78 gs 400 runs after sitting 19 years

[barnbiketom]

i got this one yesterday. It sat for 19 years in a damp garage. I really didn't know it was kick only but no big deal.. I put JB blaster down the plug holes just to give it some additional lube and let the rings soak out a bit and let it sit while I hotwired the coils. It also has points ignition, which by the way there is nothing better IMHO. There is no key but I did get the title transferred. 50 bucks for the bike i couldn't go wrong. but to my amazement it started right up, no carb leaks , no petcock problems (manual petcock not vacuum) no idle problems, no problems whatsoever except a tiny gas tank so i'm looking for a different tank. I hate rusty tanks and have had little success at sealing them. I rode it upa anddown the road.. the thing ran perfect jut like the day it left the fctory????!?@?#$$ WTF???
this is a testament to the gas of yesteryear..the tank had been removed to fix the pinholes but the carbs being clean tel me that today's gas really really has something wrong with it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1iUcBhTTv8

 

[ndaugbjerg]

barnbiketom,
Congrats, what a deal. I'm currently building a 1981 450 cafe. I noticed you've owned other bikes so I'm probably preaching to the choir. In the excitement of finding a good running bike of that vintage, please don't go anywhere until you replace the tires. I got a set of Bridgestone Spitfires from Motosport for $110.00, freight paid.Some diligent Googleing will save you a lot of bucks.
Regars,
Niels

 

[Guest]

Nice one Tom!

Looks like she needs some cosmetic TLC and new tyres... and is that a Road King fairing on there?

 

[surviverguy]

Nice score on that bike. Sweeet ride and the price OMG! Also check out Motorcycle Superstore for tires...free shipping ....look at the Shinko and Bridgestone Battlax 45's or others...you might need tubes with the spoked rims...

 

[barnbiketom]

Nice one Tom!

Looks like she needs some cosmetic TLC and new tyres... and is that a Road King fairing on there?

not sure what it is but it is F U N K Y haha. i'll post up another pic later!! the windscreen looks to have been replaced with a piece of plexiglass.. not too sure though. and yes the tires and wheels are coming off. I'm thinking I have another set of wheels in the barn much better and with tires too.. i just have to get time and look!! first I need to find a gs tank that works. I'm not a purist so i may try to graft on something ..?? I usually keep 'em stock, but beggars can't be choosers huh>

 

[tatu]

Nice score on that bike. Sweeet ride and the price OMG! Also check out Motorcycle Superstore for tires...free shipping ....look at the Shinko and Bridgestone Battlax 45's or others...you might need tubes with the spoked rims...

You will need tubes even with the ally rims, I think it even says it on the rim itself. (Tubed type)
It's to do with the way the tyre bead sits on the rim I believe.

 

[Guest]

A later model 450 tank should probably be a reasonably easy fit, pretty sure most of them are fairly similar and may just require relocating the rubber bits at the front and finding how to secure it at the back.

 

[Englishman]

Well done. If my 400 project runs too much longer, I may need your help

Mark

 

[barnbiketom]

A later model 450 tank should probably be a reasonably easy fit, pretty sure most of them are fairly similar and may just require relocating the rubber bits at the front and finding how to secure it at the back.

Actually, I have TWO 450s sitting here right now.. i'll see what happens on the fit. the 450s hav two bolts towards the rear if i remember correctly, and maype I can fab a bracket!! tomorrow nite i'll find out!!! I gotta get a tank..

ooh and yeah here's the funky fairing.. abaout to come off and be recycled hahahah

 

[Guest]

Actually, I have TWO 450s sitting here right now.. i'll see what happens on the fit. the 450s hav two bolts towards the rear if i remember correctly, and maype I can fab a bracket!! tomorrow nite i'll find out!!! I gotta get a tank..

ooh and yeah here's the funky fairing.. abaout to come off and be recycled hahahah

Wow that is huge! That'd look big on an 850...

The 450E/S tank has a single bolt at the rear if that helps...

 

[barnbiketom]

A later model 450 tank should probably be a reasonably easy fit, pretty sure most of them are fairly similar and may just require relocating the rubber bits at the front and finding how to secure it at the back.

pete they look the 'same' but the later tank is narrower and will NOT fit dagnabit anyways hahahaa.
seems like they made minor changes enuff to make things difficult huh??. I'll be searching cross references like alpha sports and the likes to see what fits what but it was a good idear to try the other tank!!
BTW the funky fairing is now on CRAIGSLIST hahahhaha
25 bucks OR BEST OFFER..

i figure it may finance a throttle cable or part of a new tire hahahaha

 

[Guest]

Bugger on the tank but worth a thought... and man I'm sure glad to see that fairing off the 400! Belongs on a Harley I reckon...

