JVS, Craig, Heloego, Thanks! I am looking forward to spring.
To continue the update, here is how to fix the manufacturing defect that led to the GT being dead on arrival. Other than the 20 second idle after Marty had primed the cylinder and pushed around the fuel hose and some connectors, the bike wouldn't start even though there was an occasional half-thump of it trying to start. I pulled off the gas tank today to replace the gas, even though I was convinced that the dust/grime in the tank was trivial and unlikely to have caused the non-starting issue. I was also convinced that it was impossible to kink a thick hose to the extent that a fuel pump couldn't push through enough gas for the bike to start.......well I was wrong......and we are finally tainted by technology!
The gas tank comes off very easily by removing two 10mm bolts under the seat. There are nice rubber bushings isolating the entire tank from the frame, fore and aft. The fuel injector now has a quick-disconnect at the hose and this swivels up and down. The kink was immediately visible on lifting the rear end of the tank (photo 1) and was caused by a short hose being forced to make a tight bend (photo 2), especially as it ran on top of the accelerator cables. Still unconvinced, I removed the hose and blew through it.....even the gentlest pressure to restore the shape of the kink was 100% occlusive.
I replaced the hose with a US made hose and clamps, routing a longer length with two curves to eliminate the kink (photo 3). Amazing result.....bike fired right up.....electric start/kick start.....everything works to perfection
In the interim period I discovered a very well made frame underneath the tank and much improved wire routing and protection.
This problem will undoubtedly surface for others and will prove to be amazingly frustrating for new buyers......hopefully Kevin can get back to the RE engineers so that they can fix the way they slap these things together......and maybe even do a preemptive fix on the US bikes. For the brothers and sisters on this forum, this should now be an easy fix
GSS