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GS450L 1980 (T) Reconstruction

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

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1980 GS450L (T)

Recently rescued from a parts-for-sale heap of all kinds of metric bikes in various states of age and decline.

No history, partially disassembled, parts missing. It had already been somewhat cannibalized, but most of it was there and it seemed to have a soul still. The last inspection sticker date was 1987.

Made it home on its side in the back of a pickup. I did a very minor teardown and cleaning (did not open the engine or transmission at all). Cleaned all the electrical connections and fuses.
Sprayed some WD40 on critical areas, and into the cylinders on top the pistons.
Let it set overnight so the WD40 could do its duty and also seep down over the rings. Did a fresh lube, oil, plugs and new battery.

Up on the center stand with the tank and seat still off, I stuck a large flathead screwdriver into the ignition switch (key mechanism was gone) turned the switch and all the lights came on (except LR turn). So I pulled in the clutch and bumped the starter button. It turned over! Smoothly!

I poured a little gas into the fuel line and bumped the starter again. It fired up immediately and ran smoothly until the little drink of gas was gone.

That's where I am now. Counting myself very lucky so far, I have not had it on the ground and engaged the transmission yet.

The O-ring on the stop-cock is worn and dried up and it leaks out the front like a waterfall, so the tank is still off awaiting that.

I am wide open to next-step suggestions in bringing safely back to life. Any cautions or advice in testing or waking up the transmission/gears in a nondestructive way on such a long dormant bike.

It is already looking very fine and soon to be ready for the road.

Thanks much in advance.
 
I brought my 1981 GS450L back fromthe dead last October. Right now I'm working on my friend's 1980 GS450L that was sold as a parts bike with no title. Change the carb boot O-rings first. You'll find that you need that if it has been sitting any lenght of time. As for the clutch and the gears, if you gave it a fresh lube you should be fine. Let it idle for a while to let the oil circulate and make her first "wake up" ride an easy one. Your next mission will be treating all of her bed sores as they appear. That is a pain but part of the fun of resurecting these machines.
Keep us posted.
 
yes, by all means idle it for a short while, not too long as it is an air cooled engine and cant be idled too long. Myself, I'd add a little 2 stroke oil to the first gas it gets to supply a little upper cylinder lube until oil gets behind the rings ect and for the intake valve stems. You may find that solid fuel deposits adhering to the insides of the carb walls and galleries starts to come loose causing some problems like plugged jets so dont go on any long trips just yet. Can you role the bike with it in first gear and the clutch pulled in without turning the engine? If so, your clutch is not stuck. If not, it is. And Oh yes, research oil on this site and pick well for the welfare of the engine, transmission and clutch. How old and hard (the actual rubber not just the air preasure) are the tires? Careful with that one.
 
Advice

Advice

snark, 3phase:

Thanks for the quick and valuable response. Did definitely go with the proper Hypoid as per this forums info resources.

Great site, great folks.

Will be having at it again in the morning.

Will keep you apprised.

shanzi
 
Sounds like a fun project I have enjoyed rebuilding two 450's.

If you need parts let me know I have quite a few parts. I have a petcock I have cleaned and am willing to part with it. Also, ebay is a good source for parts as well as bike bandit. You will run it parts that have been discontinued and will make things tough. Any questions feel free to send me an email. The 450's are fun bikes, it's a delima each morning which one I am going to ride.
 
petcock

petcock

jayrbaker,

Hey, good to hear from you. Two eh? Very cool.

How odd you would mention the petcock! It is now my major problem. Stopping the whole testing and break-in plan.

I completely disassembled and cleaned it and replaced the front O-ring. It's the three position kind with a primer position. It doesn't leak anymore, but the vacuum mechanism has crapped out and fuel just pours into the carbs in all three positions.

Whatcha wanna get for it? And... while your at it. My tachometer cable is obviously on some other scooter now. :(

Got one o those too?

beby99: Pics on the way. 3phase: Clutch passed the "stuck test" fine.

shanzi
 
Pics

Pics

First test with fresh battery. 8/26

battery450.jpg


Ignition side, mud and dust included, no charge. 8/26

head450.jpg


Current state of reconstruction. 8/31

current450.jpg
 
She looks 10 times better than my friend's 450L I'm working on now!
 
Looks very similar to the one I just got running. I've got one more in the shop that I'm starting to hit at as well. They are both 1985 450L's. Have been pretty pumped riding to work the last couple of days! :D
 
Here's mine (the running one)
000_0158.jpg

fa225990.jpg


Still have some cleaning and polishing to do, but she's running great. Now the second one is another thing altogether!
 
It's all stock and believe it or not, I have twins! The only difference is that the PO put the lower bars on this one. The other one has the ape hangers. It's a fun bike to ride. Small, but very quick.
 
Progress report

Progress report

A quick snapshot of her current state before rolling her outside today.

Still need new petcock. But with an external fuel feed she runs very smoothly at idle and low rev.

However, fuel pours out of the right carb "vent pipe" the rubber tube that vents the carb.

???
Help.

Also: How is Bel-Ray EXP semi-synthetic (motorcycle oil) SAE 10W-40 for a full oil change?

450-9-4.jpg
 
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