Hello everyone, this is my first post in Rubber Side Down, but I have been reading up on posts here for a little while.
I just picked up a 1987 LS650F at what seems to me to be a pretty good price, and I went into this purchase knowing that I would have to buy quite a few parts and put more than a little bit of work into it. This bike is for my girl, and she wants it back to nearly stock.
I have done a bit of work on my own bike, a Honda Fury, and have a bit of experience turning a wrench, as well as throwing paint.
The Savage has about 18.8k miles on it, and I was told that there may be issues with the clutch. The seller told me that the engine would crank but that the starter made a grinding noise, and that he stopped trying to start the engine when he heard the noise. The airbox was removed and replaced with a cone filter. I have a new starter and airbox on the way. Also, a previous owner welded the muffler to the exhaust pipe! Gonna have to cut at the welds and try to clean up the metal. Also, the front shock seals appear to be shot, as they are leaking fluid. This will be the first time I have rebuilt the front shocks.
My girl wants the frame repainted due to some minor rust, so the bike is going to be disassembled down to the frame for the repaint. I do have the repair manual for this year model.
Here are come pictures of the Savage with the tank and seat off of it.
The part that concerns me the most is the wiring harness, I think I am going to have a bit of work in that department, as a previous owner got creative, going so far as to put in a hidden power kill switch, which has already been removed. Here is what some of the wiring looks like:
Please, any pointers or advise on this project would be appreciated!