82 850GL Resto...here we go

GT, awesome progress, getting on with the wiring harness, I am still walking big, huge loops around mine. But yours is looking really good.
She is going to be something else when done.
Drop Hampshire Hog a PM for the place that sells the auto wire, all colors all sizes, anything you want.
They in the UK, but how much can it cost to ship a small roll across?

And be nice about the G....irls bikes

Wasn't able to touch the bike yesterday or today. Too much going on this weekend with the Easter Egg Hunt and Skeet Shoot. Both were a great success but cut into my bike time!

Anyone know where I can find white wire with a red stripe? Can't seem to find that anywhere. I need to replace mine in the harness.

[cowboyup3371]

Thanks Good Times, that's a great idea for removing that gunk (might want to throw it in the tips section).

I hope you have better luck with the Simple Green soak than I did. After about 5 hours, I still had to scrub and rub pretty good with a rag before anything came clean. If you are luckier, please tell me your secret.

The simple green did a really good job on the grease and dirt. I didn't let it soak that long. Only a couple of hours. It does not take care of residual tape adhesive though. I just happened to look over on my shelf where I had some Ronsonol. Fluid for my Zippo lighter. I keep a Zippo lighter not because I smoke, but because I think they are cool and I made it all the way to Weeblo in the Scouts and like to be prepared.

Here's a link for the Ronsonol: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/ron...021241-product

Anyway, the Ronsonol said on the bottle that it removed label adhesive. I used it on the sleeve and it cleaned up really well quickly. I'll use it on any other adhesive I come across that I want to remove.

Today, when I get time after the big Easter Egg hunt at church, I'll start cataloging the wires I need to replace and see if I can find the right colors and connectors locally. Then I'll shop online if needed.

[Dogma]

...
Saw the factory splices and wonder if I need to check these as well.

I went through a similar process on my 1000G. I inspected every splice, and the only one that had any sign of trouble was the red power wire that carries the load from the R/R output. The soldered connection under the tape was starting to show signs or corrosion. My rearrangement of the charging system wiring eliminated the high currents at that splice, but I'm sure I re-made it. With lovely double-wall heat shrink tubing instead of tape. I will say though, the factory tape had done a good job of protecting all the other splices.

[cowboyup3371]

I hope you have better luck with the Simple Green soak than I did. After about 5 hours, I still had to scrub and rub pretty good with a rag before anything came clean. If you are luckier, please tell me your secret.

Into the belly of the beast...

That's some funny stuff Steve!!!

That white tire is off of a G...irl's bike though and won't work on the L.

The wiring harness has been looming over my head. Pun intended. I tend to think about things too much. Should I build a new one, repair this one, change out some connectors, all connectors, vintage connectors, weatherpack, replace all bullet with spade, etc. etc. etc.???????

Then I get to the point where the little voice in my head says, just take the stupid thing apart and dive in. So that's what I did after taking many many pictures of every connector and label. Wound up with this big pile of old tape, plastic sleeves and wahr.



Saw the factory splices and wonder if I need to check these as well.


Eventually it got dunked in the Simple Green Spa. I think a wiring harness should take a bath every 30 years whether it needs it or not.


I will hit the connectors with some electronics contact cleaner I picked up at walmart today after I take it out. It should be nice and clean.

I want to upgrade the electrical system. Planning on replacing the fuse block with a PC-8 thanks to Mr. Steve. I also want to install some relays. Not sure which ones to do though. Coil, headlights, horn, etc. etc. Suggestions, thoughts?

I know a little bit about electricity. I've been shocked more than once in my life. I just feel like this is a little out of my wheelhouse though. But I ain't skeered.

Also picked up a few more SS bolts today that I missed for the lower right motor mount.

[Steve]

That skinny little wire wheel looks kinda cool under that front end.

Not so sure about the white tire, though.

.

1982 was my first year at Uni. In some ways riding motorbikes is a lot safer than my first year at Uni was...

Loving the shocks! I cant figure how to take mine apart... they have a stupid chrome sleeve that covers half the coils...

For the most part it's hard to argue with OEM. Suzuki got a lot right in these bikes. For me it's the styling stuff that dates - for example I couldn't have a bike with a square headlight! I like to swap around stuff like lights and seats to try and make the bike look more timeless.

I think your bike will be amazing. So cool to have a bike that 30 yrs old yet looks brand new. Good way to mess with people's heads!

Got me thinking. 1982 was a good year. I think I may call my bike "The Eye of The Tiger"....."Ebony and Ivory"........instead of the GS850GL emblems I could have "867-5309" air brushed on.....

Maybe I should ask "Jack and Diane," but they are working through their "Tainted Love" because it's "Hard to Say I'm Sorry." Jack wanted to get "Physical" but Diane said, "I Can't Go For That." I just hope they "Don't Stop Believin."

Ok back to work on our "Chariots of Fire."

For the most part it's hard to argue with OEM. Suzuki got a lot right in these bikes. For me it's the styling stuff that dates - for example I couldn't have a bike with a square headlight! I like to swap around stuff like lights and seats to try and make the bike look more timeless.

I think your bike will be amazing. So cool to have a bike that 30 yrs old yet looks brand new. Good way to mess with people's heads!

Jimmy, I'm going mostly OEM. I think I will get some aftermarket grips. Yellow with pink ends.

One day the list will come to an end! Then I'll be making a list of places to ride!!!

Ok you have all convinced me - I'm not painting any part of my engine! I'm going to wait 'til it needs new rings and get it hydrablasted.

GT are you going OEM all the way? Not going to personalise it with different grips at least? :-) BTW it's hard NOT to make lists. If I didn't make lists I would never have gotten this far!

[/QUOTE]

I agree with that, I'm not a fan of coating air cooled cylinders or heads to be honest. I know allot of people do and don't have issues but it will affect the amount of heat transfer to an extent. I just like giving the motor every opportunity to cool off, it will eventually contribute to long term engine health.[/QUOTE]

Right. Another concern is how the powder coat would hold up. From what I understand it's not a high temp material.

After telling my wife about how great your powdercoated frame looked and "completing the necesary paperwork" I was able to secure funds to get my frame, swingarm, and centerstand professionally powdercoated to match all of the other pieces I PC'd in a toaster oven. Thanks GT, Your work is helping others in ways you probably didn't imagine!

So glad to hear that I could help a brotha' out. I will feel free to use your thread the same way if I come across something I need done.

You will love the result of the powder coated frame. I would just sit out in the garage and look at mine. Almost a shame to hang all those parts back on it!

I look forward to seeing some pics of the results.