Hello All

[Beermonster]

Hi everyone, I was recently asked to sell a "motorbike" on behalf of a friend who was not in a position to do so himself. I went to see the bike and it was a GSX1400 K3 which had been standing outside (covered) in all weathers for about 18 months having not turned a wheel. Needless to say, it was absolutely filthy, having previously been used to commute all year round. It also had quite a lot of surface rust in various places and the battery was dead.

I had a local mechanic drain the fuel, replace oil, filters, spark plugs, fit a new battery, MOT and return it to my address as it's currently SORN'd. I then spent two days cleaning and de greasing it and dealing with surface rust. I've put a polished radiator cover on it because I like shiny things! I've started to deal with the usual corrosion on the aluminium engine cases with Wet and Dry and ultimately Autosol polish. Not sure I've got the confidence to remove them for powder coating!

I'm really pleased with how the bike has come up and to be fair, have thoroughly enjoyed fettling and tinkering with the it in a way that reminds me of my youth. In recent years I've had new bikes that I tend not to get my hands dirty with, a BMW R1200RT being the current steed. It just really reminds me of how bikes used to be. 35 years ago, my first big bike was a Suzuki GS1000 followed by a Honda CBX. So, I've decided to buy the 14 for myself.....

So, now trying to decide whether to keep both bikes or sell the BMW, either way I can't wait to get out on the GXR14 and continue to make it prettier with the very usefull advice I'm finding on this site! (Need to do something with the cooling fins as a little corroded...).

So, once again, hi everyone, and I look forward to perusing the site and getting useful tips from the clearly knowledgeable folk on here! And I quite like the blue... .!

[lil4399]

Bienvenue Beermonster!

Congratulations on saving the old girl, and joining this forum.

Keeping both or selling the BMW is a personal choice with factors only you know I.e. finance/space/permission from the boss

Either way, enjoy her, she will respond by being a faithful companion. 

[Notty]

Welcome - Croeso 

[T 24]

Welcome Beermonster!

[Andre]

Welcome

[Blubber]

Welcome 


That doesn't look to bad

[seth]

 
To all things 1402
Nice bike you have there the work you put in will be very rewarding
Good luck

[ARH]

Welcome!  That's a nice blue 14..even tho the white bits are missing

[KiwiCol]

Hi Beermonster, welcome to the forum.  Think I might be your counterpart 'downunder' with a handle like that.   

[Beermonster]

Thanks for the kind welcome guys. This forum, the enthusiasm for the GSX14, and the numerous photographs make me want to go out to the garage and tinker with it some more. Many years ago, I dismantled a Yamaha RD400 to the point where I could send the frame off for powder coating and then rebuilt the bike from there. A far more complicated task on this bike and probably beyond me, but tempting.....

[seth]

It's a straight forward bike if you don't take the motor apart and there is no need to. you'll be just fine working on your 14.

[Del]

How do Fella welcome to the forum - you done a good job getting the bike back to the way it looks - keep them both - Ive currently got 3 and only once have I been asked 'see when you get the new bike are you going to sell the others' - I wandered about laughing and sniggering to myself for a good few hours .. . . . never answered the question from SWMBO

All the best

Del

[Kiwifruit]

G'day Beermonster. Good you decided to keep the 14 and then join the forum. Good luck with the tidy up. 

[VladTepes]

[Mick_J]

Welcome to the forum Beermonster, I also have a Beemer, a R1200r and find them both great so if you can, keep them both.  You can never have too many bikes