1980 gs450 project, oh boy

[Guest]

Bugger on the exhaust... the L's are definitely a little different with the mounting, but I'd also just do a steel strap or something for the moment.

With your carbs, sounds like you need to replace the intake boots on the head that they slip into, and get new O rings too. I got mine for about $US25 each from Boulevard Suzuki and they were well worth it.

With the clutch, run it carefully on the centre stand to start with and get it warmed up, see if it will release the clutch properly there.

If not, you will need to try with the rear wheel on the ground to break it free.

Don't forget to get a real good solid grip on the front brake if you need to do that!

 

[MLow]

Thanks for the advice. Something I read said to run it in gear on the stand, pull the clutch in and slam the rear brake, rinse repeat until it frees.

I'm changing the oil now. Think I have a steel bar at my dad's I may go pick that up. Have to leave for for work in an hour tho. Wanted to try and get her running before that but slept in.

 

[Guest]

That could work, although I'd try increasing pressure on the rear brake rather than slamming it... inertia could knock it off the stand

 

[jeffasaurus2]

Are you able to unbolt and flip over the brackets on the exhaust? If I recall correctly my T had brackets that could be unbolted from the muffler...

 

[MLow]

Nope they are welded tabs, no bolts.

However, I have good news.

She runs. Well it seems. Filled the float bowls with gas, put some rags over the intake. Fired right up on choke, left it run for a seconds, then could take choke off. Idled very nice and smooth, no stuttering or anything. Just rhythmic idle.

From here I have little things. And the tires to worry about.

The clutch seemed to loosen up a bit after the new oil warmed. Was relieved. So I suspect, it will need to just be warmed up and worked a bit.

As far as the tires go. The size listed for front is 3.00-18 which I can only find moped tires in that size. The rear is 100 something so it's a motorcycle tired I don't think I will have much trouble finding it.

Thanks for all the help guys the finish line is near.

 

[MLow]

Sorry to double post but I forgot to mention that the carbs T joint for the fuel leaks like a sieve. Is there any way to stop that aside from buying a new one?

Also found the rear is a 100/90/18, pretty small but what do I know. Front is a 3.00-18, I'm hoping that it's tubeless it looks tubeless.

 

[jeffasaurus2]

They aren't tubeless rims, which is what matters. I've heard you can run the cast rims as tubeless but the spoked ones are a no go.

Good news is: You can run tubeless tires with tubes, no problem!

While tire selection is pretty limited for our rim sizes there are a few good options. I've got the Bridgestone Battleax's and like them, I've nothing to really compare them to though.

I've heard Shinko makes something that works and avon as well.

 

[jeffasaurus2]

Oh, also, great news that it runs!

also, my bike is usually pretty stiff to push around with the clutch pulled in unless its warmed up. I usually make sure its in neutral before I move it around.

 

[MLow]

I think both are tubeless on it now, that are cast rims. I guess that's what I'll do, still unsure about what sizes to go with though. I guess I'll go with what's on them. Need to buy the tires Doon if I want them here before the weekend. Each weekend that passes is colder at this pace I won't get much riding done. So that stiffness might be normal? I swapped the t joint with the old set of incomplete carbs still leaks. Wonder what I should do.

 

[Gorminrider]

18"? cast rims? on my gsx400E,
Shinko Tourmaster 3.00"x18 will fit the front.
DURO tubeless 110/90/18 on the rear with a tube in it.
They are adequate to see if the bike will run long enough to warrant better tires.
ie: look at Pirelli Speed Demons for a matched set .
The originals from the parts fiche were IRC or Bridgestone

I seem to recall the fuel T has o-rings and these can be replaced

 

[MLow]

I didn't see any on the 2 sets I have but I'll take a looksie at the fiche.

About the tires, I'll take pics. Maybe I'm reading them wrong.

 

[Guest]

On the 450's, the fuel T is a single piece item and unless you can find a generic one to fit, you will need a new one. No O rings unfortunately... I had exactly the same problem with mine. I think it was about $US17 from Boulevard Suzuki from memory...

Your 450 is an E or S, so an 18" x 1.60" rim up front and 18" x 1.85" rim in back.

Stock tyres were 3.00-18 front and 3.50-18 rear.

I'm with Gorminrider on the Pirelli Sport Demons, they are just awesome tyres.

