Okay, so I’ve been wrenching on bikes for a while now, and I recently got my hands on a Suzuki GS650F. I thought I’d share my experience with this particular project, from start to finish, just in case anyone else is thinking about tackling one of these.
Getting Started
First things first, I found this bike sitting in a buddy’s garage. It was covered in dust, hadn’t been started in years, but looked mostly complete. We struck a deal, and I hauled it back to my place.
The Teardown
- I started by giving it a good wash. You wouldn’t believe the grime that came off!
- Next, I pulled the battery and, predictably, it was toast.
- Then came the fun part – taking things apart. I removed the seat, tank, and side covers, just to get a better look at everything.
- The carbs were next. They were seriously gunked up, so I carefully disassembled them, making sure to keep all the little jets and screws organized.
- I also checked the air filter – completely clogged, of course.
Cleaning and Fixing
This is where things got a little tedious, but it’s super important.
- I soaked the carb parts in cleaner, then scrubbed them with a toothbrush until they were sparkling.
- I ordered new diaphrams, float needles, and every rubber bit that looked dried out.
- While waiting for parts, I drained the old fuel tank and flushed it out with fresh gas.
- New air filter, obviously. And a new battery.
Putting it Back Together
The reassembly is basically the reverse of the teardown, but with a lot more care. It’s like putting together a puzzle, except the pieces are oily and sometimes don’t want to cooperate.
- I carefully reassembled the carbs, making sure everything was seated properly.
- Bolted the carbs back onto the engine.
- Reconnected all the fuel lines and throttle cables.
- Mounted the tank and seat.
- Installed the new battery.
The Moment of Truth
This is the part where you hold your breath and hope you didn’t screw anything up.
I turned the key, hit the starter button, and… after a few cranks, she fired up! It was a little rough at first, but after some carb adjustments, it was idling smoothly.
The Final Touches
Of course, there’s always more to do. I changed the oil and filter, checked the brakes, and lubed the chain. After a few test rides, I fine-tuned the carburetors some more to get it running just right.
And that’s pretty much it! It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. There’s something really satisfying about taking an old, neglected machine and bringing it back to life. Now, I’ve got a cool, classic bike that I can enjoy riding, and I know every nut and bolt on it.
