I done good!!!

[Guest]

You guys should see the smile on my face - ear to ear!

I've just started my '82 850GL for the first time after several weeks of on-again, off-again fixin' up. I bought this bike last May, having sat for 15 years. Total mileage on the bike is 7300 mi.

Here's what I've done so far:

Cleaned the carbs (dipped & rebuilt with new o-rings)
Raised the needles .045" (two washers)
New intake boot o-rings
Adjusted valves (they were all tight)
Sealed the airbox & installed a K&N drop in filter
Rebuilt the cam chain tensioner
Removed an add-on Lockhart oil cooler (back to stock)
Installed new petcock (OEM)
De-rusted the fuel tank & coated it with POR-15

So tonight I bolted on the carb rack, filled the tank with gas, turned the key & it started on the third crank!! Turned the choke off immediately & rode it around the block (with practically no brakes BTW). Didn't touch the carbs, only to set the idle at 1100.

I gotta tell ya, this bike hauls butt!! I certainly need to tune & sync the carbs, but I could ride this to work if it had brakes (and insurance, registration, & good tires). I'm pretty pleased so far. Now to move on to the rest of the bike & make it rideable.

Anyway, just wanted to share my joy!!

Mike

[Guest]

Congrads Mike!
The sweetness of victory!

[Nessism]

Great job! I love it when someone does their work up front. You will be rewarded with years of trouble free service.

BTW, got photos?

[Guest]

It just keeps getting better.We all share your joy.Cheers,Simon.

[BassCliff]

Kudos!

Hi Mr. hikermikem,



It sounds like you have the "go" part working. Now to work on the "stop" part, eh? Very nicely done. May you inspire all new owners to "do it right the first time".

Thanks for sharing your joy. Now you'll get to share your experience and help enable others to enjoy these classic bikes. Great job!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[terrylee2u]

sweet... gotta luv them ''L'''s

[Guest]

BTW, got photos?

Nothing I want to share yet!! You should have seen me ridin' around the neighborhood last night around dusk.

Switches hanging from the bars, no side covers, hoses & wires sticking out the sides and no brakes to speak of...

I was the poster child for "How NEVER to ride your bike" !!

But i was smilin'

[Zook]

How to NEVER ride your bike...you got that right!

Never, EVER ride your bike, not even in the driveway without brakes. You never know what can happen, like your child running in front of you, etc.

I cringed when I read that, then thought, no, he meant he didn't USE the brakes...wrong!

[Guest]

How to NEVER ride your bike...you got that right!

Never, EVER ride your bike, not even in the driveway without brakes. You never know what can happen, like your child running in front of you, etc.

I cringed when I read that, then thought, no, he meant he didn't USE the brakes...wrong!

I said "no brakes to speak of", not "no brakes at all." I meant that my brakes are not at the level where they would be safe & reliable at highway speeds. I had brakes, just not very good brakes!

But thanks for the thoughts, I know you mean well...

[82Shafty]

Parts to rebuild the brake system are available; get-r-done.

[Dave8338]

Another L...saved from the "Cafe of ill-repute"! Now, Leave them bars ALONE! +1

Job well done!

[Baatfam]

Ah...that first ride is a joy.....

When I took the 1100 down the road for the first time a week or two ago...my wife said she hasn't seen me that happy in a long time...

Congrats

[Guest]

In-process pic of my project ...

Great job! I love it when someone does their work up front. You will be rewarded with years of trouble free service.

BTW, got photos?

Here's a pic I took today - I recruited my daughter to polish some of the chrome. The pic resolution isn't too good, but I can tell you it looks a lot better now than it did a couple of months ago. Bike looks pretty good I think!!

No handlebar levers & the front brake calipers & lines are off being cleaned/rebuilt. Gotta a brand new Dunlop GT501 front tire to boot!

[Guest]

one more

One more pic...

[Guest]

Congrats, that does look pretty good!
Tony.