1979 Suzuki GS850G

Summary:

Great old Geezer!

General Comments:

Bought the bike from the original owner's wife in the summer of 2014. It had been sitting in a garage under a tarp, on the centre stand for 25 years. It wasn't seized. The paint and seat were mint. The tires were surprisingly good.

Rebuilt the carbs, forks, calipers, master cylinders, new points and condensers, new plugs, lots of other little things, lots of elbow grease.

This summer I've finally got it running well after replacing the rings and gaskets and honing the cylinders, which were pretty glazed. I love this bike! I was 18 years old when it was built. I need to replace the original exhaust soon, but overall it's been a great restoration project. Bought it for $500.00, put about $1000.00 into it in new parts. I ride along and grin at those guys who spend $20,000.00 on their Harley's which everyone and their grandmother has. Not too many good old Geezers out there. I'm going to enjoy mine for a long time, God willing!

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th June, 2016

1981 Suzuki GS850G

Summary:

All the motorcycle I'll ever need

Faults:

Any problems with this motorcycle have been caused by normal use and age-related wear.

The most recent was gummed up carbs, caused by lack of use for a couple of years.

General Comments:

Totally reliable over my twenty years of ownership.

Power is totally adequate for my needs.

Handling is very good, with after market fork springs, shocks, braided steel brake lines and Metzeler tires installed always.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 2009

12th Dec 2009, 13:44

I also have a 1981 GS850 - bought new in 1984. It has been a good and faithful companion, hauling me to Canada, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Arizona, and all over the west. It now has about 43k miles on it and I can still fire it up and ride anywhere.

I now have a Kawasaki Concours, and while it is much faster and handles better, I'm not quite sure that if my life depended on it, I wouldn't ride the Suzi.

No real problems. These had a history of bad stators, but (knock on wood), I have had no trouble to date. Only problem, same as you, was that I once let it sit for 3 years and the carbs gummed up, and the airbox tubes got as hard as granite, rather than the pliable rubber they once were. Other than that, just the usual tires, brakes, etc.

It still fires up and runs smoother than my Kaw. I don't really need it, but as I said, it has been a good and faithful companion, and I just can't let it go to a stranger who might not appreciate it.