• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

sweet temptation '82 450L

  • Thread starter Thread starter brad-450Lz
  • Start date Start date
B

brad-450Lz

Guest
Hi folks,

Looks like you've got quite bit of knowledge wrapped up in these threads, I've had a lot of fun perusing over the last few days ... but now it's time for my maiden post.... here goes

I've found an '82 450L for $450 and am considering it for my first bike. She's a craig's list find (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/1748810463.html). Seller claims she starts fine but chokes out with throttle applied. Promises a road ready bike is just a carb kit away.

So I visit to the auto repair shop where she's living and see the seller's mechanic has the carb out and is giving it a clean... seems he may have beat me to the punch. Cosmetically she's a bit of a dog but oddly that makes the attraction stronger! (I'll post pics in the next post ... as soon as i figure out how!)

Here's the current plan.

  1. Give the mechanic a shot at getting her running
  2. Bring a bike savvy co-worker by to give a second opinion
  3. Continue to sleep on it to see if "reality" sets in and I realize I'm over my head!!
  4. If the bike runs "well enough" and the buddy gives a thumb up ... game on!
A little bit about me

  1. I'm a young guy lacking in wisdom but sure as hell love a challenge
  2. I'd like to think I'm mechanically inclined. I do engineering 9-5 and enjoy all-consuming hobbies.
  3. To be honest practicality has never been my strong suit. Passion usually wins over careful planning.
  4. I'll be apartment living for the duration of this project. I have a good work bench but not a lot of space. The bike will have to live outside ... covered of course.
  5. I've got the usual compliment of drivers, wrenches, and ratchets etc... and a little bit of extra cash flow (~$150/mo.) to throw at tools and or parts as I go along.
So I'm hoping one of you may have a punch list for vetting old bikes. Anyone think I'm biting off too much taking on a project like this as a first bike? Any cautionary tales from others who were at this junction? If not... hey I'm more than happy to be pushed over the ledge!!


Pics on the way!!

Your truly in manic hobby-dom,

Brad
 
Welcome To GS Ownership

Welcome To GS Ownership

Well first of all welcome...Look around the newcomers forum and save Basscliffs great big welcome.....its an invaluable source of information. Then just run through the threads and you will see that many peeps here love the 450. I will say if it runs it is a better deal than I got. The pitted pipes...no prob....a wire brush and a can of exhaust hi temp spray paint and the will look fine. (black pipes into chrome mufflers...sweet) The seat...they make covers for them or just send it down to the local upholstery shop and get it covered in what you want....lol. As far as where to start....if i starts and runs already and runs well...then all you have to do is pretty i up... and look on the GSR home page some good tips there too. Well hope this was useful and make the search feature your friend.... Good luck.
 
Welcome to the forums:D

First of all, I suggest setting up a photobucket account. That way you can post bigger pictures straight into the post instead of as attachments. Saves us the trouble by not having to click the attachment lol.

It looks like you got a nice bike. Far better than my old one. Keep us posted.
 
Welcome and good choice on the '450 :)

Tool wise get a set of Japan Industrial Standard (JIS) screw drivers or bits as a lot of the screws are not Phillips Head, even though they look like there are.

I still have yet to get some myself but I believe it makes life a lot easier than stripping screw heads...
 
Flaming Chainsaws said:
Welcome to the forums:D

First of all, I suggest setting up a photobucket account. That way you can post bigger pictures straight into the post instead of as attachments. Saves us the trouble by not having to click the attachment lol.
Click to expand...

HA! Wouldn't want to pull muscle ;-) Thanks for the photobucket suggestion it looks easy to use...in fact here's closeup of the engine:

DSCN6725.jpg
 
Yay! Bigger pictures!

But the engine looks real dirty. Maybe you can try Purple Power or Simple Green. They work great for cleaning engines and a lot of other stuff. Just spray it all over the place, let it sit over night, then get a garden hose set to the highest pressure, and wash away.
 
perhaps a better idea?

perhaps a better idea?

So while i was waiting to buy the '82 450L fixer up'er I found this bike posted in VA ... and wouldn't you know I'm heading that way for the holiday weekend? :D $1300 for pretty good cosmetics and very good mechanics. It's also an '82 450L. check out the CL post here: http://easternshore.craigslist.org/mcy/1759280569.html

Looks like I'll be bringing home a new toy on Monday!!

Take a look:

rightside.jpg


leftside.jpg


instruments.jpg


engine.jpg


more to come on monday
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
1982 GS650E More Ignition Issues & Gremlins
Replies
3
Views
115
EmmCee
E
gtem
Back in the GS fold (a familiar '81 850G)
Replies
5
Views
132
wazz
wazz
SamLack99
[1982 GS750T] Pilot Screw Adjustment and Vacuum Sync Confusion...
Replies
10
Views
156
rphillips
R
H
My 82 GS650GZ Build
Replies
4
Views
91
hookemdevils22
H
Chuck78
GS500 electronic ignition into GS400/425?
Replies
9
Views
161
kochic
kochic
Back
Top