got a free 1981 gs450!

[soler-ex]

my first post. I just picked up a 1981 gs450t for free, it looks good exept for tank paint, PO said it ran great last time he rode it and it has 13.5K miles, but the motor is giving me big problems, got it home, put in new battery, cleaned it up, started it and it was missing a little (it sat for 3.5 years) after it warmed up it was running like hell and would not run under 2500 rpm shut it down, cleaned the carbs, changed oil. started it 2nd time sounded better still wont run under 1800 rpm, but ran ok after that, tried to take it around the block and the left side exhaust started smoking, "no big deal, it sat for a wile" i thought it would settle itself, WRONG! the the left exhaust pipe and left carb started shooting out oil, the air box was broken, dont know why, can anybody tell me whats wrong. the left cylinder just fouls the plug instintly so i dont want to try to start it again. guess nothings really free after all.


plus i will start a build thread. Im planning on street fightin the life out of it, time to pull out the grinder!
  is it a P.I.T.A to rebuild these bikes? i have zero experiance with these bikes. THANKS. 

[V-John]

I've got an 80 450E and it's a blast to ride. It's my main ride to work bike while my V-Strom is for flat out fun. Anyway, are you sure that the carbs are adjusted/tuned correctly?  Check your idle adjustment at the carbs AND the throttle grip. If you have a plug fouling immediately, it could be bad rings.

I've got a rod knocking, but it doesn't leak or burn oil. My throttle does take a short time to go back down to normal idle. I may try replacing the throttle cable and checking the routing of it under the tank. It's a great little bike.

My dad is using the 450 motor for his Bonneville bike. He'd like to find a 4-valve head from a 500. He has a turbo and intercooler all set to be mounted.

[pjm204]

If I were you I would just do some maintainence before you go for a rebuild. Check the valve clearances, clean the oil pickup screen, clean the carbs, sync the carbs, check the timing, check the point gaps if it uses points.

I've got a GS400 and sold another GS400 not too long ago. Some of the smoking from that exhaust will probably clear up. You might want to try putting some marvel mystery oil in the top of the cylinders to loosen up the rings.

[soler-ex]

cylinders are filled with it already, for about 24 hours now, gonna try to start it tomorrow. pulled it apart and cleaned it up, looks pretty good, painted the tank, side panels and fenders flat black, didnt come out the way i thought it would so its gettin pretty paint after i cut up the front and rear fenders. fond out it has a cutom seat (shaved padding on stock seat with new leather) that looks pretty good compared to stock. now for that grab rail and ugly handlebars, can i slide my forks up and mount some clip-ons to them?

               

[pjm204]

I imagine that with some crafty work of the headlight bracket you could mount the clip ons below the top triple and keep the forks at their current height.

[Mdow]

post some pics im not sure i know what a 450 looks like

[sledge]

  is it a P.I.T.A to rebuild these bikes?

No more than any other 26 year old DOHC twin......but finding parts for a 26 year old bike might be.

[arbakken]

my first bike was a '78 GS400, which is basically the same thing. While this is an awesome forum, there is actually a 'more correct' forum, thegsresources.com

if THAT much oil is getting in your cylinder, the head is probably going to have to come off...

[soler-ex]

yea it was dripping (allot) off the battery!

[soler-ex]

got it started today and allot of the smoke is gone ill run it for a wile and see what happens, but im having a problem with flooding the fuel will come out of the over flow and not stop tell i shut off the petcock, any suggestions?

[bobthebiker]

oh, thats an EASY fix.  pull your carbs, set the float height proper, clean out the inlet needle and seat area, and pull those seats to remove any trash underneath them.  as you know, particles that get in there can keep the needle from seating and sealing properly.    shouldnt be a problem.