GR650 anybody?

[jfman]

I really like how you fixed the rear frame of the GR. Simple solution yet effective at fixing the body lines.


For the cafe look, the GR has a gra motor and decent tank but the rar section is horrible.

[Big Rich]

Baron - thanks for the props man! It's been a long journey, and it's not over yet. Thanks for tagging along!

Pete - I'm sure they have something for IPhone. I mean, they HAVE to, right? Haha..... while I can't whip out my phone to get out of a "fix it" ticket, it is good to know how much racket the old 650 is making.

JFman! - we keep running into each other in joints like this.... good to see you here too bud. Hope all is well on your side of the border!

[peteGS]

Yep found one Rich 

I'll have to give the 450 a shot at some point just for curiousity's sake...

[The Buddha]

They are the maroon / black ones. There is a crack on one side.... I can't recall which side, but it is a non conspicuous spot. Tough to describe, but it is under that black wing section next to the airbox.... definitely need to take a picture.

That rear inner plastic fender would be good too.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Daeouse]

This looks like terrific work so far!

Well done indeed!

[Big Rich]

Thanks Moto! Buddha, I didn't forget about you either. Life stuff - ya know.....

Some pretty big updates coming soon. Made an engine stand out of some scrap parts, so it's time to do work son:

[peteGS]

Good deal Rich, can't wait for some serious updates!!

I made an engine stand for the Kat motor but I used some scrap timber and bolted it up to the work bench so I's a very handy height to work at too 

Metal would be better but... well... I'm sure you've seen my welding 

[Big Rich]

Cheers Pete! Hopefully you're smarter than me and drained the oil from the engine before bolting it to the stand.....

Two of my recent big $$ purchases - good old Sonic Springs for the Bandit forks, and a pair of front rotors:

[Big Rich]

Here's my plan so far with the engine: the bottom end in the stand will be used, but many parts will be swapped onto it. Side covers, cylinders, head, etc. All my gaskets should be here on Wednesday or so..... Stripped down a little and the base gasket removed:



Ever notice the Suzuki logo behind the starter motor cover? No? Well, I shaved that off:



We are supposed to get some really decent riding weather this week (above 60° in November?!) , so the bike is getting stripped down for winter work in about 5 days.....

[The Buddha]

No worries about my parts.
The GR motors I have are rolling around on casters welded to its frame rails that I cut off. I guess I never intended to ressurrect those 2.
I should have kept the 2 GR's I picked up @ junk yard, but I bought em just for 1 piston. Then I found that piston in my hood from another tinkerer who made a 851cc GR motor equipped GS.

Cool.
Buddha.

[Big Rich]

New rotors installed:



Unfortunately, my speedo magnets don't fit these rotors. So I'll need to find some new magnets / figure out a solution over winter. Also got all the gaskets cut off from the bottom end I plan on using:

[peteGS]

Good work Rich, and it's always good to get new bits!!!

As for the oil, yes someone already did that for me thankfully 

[Big Rich]

Got 3 great days of riding in this week.... but last night ended up like this:



Riding season is over, wrenching season has officially begun! I didn't take a pic of the other motor, but the pistons & jugs got swapped over. Once I replace the valve seals, the top end can go back on. The clutch cover and stator cover got swapped too..... I have to say pulling the engine from the frame is SO much easier without the top end installed.....

[peteGS]

I'm sitting back with the popcorn Rich 

[Big Rich]

Cheers Pete!

I figure right now I have 4 GR650 motors: the one I'm building up now will be the runner. The engine that was in my yellow tank / dirty GR (remember that one?) is also in good shape as it sits. Then I'll have 2 engines laying around for spare parts since they aren't complete enough to try and rebuild..... so they will get all the necessary gaskets to hold oil while they sit in storage.

Took my chrome crash bars into work this week to get them shot blasted (prep for powder coating), but the machine is down so far. Just need them done before winter, that's all.... And if i find the time in between shifts I'll get my valve seals swapped out for some fresh ones.

[Big Rich]

Sorry for the lack of updates - I've been working on the engine so much and my hands have been covered in oil.....so no progress pics. I did get quite a bit done engine wise though: new gaskets all around, cylinders got a quick hone, new valve seals, lapped the valves slightly, valve shims in spec, and everything got reassembled properly.



I had the chrome engine guards shot blasted and they got a fresh coat of black powder, and the kickstand got some work too - years ago I cut the little peg off since it was in the way. Now, I had a hard time reaching it.... so a peg got welded on and the kickstand got some powder too. I recently had a small "issue" with the engine, but I'll get into that a little later.

[peteGS]

Nice work as always Rich, it's great when that engine gets assembled and everything is in spec, such a good feeling that!!!

[Big Rich]

Cheers Pete!

After getting the engine together, I did what any normal person does = try and fire it up! Little bit of gas in the syringe to feed the carbs, turn the chokes on, and it started up no problem. After letting it warm up for a minute or two, I shut the choke off on the right carb (no problem yet), the shut the choke on the left side off.... and the idle dropped considerably. Some messing around and experimenting led me to this - the left cylinder is only running with the choke on. I'm thinking there is a major air leak on the left carb intake, and the choke (fuel enrichment) is providing enough gas for it to fire. I'll be messing with it over the next couple days, so I'm not worried about it.

[peteGS]

Hopefully that's all it is Rich! Should be a nice simple fix if that's the case 

[cbrfxr67]

i just want to say 'engine stand win,'.....