Hi all - I've been reading this forum for about a week in anticipation of buying a 1981 GS650GL. This is a project bike that was formerly someone else's attempt to make a cafe racer. Luckily, the PO didn't make one or two of the top 10 noob mistakes. He saved most of the OEM parts, and I'm fairly confident that I can get this riding yet this fall.
Here are some photos of the basket case...
Shorty Renthal bars, which I may keep. The rear fender is just sitting in place.
The shorty rear shocks will have to go. I'm 6'4" and this will have to be moded so I can ride it easily.
Part of the basket of parts. There is a good condition original seat (great seat pan) that is just out of the photo. You can also see part of the original bars laying on a HD Sportster seat that came in the basket. Also original mirrors, cafe hoop, and best of all the original air cleaner and intake box. I need a new filter, but I have the filter basket.
Also came with an OEM sissy bar. Not sure about that thing... Maybe the good front fender shows here too? That is the OEM tool kit sitting withing the sissy bar frame.
This captures the reason this was for sale. PO tried to go with pod filters and couldn't get it to run. He said they rebuilt the carbs twice, but it still wasn't running. Here's hoping they changes only gaskets and not jets. The two "mechanics" didn't say they rejetted this for the pod filters, so I think I have a good chance to get it running going back to the original air box.
I kinda like the looks of the sportster seat on the 650. It adds some height, but may be difficult to attach correctly. I may modify the seat and remove the "L" hump to create long flat seat. This also shows the new paint (professionally done in a corvette bronze color). I'll get the side covers too, but don't know if they will include the chrome portions.
16k miles and the gear indicators work. It has sat for several months with a battery attached and hasn't drained it, so that gives me hope there is not too much wrong with the electrical system. The rear turn signals are missing, but I didn't like those too much anyway. I think I will try to convert to all LED lights and reduce their size throughout (except the headlight - that is a good size and already LED).
There's the OEM seat. There is also the new ignition on the bike. That was an attempt to get it to run on pod filters that didn't work.
A bit of cleaning, some good maintenance, and I think I'll have a reasonable ride.
I am interested in what some of you taller riders have done to ride the smaller GS's - besides getting a bigger GS. That may be in my future, but I'll try this first. I think I paid a reasonable price and should be able to get a return on my investment if this is ultimately too small.
Hopefully these photos will come through. I look forward to being on this forum.
adamdaz (Adam D, originally from Arizona, now in New Castle, PA)
Here are some photos of the basket case...
Shorty Renthal bars, which I may keep. The rear fender is just sitting in place.
The shorty rear shocks will have to go. I'm 6'4" and this will have to be moded so I can ride it easily.
Part of the basket of parts. There is a good condition original seat (great seat pan) that is just out of the photo. You can also see part of the original bars laying on a HD Sportster seat that came in the basket. Also original mirrors, cafe hoop, and best of all the original air cleaner and intake box. I need a new filter, but I have the filter basket.
Also came with an OEM sissy bar. Not sure about that thing... Maybe the good front fender shows here too? That is the OEM tool kit sitting withing the sissy bar frame.
This captures the reason this was for sale. PO tried to go with pod filters and couldn't get it to run. He said they rebuilt the carbs twice, but it still wasn't running. Here's hoping they changes only gaskets and not jets. The two "mechanics" didn't say they rejetted this for the pod filters, so I think I have a good chance to get it running going back to the original air box.
I kinda like the looks of the sportster seat on the 650. It adds some height, but may be difficult to attach correctly. I may modify the seat and remove the "L" hump to create long flat seat. This also shows the new paint (professionally done in a corvette bronze color). I'll get the side covers too, but don't know if they will include the chrome portions.
16k miles and the gear indicators work. It has sat for several months with a battery attached and hasn't drained it, so that gives me hope there is not too much wrong with the electrical system. The rear turn signals are missing, but I didn't like those too much anyway. I think I will try to convert to all LED lights and reduce their size throughout (except the headlight - that is a good size and already LED).
There's the OEM seat. There is also the new ignition on the bike. That was an attempt to get it to run on pod filters that didn't work.
A bit of cleaning, some good maintenance, and I think I'll have a reasonable ride.
I am interested in what some of you taller riders have done to ride the smaller GS's - besides getting a bigger GS. That may be in my future, but I'll try this first. I think I paid a reasonable price and should be able to get a return on my investment if this is ultimately too small.
Hopefully these photos will come through. I look forward to being on this forum.
adamdaz (Adam D, originally from Arizona, now in New Castle, PA)
