Got my first dirt bike when I was 12, a very well thrashed 1972 Yamaha 250 Trials. It was too big for me but hey, dad bought it cheap from a buddy. Paper route money got me into a Yamaha 3 wheeler at 14, then at 16 I bought a brand new Honda 200X. Loved riding in the dirt and the coal roads, dunes and hill climbs found in the coal region of PA, where I'm from.
Fast forward though college, living in Boston, taking a motorcycle safety course with a friend at Hanscomb AF Base in Mass, but not getting a bike and my license until I moved back to Central PA and...
I was given the '82 GS750TZ aroungd 13 years ago after it had been sitting, not running for a few years outside but under roof. I put a few hundred dollard into it. Tires, brake pads, shoes for the rear, used starter, used starter solenoid, new chain, had the tank inside bead blasted, paint job on the tank and side panels by a friend who owns a body shop. I got it running, it was OK, but It was always hard starting if I didn't ride it every day. I didn't ride it very often and it seemed whenever I wanted to ride it, the b@#$% wouldn't turn over. So I'd kill the battery trying to start it. Charge the battery, and eventually it would start.
Because I have 2 busy boys, 17 and 13, am a scout leader, coached little league, and now lacrosse, I've not dedicated much time to giving this bike the attention it deserves. 2 summers ago, on a very nice evening that my bike decided to be nice and start for me, I took it for a ride. On the ride, I came pretty close to hitting a bear. Heart thumping, I turned around and headed home. I stopped along the side of the road to watch some fireworks. It was around July 4th. Cars and trucks were wizzing by, but didn't really bother me. Then, I guess because I didn't hear him coming, I was startled by a passing bicyclist. Lost my balance on the bike and dumped it in to a grassy ditch. I jumped clear so at leat it didn't land on me. A good samaratan watching the fireworks from his yard across the street, helped me get the bike (witch was basically up-side down) back up to the road. The bike started by ran for sh#t. I limped it all the way home. I had a stuck carb float. I had been putting off getting the carbs rebuilt but now I had no choice. Local guy who runs a small motorcycle shop rebuilt my carbs for $120. The bike starts and runs like a top ever since. The choke actually works, and no more hard starting.
The bike never charged well, if at all. Since I've started lurking and joined GSR a few weeks ago, I have learned SO much about the charging system on my bike. And I know whatever issues I come up with, this community will help me get trough it as long as I follow the steps and don't try to short cut anything. I really want to start enjoying owning this bike. Up to this point, I've just sort of tolerated it's ****y attitude. That's about to change.
I've put in a new battery and done the Quick test. I'll continue this in the electical forum.
Fast forward though college, living in Boston, taking a motorcycle safety course with a friend at Hanscomb AF Base in Mass, but not getting a bike and my license until I moved back to Central PA and...
I was given the '82 GS750TZ aroungd 13 years ago after it had been sitting, not running for a few years outside but under roof. I put a few hundred dollard into it. Tires, brake pads, shoes for the rear, used starter, used starter solenoid, new chain, had the tank inside bead blasted, paint job on the tank and side panels by a friend who owns a body shop. I got it running, it was OK, but It was always hard starting if I didn't ride it every day. I didn't ride it very often and it seemed whenever I wanted to ride it, the b@#$% wouldn't turn over. So I'd kill the battery trying to start it. Charge the battery, and eventually it would start.
Because I have 2 busy boys, 17 and 13, am a scout leader, coached little league, and now lacrosse, I've not dedicated much time to giving this bike the attention it deserves. 2 summers ago, on a very nice evening that my bike decided to be nice and start for me, I took it for a ride. On the ride, I came pretty close to hitting a bear. Heart thumping, I turned around and headed home. I stopped along the side of the road to watch some fireworks. It was around July 4th. Cars and trucks were wizzing by, but didn't really bother me. Then, I guess because I didn't hear him coming, I was startled by a passing bicyclist. Lost my balance on the bike and dumped it in to a grassy ditch. I jumped clear so at leat it didn't land on me. A good samaratan watching the fireworks from his yard across the street, helped me get the bike (witch was basically up-side down) back up to the road. The bike started by ran for sh#t. I limped it all the way home. I had a stuck carb float. I had been putting off getting the carbs rebuilt but now I had no choice. Local guy who runs a small motorcycle shop rebuilt my carbs for $120. The bike starts and runs like a top ever since. The choke actually works, and no more hard starting.
The bike never charged well, if at all. Since I've started lurking and joined GSR a few weeks ago, I have learned SO much about the charging system on my bike. And I know whatever issues I come up with, this community will help me get trough it as long as I follow the steps and don't try to short cut anything. I really want to start enjoying owning this bike. Up to this point, I've just sort of tolerated it's ****y attitude. That's about to change.
I've put in a new battery and done the Quick test. I'll continue this in the electical forum.
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