New member with GS650E

[huntb]

I just picked up a 1981 GS650E on Tuesday. This is my first motorcycle but my dad has been riding since the 60's so I've been around them my whole life. The bike ran when I picked it up but only with the choke out. Currently I have the carbs pulled apart for a proper cleaning. Here she is:

And another of her stripped down:

I'm an engineer so I love tinkering and taking things apart (especially cars) to make them better so I'm pretty comfortable working on it.

 

[hardline_42]

Nice bike. Are you in NJ, by any chance?

 

[steve murdoch]

Welcome to the site.
Chain drive 650 do not show up very often.

Nice..."i am an engineer"...and the first tool i see is a hammer. haha.

 

[tkent02]

Framing hammer, no less. Excellent.

 

[yank]

I'd have the dude sit in the truck if he showed up with that hammer on a framing job. Nice bike I like it alot.

 

[Charlie G]

I'd have the dude sit in the truck if he showed up with that hammer on a framing job. Nice bike I like it alot.

I'd send him home...........Nice bike!

 

[storm 64]

You got to love the 650E. Nice motorcycle.
This is the only hammer you'll find in my shop.

 

[huntb]

I'm from Michigan actually and sorry if I forgot to clarify... I am an (Electrical) engineer and I find framing hammers ideal for setting screwdrivers into stuck screws lol

And thanks for all the complements guys, I did a lot of research on these 650 chain drives and I had to have it

 

[hardline_42]

I'm from Michigan actually and sorry if I forgot to clarify... I am an (Electrical) engineer and I find framing hammers ideal for setting screwdrivers into stuck screws lol

And thanks for all the complements guys, I did a lot of research on these 650 chain drives and I had to have it

Thanks. I was in contact with a local seller about an identical GS650E but he never responded and then the listing was pulled, so I thought maybe you had purchased it. Congrats on the ride.

 

[posplayr]

Clean bike and nice pipe. Is it stainless ? It is somewhat unusual . Since you are EE you should breeze through a couple of links. Gs stator and gs charging health in my signature.

 

[huntb]

Clean bike and nice pipe. Is it stainless ? It is somewhat unusual . Since you are EE you should breeze through a couple of links. Gs stator and gs charging health in my signature.

These are exactly the links I've been looking for thank you! The previous owner did a chop job of eliminating the clutch start and I need to clean it up.

Also, I'll check on the exhaust when I get home today. I'm pretty sure it is stainless but I'll let you know what I find out

 

[huntb]

So the exhaust is definitely looks stainless not chrome plated but it has no branding on it that I can see. I'm going to pull it off tonight to check the exhaust gaskets (I have a ticking noise that sounds like an exhaust leak) to see if there is branding somewhere. Could be V&H

 

[Steve]

The previous owner did a chop job of eliminating the clutch start and I need to clean it up.

How can you possibly botch up that job? :-k

You simply undo two pairs of connectors then plug two of the loose ends back into each other.

Even an EE can do that job. :-\\\

No hammers of any type necessary, just a Phillips (ok, JIS) driver to remove the headlight bucket.

.

 

[huntb]

How can you possibly botch up that job? :-k

You simply undo two pairs of connectors then plug two of the loose ends back into each other.

Even an EE can do that job. :-\\\

No hammers of any type necessary, just a Phillips (ok, JIS) driver to remove the headlight bucket.

.

Hah good one! I think he got it to work but he just taped the wires together with electrical tape and it looks like garbage.

 

[earlfor]

I'm from Michigan actually and sorry if I forgot to clarify... I am an (Electrical) engineer and I find framing hammers ideal for setting screwdrivers into stuck screws lol

And thanks for all the complements guys, I did a lot of research on these 650 chain drives and I had to have it

What you need is an impact wrench between the hammer and the screw. LOL

 

[huntb]

Well I just wanted to let you guys know she is running after a month. I bought her and she wouldn't run without choke and since then I did a BS "carb clean", valve adjustment, exhaust header gaskets, evaporusted the tank, new air box and adjusted the idle mixture screws. And then when it still didn't run I pulled the carbs apart, stripped them, dipped them, replaced the o-rings, bench synced them, vacuum synced them, and adjusted the idle mixture screws. Oh and I also pulled the clutch apart and soaked the plates in oil to free them up.

Now I need to tighten the exhaust bolts to fix the exhaust leak and figure out why it's impossible to get her into neutral with the bike running. Thanks for all the help guys. And to all the new guys... Do it right the first time!

 

[Redman]

I'm from Michigan actually and sorry if I forgot to clarify... I am an (Electrical) engineer .
.
.
...

I think GS owners included a larger representation of electrical engineers, electricians and electrical technicians than the general public. And that is probably not a random chance.

WHere in Mich....?

Well I just wanted to let you guys know she is running after a month.
.
.!

Thanks for update.


.

 

[huntb]

I think GS owners included a larger representation of electrical engineers, electricians and electrical technicians than the general public. And that is probably not a random chance.

WHere in Mich....?



Thanks for update.


.

Grand Haven, just down the road from the beach!

 

[Redman]

Grand Haven, just down the road from the beach!

Ah . . . .

Like this road . . .

Keep an eye out for this bike:

or maybe:

I am just outside of town.

Dave

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