 

[twistedd49]

Wow, nice find. Been searching for deals like rhat around here. Haven't had any luck, but I'm not giving up yet.

 

[barnbiketom]

i'm cornsidering using that gas tank sealer from CASWELL called Phenol Novalac (I THINK it's a 2 part epoxy and i been wanting to try it. I 've used redcote, kreem, eastwoods made by umm i ferget. and was always less than optimistic about them.. but this looks very promising..??!@#??
i could tape the outsides of the tank after cleaning it and it says it will be done in a few hours not a week or two like redcote!!http://www.caswellplating.com/resto...ler-motorcycle-tanks-up-to-10-gal-1-pint.html

 

[Guest]

I've only used POR15 and I can highly recommend it...

 

[barnbiketom]

am researching por-15 too. Unless I locate a decent used tank I'll be sealing this one. It will be a nice challenge for me. I will be painting all the parts monochromatic and the "suzuki" tank badges WILL STAY!! But color not stock and am thinking WHITE. or maybe the frame white and the parts BLUE??? hahah i hate deciding maybe i'll do a POLL? I hate paint/bodywork and much prefer ELECTRICAL , then mechanical.. but this bike really needs nothing but cosmetic work soo.....
I have a bead blast cabinet, an oven for powder coating, new paint guns and need a day or two off work to do what i need to do.
M work is hectic..we just experienced a terrible lightning strike and am working 7 days a week sometimes 10 hours a day. good for the paycheck but I CAN"T GET NUTTIN DONE lol. I am a maintenance supervisor at a Hampton Inn and Suites AND a HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS. I am tired of answering the damned phone.

 

[Guest]

am researching por-15 too. Unless I locate a decent used tank I'll be sealing this one. It will be a nice challenge for me. I will be painting all the parts monochromatic and the "suzuki" tank badges WILL STAY!! But color not stock and am thinking WHITE. or maybe the frame white and the parts BLUE??? hahah i hate deciding maybe i'll do a POLL? I hate paint/bodywork and much prefer ELECTRICAL , then mechanical.. but this bike really needs nothing but cosmetic work soo.....
I have a bead blast cabinet, an oven for powder coating, new paint guns and need a day or two off work to do what i need to do.
M work is hectic..we just experienced a terrible lightning strike and am working 7 days a week sometimes 10 hours a day. good for the paycheck but I CAN"T GET NUTTIN DONE lol. I am a maintenance supervisor at a Hampton Inn and Suites AND a HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS. I am tired of answering the damned phone.

Man that sounds like a battle for time!

Hopefully it'll all calm down soon and you'll be able to get stuck in

If I was to do it all again, I reckon I'd do the frame a different colour, but not something outrageous...

 

[spyug]

Go with the Caswell you can't beat it. The beauty of it is that you don't need to fully de-rust the tank, it actually encapsulates it and bonds to it. Word of caution. There is enough product to seal two tanks so only mix half of the contents at one time and work quickly. As it is an epoxy it will set as soon as the hardner kicks in. If it is a hot day it will cure very quickly so once you pour it in keep swishin it around to coat everything. If you like, you can mix up the last batch and recoat.

I've used them all and in my mind this is the best stuff.

Good luck and keep the pics coming.

Cheers,
Spyug

 

[barnbiketom]

Go with the Caswell you can't beat it. The beauty of it is that you don't need to fully de-rust the tank, it actually encapsulates it and bonds to it. Word of caution. There is enough product to seal two tanks so only mix half of the contents at one time and work quickly. As it is an epoxy it will set as soon as the hardner kicks in. If it is a hot day it will cure very quickly so once you pour it in keep swishin it around to coat everything. If you like, you can mix up the last batch and recoat.

I've used them all and in my mind this is the best stuff.

Good luck and keep the pics coming.

Cheers,
Spyug

that does it for me!! CASWELL IT IS!! I'll be doing some stuff to it later and pics you will get!!

 

[barnbiketom]

I need to do something with the tank so here goes. Last nite I threw a handful of 1/4" nuts inside, and shook them around till my arms went numb.. and removed them and cleaned it out some with degreaser and water . I rinsed it all out good and it looks nice! Before I line it I'll wash again with solvent. tonite I'll be stripping it with aircraft stripper and maybe spot beadblast the grungy spots..hopefully I won't break thru and make the tank unuseable, but I need to know how bad it is down low where its grungy!!
Th PO must have sanded some of the spots down 10 years ago hahaha