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15 years of owning my GS

Carter, that's cool that you've owned those bikes for that long...ive never had the opportunity to ride a Kat.....Heck, ive only seen one in real life once. Regarding the ES. I never liked the stock handlebars' angle. Changing them made a huge difference comfort wise. They are nice cross between cruising comfort and aggression. The extra leverage was welcome also.
 
Figured I'd do an update of sorts. With the season at an end - despite the wonderfully warm temps this week- I tend to look back at the year and think about the year from a motorcycling perspective. ..

Now 16 years and counting. .

The day after Christmas the carbs got a freshening up- teardown, cleanup, new o rings, and were installed on new intake boots that replaced the original, hard, and cracked ones. This work and a synch made a huge difference in rideability. Very pleased.

[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141226_164954_zps56af2475.jpg.html][/URL]

Then my search for my engine tick had me open the clutch cover. I figured the loose hub nut was the answer.... but I couldn't not pull the clutch and check things out inside, and I'm sure glad I did.
I found a missing shim, the washer under the clutch nut was not present, and damage to the oil pump gear, from I'm assuming the lack of clearance due to the missing shim. I would have not known had I not checked out the online fische and noticed them there. Also later discovered that the clutch sleeve was an 1100 piece, with a lot of play at the spline. I later found a new 1150 piece on ebay, bought it and installed it. It then shifted noticeably better. Pleased again....
Funny how all this time later I'm still finding PO hacks. Such is the nature of not going thru the bike top to bottom after buying it .....

Bad parts / new parts side by side.[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/20150417_174008_zpsxoelppnk.jpg.html][/URL]

Close up of the damaged gear and corresponding washer.
[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/20150329_185109_zpsufevpn7n.jpg.html][/URL]

One of the highlights from this year's trip.
[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150920_164142_zps7o7fhova.jpg.html][/URL]

As always seems to be the case, just when I think I can look at cosmetic items, mechanicals pop up....

This winter I need to fix this.[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/20150919_095747_zpsbqjnbyfs.jpg.html][/URL]

Along with a fork rebuild (leaking seals) and new tires...

Sometimes I think my bike will be like the 60 year old bike at a vintage show with a square foot of paint left on it....
 
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viperg said:
Glen,

Very well done. I feel the same way about my 1100G Cooley Rep. I have had it since I was 19 (holy shizz! 26 years) and been back and fourth across the country with it a few times. Even lived in CA twice with the 1100 as primary transportation. Met my wife while cruising on it and even taught my 16 year old son (now 22) how to ride on it. I have gotten a life time of memories from that machine and there is nothing particularly special about it other than it has been a good faithful travel companion.
Click to expand...

Another hijack coming right up... I really like your G! Makes me want to adapt a Cooley fairing for my 83 E! :encouragement:
 
No worries Dave. Every bike of Viper's (GSs and others) that I've seen here is a real beauty. His Bad Buffalo is among my favorite bikes.
 
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Ha, no kidding. For my part, I was smitten with the ES, and still am all these years later. Hindsight says I should have passed, but at the time, I had only seen one in the flesh ever, and I didn't want to miss out. Live and learn yes, but I have no regrets either.
I've still only ever seen a few in my area after all of these years. And two if them were my cousins'

I always get a laugh when our Canadian members link ads to them on a regular basis.
 
...another year..

...another year..

2016 was my worst year for riding since I started with only around 500 miles ridden.With the garage in use as a carpentry shop and house projects dominating last winter / spring, my list of winter projects on the bike didn't get addressed until late spring. I still have a set of tires in the garage waiting to get installed...

First up was repairing the fairing mounting boss that broke off of the frame.

[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/20150919_095747_zpsbqjnbyfs.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160617_224921_zps533gibhv.jpg.html][/URL]

Then I rode a while fairing-less.
[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160710_160720_zpsxl7vvbsh.jpg.html][/URL]


Then new for me territory - fork rebuild. It was ultimately a success, but not without operator fault.
[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160807_225547_zpsdxngwwg6.jpg.html][/URL]


Thread here...
http://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...3-First-foray-into-fork-rebuilding&highlight=

Then FINALLY after years of half arsed looking, I found a set of mid panels and front fender in the proper '85 color from a member here (Jareness) and was very pleased.
[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160827_192014-1_zpsrt5vwonk.jpg.html][/URL]
 
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Today started warm with and on and off rain and about 60? at best, then a front came thru mid afternoon. It's about 40? now. I thought about trying to grab a quick ride, but we're playing catch up. We're hosting Christmas dinner, and I got called into work yesterday.
I generally like to keep the bike ready for an impromptu ride over the winter, but a few tasks will make unrideable for a bit.
While the wheels are off for tire replacement, im planning to paint them all black. Ive toyed with this idea for years, and on this rare occasion that both tires are getting changed together, what better time? I also need to pull off the header for paint as well.

I also have an 1150 stator cover coming from Mick to replace the older style one that came with mine. This will give me good reason to inspect the
starter / stator side of things.
 
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Two of my sisters still live in Ohio, so while I was getting dressed to hike yesterday in 36 degree starting temps, they were telling me about highs in the 20's and lows below 10. I get spoiled here, and that transfers into riding, since one can essentially ride year-round. The 1150 should be on the road this week, and is being re-wrapped in a new color week after. Happy holidays, Glen-and stay as warm as weather and wheels allow.
 
Thanks Pilot. I'm going to go out on a limb and wish you a Happy Solstice, and Merry New Year.:D Enjoy.
I'm looking forward to hearing about how your 1150 turns out.
 
Cheers, my friend. I celebrate christmas, but yes, with a decided wink towards its older origins. It's all fun.
 
Crossroads?

Crossroads?

The future of my beloved bike in its current state is uncertain.....

After the work on the rear wheel was finished, and upon installation, it was found that the chain would not line up. Running a straight edge from the front sprocket (touching the front and back of the front sprocket) to the back places it inboard of the rear sprocket and nowhere near parallel. It pretty much confirms what I've figured. Either PO damage, my own wreck, or both has bent something. When the wheel was off, I gave the swingarm a good back and forth shake, and no play was found. The front sprocket also has some wear on its inside.

I'm not angry, but certainly bummed. In one respect, nothing is changed. It's been this way for years, and I'll continue to ride it as is, but I can't see continuing putting money into beyond maintenance / safety related items.
There's little money to replace the bike, so I'm figuring the least expensive, and of course, most labor intensive route would be a frame swap, which I'll be keeping an eye out for.

Time will tell.....
it does look great with the black wheels. Go figure, it looks the best it has in years.
 
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Ah, Glen, that sucks. Still, it's not too hard to strip the frame, and there must be places there that can true one, no?
 
Heck, I don't yet know. Looking around it seems there's a lot that could have happened, but nothing obvious. It took a substantial hit under the previous owner - front engine case lug was broken off and welded back on. Undisclosed at purchase, and unnoticed by me until years later. It took a pretty good hit when I crashed years ago as well.
Frames come up on e bay ocassionally for a decent price. I'm trying not to lose my cool over this.
This damn inanimate object really has become a part of me.
 
Sorry to hear this Glen. I hope you can find a titled frame.


Ed
 
Ed, thanks. No need to be sorry though.... just another chapter to come. And a perfect excuse to paint a frame black:cool:. It will be business as usual until then.
 
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