What to do with an '80 Suzuki GS850?

[mohabie]

So I picked up a GS850 from a friend (cheap).

Any thoughts on the direction I should take this thing?

Its an ugly betty right now, doesnt even run. But here is what it looks like new in '79, lol!

 

[danejurrous]

Love the 850 shafties! Suck the seat in to a single and use the original tail section minus the grab bar and cafe that sucker out

 

[Sonreir]

Part it out.
Sell me the pistons.

;D

 

[mohabie]

Considering it may not run, I may take you up on that

Part it out.
Sell me the pistons.

;D

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Great bike. Pod filters, re-jet, and ride that fucker.

 

[Big R]

Great bike. Pod filters, re-jet, and ride that fucker.

Aside from the pods and re-jet ---> +1

Sign up over at the GSResources first and foremost. There is a wealth of knowledge there. The 850 isn't generally a good candidate for a cafe. But is well known as a great touring bike. Is it a G model or the L model?

 

[IndieSol]

My old GS1100 was a fantastic bike. I miss it every day. I left the stock airbox, but ran a V&H 4-1 with a jet kit. Fast, loud, looked great (with some changes) and made me grin during and after every ride. Their weak point, IMO is the charging system, but an electrosport stator and Oregon Motorcycle Parts reg/rec and it'll be a solid bike.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

The V&H 4-into-1 pipe is awesome on the GS850. I did one a few months ago with pods and rejetting. Ran like stink and the V&H pipe has a really good sound.

Yes, the charging system sucks, but like you say, the Electrosport stator is a big improvement. I used the Electrosport regulator to go with their stator on my GS450. It was a fantastic upgrade that handled the extra lighting I added.

Suzuki used that same shitty charging system in a LOT of bikes for many, many years. That's why there is a good aftermarket alternative.

 

[mohabie]

That was generally my interpretation of this bike, too. That it is more of a touring bike than "cafe". But.... at $150, it anything goes

I was told it is a GS850S. Buddy chopped the back, hardtailed it, painted the whole thing black, then caught it on fire. It was a quick fire, nothing got torched. Something about "hold my beer and lets see what racing fuel will do".

Aside from the pods and re-jet ---> +1

Sign up over at the GSResources first and foremost. There is a wealth of knowledge there. The 850 isn't generally a good candidate for a cafe. But is well known as a great touring bike. Is it a G model or the L model?

 

[mohabie]

Awesome info, thanks. This bike is my number two project, I have a BMW R75 waiting to be worked on next, after my wifes CM400.

My old GS1100 was a fantastic bike. I miss it every day. I left the stock airbox, but ran a V&H 4-1 with a jet kit. Fast, loud, looked great (with some changes) and made me grin during and after every ride. Their weak point, IMO is the charging system, but an electrosport stator and Oregon Motorcycle Parts reg/rec and it'll be a solid bike.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Here is a pic of what i did with mine.