1980 gs550 part 2

[jstone8952]

So I was a member a good while back and I ended up trading my gs after I had some issues with it.

Worst. Decision. Ever.

So recently I was in the market again (as if I ever left... pssshhh) and I re-acquired my old gs! It had sat for a year and a half and was in need of a good deal. Well, it still is. But luckily having gone through 5 bikes in the meantime I am reasonably comfortable with tackling it again. That said, what will follow is the rebuild of my old bike.

Originally I wanted to do the cafe racer thing so I stripped it down to bare bones and added clubmans. Yes, I'm one of those. I still love old cafe bikes but I want to do something just a tad different. Just a tad.

Sent my carbs off today to be rebuilt cleaned and synced. I wanted to do it myself but having sat as long as it did and having never touched carbs I decided to have a professional do it. Expensive, yes, but necessary.

Next thing I did was break out a hacksaw and cut off the excess rear frame. I just personally thing without that bench seat the bike is way too long. I then fitted the old rear fender in. Still need to pop in some bolts but the suns gong down and in Florida you dont want to be out after dark by the woods- the mosquitoes will eat you alive.

When I first got the bike after taking off the seat:

After removing the rear fender:

Shaving the badges and painting the tank primer white (still havent decided on color scheme)

Then it was traded...
Picking it up 2 years later...

More pics taken today of chopping the frame and fitting the fender- just have to upload them.

Wish me luck!

-Kris

 

[jadeasker]

Good luck! With everyone here on this forum we will fill you to the brim with good advice and tips (whether you like it or not). Have fun with your project.

 

[jstone8952]

Thanks bud. As I recall everyone on here was very willing to give opinions and advice lol

Here it is before the chop:
Waaaaayyy too long for my liking

And after with the fender:

gonna make a ghost seat for that rear fender so I need to support it fully. Not sure two bolts is gonna cut it. Also- tail light and blinker ideas? Anyone?

 

[jstone8952]

Alright so a bit of an update... I got my carbs back today. cleaned rebult and synced. We put them in and the thing wont start. I go buy new plugs and if starts with some finaggling. Runs very sluggish and only revs to 6krpm. What gives?

 

[jstone8952]

So minor update... nothing really new with the running situation... starts on a jump on occasion. has a new battery in it.

I decided that I didnt like the gauges. sat too high aboce the clubmans so I took them off. looks kind of naked without them. may put them on or go with a single gauge.

if my plug wires are wqeak can i just rplace them or do i need to get new coil packs? I can only find coil packs with plug wires I cant find them separate.

 

[jstone8952]

so im attempting to revive this thread for some help...
i realized that its not firing on the two inner cylinders, 2 and 3. they are both connected to the right side coil. its pretty difficult to get started but it does sometimes.

im flat broke. if i end up replacing parts i have to make sure im not just throwing parts at it and that i replace whats actually wrong with it. how do i tropubleshoot the coils, ignitor and rectifier? i searched but i cant find the readings i need.
i bought a multimeter but am not totally sure how to use it. anyone wanna post the readings i should get and or a link to the info i need? im not a great mechanic but im gonna end up fixing this myself.

thanks for any help.

 

[Carman34l]

Swap the coils from 1&4, if the problem follows the coil to 1 & 4 you figured it out.

Just switch the wires between the coils.