1979 GS850 cleanup/rebuild

[shwaz]

I am also on the lookout for a right hand side cover, with original blue paint and GS850 on it. Anyone anyone????

tentative here - don't want to get your hopes up but this is the scoop

i bought my bike a few weeks ago and the LH side cover fell off on I-80 during the ride home from the PO. kay sarah sarah, right? was ****ed but there's nothing to do for it - it was night and though I pulled over I couldnt see it and didn't want to die trying to pick a piece of plastic up off the highway.

I am looking for a replacement LH side and hoping I can bring my own bike to some former glory, but I'm also considering moving on and putting in a pair of blacks. I'm undecided yet, but if I go the latter route there's a RH in like-new for you here. PM me so I can find your name easily if I decide to let it go.

You're doing a hell of a job on the restoration. I hope someday my own 79 850 will look that shiny

cheers


**edit i think mine is the same color scheme but I'm not sure. Mine photographs blue like yours but is in fact a bit more of a teal color in normal light.

[Digitus]

Are you young?

hahaha ! Im 41. You decide if that young or not

[Digitus]

tentative here -
**edit i think mine is the same color scheme but I'm not sure. Mine photographs blue like yours but is in fact a bit more of a teal color in normal light.

Thanks mate, got any bigger pictures online that show the colour? Im kinda curious if it really is the same colour.

Your story also made me think about ways to improve the way the sidecovers are held on. Thinking about some extra tie wraps

[Guest]

Your story also made me think about ways to improve the way the sidecovers are held on. Thinking about some extra tie wraps

With the two top metal tabs on the frame in the right position and all new rubber bits on all three bracket points I find that there's no way the side covers would ever come off by accident. In fact considerable pull is needed to take them off.

If the tabs are bent or broken or rubber bits hard or missing... well, that's another story

[Digitus]

Happy happy joy joy

I am not done completely (I think I will never be at 100%), but I'm going to try to ride it today.

Here's already a pic of where it is now:

[MotoX]

I guess those who read my buildthread understand that I'm not realy in to these bikes in their original looks, but I still have to admire a bike in such a good condition. Great job on getting it so good looking!

[Rover]

Great job,looks fantastic.

[Digitus]

WoooHoo

Ride was GREAT! Still a bit rough though, carbs have to be adjusted and finetuned. Brakes were good enough. Not like the 6-pot calipers on the TL, but not bad either.

I noticed it farts sometimes when closing the throttle, Not really annoying, but maybe someone has an idea about it? Cant put it in neutral when standing still, but that may be due to high idle speed?

Next on my to do list is:
- Finetuning carb idle & sync
- checking my charging system
- Some kind of striping on top of the gastank to hide those hideous black spots (used to be brown with rust)
- Polishing the tank with a light abasive to bring back a bit more shine
- Polishing the wheels
- painting front calipers
- find a matching side cover <- I need lotsa good luck here !
Maybe more, but I'll run into it when fiddling in the shed

For now, I have to replace the chain and sprockets on the missus' bike, which is quite an operation Top priority work, dont want a grumpy wife here !

Here's the vid of the test, enjoy ! Ignore all the wind noise...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqjK4enAFmU

And 1 more pic from the other side:

[Loki]

Bike looks fantastic, very nice work

[Guest]

Great work Digitus! That's such a fine looking motorcycle

I noticed it farts sometimes when closing the throttle, Not really annoying, but maybe someone has an idea about it?

Possibly leaks in the system - carb boots, airbox boots, airbox side covers, exhaust at the head...

Cant put it in neutral when standing still, but that may be due to high idle speed?

I found that using appropriate oil makes a lot of difference.

- find a matching side cover <- I need lotsa good luck here !

Mixing the right paint should be easy enough. Decals: http://www.bike-stickers.com/classics.htm
That's where I got mine from (very happy). Maybe they want to sell you just what you need?

[Digitus]

Hi all, Its been some time since my last post.
After some great rides, I am doing some maintenance. I also found an original set of gs850 carbs to replace the 750 ones that were on mine. Finally the choke where it belongs !

I also ran into this problem: one exhaust header bolt came loose, its one that I didnt dare tighten, because the thread inside the head has been worn away. Is this easy to repair without taking off the whole head?

I also found NOS Vetter side cases ! And cheap ! they were still in the shipping box, not even assembled, 30 years old! Mounting wasnt easy because my non-stock exhaust sits a bit higher and touched the cases...took some muscle work to get it right...

Also, my other tank and covers are at the painter...will become black with the original gold/red striping, as this tank is leaking if the gas level reaches the suzuki logos

Heres a pic of last week, before I started work on it....