1980 GS850 rebuild / bobber

[BobberDave]

Morning everyone.

Figure eventhough I don't post much if at all I'll throw the forum a bone and post up some of the rebuild of the bike I just picked up from a guy.

Little back story (from what I know)

1980 GS850
Bobbed out
Hard tailed
Pretty much fully customized
I can't find much on this biker other than engine/tank that's stock anymore as I go through it.

Either way....

Picked up the bike down in Daytona 2 weeks ago and brought her home. She ran good for a little bit then decided to have a nice big OIL SEAL LEAK!!!!! yeah, for those of you that know... it's a real PITA!

To make matters worse, looks like who ever hard tailed this thing welded with the shaft, rear tire, etc still attached. BAD NEWS! Here's why....

In order to replace the oil seal where the shaft meets the engine the ONLY way to do that is to remove the shaft completely. Well being that the struts are hard welded to the frame and other such items there is only ONE way to get to this $11.58 seal and replace it..... you said it..... REMOVE ENGINE!!!! DAMNIT:evil::evil:

So that being said I decided for a complete overhaul on bike and literally "make it my own". I'm going to keep the same basic bobber look but I'll post pics as I go.

For the time being the bike is sitting in the garage as a bunch of parts, frame, engine on blocks, and i'm awaiting a $11.58 part to replace.

Putting 16" apes, dropping the bike lower, repaint (rattle can) everything. Cosmetically I'm redoing the entire bike. Engine and carbs I'm not going to touch at ALL unless absolutely needed (pray it's not).

So that being said... here's some current eye candy and pics will be posted as I work on it and get her squared away. My deadline is next wednesday parts on order pending......

 

[BobberDave]

Prior to my hands touching it

 

[BobberDave]

Beginning of tear down

 

[harley10]

That sucks you have to remove the engine , but while it's out you can paint engine ,Brian

Looks like a cool project

 

[BobberDave]

Februrary 27th Update:

Got the oil seal in yesterday. Can't believe such a little thing has caused such an issue. I should have just JB welded the damn seal and called it a day!

Anyways,

Finish a few smaller parts in the media blaster to prep for paint.

Intentions are to have ALL hard bolted on parts rattle canned in satin/glossy black. Frame as well

Tank, fenders - flat/matte black with red skull pinstriping on rear and tank later

Plug wires, carb filters, clutch lever, grips, couple highlights around the bike - red metallic/red

Anyways...

Got the part in, brought engine to work to use impact gun. After seal replaced then I move on to cleaning.

Plan on only spraying degreaser over entire bike - then wash.

Then prep - paint - and put bike back together again.

I did order my ape hangers for it and they will be here monday. Got a set from motorcycle-superstore.com for $41 shipped to my door. 7/8" x 16" SWEET.


Here's some pics of the build.....

 

[BobberDave]

overall view of garage

 

[BobberDave]

oil seal where this all started from......

 

[BobberDave]

$11.58 oil seal

$54.88 engine / gear oil

$45.44 spray paint

Getting chicks after I have a sick bobber that will blow their skirts up...... PRICELESS... HA HA :-\\\

Anyways, here's the new oil seal

 

[Nessism]

You going to add a baffle to the exhaust?

Shell Rotella diesel oil = $12/gallon at Walmart.

 

[BobberDave]

You going to add a baffle to the exhaust?

Shell Rotella diesel oil = $12/gallon at Walmart.

NOPE! Sounds mean as hell as is and don't plan on messing with jet kit (that's another headache).

And I picked up some rotella oil. I was just throwing a random number out there. Thanks for callin me out on prices!

 

[cowboyup3371]

Please put something in there...people already have a love-hate relationship with bikes thanks to other obnoxious ones.

 

[BobberDave]

Please put something in there...people already have a love-hate relationship with bikes thanks to other obnoxious ones.

Oh it's not straight piles. There's a baffle in there. But just one. Not adding and/or removing anything. I like the way it sounds. If people have a problem with it.... well to each their own.

 

[Weeksz]

That's a sweet looking hardtail man.