1980 GS450s with 2,037 miles

[Guest]

I am a proud new owner of a 1980 GS450s. It was last registered in July 2003. I bought it in April 2020 with an intention to turn into a Racer Cafe. Is that a Taboo in this forum? As the title said, it only has 2,037 miles. It did not even had a chance for the first recommended first oil change. Like new compression when I tested it. Only one of two plugs had spark. Swap left and right copil and had the same result on same spark plug with no spark.

I bought it for $200.00.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Welcome

I wouldn?t necessarily say that chopping up old bikes is frowned upon. Except, yeah, in cases like yours where it appears to be complete, It would be kind of a shame. But it?s your bike, do what you want. What I would suggest is that you get the bike running, and running/tuned well, with the factory airbox, carb, exhaust set up. Then you have a baseline. If you start by chopping it up, putting pod filters on it and a straight open exhaust on it, and butchering the electrics, you can pretty much be assure that it?s gonna be a bad, frustrating time.

Start by creating A signature with, at a minimum, your bike info. Then you?ll never have to type it again. Start at the Settings at the top right of this page, the look on the left side for Edit signature.

Then spend a while in the top 10 Newbie Mistakes thread linked in my signature.

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

I am a proud new owner of a 1980 GS450s. It was last registered in July 2003. I bought it in April 2020 with an intention to turn into a Racer Cafe. Is that a Taboo in this forum? As the title said, it only has 2,037 miles. It did not even had a chance for the first recommended first oil change. Like new compression when I tested it. Only one of two plugs had spark. Swap left and right copil and had the same result on same spark plug with no spark.

I bought it for $200.00.

View attachment 61343

Welcome to the GSR forum.

Check the spark plug caps, they unscrew from the wire, clip off about 1/4" of wire and reinstall, also check the resistor in the cap, sometimes they get corroded and prevent the spark from getting to the plug.

BTW that is a nice bike with mini fairing, quite sort after around where I live and would sell for 10 times what you paid.

David.

 

[steve murdoch]

As stated, mechanical issues sorted first, cosmetics second.
Not many of those bikes around let alone complete ones. Doesn't mean it is worth a lot of money but if you do eventually cafe or customize it try to do it without cutting the frame or altering the bodywork. Aftermarket components are available.

Welcome to the site.

 

[rphillips]

OH BOY!!!, another Tennessean, Welcome. $200 is cheap enough to Cafe' but yours looks way too nice. A nice complete, old, orig., bike should be saved. Find something used & abused that doesn't deserve bringing back to kind'f orig. to do that to. Like he said, it's yours so do what you want, but sure not many 450 "S" models left. As always, just my opinion. If you get up this way, just holler, we'll have a bologna sandwich & cold drink down at the "NORENE GENERAL STORE".

 

[Gorminrider]

I bought it in April 2020 with an intention to turn into a Racer Cafe. Is that a Taboo in this forum?

Not taboo,but it'd be a great pity, especially if you don't know what you're doing. I have a very similar bike ('81 GSX400E) and it's great just the way it is.

Get it running, polish it up, and ride it awhile.

 

[Larry D]

I am a proud new owner of a 1980 GS450s. It was last registered in July 2003. I bought it in April 2020 with an intention to turn into a Racer Cafe. Is that a Taboo in this forum? As the title said, it only has 2,037 miles. It did not even had a chance for the first recommended first oil change. Like new compression when I tested it. Only one of two plugs had spark. Swap left and right copil and had the same result on same spark plug with no spark.

I bought it for $200.00.


View attachment 61343

I WANT THAT FAIRING !!!!!

If you are going to trash it......please.....​

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome, and cool cycle. I dig the 450 E and S bikes as they left Japan. Nice, tidy, and fun looking bikes. Your bike your choice though. Personally I'd lean towards a stock is envelope. A 450 resto mod would be awesome, but that requires more thought and engineering then cutting off parts and tacking on caf? kit. Not casting question on your skill, just a general statement. .....

 

[Guest]

My apologies to all the purists. I was fortunate and only have to replaced CDI and starter solenoid and the bike started and ran perfect. I purchased this bike last April of this year and already started the Cafe Racer project for the last three months. I hesitated for two months, spent hours on Photoshop, and stared at the bikes for hours before any trimmings and cuttings. It will not be all Chinese/Ebay's parts Cafe Racer. I have searched far and wide for old stocks parts and already spent $1,400.00 plus on parts for a $200.00 bike. I am at the 30% completion, testing and fitting parts process. I attached two photos from Flickr. If you scroll in Flickr on my public account, you will see my other projects. ie. Jaguars and Miata. This bike build for me is more of building a moving sculpture.

IMG_6 by quoc nguyen, on Flickr

IMG_6342 by quoc nguyen, on Flickr

 

[rphillips]

Well, at least you had a pretty nice old bike for a little while. Good luck with the project, wherever it takes you. Did you get hold of LarryD, he's wanting a old orig. "S" fairing.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Well then, carry on. Following with interest.

If you haven’t already, check out Urban Monk on YouTube. He has a great 3 year caf? build of a 78 GS 500 fully documented and well done.

 

[steve murdoch]

It has nothing to do with being a "purist".
I like cafe/custom bikes. Personally speaking i think the starting point should be a basket case/ crash victim/ parts bike not a complete stock bike.

But again, it is your bike, do whatever you want to it. Good luck.

 

[Grimly]

I expect the half-done mess up on CL within another couple of months, with some ridiculous price.

Please prove me wrong, and do a decent job.
Don't be just another sawzall merchant.

 

[Larry D]

I STILL WANT THAT FAIRING !!!!!
Sorry I didn't mean to shout.
Please contact me if you still have it. I am willing to pay a fair price.