Picked up an older, bigger GS ---with PICS! and video!

pjm204 · January 03, 2009, 04:02:58 PM

I recently picked up a 1982 GS1100E and have been working on it since Christmas. It runs well but does need some work, mostly cosmetic. As with most old bikes the clear coating on the motor is flaking and the sidecasings are corroding. So I've been busy with steel wool buffing them to a mirror shine. I've also painted a few rusty parts.

It also needs tires, and I picked up a 4 into 1 for it just to clean it up. Anyway. Here is a couple pics of what it looked like when I got it. I will post pics as I continuously improve it.

Notice the 85mph gauge HAHAHA and check out all the stuff on there, oil temp, battery voltage, gear indicator....and it all works!

Majorhavoc · January 03, 2009, 04:57:18 PM

Quote from: pjm204 on January 03, 2009, 04:02:58 PMNotice the 85mph gauge HAHAHA and check out all the stuff on there, oil temp, battery voltage, gear indicator....and it all works!

That a handsome bike, pjm. I didn't realize Suzuki was putting out such good looking machines back in the early 80's. That's a more comprehensive set of gauges than I have in my car!

I seem to recall some federal law mandating the 85mph max indicated on speedometers of new vehicles manufactured around that time. I didn't know it applied to motorcycles, but then again, I wasn't riding back then. I think maybe it had something to do with encouraging drivers to slow down and conserve gas. We were all still reeling from the oil embargos of the 1970's and that was, after all, the era of the 55 mph federal speed limit.

FWIW, if you're going over 85 mph, you probably want to be focusing on what's further in front of you than your instrument cluster. Either that or what's coming up on you in your rear view.

gsJack · January 03, 2009, 05:21:54 PM

My first ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway was following a 82 GS1100E on my 97 GS500E.

GeeP · January 03, 2009, 06:24:57 PM

A gas gauge!

pjm204 · January 03, 2009, 06:30:37 PM

Im excited to hit the road on her. I'll be putting some serious miles on this GS come April so I want to make sure everything is perfect on it, and I want it to look good too. The tires(Cheng Shin Hi-Max's) come this week and the Vance and Hines megaphone exhaust. I will likely rebuild the carbs since I will have to clean them and likely jet them as well.
So far I have polished all of the engine sidecases, painted the brake torque arm, cleaned up the rust on the peg mounting brackets, and bled all of the brakes. When the exhaust comes I will install that, install the tires(going to try and do it myself), jet the carbs/rebuild/clean, paint the rear caliper, do the valves, change the oil, etc. I will probably take it to a local shop to get the carbs synched depending on how it runs when I have done all of this.

The exhaust on it is really bad, its some type of 4 into 1 but where the can used to be it is cut off very poorly and a cobra F1 can is screwed on with sheet metal screws. When I took the can off I realized how badly all of this one done and I promptly ordered a new exhaust.

ohgood · January 03, 2009, 07:32:59 PM

very cool find man. that dash is- amazingly big and complex ! makes the gs look downright trim.

how's she run ? gotta post a picture of it on a hill sometime when you've got a biiiiiiiig goofy grin - ok ?

rock on.

pjm204 · January 03, 2009, 07:46:28 PM

I'll be honest, I started tearing her down before I even took her for a ride. The motor starts instantly, and idles smoothly. Aside from that, I don't know much yet. I don't want to run it much until I get the new exhaust and change the oil. There is pleanty of oil in it but who knows how long it has been in there. I'll be posting pictures soon I hope.

Any idea how difficult its going to be to mount the tires? I've got 3 tire levers, 2-12" and 1-24", and also some rim protectors. I've watched a couple youtube videos and I think I have a basic course of action. I work at a bicycle shop so I change bike tires on a daily basis with at least 1000 under my belt but I assume this is going to be quite a bit harder.

Majorhavoc · January 03, 2009, 08:31:33 PM

Quote from: pjm204 on January 03, 2009, 07:46:28 PM
Any idea how difficult its going to be to mount the tires? I've got 3 tire levers, 2-12" and 1-24", and also some rim protectors. I've watched a couple youtube videos and I think I have a basic course of action. I work at a bicycle shop so I change bike tires on a daily basis with at least 1000 under my belt but I assume this is going to be quite a bit harder.

You should be fine. I too come from a bike shop background. My first motorcycle was an 83 Yamaha Maxim. I mounted mail-ordered tires myself using only my old bike shop skills. I remember going to an automotive tire shop with an empty glass jelly jar and buying a pint of tire cement for something like a buck fifty. Used one of those disposable metal handled acid brushes to apply the cement, popped the tire beads on with some MC tire levers and I was in business. No youtube back then. I might have had a Haynes manual with generic tire mounting instructions to go by, but it was all pretty intuitive IIRC.

More experienced forum posters may advise otherwise, but it's always amazed me how much can be accomplished mechanically through sheer ignorance and necessity.

pjm204 · January 03, 2009, 08:59:48 PM

So far this bike has taught my that steel wool can do amazing things. It made hideous rust and oxidation become shiney aluminum and chrome again. This is really the first time I have used it as extensively as I am.

I can't say I am familiar with tire cement?

GeeP · January 03, 2009, 09:06:51 PM

You'll be fine with three 12" irons.

