My GSA is a keeper, but its sill a 12 year old bike with 70k on the clock and thanks to a year I rode it through a winter it’s getting tatty in my eyes and if I don’t do something it will get worse. The silver on the engine and the rear hub is starting to get scabby. Plus a few other bits and pieces need a lick of paint.
I could do it myself, but I would want to ride the bike and doing a bit over several weekends I know I would rush it and do a shit job. So I would rather pay someone to do it properly.
Who would you trust / recommend to smarten up my GS? I not looking for concurs, just a clean and tidy bike that I can carry on riding until I cant get my leg over it.
Brian
A possible option........
My 1150 was suffering after living in a shed for 13 years near the sea. Like you I intend to hang on to it for next few years. Now I have a garage I am doing a "sympathetic restoration" in stages which means keeping it off road for as little time as possible.
Stage 1 completed- fairing sub frames, fork mounts, oil cooler, oil line, front engine cover, corrosion treated on upper engine casing
Stage 2 completed- fork bottoms, fork brace, side and centre stand stripped/painted, braided hoses purchased
Stage 3 Feb 2017- powder coat rear sub frame, lube gear box splines, refinish rear alloy carrier
Stage 4 March 2017- re-spray sump, heads and barrels in situ, polish headers
Stage 5 April 2017- re-spray underside of tank
Been able to keep the bike on the road and reckon the whole job will have taken around 12 months if all goes to plan with no disruption to my riding plans. Won't be mint but end result should look good for the next 10years. I opted for a spray finish initially as there wasn't a powder coater within 200miles of where I previously lived.
Total cost will probably be in region of £400 including brake hoses, paint, heavy duty paint stripper, degreaser, phosphoric acid, stainless nuts and bolts etc. Still working out best way to clean rear hub up.
Plenty of AFC 50 and WD40 on parts awaiting treatment to keep corrosion at bay.
At the end of the day I guess it all comes down to what is the desired end result, how much you want to pay and how much you are comfortable doing yourself. It can be done. ...Oh yes, having a garage helps!
