So I have this old 1150 GS

[RedRick Esq.]

As I mentioned previously I have bought this 1150GS from a Barrister we used a lot
The back story is that he has owned it for a lot of years ( about 20) and he has been threatening to sell it as long as I have known him, the bike has done 55k but probably only a couple of thousand in the last 5 or 6 years, and apprt from going for MOTs each year has sat at the back of a garage and I have always said I wanted first refusal so...

Bought unseen and delivered to me this week courtesy of A2B motorcycle movers

Lots of paperwork came with it - all old MOTs and loads of service bills etc etc
The bike rides pretty well in the short blast I gave it
It is however not what I would call cosmetically loved - it isnt bad but way short of how I would like it. loads of rusty bolt heads and general grime baked in over the years - it has been cleaned obviously in its life but not in the way I would have done it and with that in mind I have a plan

Start at the front and work backwards, stripping down and cleaning/ refurbishing or replacing parts as I go - not a nut and bolt restoration job just a get some love and looks back into the old girl
I have the time and I am happy enough to spend some cash getting it right but would rather keep costs down where I can but not spoiling or scrimping ....

I have loads of tools, lots and lots of tools but I am not terribly competent yet so this may be a trial or test of patience ( it may end up with Mikeyboy)

Any way stand by for some possibly idiotic questions and cries for help or advice and the odd begging plea for any parts that folk might have kicking around if I need them ( happy to pay obviously)

I will try and update as I go hope you all dont get bored .....

 

[The Other PaulG]

What a worthwhile thing to do. I'd probably put a couple of tanks of fuel through it first, just to be sure it's still mechanically sound and to get an idea of the condition of suspension components etc to help with replace / don't replace decisions later.

Please keep us updated.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

What a worthwhile thing to do. I'd probably put a couple of tanks of fuel through it first, just to be sure it's still mechanically sound and to get an idea of the condition of suspension components etc to help with replace / don't replace decisions later.

Please keep us updated.

Indeed - Suspension looks ok and felt ok but as I work backwards I will be getting to that in time ....

Any way front wheel off and whilst not terribly difficult hampered by bad bolts and in the case of the front mudguard too much thread lock/hamfisted previous and age the bolts are seized in and now rounded off so some extractors and a drill will be needed for that at the weekend. One of the bottom pinch bolts proved tricky and you can see why

Out with the Solvol for the front wheel cleaning - I may be a while ....

 

[timeandtide]

I’m in!

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Obviously I have stripped the discs and the ABS ring thing off the wheel so I can get at the grime easily or easier but a question ..
The ABS ring thing is as rusty as fuck is it acceptable to clean it up well with a brass brush or the like or does it need replacing ?
When I say rusty it isnt terrible in that it is eaten away but it has a nice bloom to it and cleaning would be my preference

 

[johnnyboy]

Just clean it up..

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

 

[Ian J Hartley]

You’ll need a better top box, that crapping cardboard one won’t last 5 minutes in a shower……

 

[Micky]

Good one Rick

Will follow with great interest .... and help where I can.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

You’ll need a better top box, that crapping cardboard one won’t last 5 minutes in a shower……

Actually it has a top box a Shad one and its shit

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Good one Rick

Will follow with great interest .... and help where I can.

Cheers mate

PAyment would be in the form of brown foamy liquid

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Now I remember why I don't like spoked wheels !

I am not striving for perfection and they are never ever going to look new but they are at least getting to the passable stage now IMO so another hour or 2 getting some love with a toothbrush around the spoke ends and wipe off the dust that shows in the photos rather than reality and the front wheel will be what I call done ( for now ) but it is a huge improvement over how it was

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Looking good there Rick.

While you have it out it might be worth stripping the speedo drive bevel and packing it with some fresh grease, a simple enough job.

 

[mikeyboy]

I’ve got a pair of 1100 s wheels that would fit !
I’ve just dismantled the whole bike for spares.
Some parts are interchangeable.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I’ve got a pair of 1100 s wheels that would fit !
I’ve just dismantled the whole bike for spares.
Some parts are interchangeable.

well when I need parts I will be giving you a call

(Possibly letting you finish it off when it gets beyond me )

Are the calipers the same - they look it. I haven't got as far as the calipers yet but the ones on that breaker look cleaner ....

 

[mikeyboy]

Calipers are the same.
I can take some better photos if they are of interest

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Calipers are the same.
I can take some better photos if they are of interest

it will be next week sometime before I get that far so hang tight

You will bound to have some bits kicking around when I break/strip fuck things up

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Looking good there Rick.

While you have it out it might be worth stripping the speedo drive bevel and packing it with some fresh grease, a simple enough job.

I was looking at that and its full of all sorts of swarf so I assume a blast out with some brake cleaner and re grease will do the job so yes its on my ever increasing list

 

[RedRick Esq.]

so this is as good as it gets now
ABS ring thing cleaned up well enough discs well within spec so cant be that old
Quite pleased with myself as these wheels were very dirty and if you look at the original pics it isnt just wipe away with an oily rag grime lots of hours so far

 

[johnnyboy]

Good job. I find this type of work quite therapeutic, although it always takes longer than you think.

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[Aidan1150]

Great start RedRick. I'll be following along too and wish you the best with the refresh.