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I know nothing about bikes but thought "why not buy one"

  • Thread starter Thread starter C_OUELLET
  • Start date Start date
C

C_OUELLET

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Hello everyone, my name is Chris, I'm 22 years old, from BC Canada and as the title states, I know nothing about bikes. I came across a 1981 Gs400L on a craigslist bidding site and was able to pick it up for $300. It should be getting dropped off tomorrow night. Yes, for those wondering, I bought the bike sight unseen. All I know about the bike is that it has "never been dropped" it has been stored outside for that last 6 years, under cover but still able to get wet, and up against a fence where it hasn't seen sun either for the last 6 years. The bike has "surface rust" as well as some water in the tank. (I found that out after winning the bike for $300)
My plan for the bike is to get it running like a top and make sure it is all safe to ride before starting the process of making it look a little more caf?.
From what I've gathered from reading the forums over the last couple days, I should start by cleaning and removing all rust from the tank. I've also read that I should completely clean the carbs, all new o rings but try and reuse the same jets if possible? I've emailed Robert A. Barr about a couple of o rings in hopes he can help me out. From there I know nothing else, looking for ideas, help and guidance.

thanks
 

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Good luck with it. Lots of members in the BC area on this site, maybe someone can lend a hand. You'll need information, likely a helping hand and a checkbook/credit card. Expect to spend another $800 to $1000 if things go well. Welcome to the forum
 
Hello Chris, I am just down the road about 20 minutes from you and have fixed up a few old GS Suzuki's in the last few years.

I'm available for help and coaching if needed and know a few local businesses that provide good work on these old bikes.

Let me know if you need anything.

David
 
Take a motorcycle safety course first. Make sure motorcycling is something you actually want to do. Not every one is cut out for it.
 
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Have you ever ridden before? If not then yeah schedule the MSF. But it may be too late for this season if the last course is in October. Nice to know if it's something you like before sinking $500+ into it. Then look up the forum member who offered to help. Welcome to the forum. Online help here is great but somebody who's familiar with a GS helping in person may be better!

BTW, your thumbnail pic is pretty small so it's hard to tell, but it looks in rough shape. If you start with the makeover then yes definitely work on some of the essential mechanical stuff like getting it running, brakes and tires before sinking a lot of time or $ into cosmetics and making it pretty!
 
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Carbs and tank a must, cleaning ALL electrical connections a must, making sure the stator is good and system is charging... also a must! Make sure it's got a good chain, also flush all the fluids including brake fluid. Definitely take a MSF! Look at the squid at it's finest thread in the general section to see what can happen if you don't know what you're doing.
 
81GS850 said:
Carbs and tank a must, cleaning ALL electrical connections a must, making sure the stator is good and system is charging... also a must! Make sure it's got a good chain, also flush all the fluids including brake fluid. Definitely take a MSF! Look at the squid at it's finest thread in the general section to see what can happen if you don't know what you're doing.
Click to expand...

Bad example because that squid walked away intact. Not the case most of the time when you hit something going 70mph
 
huntb said:
Bad example because that squid walked away intact. Not the case most of the time when you hit something going 70mph
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So we need someone to die to prove a point? The fact he walked away was a miracle. I think he gets the point.
 
The GS450L, is in my opinion, one of the best bikes ever for a Cafe project. You might need a couple extra hacksaw blades for a project. Some "Builders" like to start with the removal of components like airbox and electrical boxes and fenders, then sawing of the frame and mufflers. Others like to get it running and ride-able first. Its all up to you. So much potential. Have you settled on a style? A little Brat, or Bobber thrown in? Its all up to you!! Personally, I'm of the opinion that getting it working first is a good place to start. Remember, removal of the airbox and sawing of mufflers will make it run very badly without fairly expensive and extensive carb mods. Some "Builders" are OK with the poor running.
 
Hi, C_ouellet. Welcome to the forum! .... she does look a little rusty on the tank from what I can see. You'll find a ton of help here
BikeCliff's Website

I think the Haynes manual ("GSX 400" manual)is the best one for you being the 8 valve engine that you have but read everything!

and there's some excellent modders here to help with painting and all. I'd stick with the stock airbox until you get her running. sexy "pods" can be done much later.
 
