Suzuki GS 850 restoration

Discussion in 'Other Bikes' started by Carl, Dec 31, 2013.

  1. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    Im starting this post to keep you guys uptodate with my progress and to suck in any advice and guidance!

    This bike has done 80000 miles and to be fair is in a bit of a state? It's 27 years old and has spent the past 5 years in a damp wooden garage.
     
  2. Fudster

    Fudster Active Member

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    Hope you're going to post a few before pics
     
  3. Repsol Rob

    Repsol Rob Elite Member

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    did that guy sell his Katana Carl ??

    and make sure you film the first start up ! :)
     
  4. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    image.jpg
    This is how I found it.
    image.jpg
    On its way home on Gary's trailer
    image.jpg
    It looks ok for £250 but the pic makes it look better than it really is?
    image.jpg
    First question, how do I clean this engine up???
    image.jpg
    Before I started to strip the bike I managed to get it running, it sounded ok no bottom end noise, smoke etc and it changed gear ok, albeit in the stand. At the end of the day it looks like this:eek:
     
  5. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    Sorry about the pics being upside down, I have no idea why.
     
  6. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    From what I saw of the Katana Rod I wouldn't bother?
     
  7. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    image.jpg This pic gives you some idea of the condition. When I removed the drive shaft it was full of water, at least a litre ended up on the garage floor:eek: image.jpg
     
  8. Repsol Rob

    Repsol Rob Elite Member

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    Err its Rob actually.......no Emu here !! :D

    Anyhow you skipped first chapter and stripped her naked.....would a steam clean work ??
     
  9. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    Sorry Rob it was a key error, I have 78 pics from the trailer to the strip down? I guess the frame wants sand blasting and a powder coat, the engine is painted black so a reprint from a can is probably what it will get? As for the aluminium covers I'm not sure how to make them look like new?
     
  10. Repsol Rob

    Repsol Rob Elite Member

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    are they lacquered ?? if not a good dose of autosol should bring em back to life.....
     
  11. dave d

    dave d Elite Member

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    Got your work cut out there Carl! Will follow with interest.
     
  12. Mike07

    Mike07 Active Member

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    That bike is a special bike, it's got real spirit! ... If I looked like that I certainly wouldn't run. When you get it right you will be so proud. Good luck. And Happy New Year.
    Mike.
     
  13. Repsol Rob

    Repsol Rob Elite Member

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    Always the Bobber route Carl.......... ?? as long as you don't die your hair and cut the sleeves off your fav shirt !! :D
     
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  14. Millsp1

    Millsp1 Active Member

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    My dad had one of these in the 80's, Polaris fairing & big plastic panniers, it was well smart, skinniest swingarm iv'e ever seen, was a flying machine back in the day.
     
  15. derchef

    derchef Well-Known Member

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  16. Skippy79

    Skippy79 Active Member

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    hahaha love the fly by in the clip..

    have fun with the build !!
     
  17. SimonRR

    SimonRR God Like

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    Looks like loads of work Carl, does this mean even with all my moaning will still won't get you on a track day this year ;)

    This will be an interesting thread though as I owned one these back in the early 80's :)

    I will try and dig out some pictures, shame I didn't have a video though as it had a great sounding 4-1 unbaffled pipe on her ;)
     
  18. sinewave

    sinewave God Like

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    Lol at the 'Fly-by' [​IMG]
     
  19. Freedom of choice

    Freedom of choice Elite Member

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    Just read this thread, it’s not quite as bad as I expected Carl, it started up didn’t it, that’s got to be a good omen. . If you need a hand with anything just me a shout and I will bob over mate.
     
  20. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    Thanks David, now it's all in bits it will be a project to fill the odd hour or two when Angie is working, I can see this taking me years ;-)
     

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