Ownership Verified: Two Wheeled Turd [1981 Suzuki GS850G]

[Der Stig]

Here it is in all its glory! A 1981 brown Suzuki GS850G. 843cc of meh, with poor suspension and brakes, only 77hp, but equipped with shaft drive. These bikes are often used as drag bikes due to their very sturdy frame. The thing weighs 617lbs. So, yeah, more than 4 times what I weigh :lol:

These bikes have a cult following and there's a healthy forum community for the GS series.

Spectre's graciously handled everything for me so far. We've got a box of parts for it and a few parts on the way.

A crisp C-note saw this, along with its title (yay) into its new home.

At the seller's

Boxes o' bits

Getting into the hippy plow

Behold the "high tech" gauges!

More details

Oh God, Why-ring

JDM NOS switch

Spectre: "I am never unloading this by myself again." Got it

As it sits now

It needs a lot of work, but this project is already on the way to being finished.

So far, Spectre has found a seat and headlight and I've ordered some combination mirror/indicators.

Mirrors

Headlight

Suzuki doesn't know what drainage is

Stay tuned for updates!

 

[Rossco]

So I'm gonna guess that it needs the usual, fluids changed (engine oil, final drive oil, fork oil) The carbs gone through, the brakes gone through and new rubber, right?

One of the things I love about bikes of this vintage is all the aluminum/alloy bits. I mean sure the bike doesn't look that great, but you'd be surprised, with a little bit of polishing compound, and a whole lotta elbow grease, that thing can shine like a new penny!

 

[Spectre]

He needs to fix some of the pictures, I think.

 

[argatoga]

He did that to symbolizes the work that needs to be done to the bike.

 

[Der Stig]

So I'm gonna guess that it needs the usual, fluids changed (engine oil, final drive oil, fork oil) The carbs gone through, the brakes gone through and new rubber, right?

One of the things I love about bikes of this vintage is all the aluminum/alloy bits. I mean sure the bike doesn't look that great, but you'd be surprised, with a little bit of polishing compound, and a whole lotta elbow grease, that thing can shine like a new penny!

It'll need just about everything. The tank will need to be replaced, too. Note the nastiness on the bottom. PO said "Make a video of it, if you get it running." He was flummoxed by the fancy electrics

He needs to fix some of the pictures, I think.

He did that to symbolizes the work that needs to be done to the bike.

:lol: Pictures fixed.

 

[Rossco]

If you find out that you're in over your head, I know where you can get a pair of 700sc's for free.....

 

[Der Stig]

If you find out that you're in over your head, I know where you can get a pair of 700sc's for free.....

Shoot, I'd take them anyway, but I'm afraid that the Volcano is low on space now. Also, transportation might be a problem

 

[Rossco]

Also, transportation might be a problem

Especially because one of them is on it's side, at the bottom of a muddy (and partially snow-covered) hill.

They'd be mine if I didn't have this 650 project, but they may be considered once I'm done with it.

 

[KaJuN]

That's about the condition my 1980 Yamaha XJ650 was in when I got it only your instruments are much, much more advanced than mine were. Hell, mine didn't even have a neutral light!

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this bike progresses.

 

[Redliner]

It?s a 4 cylinder, so we all know it will sound good too.

 

[tigger]

Here it is in all its glory! A 1981 brown Suzuki GS850G. 843cc of meh, with poor suspension and brakes, only 77hp, but equipped with shaft drive. These bikes are often used as drag bikes due to their very sturdy frame. The thing weighs 617lbs. So, yeah, more than 4 times what I weigh :lol:

IIRC they've got roller-bearings on the crank. Big, tough bikes all the way around. $100 and a title? I'd make that deal.

Surprised that 2x isn't warped now. :lol:

It?s a 4 cylinder, so we all know it will sound good too.

Yeah, big old 4's sounds especially good.

 

[Der Stig]

IIRC they've got roller-bearings on the crank. Big, tough bikes all the way around. $100 and a title? I'd make that deal.

Yup, here's a write up on the bike (albeit the 1982 cruiser version) for those that want to learn a little more.

 

[Der Stig]

Progress!

I have ordered a replacement tank from a guy on the ever helpful GSResources forum.

Here it be in all it's ugly glory

$90 shipped and it isn't made of Bondo and rust. Dude should be shipping it out tomorrow.

Now I just need a seat.

 

[Crazyjeeper]

Now I just need a seat.

You know you want one.

 

[Der Stig]

:lol:

The only hit I've gotten on my seat thread might be one of those. I'm awaiting pics.

 

[Rossco]

Nice! I'm glad to see you're still working on this thing.

Don't worry about the ugliness of the tank, though. My nighthawk went from shitty to presentable after a few rattle cans.

 

[Der Stig]

I paid a visit to Spectre's to strip down my McDonald's racer project and set to work.

I began by removing the tank and attempting to remove the handlebars (mission failed for now, stripped screws on the cover)

Here's the tank. I can't see why it's so bad.

Let's get a closer look. Hmm...

How about the undersi-wait, what the hell is that?

Yup, that's not supposed to look like that

Fortunately, the carbs looked much better and I took those off, too. Here's my Craigslist-approved intake covering, featuring old wasp's nests.

Oh yeah, one of the rubber sleeves on the intakes was half-JB Weld.

The bike as it sits.

I brought some stuff home for cleaning.

That, kids, is how you pack a tank into a trunk.

 

[Der Stig]

I also realized that I forgot to take a proof pic while I was there, so this'll have to suffice.

 

[Rossco]

That old tank looked nastay.

All those bits that need to be cleaned should keep ya busy though, hope you like the smell of pine-sol! :lol:

One more thing, you call it the McDonald's racer. You know that McDonald's now has the McCafe line-up of beverages, right?

Doesn't that make it a cafe racer now?

 

[Spectre]

Just FYI, the entire bottom of the tank that came with it appeared to be made of JB Weld. Some of the wiring (more than what's in the pictures above) is held together with wire nuts.

Yup, someone's getting an education.