100/90-18 front, 110/90-18 rear.

I have never gotten so close to not having chicken strips on tyres as I have with these Sport Demons, good in wet or dry and they don't seem to wear too fast either. I destroyed the centre of my last rear in 6500km's with the daily commute, doesn't seem to be happening with the SD's.

 

[MLow]

And with cast rims I go tubeless? I'm thinking about getting cheaper tires just to test first. Then go for something better.

As for that T I'm not sure what to do. Can't seem to find a new one. Wonder if there is another way of doing it, maybe another type of T will fit. Or do you think the best thing to do is hold out for the proper part.

I'm also missing the rear fender so I have nothing to mount the rear combo lamp or signals on. I was initially thinking I'd make something but that's seeming more difficult now. Same goes for the headlight, no backing for it, have the bulb with the cable though.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, forgot to say I run tubes in the SD's, I don't want to risk losing air by going tubeless on tubed rims.

Hunt around for a T but I haven't seen one anyone here that would fit, but you guys in the US have a better selection of parts.

You can likely get a mudguard from some other bike to fit, I adapted a GTR1000 front guard to the rear of mine and some random 125cc dirt bike guard for the front.

The stock headlight on these is horrible in my opinion so I replaced mine with an aftermarket one with a H4 bulb. Much improved.

 

[MLow]

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/6187/ITEM/Shinko-230-Tour-Master-Front-Tire.aspx

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/6205/ITEM/Shinko-712-Rear-Tire.aspx

Are the tires I'm looking at for cheapo, get on the road tires.

I've bought tires from them a lot and they sell good tires at cheap prices, shipped to a guy directly that fixes up bikes and I've taken my bike to whenever I needed to.

I'm still missing my handlebar clamps, and that bracket for the rear. That and the headlight/carb T are what's keeping me from a test ride.

As for the handlebar clamps and headlight, I'm thinking just get them from a bike shop, there's a cyclegear not too far from me. Sell's stuff like that.

 

[MLow]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9WtnMTQ1uI

 

[MLow]

Someone help me out with this. Trying to get the airbox back in after fixing it(cracks) with plastic epoxy.

How? It's like theres no room, I've tried googling it but I have only found posts where people say something like "i don't know how but I did it".

EDIt: Tried at it for another 20 minutes, broke off the breather hose nipple . There doesn't seem to be a way without taking the engine part way off. I got the handlebar clamps in the mail and put those on. Put the front fender on as well.

EDIT2: 3 hours later, got it in from the rear, took the wheel off.

 

[MLow]

Epoxied things back into shape after breaking off some bits of the airbox getting it in. Glad I did, so I won't have to worry about silly jetting things with pods.

And...took it out for a test ride(yes on old ass tires, please do make fun of me). It pulls like a F*$%ing beast. My commuter bike is a ninja500. And this thing has way more pull at low rpm. Plus I really like the seating position, nice and upright, but not too upright. I feel comfy for sure. Got thru 4 gears just putting along in the hood, but I feel pretty good about the engine. It hasn't acted weird or anything. Shifts smooth, no loud noises. I'm stoked.

Need headlight, stop light, signals, and new tires.

Ordered a classic style dome headlight, 7", with a H4 halogen 60/55w bulb. Don't know what to do about the signals, I don't have a relay or anywhere to mount the rear ones. The stoplight needs a place to be mounted, I made some exhasut brackets out of 1/8" steel, pretty damn solid. So I figure I whip something up with the same steel and paint it red or something. I have a candy red metallic that matches a little. Least it won't look bad.

It really shocked me when I was riding slow and BAM 4,000 rpm it pulled like an ox.

 

[Guest]

Excellent, glad to hear she's running!

I find 5.5 - 6K RPM up to about 9K is when you hit the real fun zone.

Keep her there through the twisties and you will have lots of fun

 

[MLow]

Well now I need to go about ordering tires and trying to sort the legal situation.

So what do you say for tires? Keep in mind the legal situation of this bike is still a little south. 3.0-18 tube and 100/90-18 tire in front? 3.5-18 tube and 110/90-18 tire in rear?

Here's the ouchie part.......wait for it.... title is open...and out of state...signed and dated 2 years ago. I may as well just go for a bonded/lost title application I think.