Getting the bead broken is the hardest part. I use a modified Kant-Twist clamp. The largest they make. Failing that, a large, dull screwdriver used correctly so as not to mar the bead seat will work. Slip between the bead and the rim, then pry towards the tire.

Break both sides loose, stand on the tire to force the bead into the drop center, then slip an iron under and pull the bead over the edge. Work your way around until you get it up. Scraps of heavy welding glove or apron leather work great to protect the rim. The second bead is more difficult. Slip the iron in at an angle to grab the second bead while lifting it into the drop center with your free hand. Once started, work around the rim.

Once off, inspect the bead seat for damage. If you see any deep scratches, fair them out with 220 sandpaper.

Lightly lube the bead with a soapy water mixture (just a little soap, like 1:30 ratio). Find and align the balance mark on the tire with your valve stem. You should be able to push the first bead on by hand, without using any tools. The second bead will go on almost as easily, just be sure to once again get the bead into the drop center by standing on it.

Install the valve core and seat the bead. Don't exceed the bead seating pressure on the tire. Lube if the bead doesn't pop in by the seating pressure and try again.

pjm204 · January 03, 2009, 09:53:50 PM

Well I just ordered some superbike bars and new grips. I was sitting on the GS in the garage and those stock "ape hangers" had to go. The PO also put on some really bad yellow/black grips with finger grooves. Doesn't exactly match the champagne color, and while that normally wouldn't bother me, I want the bike to look good.

trumpetguy · January 03, 2009, 09:56:13 PM

Here's the post about my GS1100E:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43839.msg491499#msg491499

It is an amazing bike. I just went for a 160 mile ride today (2-up with my wife). We had a beautiful upper 60sF day and couldn't resist a ride. The 1100 doesn't even realize that another rider is aboard. It is amazingly fast even with two people. Handles pretty well, too. You'll enjoy it

yamahonkawazuki · January 04, 2009, 05:06:59 AM

Geep i usually leave the valve stem cores OUT until i seat the beads, ive not had a problem with it ,

pjm204 · January 04, 2009, 05:58:07 AM

Quote from: trumpetguy on January 03, 2009, 09:56:13 PM
Here's the post about my GS1100E:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43839.msg491499#msg491499

It is an amazing bike. I just went for a 160 mile ride today (2-up with my wife). We had a beautiful upper 60sF day and couldn't resist a ride. The 1100 doesn't even realize that another rider is aboard. It is amazingly fast even with two people. Handles pretty well, too. You'll enjoy it

Well aside from the color(mine is champagne), I am hoping my bike will look just like yours soon. I just need to make sure mine is reliable. I'm bringing it with me to some Army training that I will be at for about 6 months and I plan to ride A LOT on the weekends. I'll be in Missouri and I'd like to visit friends in Colorado, Texas, and I will likely take some other long distance joy rides. Can't have it break down at all. Now I could have brought my daily ride(2005 Kawasaki Z750S) but I wanted an excuse for a second bike and the GS when in tip top shape should make an excellent tourer.

ohgood · January 04, 2009, 08:03:24 AM

good advice here, and a nice thread

as far as breaking the bead, i had not thought of a big ole kant-twist. i'll keep that in mind when it's time to do the rear. i used a 2"x4"x8' under my truck bumper as a lever against another 2"x4"x12" to break the bead. make sure you put a couple of pieces under the WHEEL to keep the disk off the ground !

when you're working on the wheel, a couple of 2x4's make a fine work stand. keeps the rims safe, and also the disk.

this was my first motorcycle tire change, and only used a 12" no-mar along with a couple of 8" spoons (no-mar). wasn't difficult at all.

the hardest part was seating the bead- pull the valve stem, wipe some DAWN (dish liquid ) on the bead, and hit it with a compressor. POW-ing ! POW-ING ! and you're golden.

check the line on the edge of the tire against the rim to make sure it's seated proper, the distance should be the same all 'round.

Bluesmudge · January 04, 2009, 12:10:13 PM

Nice looking bike.

You can break the bead with another bike's kickstand, works great when you are out on the road.

Majorhavoc · January 04, 2009, 12:46:47 PM

Quote from: pjm204 on January 03, 2009, 08:59:48 PM
I can't say I am familiar with tire cement?

AKA bead sealer.

http://www.alltiresupply.com/p-16-145.html

No one else is chiming in, so maybe it's not always necessary. But when I did the job, it was my understanding that this was needed to ensure there were no air leaks around the beads of a tubeless tire.

pjm204 · January 04, 2009, 02:57:15 PM

I guess if I could find something to push up against I could use a jack to break the bead with the tire in between the jack and whatever object I use to push against.

pjm204 · January 06, 2009, 08:00:36 PM

Well I think I found the cheapest, most simple way to break the bead. I put one leg of a chair on the tire, stood on the crossbar of the chair and then had a friend abruptly sit down. This instantly broke the bead. Worked on both sides! I wish I could have taken a picture, it was hilarious.

Danny500 · January 07, 2009, 11:09:41 AM

Make sure to inspect the gas tank before you go much further.

The two teirs that come down on the sides don't drain directly into a petcock, so moisture likes to hang up in there. Drain the tank, take a look around, maybe run some sealant though there as a precautionary. That, and give it a shot of dry gas every now and again.

Good luck buddy!

That IS one gorgeous bike!

Dan

News:

Picked up an older, bigger GS ---with PICS! and video!