Clouds GS650GL Restoration Project Mitch

[cloudbreakmd]

Yes, I know I haven't finished my other project yet but I don't plan to be as obsessive about this new one

The bike and the story...

After seeing and ad for this bike on CL I went to take a look. The owner has cancer, is moving and can't find the keys or title. Great I think... But the bike is in pretty good shape overall so I figure why not? Mitch is the guys name I bought it from, so its named in his honor.


The short list (in relative order):

Keys (ordered one tonight)
Make copy of said key
Lube all locks with graphite
Oil/Filter
Flush the gas tank
Battery
Rebuild the carbs
Lube all cables
Replace the missing airbox to carb boots
Lube the cylinders
Install new plugs because I decided to lube the cylinders prior to trying to start it
Check health of electronic system and call Duane if neccessary
Order new title through International Title Service
Then maybe start to beautify the bike if satisfied with it running condition
Tonight I removed the engine guard (for sale by the way) and the Vetter fairing mount from the handlebar (Fairing and mounts for sale as well).

Pictures will follow. Wish me luck on my new bout of insanity.

 

[Guest]

Good luck - that's pretty much the way I end up with new projects

Hope it runs well for you...

 

[cloudbreakmd]

This is what it looked like the the day I brought it home. Gotta do cosmetics, brakes, carbs, electrics... you name it.

 

[cloudbreakmd]

Day 1 involved removing the crash bar, cursing a lot as the bolts sheared while trying to remove said crash bar and spraying most of the fasteners on the bike with PB Rust Blaster.
Day 2 involved some cleaning and throwing away the handlebars that came with the bike. Kuan helped me bring this bike home, so thank you to him A few more pics of the mess I just picked up. Neglect and age are horrible things boys and girls.

 

[cloudbreakmd]

So far, a new battery, a little polishing and a new handlebar and this is what we have.

This is just the beginning...

 

[Larry D]

Just the beginning ?.....I thought you weren't going to be as obsessive about this one ?? I know, it starts as a little cleaning and polishing, next thing you know.......

Looks nice. Good find.

 

[cloudbreakmd]

Just the beginning ?.....I thought you weren't going to be as obsessive about this one ?? I know, it starts as a little cleaning and polishing, next thing you know.......

Looks nice. Good find.

I know... I have OCD

 

[cloudbreakmd]

By the way Larry, your bike is looking sweet.

Just for reference...

The cases were sanded with a brown scotchbright pad, then 600 grade sandpaper to remove the clearcoat. Then followed by 1000 grit paper wetsanding and then finally 1500 wetsanding. Mothers mag polish brought the shine out in the end.

Total cost of materials and time? A 6 pack for me and my friend ($10) and $20 worth of sandpaper and polish.

 

[cloudbreakmd]

Oh and I lubed the cylinders with approximately 5cc's of Marvins Mystery Oil and turned the motor over by hand a couple of times. Any need to do more here? After rebuilding the carbs and flushing the tank and oil, I am also adding Lucas fuel system cleaner with upper cylinder head lubricant. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Larry D]

By the way Larry, your bike is looking sweet.

Just for reference...

The cases were sanded with a brown scotchbright pad, then 600 grade sandpaper to remove the clearcoat. Then followed by 1000 grit paper wetsanding and then finally 1500 wetsanding. Mothers mag polish brought the shine out in the end.

Total cost of materials and time? A 6 pack for me and my friend ($10) and $20 worth of sandpaper and polish.

Thanks Navi.
All I have left to do is to make it look pretty. I'm riding this season and breaking it down this winter for some detailing.

Unless I find a GK to obsess over.......

 

[Dave8338]

AAAHHHH another 650L, it just warms my heart!

Looking good but I noticed that in the first pic...it had a real sexy look to the top front of the machine. In the consecutive photos, things looked, well...toned down and flat. What is it missing? :-k OH THE BARS!

 

[cloudbreakmd]

My arms are way too long to ride with the bars so close to me. Besides they looked silly :-\\\

 

[Dave8338]

It's all good

It's all good

My arms are way too long to ride with the bars so close to me. Besides they looked silly :-\\\

Nah, you just have to sit on the pillion hump with your feet on the rear sets. I do it all the time.

All kidding aside, I'm very pleased to see another 650L that is not going the way of a bobber/hard tail and all one color of paint. GREAT looking bike! :clap:

 

[cloudbreakmd]

Dave,
You might not like this then. Going to polish the front forks to match the side covers, clean the motor up and replace the rusty stuff I can. Then the tank and panels are going off to be painted solid shiny black

 

[cloudbreakmd]

Also is it possible to polish this engine the same way or is it painted? Can't tell and not home right now.

 

[cloudbreakmd]

After much searching a brass brush should work? Or Simple Green and a tooth brush.

 

[grayskull]

just purchased 83 gs650gl

just purchased 83 gs650gl

i have just started on my second rebuild.asweet 650gl,black and silver tank.9800 miles.it has been layed over on both sides.same time dont know.i am wondering one thing though. i think i have to clean the carbs.How does the daggum air box come off.Its not like my gs850,its easy.HELP PLEASE..also the people i got the bike from thought the starter was bad,wrong,the clutch saftey switch was bad.Good for me.I only give 200 bucks for the bike with a title.They were the 2nd owner of the bike to..If you have any insight on how to get the airbox off and the carbs that would be great..

 

[duaneage]

Engines are painted, duplicolor 1615 is a close match.

I have a lot of the parts you need, I'm cleaning a few up and I'll bring them down later this week. I have a left side cover, I'm surprised that G side cover fit the bike.

Do you need a lockset for this bike or were you able to get a key?

 

[cloudbreakmd]

Finally got the key today and was able to crank and hear bike run off of starting fluid. So far so good... Well except the coils on the bike are butchered into place and I have to sand and paint a lot of spots on the frame Oh and the carbs... Three screws stripped during attemped removal, one screw stripped by PO... And one broken jet set firmly into the carb bodies via the PO.



So today I ordered another set of carbs and will use my current ones for parts if needed. Also Duane is bringing me a care package of sorts tomorow. That should cover more or less all the other major parts I needed. Pics to follow.

 

[cloudbreakmd]

This should make Dave happy. Here are the replacement tins I ended up buying.