Alright, so ill add checking all the electrical connections and making sure the stator is "good". Not sure what that is or what that means so ill have something to read up about over the weekend.
I checked out that "squid at his finest" thread, id like to say I'm not that stupid and wouldn't ride without gear on, let alone scandals. My dad also rides, he has a Honda St1100 I believe, I'm sure he'd be more then happy to teach me how to ride once I have a safe and reliable bike as well as all the riding gear. As far as style of the bike, I'm completely unsure, I change my style every 3 days, last week I couldn't live without a 1979 VW rabbit, now I've got a 81 Gs400L. The only thing I can say for sure is that I'd like it to seat 2. As far as the engine goes, ill be keeping the stock air box and exhaust until its running good. I could only imagine the nightmares I'd encounter with tuning the carbs if I had pods and the exhaust cut up. Any more tips and pointers out there?

Hello Chris, I am just down the road about 20 minutes from you and have fixed up a few old GS Suzuki's in the last few years
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where abouts are you from, the bike will be in brookswood for the time being.
 
C_OUELLET said:
Alright, so ill add checking all the electrical connections and making sure the stator is "good". Not sure what that is or what that means so ill have something to read up about over the weekend.
I checked out that "squid at his finest" thread, id like to say I'm not that stupid and wouldn't ride without gear on, let alone scandals. My dad also rides, he has a Honda St1100 I believe, I'm sure he'd be more then happy to teach me how to ride once I have a safe and reliable bike as well as all the riding gear. As far as style of the bike, I'm completely unsure, I change my style every 3 days, last week I couldn't live without a 1979 VW rabbit, now I've got a 81 Gs400L. The only thing I can say for sure is that I'd like it to seat 2. As far as the engine goes, ill be keeping the stock air box and exhaust until its running good. I could only imagine the nightmares I'd encounter with tuning the carbs if I had pods and the exhaust cut up. Any more tips and pointers out there?

where abouts are you from, the bike will be in brookswood for the time being.
Click to expand...

Good luck! And the stator is like part of the alternator on the car. It's the charging system and located inside the bike engine cover. If the bike isn't charging it's either the stator, regulator/rectifier (r/r), battery, or bad electrical connections.

I would still suggest taking the MSF course. I took it and I still wouldn't trust myself to teach someone how to ride and what to look out for. Your dad might know how to ride but I wouldn't trust just his teachings alone, JMO.
 
850 Combat said:
I didn't notice that you had the 4 valve head. Awesome. We didn't get that in the USA.
Click to expand...

Is the 4 valve better? I'm still trying to find out what parts are interchangeably between all the years/models/engines
 
4 valves per cylinder have a potential for more power at all RPMs. Smaller lighter valves can handle faster opening and closing ramps for good low end power, but they flow more due to a larger circumference to diameter ratio. There really isn't a downside as far as performance goes.
 
From one new member to another, Welcome :)

I had never seriously thought about riding a motorcycle, until one day I walked past an early 80's 650L and knew that was something I wanted to ride. I knew nothing about bikes but bought one within 2 weeks. I had more fun on that bike than I could have ever imagined.

I took the MSF course that year - it is a lot of fun. You use their bikes for the beginner class. I officially got my license through that course. I also took the Advanced course more recently on a bigger bike that I owned. It was still fun. I will do it again.

Good luck, congrats, and keep us posted. I just bought an '82 the other day that I want to fix up/restore but it's in decent shape already. They are cool bikes :)
 
Joe Garfield said:
I took the MSF course that year - it is a lot of fun. You use their bikes for the beginner class. I officially got my license through that course. I also took the Advanced course more recently on a bigger bike that I owned. It was still fun. I will do it again.:)
Click to expand...

While the MSF courses are great assets and arguably indispensable learning tools, here in British Columbia we no longer have provincially-sponsored courses. All of the Motorcycle Rider courses of which I am aware are now run through private enterprises, which has resulted in very high costs. The last time I checked while searching for a course for my girlfriend, all of the local courses started in the $800.00 range (yes, eight HUNDRED). While not a huge price relative to the cost of an accident, new bike, gear, etc, I do wonder if it is high enough that many new riders do not consider enrolling. That being said, rarely a weekend goes by where I don't see some sort of rider trainee on the road, either in a small group with lead and sweep instructors, or taking one-on-one instruction.

Having been a teacher/instructor/trainer of many things over the last 25 years, and having "taught" a few friends the basics of riding, I'd highly recommend taking a course from a trained motorcycle instructor.
 
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