[more added later]
Among other things I’m up to, I’ve got this piece of lawn art - sorry, restoration in progress. Actually, it was - and is - meant to become my primary mode of transportation. It’s a 1981 Suzuki GS850.
Now let’s start with hard, solid reality. I’m reasonably talented with computers. And information research is my Big Deal - profession as well as avocation. But automotive skills? ummm, yeah. For a couple of long, miserable years I’ve been off-and-on fighting getting the thing running.
Today, I wanted to cry. I was doing some desultory research into it all, and discovered I may have been not doing something blindly simple. I’ll know tonight. If so, I’ve been fighting myself, and could have been riding a couple of years ago. What have I done? Welll… (blush)
One of the early things I did - right or wrong, in retrospect - was pick up new coils. Which also came with new wires to connect to the plugs (which are also new - and that was a good thing to do). I recall the wires looked a little odd when I attached them, but, well, I did it anyway. Odd? The ends were, well, hollow. Which may mean that the reason I’m getting zero spark at the plugs is that there’s no connection. sigh.
Tonight, I may be kicking myself over this. We’ll see.
[and later]
Nope, not kicking myself. darnit. OK, just because I’m using this half as an echo board, half desparate plea for someone to have a bright idea…
I’ve had to replace some wires and a fuse. The coils were corroded, so I replaced them as well as four plugs. I also had to clean the clutch safety switch, and resolder the wire under the starter button.
Now, when I turn the key, flip the switch to run, pull the clutch, and press the start button, the rotor rotates. Cover off the signal generator, i can see it spinning as well as hear the… “vrum vrum vrum” sound. But I’m getting zero spark at the plugs.
My multimeter’s batteries died. When I get some more (we’re OUT? sigh) I’ll do some tests. 1) test the resistance at each of the.. dunno the name, but the magnetic bulges which generate the spark on the signal generator. I’ll also be testing continuity along the whole bloody thing looking for a broken wire or corroded connection that I’ve missed. Already checked the fuse - it’s fine.
Once the sparks go, I’ll reassemble it and see if it’ll actually catch. Might not - there are a few odds and ends that need work. For example, the airbox on a GS850 (among others) is peculiar. It’s SUPPOSED to restrict airflow. This one… I’ve replaced three of the boots, and may need to replace a fourth. And the box may need to be better sealed as well. I have a real strong suspicion that I’ll be pulling, cleaning, and resetting the carbs. At that point the engine should run, and even if it’s rough, that will be enough to justify the next chunk of change.
Next chunk of change will be opening the engine - well, pulling the cover - and checking the wear and glazing on the valves and pistons - and, I suppose, the clearances. Also, I’ll check wear on the gears and the shaft.
Shaft? Yes, the GS850 is a shaft, not a chain. Which is one more thing to open and examine.
But all that engine stuff shouldn’t be much - I’ve opened it once to look and at that time it didn’t look too bad (other than I want to ensure the old dead oil is really gone). No, there are some places I WILL spend money, and don’t want to till I know it’ll run.
I have two tires to replace. I also have a brake system to replace. There’s a dead seal on the rear brake cylinder - maybe more than one, but at least one. Pads, and oh yeah the cables are going to be replaced with braided steel cables. Oh, and the seat needs either fixed and replaced. And last but far from least, it needs a new kickstand. Right now it’s on the mid-stand. The tip of the kick is broken off about one inch too short. ummm, and a serious expense. I think I’ve got the rust on the forks under control with no rough spots - don’t think it quite broke the chrome. But if it did… new forks, new seals on the front shocks, much pain and sweating and… I am a librarian with computer experience. Learning the hard way to be a mechanic. sigh.
Either I’m riding this or selling it by the time winter (such as it is round here) settles in. If I’m riding it, winter maintenance is special - sure, let’s wax whimsical.
I’ll pull everything - EVERYTHING - off. I want to polish and clean a bunch of things that aren’t… necessary immediately, but which will improve a few things. There’s still a bunch of wire I’d like to replace - yes, I’d just like to replace all the harness if I can. Wire I know, and this stuff is on the edge in my opinion. Anyway, and then there’s the whimsical.
I want to paint the bike - frame, fuel tank, and what little else has color. I have this image - HAVE had it for since I bought the darn thing. Dark green. Black sillhouette with gray/silver ‘mist’ overlay/shading/highlights of a knight on a charger, lance leveled. yeah, I can’t get Mad Maudlin out of my head.
And I’ll make hardcases. That’s… both a bit tricky, and (I think) a reasonable extension of a bunch of stuff I’ve done in the past. Positive mold for the fiberglass, mounted on a welded step-plate and frame that forms the attachment to the bike. Same color scheme, but… this time, what’s on it as a picture keeps changing. Maybe just an echo of the fuel tank. Dunno. Hmmm, just reread this paragraph. In detail it’s a lot more, but that makes a fairly simple explanation.
Which means that provided I don’t sell the lawn art as pieces, I’ll have a very pretty motorcycle next spring. It should - historical - run about 50 mpg on my commute (mix interstate, major boulevard, and city streets). Which is about a 60-75% improvement on the two cars. I’ve been told there are some tweaks after that which can push it higher - we’ll see, but I’d like that.
Oh - and I insisted on taking the Basic Motorcycle Safety Course from the MSF. And will probably take a refresher. Sure, the insurance is good. But…
I had a motorcycle when I was in my early 20s. I had it for all of three months, and nearly killed myself several times over. When I took the class, I sat there going, “Yep, you’re right, that’s bad.” Because I’d done it, and KNEW what could happen even if you were lucky. Wish I’d had the class then.
Right now, with gas at ~$4.00 per gallon, I’ll save an average of 20 gallons / $80 per month. That… won’t pay off the cost of the bike in one year. However, I suspect in the long run it’ll be a LOT better savings.
Well, later.