Some of you may know that I am in possession of a 1983 GS650 L with less than 1000 original miles on it. I found it in a climate controlled storage facility when the owner wanted to clear it out as he was preparing to move soon. It has not been running for nearly 30 years except a feeble attempt to get it going over 2 years ago.
Now I have it going with all new fluids, a carb rebuild, brakes R &R and new rubber and tires. I have tried to make it as new as possible and return it to the road. Last night I finished the carb synch and put the tank on it and snapped the seat down....and it was ready for a test ride...!
I poured in a cup or so of fuel that I had left in the gas can and went up & down the block slowly (in the dark) as the bike began to geet it's legs once again. Running smoothly and powerfully it became clear that I need to ride it further to "get a good feel" of it...But fuel was going to quickly become a problem so I decided to ride it the 2-1/2 miles to the gas station enar my house and fill 'er up.
I pulled into the station and pulled up to the pumps . As I swing my leg off the bike the lightsa thte station went out! It was closing time and they had shut off the pumps so I was unable to get gas.
I decided that the next station (24 hours) was only 4 miles away and I had only been on reserve for short time so I would run over there and fill up. The ride over is country highway at 55 mph and the cool night air was refreshing as I enjoyed the feel of a new-to-me motorcycle. The bike had fully warmed up by this time and was really showing its ability and strength as I rode to the nest station.
Seeing the lights on I was encouraged that I would get gas and ride a bit more on this wonderful machine. Pulling up to the pumps I saw a red bag over the handle ..? The pump was out of order...so I moved to the next one..another red bag..?! And each pump had the red bag on it...?!?!
THEY WERE OUT OF GAS ! The filling station was out of all levels of fuel...?!?! :-k
SO now I had a 6 mile ride home, and was on reserve for the past several miles already...But it made it and now it sits..waiting for me to get some gas and take a proper test ride...
But so far it is a magical thing...A bike that has been sitting for nearly 30 years is now back on the road. Pictures will ahve to wait until I get the time to add some washing and polishing to it...but soon I will be enjoying the ride on a nearly new 30 years old motorcycle from 1983.
Now I have it going with all new fluids, a carb rebuild, brakes R &R and new rubber and tires. I have tried to make it as new as possible and return it to the road. Last night I finished the carb synch and put the tank on it and snapped the seat down....and it was ready for a test ride...!
I poured in a cup or so of fuel that I had left in the gas can and went up & down the block slowly (in the dark) as the bike began to geet it's legs once again. Running smoothly and powerfully it became clear that I need to ride it further to "get a good feel" of it...But fuel was going to quickly become a problem so I decided to ride it the 2-1/2 miles to the gas station enar my house and fill 'er up.
I pulled into the station and pulled up to the pumps . As I swing my leg off the bike the lightsa thte station went out! It was closing time and they had shut off the pumps so I was unable to get gas.
I decided that the next station (24 hours) was only 4 miles away and I had only been on reserve for short time so I would run over there and fill up. The ride over is country highway at 55 mph and the cool night air was refreshing as I enjoyed the feel of a new-to-me motorcycle. The bike had fully warmed up by this time and was really showing its ability and strength as I rode to the nest station.
Seeing the lights on I was encouraged that I would get gas and ride a bit more on this wonderful machine. Pulling up to the pumps I saw a red bag over the handle ..? The pump was out of order...so I moved to the next one..another red bag..?! And each pump had the red bag on it...?!?!
THEY WERE OUT OF GAS ! The filling station was out of all levels of fuel...?!?! :-k
SO now I had a 6 mile ride home, and was on reserve for the past several miles already...But it made it and now it sits..waiting for me to get some gas and take a proper test ride...
But so far it is a magical thing...A bike that has been sitting for nearly 30 years is now back on the road. Pictures will ahve to wait until I get the time to add some washing and polishing to it...but soon I will be enjoying the ride on a nearly new 30 years old motorcycle from 1983.
. Victim of the GS siren song lol
