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just bought 79 gs 850

  • Thread starter Thread starter syren
  • Start date Start date
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syren

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I am looking for an ebook of a repair manual. I checked the post with manuals listed and I didn't see on for a 79 gs850. Does anyone have one? I am trying to find out what might be the problem with it as well. The person I bought it from says he had it running for 10 to 15 seconds then it would stall out. Right now it doesn't have a battery. I am going to get a batt/ plugs and wires and clean carbs. I see oil residue on the front of the engine (head gasket maybe?). Any ideas on what to do or start with?
 
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

you will be greeted with a huge welcome soon and go to his homepage and you will find a great number of resources.he dont list the 79 but does the 80.oil on the front of your motor very well could be coming from the tach to where it goes into the motor a very common problem..Dont forget to use the search feature atop of the page you will find alot of answers with a lil searching
 
Welcome !!
I would recommend this.
1. Valve adjustment
2. Completely teardown and clean the carbs and replace the orings. Don't forget the intake boot gaskets.
3. New battery, new fluids, plugs and get a multimeter and go through the stator papers.

There is a huge library of info behind the search button. Years of questions and answers. Always feel free to ask questions though....I know I did and still do.:)
 
Greetings and Salutations!

Greetings and Salutations!

Hi Mr. syren,

The 850 manual on my site is the original 1979 manual, including all of the supplements for later years and the "L" models. The oil on the front of your motor can come from several sources; leaky valve cover, leaky tach cable seal, leaky cam chain tensioner, etc. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike! :D

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Congrats on the '79. They are great. I would suggest a complete cleaning of the carb with o-rings and intake o-rings as suggested above. Then if it won't run check the timing. The '79 has a points ignition stock so if it hasn't been replaced with a Dyna then you will want to check and reset the timing. The book on Basscliff's site should give good directions for setting the timing. Once it's running you can get started on the other things like the oil leak.

Good luck and don't forget to post photos. That's what we feed on.:)

Chris
 
Welcome. I've been working on my own 79 GS850. Bought it as a project and that it has been. Sounds like your Petcock could be gone (a good simple way to check if it's working is if the bike runs while at the prime setting but not at the run position then your petcock is probably gone) but really there are a number of things you could (should) do, fairly inexpense, to start with. The link to basscliffs welcome goes through the list fairly well. You'll find a link on the main website for rebuilding your airbox cheaply and perfectly. And a valve job is easy especially with the zap strap tool. Best of luck, I'll try and follow your progress.
 
wow.

wow.

I really mean it, wow. This is probably the first (and only) forum where I actually recieved helpful information for once without hecklers! I really appreciate your comments, I will definatly be doing the recomendations you all have suggested and I will get back to you guys with an update. The links that were provided to me are going to be a huge help for a new commer to motorcycles such as myself. I will remember to try to use the search feature a little more next time, I did use it to try to find the manual but I wasn't able to.

I have attached a couple of pics that I have. I will take some more when I get it apart (mainly so I can remember what it looked like before I took it apart!). I think the first cosmetic thing I will change is the seat. It looks comfy but I really don't like the look. I took these with my cell phone so they might not be too clear. I will take some better ones with my other camera when its time.
 
Another pic

Another pic

O, and thanks for the manual. Adding another pic here.
 
It looks nice. i don't think those are the stock handle bars and def. not stock seat. Someone has done some modifications on it anyway. Were do you live in Mass? With the snow we just got it will be a couple more weeks before we really get out on the rode with decent riding weather so you should have some time to go through the main systems of the bike.

Basscliff's site has helped me out a great deal along with the search function on this site.
 
I live in West Springfield. I need a about a month anyway because I need to buy some parts and I don't have the $$. I noticed you have a 79 gs 850 as well. My title just says its a gs 850, no G or anything after it. Whats the difference between 850g and 850, if any?

I don't like the bars, the seat or the color. First thing though is to get it running 100%, then I will start on the cosmetic stuff. I still have to schedule a rider course for the spring as I have never rode before. I won't ride it until I get through the course.
 
syren said:
I live in West Springfield. I need a about a month anyway because I need to buy some parts and I don't have the $$. I noticed you have a 79 gs 850 as well. My title just says its a gs 850, no G or anything after it. Whats the difference between 850g and 850, if any?

I don't like the bars, the seat or the color. First thing though is to get it running 100%, then I will start on the cosmetic stuff. I still have to schedule a rider course for the spring as I have never rode before. I won't ride it until I get through the course.
Click to expand...


