1980 GS1100L advice

[GS1100Launcher]

Hello all! Thanks for taking the time to read my first post. I have recently inherited a 1980 GS1100L and have been going through the thing to try and get it back to cruising condition. After several repairs to the wiring and basic maintenance, it finally decides to start up and run.

I have however encountered an issue - When first filling it with oil and starting it, I had noticed the oil turning black quickly. Seeing this much in my automotive shop, I immediately inspected the head gasket for leaks - sure enough it is blown.

To my main question, can anyone give me any insight on to how much time (a.k.a. shop labor) this will account for? I know for a fact several of the motorcycle shops in the area are not exactly what I would call trustworthy, hence my suspicion. I want to know a ballpark of what I should be paying for (not factoring in shop labor, supplies, gaskets, other damage, etc.) because, as anyone now days, would like to get off as cheap as possible. However, if spending the extra couple hundred buys me a warranty or assurance that the job is done properly, that will of course be the best alternative of course.

Anyways, If anyone would be kind enough to point me in the proper direction, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance and inform me if my post is misplaced.

[Motorcycle Forum]

[slozomby]

a shops gunna charge you more than the bikes worth to get it cleaned up.

[GS1100Launcher]

a shops gunna charge you more than the bikes worth to get it cleaned up.

The bike has been in the family for a long time and I got it as an inheritance (for free, in other words) and am willing to put some money into it. If I can get some figures, I can decide on weather or not I should do it myself. If I do it myself the bike will be down for months because of my horribly busy work schedule, hence my attempt to research the length / cost of the job.

[Easy Rider]

If I can get some figures, I can decide on weather or not I should do it myself.

Call around and ask.

Guesses that you get here will be worse than useless, unless it comes from your area.

You might not have much choice as a LOT of shops won't work on any bike over 20 years old or so.

[GS1100Launcher]

Hm. Well it was worth a shot - I was hoping maybe someone was an experienced motorcycle shop mechanic and could get me some accurate, honest information for a change.

I'll collect some numbers and see what some people on here think. Unless anyone thinks I'd be better off on my own.

[Easy Rider]

could get me some accurate, honest information for a change.

Honest is easy; accurate, not so much.

Several places around the country might do that job for xxx dollars.
The cheapest you can get it done in YOUR area might be xxx + $200.
It can vary widely by location.

Only YOU can know if you are capable of doing it yourself.

"Yea, go for it" from someone you don't know often is BAD advice.

[GS1100Launcher]

Well I acquired some bids so I know what I am looking at. General consensus is around 6 hours of labor, with no broken bolts, damaged valve train etc.

Looks like I'll be tackling this myself - but thanks for your input gentlemen.