1982 GS300 Project - Where do I start

[Guest]

If your worried, bring the engine inside. Cover it well and wrap the thing up with pallet wrap so it doesn't smell. Bounce sheets help with keeping the smell down as well, Just throw a few in there with it.

But realistically these bikes have sat outside uncovered for 2-3 decades. I doubt one season outside will hurt it.
Then again my bike is outside and the engine is in my spare room


Liquid tape will be alright for the stud. Its just there for weatherproofing and so you don't accidentally short anything out.

10 gauge should be fine but usually you want the feed to the fuse box to be bigger than anything coming off of it.

When you get it running see how much voltage drop there is between the battery and the feed wire. If its more than, or anywhere near 0.50v then go bigger.

The voltmeter is pretty awesome Eh! You could mount it anywhere or maybe make a small box for it
Wire it into your gauge lights. That's one of the things that will always be on with the key and that circuit has a light load so it will show if the overall voltage of the bike goes down.


Use a good Vinyl electrical tape on everything.b Not the 39 cent variety.

[Guest]

Neat work Jake, I like it!

As long as your motors in the shed and not just sitting outside I wouldn't worry. Just make sure no little critters can crawl in too I guess.

Personally I would've used insulated connectors on the fuse box (I'm paranoid about live wires not being insulated) and yes I'd do something about that post too.

[hjacobmiller]

Thanks guys!

Yeah, I guess the bike was in a lot worse shape when I got it so one season in a covered shed won't hurt it. I'll turn over the engine this weekend with a wrench just for good measure.

A couple quick questions:

1. Does any one know where I can source some new perches for my front drum brake and clutch that have the necessary electrical mounts? I.e. so that you have to pull clutch in to start, actuate brake light, etc.? I want to replace the stock because I'm going to throw some bar end mirrors and new grips on.

2. Pete - where did you source your grille from? I can't make up my mind whether I want that or the visor - maybe both? I think we have the same size headlight...

I ordered some drill polishing wheels and compound from HBT so I can start polishing up the wheels once the cold weather breaks and I stop working so much.

I think I've decided I'm going to polish what was originally polished and then just repaint what was black with flat black. It will give it a darker meaner look, which I know is not 100% the chevy look but I think it will go well with the gaiters.

I've been thinking about a way to fix up/strengthen the side covers. Instead of trying to replace the broken nub I was thinking of cutting all of the nubs down with a dremel and then JB welding a long bolt on the back and using a wing nut and washer on the other side of the frame tab. This would take a lot of pressure off removing and putting back on. Thoughts?

My goal is to have the bike (with engine, wheels, etc.) to the exhaust shop by April 1 and then to paint right after. SO MUCH TO DO IN SO LITTLE TIME! ARG I NEED WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND VACATION DAYS FROM WORK!

[Guest]

Good to hear from you Jake... not sure on your perches other than a local wrecker, eBay, or maybe MikesXS may have something new to suit?

The grill I got from eBay in the UK and they're sold in a pair for Mini headlights which are 7" like mine.

I have a feeling the L models have a 5 3/4" or so headlight so measure yours to be sure.

Wingnuts would work I'd imagine but whether or not JB weld is the right thing is a different story... I can't imagine why it wouldn't work but I'm not expert on that stuff...

You can do it mate, just get stuck in! And bugger the cold, just harden up and do it!

[hjacobmiller]

Hey Folks,

Not too much to report. Been working crazy hours, close to 70 every week and just hopefully my last state licensing exams.

We had a slight break in the rainy cold weather this weekend so I made up my mind about what I was going to do about the perches:











Nothing too fancy, just gave the a very quick dusting on the denim wheel with whatever polishing compound was on there from the last time. I just wanted to give it a little something.

Thinking something like these for mirrors and grips:

http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Billet-Aluminum-Handlebar-Rearview/dp/B005BLP8VO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1398W8HMD431V&coliid=I3MQPHRJXBMW4E

http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Biltwell-Kung-Fu-Grips-7-8-Natural?sc=134&category=3223476

What do people do for bar end mirrors with grips? Just cut the middle of the end of the grip out or are there special grips?

Debating what I should do about the wheels. I spent about twenty minutes trying to polish what was previously shiny and said the hell with that. Too much work for something that is just going to get scraped up. Thinking about polishing the hub as much as possible and then painting everything else. Thoughts?

Looking like I'm going to miss a bit of riding season because I'm going to be traveling for work during the weeks starting in two weeks. Will give me a chance to save some money though because the client will be paying for everything!

[Guest]

The levers look good Jake, nicely done!

I went with blacked out wheels and a raw aluminium lip to avoid having to keep them polished. Too much work!

As for bar end mirrors and grips, I have foam grips and they have open ends, so my hand guards go into the end of the bars real easy.

[Guest]

Hey Jake, haven't seen you around in a while... any progress?

[hjacobmiller]

Hey Jake, haven't seen you around in a while... any progress?

Hey Pete -

It's been TOO long! I have been traveling a lot for work - flying to another city every week for the past two months. Then the lady and I took a vacation and we just got back last Friday.

I have to say, I do not have too much progress to report, unfortunately. Except for I powerwashed, primed and painted the engine.

I felt motivated a couple of weekends ago so I decided to go ahead and get it done.

Here are a few pictures. It's like a metal-flake flameproof black. Pretty sharp looking in the sun.

Before:







Powerwashed and primed:







All cleaned up:








I just ordered a ton of parts from Boulevard, Z1 and ebay, which hopefully will be here in the next couple of weeks. I won't be able to really spend a whole lot of time wrapping it up until June because I'm still working on passing my state boards. One exam is holding me up!

Thanks for checking in - I miss working on it so bad and want to ride!

[Guest]

Mate good job! I like the colour choice... you just need some elbow grease polishing up those case covers and you'll be laughin'

I hear ya' on the busy work though, I'm a tad hectic myself lately.

[hjacobmiller]

Some of my parts came in so I took a break from studying.







Had to shave down quite a bit on the throttle tube to get these to fit so I put a quick coat of paint to snazz it up a bit..



These gauges cleaned up alright.




I think it will look nice if it ever gets done...

[83_450E]

Wow that looks better than mine ever will. Good work!

[Guest]

Nice work Jake! You'll get her done, just gotta persevere as time allows until you hit that point when she's "mostly" done... then you'll suddenly find all this spare time to pour in for the home stretch

[hjacobmiller]

Nice work Jake! You'll get her done, just gotta persevere as time allows until you hit that point when she's "mostly" done... then you'll suddenly find all this spare time to pour in for the home stretch

Cheers Pete!

Yeah, I'm hoping. PS - I got a little surprise in the mail today.

[Guest]

Awesome, that should be spot on for what you want! What's it from?

[hjacobmiller]

2010 Triumph Bonneville. Have to figure out how to mount it though. I'm thinking of using the existing tail light bracket. We'll see though.