82 GS850L Restoration

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  • Welldr
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    82 GS850L Restoration

    Good evening. I just found this group tonight. I'm in the planning and hunting stage of bringing my GS850L back to life. Its mechanically strong. (Except for reading 2 batteries every summer.) So I'm looking at mostly paint, chrome, rubber bushings, and trim parts.
  • jsandidge
    Forum Sage
    Past Site Supporter
    • Jun 2013
    • 1482
    • Norfolk, Virginia

    #2
    Welcome to the site. You have a great bike. I may be a bit partial, as I have the same model. You can check out my restoration in my signature.
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
    1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
    1981 HD XLH

    Drew's 850 L Restoration

    Drew's 83 750E Project

    Comment

    • Welldr

      #3
      Seat covers

      Thanks for the welcome. Does anyone here have experience with the replacement seat covers? Are there any that can be trusted for a good fit?

      Comment

      • steve murdoch
        Forum Guru
        Past Site Supporter
        • May 2004
        • 8491
        • St. Catharines, On.

        #4
        Welcome to the site.
        "reading 2 batteries every summer"....not sure what this means? Troubles with the charging system?
        If so have a read through this quick test for possible causes. https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...tem-QUICK-TEST
        2@ \'78 GS1000

        Comment

        • Redman
          Forum LongTimer
          Past Site Supporter
          • Mar 2004
          • 13717
          • Michigan, west Michigan

          #5
          Originally posted by Welldr
          Good evening. I just found this group tonight. I'm in the planning and hunting stage of bringing my GS850L back to life. Its mechanically strong. (Except for reading 2 batteries every summer.) So I'm looking at mostly paint, chrome, rubber bushings, and trim parts.
          Welcome to GSR.

          Good that you found GSR so soon. I didnt find GSR until having GSs for 20 years.
          (1982-2002 har har har).

          When you say "back to life", do you mean it has been sitting, not running for some time? If so, there probably are other things to attend do.

          "Need two batterys in one summer". Seems like charging system is suspect. Something else that should be on the prioroity list of things needing attention. You didnt mention any voltage readings. You will need a volt meter (multimeter). See above mentioned "Quick Check". Report here or in Electrical section.

          Pictures, we need pictures.

          .
          http://webpages.charter.net/ddvrnr/GS850_1100_Emblems.jpg
          Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
          GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


          https://imgur.com/YTMtgq4

          Comment

          • jsandidge
            Forum Sage
            Past Site Supporter
            • Jun 2013
            • 1482
            • Norfolk, Virginia

            #6
            Originally posted by Welldr
            Thanks for the welcome. Does anyone here have experience with the replacement seat covers? Are there any that can be trusted for a good fit?
            I used Pit Replica. Very good fit. Look for them on ebay. It will take a little while to get one, they ship from Thailand.
            https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
            1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
            1981 HD XLH

            Drew's 850 L Restoration

            Drew's 83 750E Project

            Comment

            • Welldr

              #7
              Originally posted by steve murdoch
              Welcome to the site.
              "reading 2 batteries every summer"....not sure what this means? Troubles with the charging system?
              If so have a read through this quick test for possible causes. https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...tem-QUICK-TEST
              Should have been "eating batteries". I'm sure there are charging problems. Thanks for the link.

              Comment

              • Welldr

                #8
                I've owned the bike since new. I was away from it for about 20 years. Three years ago I got it on the road again. Now it sat this past year. Mostly by back to life I ment a respectable life. Look good as well as run good. I'll get some pictures here soon.

                Comment

                • Welldr

                  #9
                  Originally posted by jsandidge
                  I used Pit Replica. Very good fit. Look for them on ebay. It will take a little while to get one, they ship from Thailand.
                  I'll look into that. Time isn't an issue. I just don't want something that looks like a throw cover.

                  Comment

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