General '83 GS450E Technical Questions

[catfishk]

i am a little foggy on a few things with this bike. hopefully someone here can clear these up!

1. the Clymers manual states it has a 4.2 gallon tank. i get about 150 miles before reserve; i think reserve is a gallon. 48+/- mpg seems a bit low no?

2. what sort of 10w-40 oil should i use? motorcycle oil is about $6 a quart and some say $3 automotive stuff is fine if there is a mystery SAE number on the quart? i know this thing has a wet clutch and improper oil can affect the function of the plates?

3. can i, inexpensively, upgrade the brakes? the front rotor is solid and a single disk. if it heats up it becomes a little sketchy for my tastes. the rear drum is useless and the shoes are very new.

4. if i put the GS1100E's 100+ mph speedometer on there will i be able to keep up with my friends' 750cc sport bikes?

[catfishk]

oops. the bike has 24K on the clock. looks to be mostly stock, original everything.

[chef1366]

Castrol is a good oil to use.
I get thirty miles a gallon. Does that seem a little low?
The 100 speedo will give you the mental edge you need.:-D

[Killer2600]

1. Not really although it's more accurate to calculate mileage based on how many miles since the last fill up and how many gallons it took to fill it up. I get about 43 MPG on my 750

2. I've heard that too but I don't know the details, I stick with motorcycle oil just so I don't chance messing up the clutch plates.

3. Can't help ya there, might be able to get an aftermarket drilled/slotted disc and better pad.

4. If that works let me know cuse I've been thinking about upgrading with a hayabusa sticker to compete with the liter bikes :-D

[Nessism]

Oil for diesel trucks works great for motorcycles. If there is a Walmart in your area check out some 15w-40 Rotella. Good value in a quality oil suitable for motorcycles.

[catfishk]

i found a deal on Valvoline 10W-40 synthetic blend and popped that in. new filter, o-ring... she is happy and not leaking. shifts a lot better than it did, but that might be my imagination. it seemed like it wanted to hit neutral a lot more on route to 2nd gear before; now she slides right into second with a simple 'click'.

anyone know a speedometer i can swap, or inners i can swap into my housing, that reads beyond 85 mph? not that i go that fast, it is just easier to read... it looks like mose bikes have totally different casings from my '83 E model.

i am still looking at upgrading the brakes. possibly a steel braided line and a new rotor are in the mix... but for the price of a rotor ($175+/-!) i think i'll search for 550E wheels and calipers for the front and inherit rear disks.