New GS850 Tourer owner!

[Grimly]

Aha; that explains the mish-mash - the original buyer (or a later owner) didn't like the Roadrunner luggage, or simply had a real preference for the rear end to look like a starship's backside (sorry, but that's what I always think of Vetter luggage ).

 

[Steve]

I tend to agree, Grimly. However, you do have to admit that there is a sense of "complete system" when it is viewed on a bike. The way the angle of the bags matches the angle of the trunk, etc. Too bad those angles result in some rather UNuseable space inside.

Back in 1979, when I got my KZ1300, Kawasaki offered their own fairing and a set of bags and trunk by Vetter. The shape of the bags and trunk were unmistakable, and the badges on them said "Kawasaki by Vetter". The fairing had no such badge and was totally unique. I don't remember seeing ANY badge on the inside, either. We had ordered the rear luggage package, but when it came in, we found that we could not fit a helmet in either saddlebag and could only fit one in the trunk, so we asked for a refund and got the Calafia "Fats" bags. We got a RaCad trunk. It was made by a friend, who had a business set up making accessories for Harley, so it was somewhat patterened after the Harley TourPak. GREAT trunk, wish we had one available now.

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[lurch12_2000]

I tend to agree, Grimly. However, you do have to admit that there is a sense of "complete system" when it is viewed on a bike. The way the angle of the bags matches the angle of the trunk, etc. Too bad those angles result in some rather UNuseable space inside.

Back in 1979, when I got my KZ1300, Kawasaki offered their own fairing and a set of bags and trunk by Vetter. The shape of the bags and trunk were unmistakable, and the badges on them said "Kawasaki by Vetter". The fairing had no such badge and was totally unique. I don't remember seeing ANY badge on the inside, either. We had ordered the rear luggage package, but when it came in, we found that we could not fit a helmet in either saddlebag and could only fit one in the trunk, so we asked for a refund and got the Calafia "Fats" bags. We got a RaCad trunk. It was made by a friend, who had a business set up making accessories for Harley, so it was somewhat patterened after the Harley TourPak. GREAT trunk, wish we had one available now.

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Yep, I've had a few sets of Vetter bags and they have that quirky look (kind of ugly IMO) and the shapes interfere with some payload. Side bags doors are smallish and restrict some stuff but do take a leather coat if you carefully stuff and jam it in. Makes getting it out a challenge too. But side bags are great for loading up with marbles or oranges since they don't roll out when opening.

 

[Peter Buehner]

The shipper is on the way with my bike!! I am getting it before the new year! Hopefully the reality lives up to the internet images. I think I am going to keep it in my living room this winter since I don't have a heated garage. Images coming soon.

 

[Guest]

The shipper is on the way with my bike!! I am getting it before the new year! Hopefully the reality lives up to the internet images. I think I am going to keep it in my living room this winter since I don't have a heated garage. Images coming soon.

Want some good advice? This will irritate some of the do it yourself purists but make some of the carb guys very happy. Take those carbs off and send them to one of our resident GS carb rebuilding service guys (check the services section) and get them properly rebuilt. They know what they are doing and will do it right! Who you send them to probably will be determined by YOUR location due to shipping costs.

While your waiting for the carbs to come back you can start doing all the rest of the stuff that needs doing (valve check, boot orings and/or carb boots, spit and shine...)

 

[Peter Buehner]

I appreciate the suggestion. I didn't even know that there was a services section in the forum until you mentioned it. A big reason for this purchase was having the experience of restoring a bike by myself but I need to balance that with making progress too. : )

Want some good advice? This will irritate some of the do it yourself purists but make some of the carb guys very happy. Take those carbs off and send them to one of our resident GS carb rebuilding service guys (check the services section) and get them properly rebuilt. They know what they are doing and will do it right! Who you send them to probably will be determined by YOUR location due to shipping costs.

While your waiting for the carbs to come back you can start doing all the rest of the stuff that needs doing (valve check, boot orings and/or carb boots, spit and shine...)

 

[Guest]

I appreciate the suggestion. I didn't even know that there was a services section in the forum until you mentioned it. A big reason for this purchase was having the experience of restoring a bike by myself but I need to balance that with making progress too. : )

Exactly right...progress. And let's face it carb work is tedious, time consuming and kinda sucks. I have done MORE than my share. Some of the best money you will ever spend is having them done by a GSR forum resident and turn your focus to the rest of the bike. You'll have plenty enough wrench time getting it back to a "new" owner starting point. Get fluids changed, electrical connections cleaned up, valves checked, tires installed, carbs done and then in Spring you'll have a bike fit to ride !

 

[Wingsconsin]

I have some experience doing carbs -
I have done several sets - and yet I still sent mine out ---

Read here for my results -->> http://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ofessionals-involved-sometimes&highlight=pays

 

[Steve]

Want some good advice? This will irritate some of the do it yourself purists but make some of the carb guys very happy. Take those carbs off and send them to one of our resident GS carb rebuilding service guys (check the services section) and get them properly rebuilt. They know what they are doing and will do it right! Who you send them to probably will be determined by YOUR location due to shipping costs.

As one who does provide that service, thank you, Jeff for the suggestion. :encouragement:

Not sure how many actually provide the service, but I think chef1366 and I are the only ones that advertise it. Prices are similar, what you get for those prices is a little bit different, feel free to pick which one will work for you. When you decide to get it done, it doesn't really matter which direction you send the carbs. Once they are in the box, it's the same cost to send it anywhere in the country.

GS Parts and Services Forum

Chef's thread
Review
Review


My thread
Review

And while you are browsing, be sure to check out the GS Shim Club and the invitation in my signature.

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[850 Combat]

Is that fairing the one that mounted with a big horseshoe on the bottom? If so, I had one. It came on an excellent running '80 850G I bought for $600 delivered, as a turn key runner. It wasn't that pretty, but it was my smoothest and best shifting I ever had. They break in well at 30,000 miles. The fairing mine had was cracked where it mounted, and moved around a bit. It worked about as well as a Windjammer. It was narrower, and mounted lower than Windjammers I owned. Felt a bit lighter, and a bit less protection. I had fun on that bike. It was a loaner for years, then I gave it to a brother in law in Etna Maine. I have another GS850 in Newport, Maine, and a 1000G (with 1100G engine) in Hampden, Maine. My brother has a GS1100G in Etna Maine as well.

I prefer the 1980 and 1981 bikes like yours. The seat is the best compared to later bikes. The throttle pull is softer than the 1979, which didn't have a halogen headlight. 1981 had running lights in front which may add a little safety. Congratulations!