What kinds of mods can be done to a 1980(?) GS450? I might be buying one. It has been rejetted & has a K&N filter and 2 into 1 exhaust right now. What kinds of fork/shock mods can be done, and at what cost? TIA Pam_G aka Blonde Ambition Racer
Shocks: Works Vintage racing, around $300 Toss the forks & get a bigger set, I use 87 honda 600, around $150 to 250 The exhaust is ok but the GS motor will like a 2 into 2 better, mine are high pipes custom made by Hans at HMF (all kinds of room for the belly pan) $200 to300 If you lean on the motor, HD cyclinder studs are a must. stock is 447cc, you can run anything from 487cc to 555cc (You have to use a GS 500 cyclinder with the 555) The more compression the better E-mail me for more info if you need it. GS-450s rock Bob GS-450L racer and winner of last weekends Vintage 4 race
I found the reason for lousy lap times. just over 100lbs of compression. looks like will be breaking in a fresh piston/rings on Sat.
Thanks Bob. I still have to find out a couple of things about this GS450. I was at Nelson last weekend. Mostly watching that dark blue SRX and the yellow Duc Monster! Thanks for the "words of wisdom" you gave Greg.
No problem. One other quick check, pop the carbs off the boots & see if the ridge that runs across the bottom of the intakes is still there. If so, take a die grinder to those suckers. A good valve job will do wonders & if it has an air box or K&N style filters, you can toss those in the trash also. Dust you say? thats what new pistons rings are for... Greg will be fine, Make it fun & the speed will come
I'll be fine? Wow! Wait til everyone else hears the good news! Oh, wait....I think you mean I'll be fine on the bike! You da man, Bob!
Another update on this bike: It has a Progressive front & Emgo rear shocks. Any good, or do these go in the trash?
HELP ME hi everybody, i was given a relic GS450 for a lil project and to start this project i have to get the bike to start. firstly i am a tech-handy and i have narrowed it to some thing close. no fuel will go thru the carby and into the cylinders. i can not get a wet spark plug. if anyone can help me it would be greatly appreciated. cheers pplz matt
Pam G and Donvito, I hope you two are not heading down the path I ended up taking. Just in case you were planning on racing the bike in the GP500 class, I wanted to say "its a misprint". Sean (Mongo) did finally reply to me and verify that the GS450 is not eligible for the GP500 no matter what year produced. BUT, NOBODY SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE CHANGES TO THE RULES! I just made arrangements to have the GS450 that I acquired for GP500 parted out. If you need anything, let me know. Will be on eBay this winter.
