Finally, 1981 850 going together

[Navydad]

After a winter of tearing apart and refurbishing the assembling has now began on the new Suzuki 850 “Dark” model. New Shinko tires, front forks rebuilt with new Sonic springs and new Hagon shocks on the rear. Carbs have been rebuilt with GEN-U-WINE Suzuki parts and Robert’s o-rings, all new rubber mounts and intake boots are waiting. I have all of the parts needed to upgrade the charging system and the braking systems have been rebuilt with goodies from Suzuki and Earl’s. Tossed in new clutch springs just for giggles. Shoulders are shot, no longer interested in polishing aluminum and chrome then hurting for two days. This rescue is getting the dark treatment.

[DGoebel]

That IS Beautiful! Well done and keep up the Awesome work. L

[Saluda]

Nice.

[pegasus1300]

Can't wait to see it all together

[ARtraveler]

Now that brings back some good memories. I had one of those. Same color too. I had mine "Vettered" up with "Windjammer" fairing, Vetter saddle bags, and a Vetter top trunk. Drove it a couple years and traded it in on my first Yamaha Venture touring machine (1983).


Great bikes--.

[pegasus1300]

Now that brings back some good memories. I had one of those. Same color too. I had mine "Vettered" up with "Windjammer" fairing, Vetter saddle bags, and a Vetter top trunk. Drove it a couple years and traded it in on my first Yamaha Venture touring machine (1983).


Great bikes--.

9197836.jpg1986 Venture 2nd of 4 ventures and 2 Royal Stars

[Navydad]

9197836.jpg1986 Venture 2nd of 4 ventures and 2 Royal Stars

Riding buddy of mine bought a Venture the first year they were available. He was retired and lived on that bike. 210,000 miles and second gear went out so he traded it for another Venture. Great bike, great engine, I liked the V-Max version

[Navydad]

Haven't updated for a bit so here is the 850 with the stock exhausts cleaned up and installed. May be ready for a test firing soon. Bike has been running too lean and darkened the head pipes. No wonder, intake had more air leaks than I could count. All new factory original intake parts so no more leaks.

[Netminder]

Sweet! Should be nice when you are done!

[Navydad]

The Suzuki GS850G dark version. Limited edition because I have the only one with this color scheme A Tank of fresh gas and a short shakedown ride and the bike runs great. I was hesitant about buying the Sonic fork springs and the Hagon shocks being the rather frugal fellow that I am. We have a street here in town that is in bad need of new pavement and the seams are almost speed bump quality. Suspension upgrades? Glad I spent the money and got the goodies. Amazing how smooth this old bike rides and the engine is scary smooth. Transmission shifts very nicely up or down. I thought I might keep this rescue/rebuild and now I am convinced. This baby stays. No front turn signals installed because I have a nice vintage Wixom fairing and a nice rack/backrest to be installed. I thought about painting the fairing, but the original white buffed out so well I decided to keep it as a survivor. New chrome caps for the cam towers on the way and I need the trim for the bottom edge of the seat. A good cleaning and polishing, a few tweaks and my solo tour bike will be ready for an adventure. We travel on our 2015 RT and love it, but I manage to get in a few short solo rides every year and this will be my mount. Nothing like spending a few days on the Blueridge Parkway on a vintage bike.

[ARtraveler]

It just does not get much better. Vintage bikes.

[Chupaca]

Had suzuki's most of the time and always loved them. You did an amazing job getting her back to her original state.. Sorry to see the fairing going on but if your going to travel I can understand. Just looks so good al naturale....

[Navydad]

Had suzuki's most of the time and always loved them. You did an amazing job getting her back to her original state.. Sorry to see the fairing going on but if your going to travel I can understand. Just looks so good al naturale....

I agree, but alas I have been spoiled over the years by windshields. I am going to set it up for quick installation/removal so I can cruise nekkid locally.

[cognaccruiser]

You should have a great feeling of accomplishment and pride for a job well done. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

Gary

[oldguyinTX]

That is one really sweet ride. You should be proud of yourself for bringing her back to life.

[HayRog]

That is one really sweet ride. You should be proud of yourself for bringing her back to life.

[Navydad]

Well, I have about 200 "test" miles on the 850 and after a few tweaks and adjustments it is ready to become a productive member of society again. The original Wixom shield was too tall for my taste and rather than trim a perfectly nice 40 year old windshield I took the stock shield that I had in the garage from my 2014 Triumph Trophy and adapted it. Works quite well. I also used a couple of round Honda turn signals in the fairing and have them wired so I can quickly remove the fairing and signals and install the stock ones if I get the urge to ride a nekkid bike. Now to put some miles on the bike.

[ARtraveler]

on a job well done. I think of yours every time I jump on my 900 Vulcan. At least CC wise, they are in the ballpark. I did like my Suziki 850 a lot though. It got traded in for a Venture a couple years after I bought it.

Good to see yours is once again up and running.

[Spyder 42]

Looking good!

My college graduation gift to myself was a 1981 GS750E. My riding partner had a 1982 GS850L. After riding the L, I wanted the shaft drive G but it was not to be. Ended up keeping the E and finally traded it on a 1990 Concours. I haven’t fussed with a chain drive bike since.

[Navydad]

Looking good!

My college graduation gift to myself was a 1981 GS750E. My riding partner had a 1982 GS850L. After riding the L, I wanted the shaft drive G but it was not to be. Ended up keeping the E and finally traded it on a 1990 Concours. I haven’t fussed with a chain drive bike since.

I paid a bit more for the 850 than I should have, but it was complete and I really wanted a shaft drive bike. When we travel two up we take our Spyder, but when traveling solo I like two wheels and I prefer a vintage bike. The search was on for one of the many Yamaha's that had shaft drive in the late 70's and early 80's or a Suzuki 850. It had to be in the 600cc to 900cc range as well. I did find a very nice XS1100, but it was too big for my liking and the 750 Virago I found was not comfortable for me. I don't care for the cruiser riding position. Then the 850 popped up and I grabbed it. Very reliable bikes, parts are readily available and not overly expensive. Some items like the exhaust pipes and some trim items are not available, but there are aftermarket alternatives. I got lucky and the original exhaust was solid and in great shape. The 850 and I will be heading for the Blue Ridge Parkway in a couple of weeks