'81 450 Custom

[Anonymous]

I joined this forum a few months ago and have since made some big changes to my 450. I got my first 450 two years ago and fixed it up to ride, but it had a bad oil leak. I was thinking about getting rid of the old clunker. Then I found this site and realized I had a goldmine of knowledge at my finger tips to repair and mod the old 450. So I purchased another 450 from eBay for parts. Then I read more on this forum and found all these cool mods for my bike. I got to see what other people had done and then pick what I like and make plans for my own bike. Below is a list of what I have done to my bike and what I have left to do.

What I did
Rebuilt engine and replaced all seals and gaskets
Jetted carbs, 120 main, 17.5 pilot, 1 shim on the needle
Emgo pods
Black Mac 2-1 exhaust
New mini turn signals
Seat from a ?74 TS
28 inch drag bars pointed down and back
Replaced engine bolts with stainless steel socket head screws
New clutch springs
Replaced clutch pushrod with one from the parts bike (less worn and in better condition than original)

Still to be done
Mini turn signals in the back
Kreem the tank
New petcock
Paint the tank and side covers
Polish, polish, polish
Spoked wheels
Vintage caf? racer headlight faring

Thanks to everyone from the GSR who helped me through this and helped keep another GS from the salvage yard.

Before


After





For more pictures look here

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/djderstine/album?.dir=354d&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/djderstine/my_photos

[robinjo]

Cool bike!

Here's what I should do:

Either raise the rear of the tank or replace with another model, bike looks like it sagged in the middle.
Dump the reflectors.
Replace the rear light with smaller one mounted higher up.
Shorten the front fender.

But really nice work you did sofar, I like it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks dude. It was a great experience doing the work myself and learning how to do it all. I have a feeling the project will never end, but that's not a bad thing

Cool bike!

Here's what I should do:

Either raise the rear of the tank or replace with another model, bike looks like it sagged in the middle.
Dump the reflectors.
Replace the rear light with smaller one mounted higher up.
Shorten the front fender.

But really nice work you did sofar, I like it.

[Anonymous]

Looks great! How do you like the Mac exhaust?

[UncleMike]

Gotta change your avatar now.

[RabbidRetard]

i was just wondering how you knew how to do all that stuff??? i have a good mechanical inclination... but i've never rebuilt an engine... is that something i could do myself??? maybe i just need to keep working on mine... and soon enough i'll know it's ins and outs?

[Anonymous]

Looks great! How do you like the Mac exhaust?

Thanks dude!
It's nice. Loud, a little rattly sounding, overall a good exhaust and it really helps the power. It pops wheelies when shifting now. :twisted:

Gotta change your avatar now.

I know, I've been busy lately.

i was just wondering how you knew how to do all that stuff??? i have a good mechanical inclination... but i've never rebuilt an engine... is that something i could do myself??? maybe i just need to keep working on mine... and soon enough i'll know it's ins and outs?

Get a Clymers manual and a parts bike, atleast thats what I did. I tore apart the parts bike first to get some practice and experience. I also spent many long hours reading this website and asking questions. It's really quite simple and once your done it sure feels good. I'm 22 this was my first bike rebuild, or engine for that matter, If I can do it, you can do it. I also became a self proclaimed "master" at removing broken off or frozen bolts.