Nothing in Life is Free
I looked at a free motorcycle as just that. Free. How bad could could it be?
Digging in like I was on some Discovery channel show with endless resources and loads of expertise. Tank off✔ seat off ✔ handlebars ✔
Wait a minute. What is this dusty metal thing now taking space in my garage?
With an old repair manual in hand and YouTube linked on my phone , no repair seemed too daughting.
It is remarkable though, the amount of things that need attention after sitting for a decade, and on a machine that was approaching 37 years old. Here is a list of the things replaced /overhauled:
THE MOTORCYCLE LIST
- Choke Cable
- Seat
- Front fork seals
- Front brake master cylinder
Tearing it down. The GS550 shows its true form - Brakes caliper lube on front
- Rebuilt brake caliper on back
- Rear master cylinder rebuild
- New tires
- New battery
- Carb cleaning x1
- Carb Cleaning x2
- Carb Cleaning x3
- Oil filter /change oil
- Paint:automotive spray paint and clear coat.
- Handlebar
- 2nd new handlebar after brake fluid soaked into the 1st one.
- Grips
- New clutch and brake lever
- Spark plugs
- Headlight
This doesn’t include the specialty tools that I had to seek out from Harbor Freight , Dime City, and a few others.
Needless to say, the above list turned a free bike into what was around a 2000 motorcycle . The experience has been rewarding, challenging, frustrating, and even motivating. To call it a learning experience would be an understatement. This has created a new appreciation for those artistic, creative builders , that seem to effortlessly deconstruct a bike down to its bare shell and then configure, tweak, and modify a bike into a new machine. The goal with this 1980 Suzuki was never to make an artistic statement. Simply to GET OUT and on a road somewhere. To say that “i’m riding”.
An old bike , even in the “best” condition, is still an old bike. They need work. You are up to this challenge. Your midlife will thank you . Get out and ride.