GS1100 "Party Project"

HondaCBGuy

HondaCBGuy

Active Member
So here's the story, right? It started in a pub, as these things tend to. The night finished with a drawing on a piece of paper and a battle plan. So what's the battle? I'm trying to get my 1983 Suzuki GS1100 shaftie off the ground and registered in time for a party. It's in about 6 weeks time and I would love to ride a bike down. I'm selling off one project to fund another and the budget is VERY tight.
Here's the back story....
The PO was using this as a daily rider to work, but then kids came along and he found he was using the car more and nore. Rego came around one year and he just decided not to. He parked it up alongside his shed (uncovered unfortunately) and there it sat for about 3 years until he had a garage sale and stuck a "Make an offer" sign on it.
By divine intervention (the missus didn't kill me...definitely a miracle) it ended up at my place. A cursory glance revealed 2 major things.... the worlds ugliest '80's fairing, and the fact that entire thing was painted in rust! Oh, and a hornets nest between the engine and carbs. The fairing had to come off just to get it up the side of the house and into the backyard. As did the panniers, crash bars and top box.
So... today I stuck a battery in it to see what would happen. The ignition was switched on, the instruments and neutral light lit up, the horn beeped (kind of). And that's it. I was hoping for a turn over but it was not to be ( I do realise I was being optimistic...)
So where do I go from here. What should the next move be?
I will post some pics soon, when I take some. It's a pretty sorry looking thing right now.
 
Sell the fairing - collectors love them.

The carbs will obviously need a going thru, along with new tires and a brake system rebuild. Check the valves, change the oil, and make sure every single electrical connection is in top shape. The old GS's are well known for electrical gremlins. A new r/r, stator, coils, starter rebuild kit, and a good battery should be on the list as well.
 
The two pieces of advice I have had so far;

Careful how you proceed from here.. New fuel as already stated, drain all the carb float bowls and then let new fuel flow through to flush most crap left in the bowls.
Remove the alternator side cover and put a socket and strong arm on the crank bolt and turn CCW by hand, she will be dry in the bores, you could even spray some WD40 in the spark plug holes while the plugs are out just to help save the rings. If they are stuck to the bores they can break if your a bit too eager to get her turning over.
Once you have turned it by hand a few times then it should be ready to fire up.

And...

Pull plugs out of your bike, see if they look really rusty?? If they do, NOT good! While they are still out, there should be a plug in one of the side covers that you can pull out to gain access to a nut on end of crank. Put a socket on it & try winding over by hand. If it wind over no probs I be looking to see if there is power to starter motor! That'll do you for a start :)

I think a combination of the two for tomorrow. With as little experience as I have, I am relying on more knowledgeable people for advice. The plan is to set a goal for each day and discuss it with the experts each night to set the following days plan (In and around work, wife and child). Once it is going I have an experienced painter friend and a design in mind. Job done! (Easy to say, isn't it? The budget is extremely tight, around $1500 including registration which will be about 1/3 of that. Paint (thanks to my friend will be bugger all but tyres will eat up a lot of it. The battery has already taken $110. $1390 to go...
 
Plugs weren't rusty, lubed the top of the pistons with some WD40 and let sit. She turns freely!!! Dropped the oil and it looks dark but fine. Will put more oil in and where to from here? Only suggestion at the moment is hook the battery up to the starter direct and see if it is fine. Good idea or something else? Time is running out and money as always is tight. I should be able to put most of the next 2 days into it though. Ideas people...HELP!!!!
 
Key on, in neutral bypass the starter relay with a screwdriver, big post to big post and see if it spins.
NOTE: On my '80 GS750 if the kill switch is off she will not crank. Same if the clutch handle isn't pulled in.
 
So, I'm an idiot. It wasn't the clutch. I had the side stand down. On the plus side, at least it gave time to tell me to put some lube in the engine beforehand. That potentially could have been bad. So, time to pull the carbs (4 of the bastards) give them a clean and get some fresh fuel. See what happens. Anything else I should be doing?
 
Carbs are out!!!!
Some other great advice;

Also check you have spark, and compression if you can, you want at least 100psi or greater in each cylinder, preferably greater. Setting valve clearances and a new set of plugs would be a good idea as well as a fuel filter on your fuel line, no point cleaning carbs if more sh!t is going to get drawn in from the tank.

Hope to have the carbs cleaned tonight and back in tomorrow. Then we will see...
 
The insides of these carbs look like they came out of the factory yesterday!!! Should I still pull these things apart?
 
I would at least pull the jets out and soak them. Just remember if it's running rough later on, it "could" still be the carbs.
 
I went to put my carbs back on today and they wouldn't. Why? Pipe intakes are perished. I didn't notice how bad they were taking them off (or as I was trying to put them back). About $192 with the current exchange rate. Hopefully next week.
The Bike won't be ready for the get together on the 25th. New goal is 7th October for the Ton Up Boys ride. It will save rushing things and give me a better budget and time. Today was a wash out trying to work and look after a 4 yo. After discovering perished intakes and losing a small nut from the choke, I also lost my temper when I got yet another "Daaad". Gave her a hug, packed it up and jumped online to find the bits. I'll have another look tomorrow. There are lots of little things I can still be doing
 
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