bad relay mod which probably caused the bad R/R. I read the stator papers and actually listened to people here trying everything they suggested, well short of the sarcasm which didn’t happen much. Just so I knew it wasn’t whatever they suggested. I did a true sync, and rebuilt the carbs properly, new tires cause of dry rot. And now its riding better than ever. I skipped the cursing, bleeding, snapped bolts, long wait periods for parts and the back and forth so this is the short version of the 1 ½ yrs of the project.


So in closing I must say read read read. Listen to Cliff’s mega welcome. If you still don’t know ask, and lastly take your time.

[gs scott]

Wow, good story. Temperamental buggars - eh? Yes they are, but the good folks of the GSR family know what these beasts like, so if you follow the good advice, you really are all set. Sounds like you did and - like magic - she's running like a champ. Excellent job!

You mentioned this was your first bike. I most strongly suggest taking a motorcycle safety course. Think of it as a hands on training session for your G. I rode for a few years before finally taking the course, and I can't believe how much I learned. Wish someone had told me sooner...

You also mentioned riding without a hat. Well, I am glad it is a choice (in some states) and occasionally, I"ve been known to do the same, so I understand the motivation. There used to be a thread - "How many times have you fallen?" Followed by stories of the stupid things new riders do (because the same mistakes are often repeated - and before taking a MC Safety course) as well as the situations where road conditions, and stupid auto drivers played major factors. Bottom line, it's your responsibility to be prepared. All in all, it was pretty cool. Statistically, 75% of the forum had fallen at least once. And the majority of the 75% had fallen three or more times (including yours truly.)

So the consensus was wear your gear because all your skill and talent can't always protect you from someone elses stupidity or inattention. And by gear, they mean all the gear - riding jacket and pants, armor, boots, gloves and a helment - all the time.

Well, congratulations again on getting your trusty steed running as she should, and for completing that part of the education of riding.

[refeicul]

the trip to PA to ride with out a helmet was more for so i could know what its like or so i could say i have. I must say it was awesome new experience. luckily in the few years ive been riding i have only placed my bike down after getting cut off by a cage. i was pulling out of a filling station and a a car decided he dident wanna wait for the other to turn so darted out as i was pulling out. it was on a smaller bike. other than that i had a few close calls here or there from both my own mistakes and some from others.


another story is one of my best friends Russ he has been around threw out that "rebuild" mentioned before. And he hated the bike! "the handlebars need to come back or forward its too middle of the road" he said the same about the foot pegs. that and he dident like the acceleration when it wasn't finished. Well a few weeks ago he stopped by, i had exclaimed that its finished and OMG! (i know a GS is never truly finished)He kinda rolled his eyes like yeah sure. I handed him a helmet and a pair of gloves cause it was cold. i warmed it up for like 15mins again he seemed discoraged cause he's use to bikes that can just go with a short warm up, Shadows mostly. well i said its good to ride i also said "mind you the bike likes low RPM so it doesn't mind being in 4th or 5th at 35mph." 20mins later he rolled up with a huge . he recapped the ride he said he was tooling around doing 30 in 4th and decided to give it a twist and next thing he knew he was doing 60. so i asked him "your all about it huh?" "hell no, everything i said before stands" was his reply, then he added "but i can see why you love it." i then mentioned that i have the 1000 that is going to be slow going with a lack of funds. Now he is considering funding the rebuild and finally buying it from me. I just said its fine but I wanna ride it a bit before i can part with it. He is cool with it, now he just has to manage to get over here to ether help or start with the funds. if he waits too long it will be permanently in my stable

[Tim Tom]

Glad to hear the bike is running well! Always a good thing. I know I've relied on the help here to maintain my bike many times. Its good advice.

I'm gonna have to semi-disagree with you on the low rpm though. GS engines also love to spin. I could ride my 850 all day around 6500-8000 rpm in any gear and the engine will not complain.

They have a good deal of torque which allows them to cruise at low rpm in higher gears, but they also make some decent HP up on the top end and will do so all day.

Sure what you said is true, you can do 30 in 5th gear no problem. But you can also do 65 in 2nd no problem if you wind it out. Try it some time on a nice quiet bit of road. The acceleration will amaze you.

But I digress Where in NJ are you?

[850 Combat]

It sounds like your friend prefers style to substance. Personally, I think an 850G is better bike to ride than a shadow.

Although 850's were cold blooded from the factory, and I bought one new so I'm sure about that, they should not need 15 minutes to warm up.

Finally, an 850G revs out just fine. I find them a bit weak on lor revs. You need to spin them up a bit to get good power.

Good for you on working through your issues and getting it working. They really aren't much trouble once they are sorted out, and look how much you have learned. Too bad about smoking your electrical system. I bet you won't let that happen again.

[refeicul]

Im up in Wanaque. near Ringwood, Wayne, Oakland.. Its great riding up here 15 mins away from ny state. A lot of lakes to go fishing, swimming.

[refeicul]

Although 850's were cold blooded from the factory, and I bought one new so I'm sure about that, they should not need 15 minutes to warm up.

Finally, an 850G revs out just fine. I find them a bit weak on lor revs. You need to spin them up a bit to get good power.

Good for you on working through your issues and getting it working. They really aren't much trouble once they are sorted out, and look how much you have learned. Too bad about smoking your electrical system. I bet you won't let that happen again.

ya i guess i dident mention the warm up was in feb. and the temp was around freezing

ya i have no problems in the rev dept. ya yesterday it was just like you described in 2nd doing 65 pushing toward red it was great

and lastly ya it happens with the electricals esp when its a 30yo bike and im the 3rd owner and ya dont know what was done to it or has yet to be done. just stuff is on the list of sheet to do. i tell ya if i fry another igniter in switching to a dyna s and bashing all my blown igniters with a sledge hammer.

valves adjustment in the fall, oil change in 2 weeks, still have to switch out the fuse box with one 3yrs younger just cause i hate those tube fuses.. have to re do my paint on the tank cause a friend kinda tipped it enough to spill some gas on my nearly virgin paint gonna re do some of the plugs threw out the system to ether oem style plugs or 5 pin plugs that they have at the local auto parts store. eventually maybe if the $ is right make it a full dresser. and little odds n ends but those are the big things

[Tim Tom]

I know exactly where Wannaque is. Some of the best riding roads in the area go around the reservoir I was up that way a couple a weeks ago to hit up the some twisties.

Good stuff.

[refeicul]

I know exactly where Wannaque is. Some of the best riding roads in the area go around the reservoir I was up that way a couple a weeks ago to hit up the some twisties.

Good stuff.

ya even thought i live up here i still take the long way around the mountain.

skyline drive to greenwood lake tpk to rt 95 in up state ny and some kinda way back. one time i got lost but hey this is jersey your bound to hit something you know