I am also a beginner, I bought an 83 GS550L and I love it for the most part. Although I believe it was used to ride wheelies.
First problem - leaked oil from sitting for a few years. Replaced the gaskets and the O-ring around the starter motor, and it ran fine with no oil leaks after that.
Second problem - Battery was shot when I bought it, so I bought a new one for $42, and it is great.
Finally got to take it on my first ride, and I got soaked in gas... Had the carburetors cleaned and it seemed to be doing great.
I filled up on gasoline and found that it was pouring gas into my cylinders, filling them with gas... still working on this bike. It's in great shape for its age, but it has cost me a lot of money to get it up and running. Now I hope it will at least hold together for the summer (without 2nd gear).
When I shift into 2nd, it revs and grinds a little, then shifts right into neutral, so I just skip 2nd altogether. But I think I will need 2nd for my road test. :(
30th Apr 2013, 15:12
I am also a beginner, I bought an 83 GS550L and I love it for the most part. Although I believe it was used to ride wheelies.
First problem - leaked oil from sitting for a few years. Replaced the gaskets and the O-ring around the starter motor, and it ran fine with no oil leaks after that.
Second problem - Battery was shot when I bought it, so I bought a new one for $42, and it is great.
Finally got to take it on my first ride, and I got soaked in gas... Had the carburetors cleaned and it seemed to be doing great.
I filled up on gasoline and found that it was pouring gas into my cylinders, filling them with gas... still working on this bike. It's in great shape for its age, but it has cost me a lot of money to get it up and running. Now I hope it will at least hold together for the summer (without 2nd gear).
When I shift into 2nd, it revs and grinds a little, then shifts right into neutral, so I just skip 2nd altogether. But I think I will need 2nd for my road test. :(
Wish me luck with my oldie...