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New Bike, questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter midnightcafe
  • Start date Start date
M

midnightcafe

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Just picked up a 1979 GS750L: any problems/issues I should know of?

Also, I would like to rebuild the carbs sometime this week, but I'm afraid my tools will strip the screws. Any advice on what kind of screwdrivers to use? Where can I buy japanese screwdrivers (need to be purchased locally)?

That's it for now, the bike is in rough shape. I need to get an owner's manual before I tear the airbox/carbs off and get it in running condition.

My plans for the bike are to make a decent cafe racer style out of it, leaning towards a rat look due to tightness with money \\:D/. major money concern is how much I'll need to spend on sand/bead blasting essential parts: I can source a sandblaster, but how much does powerdcoating a frame/swingarm cost? what are the alternatives/how much do they cost?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

after I have a budget figured out I'll tear to bike down later in the summer, when I get back from school. Then I'll look into the cosmetic side of the build, such as a rear seat, handlebar style, fairing, etc.
 
I second the opinion that you should read the stator pages and carb rebuild series. Also the most monwy I have spent on my bike was motorcycle specific tools, about $200, but you make a lot of them as well.

Cory
 
thanks, I checked out the garage subpage and it has excellent supplements. Can't wait!

I'm looking forward to asking more questions, since I'm a newbie and answering questions seems to come with experience..

$200 sounds reasonable, but I'm truly only looking for screwdrivers, since I recently got a bike stand from a coworker and picked up almost all the metric tools I need- except allen wrenches, which I need for my yamaha xs850's shaft drive.

Do I need metric allen wrenches for the gs750?
 
You will if you replace all the motor bolts with allen heads (wise WISE idea my friend.)

Ive yet to do an "L" or "LTD" or "Custom" (for you H bike lovers) cafe. I just helped a buddy of mine with HIS 79 750L. Frankly, i am almost positive that if you cut the existing front tank mounts off, and run a bolt with a couple of hand fabed cups on the front where the holes for the "E" model mounts are, you could use an E tank. (pre-80 tank of course) Otherwise, that "L" tank is kinda dinky for a cafe, IMO.
 
yeah but it's easier to use than the king/queen seat! would the allen heads be appearance mods or are they easier to work with?
 
Tonight I pulled off the airbox and carbs. The airbox was easier than I expected, and the boot screws were easy to remove. It's hard to go further without a manual: is there an online pdf manual? I know the cb1100f forum has manuals for their bikes- just a suggestion.

Definitely not going to open the carbs without the JIS screwdrivers, thanks for the info!
 
I have never used a JIS screwdriver and have never had any problems with the screws in the carbs that a well-fitting #2 Phillips could not handle.

Just get some new screwdrivers. Craftsman stuff works well. Besides the #2 Phillips, you will need an assortment of straight blades to fit the various jets. It is definitely best to go with new drivers for the jets to minimize the chance of munging the slots.

.
 
bikecliff has an 850 manual on his website, and i imagine its not that much different than the 750s.

BikeCliff's Website

i agree with steve about the screwdrivers, but a #3 is what you need to get the carbs off the rack.
 
Don't waste your money on japanese screwdrivers, like he said above, #2's do great. If you have cheapo screwdrivers you can hit the very tips with a hand torch or even a propane grill flame until they glow, then dip the tip into some cold water. This will harden the tips permanently, and are less likely to slip and bugger your screws. Don't let the heat crawl up to the handle though.

When it comes to powder coating, do the prep yourself to cut cost, it's REAL easy. Then find a good shop to do the painting, most shops will warrant their work too. Or you can do the paint yourself with a cup gun, if it's the frame you can't go wrong. Save the money for the tank, THAT'S the focal point.

This forum is awesome, you are NOT alone in your problems here. These old dogs have seen and dealt with literally every problem a Suzy can have.
 
Oh yeah, about the sandblasting. I've done alot of prepping and painting on my projects and I can tell you, go to walmart with 12 bucks, buy 1 can of 'aircraft stripper', an assorted package of wet-dry type sand paper, and a $1.00 wirebrush. Scuff the paint with rough sandpaper thoroughly, so the striper can imbed, then sparingly use the stripper. It will bubble quickly but just wait, don't let the stripper dry or the paint will harden again, use a spray bottle to mist. Use the wirebrush and go to town on it. Rinse with a water hose, LET IT DRY, then hit he paint with the wirebrush dry, and repeat if you need to. If you have a power or compressed tool with a wire wheel you'll be done in an hour.

$12.00 vs. sandblasting?
 
if you really want to harden the tips of the screwdrivers, you have to anneal it too. heat it up glowing, then dip it in water, just like escobarclan said. after you do that, heat it up to a dull red and let it cool in air, no fans, no blowing on it. this relieves stresses but leaves it hardened.
 
Didn't know about that catbed, I'm gonna put that tidbit in my little bag of shop tricks, thanks.
 
excellent info, thanks everyone! Using a #2 sounds okay since the screws for the boot clamps came out perfectly with american screwdrivers. JIS tools are really hard to find locally!

Heating up the screws is another method I'll keep in mind. I've posted this up in owners threads, but here is a day two photo:
2365988774_014b61c09e_b.jpg
 
Man, if you continue this project at the speed in which you have gone these past two days you'll be done in no time. The bike looks great! Please keep us updated.

Cory
 
Is that some sort of Triumph with apehangers I see back there?
 
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