The "G" indicates a shaft driven machine. Here's a little more info from the homepage.:)

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_modelchart.htm
 
Larry, thats actually the document that confused me. I actually searched before I asked! (see I'm learning already) For my year (79 gs 850) there is a 850g and 850GL. I just seem to have a regular 850 and its not listed as a model. I have seen pics of the same year bikes that even say 850G on the tank. Just wondering what the difference is, especially mechanically for when I order parts. It could be something as simple as they had different handle bars or seat or something else cosmetic. Any idea?
 
Well, someone with a little more model knowledge is gonna have to chime in. Look up the 850's here.....
http://suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html

Looks to me like your bike is a "GL" model, only I don't think those came out until '80. Raised handlebars, chrome fenders usually indicate an "L". That link also says they changed carbs and ignition systems between '79 and '80. Sometimes, Mr Suzuki kinda mixed and matched the parts that were left over, especially at the end of a model year.

Where's all the 850 people when I need 'em.........:p
 
Syren,

Your bike is a GS850G. The G is the standard model and the GL is the cruiser style. You can tell on your since your front axle is attached at the very end of the forks. On a GL model the front axle is attached to the front of the forks rather than on the end.

Also, on a standard G model the rear tire is a 17" and on a GL cruiser it is a 16" tire.

Go here to the Gallery section:
http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydisp.php

Select 79 model year from the drop down menu and look at all the 850's. Click on a good side view of a GL model and look at the forks where the front axle attaches and then look at where yours attaches. You will see the difference.

Really, the only difference between a G and GL early on is the seat (stepped Harley style seat), the forks (leading axle forks), the rear tire (smaller diameter with fat tire) and the side covers (to match the line of the seat). Most of the GL Suzuki's I've seen could be converted back to a standard model with replacement of those parts.

ETA: Oops, correct that. You won't see an 850GL under the 79 model year because they didn't make one that year. Look at an 850GL in one of the later model years.

Chris
 
Last edited:
pacman beat Me to it, He is correct, leading front axle is a key indicator of the "L" model. Your seat is aftermarket but if you can locate a stock one it one of the most comfortable ever put on a bike.:)
 
Definitely a non-stock seat.

BTW, nice bike. I look forward to seeing your progress toward bringing another '79 back from the dead. In my very humble opinion the '79 was the best year 850 that Suzuki made.:D I like the VM carbs and having a kickstart is just about the best thing in the world. I hate push starting a bike. I'm getting too old for that.

Chris
 
Many bikes

Many bikes

fabulous machine even though compared to what's available nowadays....HARD to beat! she'll haul.....seriously!!! mine came from an estate sale. went totally through her..new everything.... too bad she's not as pretty as yours...i digress... carbs need to be immaculate! and kept that way; ignition is borderline...but dats what wuz done in "da old days" ..if you keep after the points and condensors you'll be ok! put in an inline filter in the fuel supply/line. valve adjustment is critical as are intake boots/o rings.. you must keep intake box tight as per OE. now if you care....this engine can and may be constucted to prodoce MUCHO.. HP, at the expense of otherwise "bulletproof" reliability and expected life...sooooo WHAT'S IT GUNNA BE>>??? DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?? shafties are a proven design and maintainance is pretty simple..keep fluid in 'er... watch for leaks and correct same. my forks seem to leak/seep...so i s'pose that should be next on my list of repairs dis here machine NEVER fails to make me smile/happy....after all...i only got a few bucks in 'er..compared to the costs associated with new[er] bikes foreign/imported..or domestic. it's a TOTAL GAS when somebody...usually a car [corvette] wants to try me.. NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! .....AD'IOS :cool:
 
Well thanks again for the help again. I'm sure I will be asking more questions once I get some parts in for the bike in a few weeks. I am going to keep checking out the sites I was linked and try to learn more about the bike and what I need to be doing to get it running smooth. I will be checking out other posts as well. Like I said in earlier posts I am a total newbie when it comes to mechanics so this will be a learning experience for me. Luckily I have you guys and a few friends who know their way around a garage. I work in IT so if I can return any questions related to computers/internet just let me know, I'll be happy to reciprocate!

Thanks again guys.:D
 
syren said:
I really mean it, wow. This is probably the first (and only) forum where I actually recieved helpful information for once without hecklers!
Click to expand...
In addition to the items already suggested to do. I would like to add... strip it down to the frame and do a complete restoration...

Now do you feel like you are at a "normal" forum?

Glad to have you aboard!
 
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