Author Topic: Suzuki GS1000 (Read 14837 times)

hannibal smith · « **on:** February 25, 2019, 12:58:48 PM »

Hmmm. It's an unmolested 1979 GS1000E.

I am helping a buddy restore a Kawasaki, and he drops this off for me (he has 3 of them!). Not sure how to proceed. Keep it stock with a light resto, or build an XR69, or a "Cooley"?

It runs great with 50,000 miles. 2 owner bike, and we know both of them.

Roebling3 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2019, 01:08:10 PM »

Mr. Smith.
Dear sir I would be very pleased to take responsibility for the '69 GS1000E.
I've had several similar Suzuki's (still have one), and loved them all.
Your new best friend? Seriously. Good fortune, R3~

sidecarnutz · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2019, 01:12:23 PM »

Aw man. I loved those bikes when I was a young man. But having a kid and house payments meant I never got to buy one. If its free to good home, I would make a road trip to pick it up. It would live in a climate controlled garage and get taken out for joy rides on nice days.

kfz · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2019, 01:13:40 PM »

Why would you muck with it? Just restore it and keep it standard, Definitely look at the wiring and check the regulator but Im a fan of the seventies Suzukis rock solid motors, cycle parts a bit meh, but they do what they do. Cant argue with that.

Kev

Furbo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2019, 01:27:00 PM »

Go full 70's. Windjammer faring and clafia bags.

RinkRat II · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2019, 01:28:44 PM »

I'm leanin' towards the Cooley!

Paul B

kfz · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2019, 01:41:29 PM »

Quote from: Furbo on February 25, 2019, 01:27:00 PM

Go full 70's. Windjammer faring and clafia bags.

You Yanks are not quite the shilling are you?

Kev

hannibal smith · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2019, 01:48:13 PM »

Quote from: RinkRat II on February 25, 2019, 01:28:44 PM

I'm leanin' towards the Cooley!

Paul B

That was my first reaction too! It would be an interpretation, as I wouldn't want to source the correct gauge cluster etc. and it's not originally an "S" version anyways. In stock trim, it's cool, but it doesn't stir me. All I need is a new seat cover if I keep it stock, so that's the easy way.

I am thinking with a "Cooley" fairing, some low bars, suspension mods and some other bits, it would really liven up the ride.

I wish it wasn't so complete, then I could do anything and not feel a bit guilty............. .........but as my buddy always says, "There already is a perfect example in a museum somewhere." Hmmmmm.

flip · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2019, 01:52:00 PM »

Quote from: RinkRat II on February 25, 2019, 01:28:44 PM

I'm leanin' towards the Cooley!

Paul B

bad Chad · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2019, 02:24:21 PM »

I had a 78 Gs1000. It really was a great all round super bike. Super comfortable and a great motor. Wish I still had one.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2019, 02:38:35 PM »

If your getting a new seat cover maybe trim the seat down a little to make it more aesthetically pleasing.. it looks too honking big like it is.

hannibal smith · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2019, 03:03:04 PM »

Quote from: fotoguzzi on February 25, 2019, 02:38:35 PM

If your getting a new seat cover maybe trim the seat down a little to make it more aesthetically pleasing.. it looks too honking big like it is.

I agree. Totally dominant and ugly.

F-22 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2019, 03:09:44 PM »

I've nothing but good memories of old Suzukis. My dad used to ride a GS850G, even took me on a few long tips when I was around 10.
I think it's the same frame, but the 850 engine was more like the 750, with shaft drive (it also had a kick starter and slide carbs). The seat was Giuliari, fitted on the stock mounts and was a little bit sporty. I remember it was very uncomfortable compared to the stock 850G seat which was amazing but huge.

Very reliable. Only problem he ever had was with the stock charging system. My friend rides a GS550E, and had similar problems. Two years ago, he bought the cheapest Chinese stator and regulator he could find on ebay (both together were some 50€). Didn't have a problem since. It still charges over 13V at idle and 14,5V at max. Some say upgrading to some high tech expensive regulators solves the problems, but at 50€ for practically everything, I don't think the 300€ regulator is even remotely worth it.

Two Checks · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2019, 08:48:46 PM »

The big thing on the GS Zooks were valve adjustments (shims) and the carb to manifold boots. And both are still available from the dealer.

Turin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:10:45 PM »

Another Cooley fan here. I wouldn't build a fake replica though. I'd build a replica of the racer .

bad Chad · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:25:23 PM »

No idea about now, but back in the day I took my old shims in and exchanged them at the dealer for something like $2 each.

s1120 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2019, 05:48:04 AM »

Quote from: Two Checks on February 25, 2019, 08:48:46 PM

The big thing on the GS Zooks were valve adjustments (shims) and the carb to manifold boots. And both are still available from the dealer.

The 2 valve motors are not bad at all.. Granted not like a Guzzi... but not bad. I lucked out doing my 650 back in the day, that the only adjustment needed, I could swap the two shims and it was fine.. And once adjusted they are VARY stable. frankly one check after the bike had a few K on them, and the clearances would odds are be good till the end of time.. Great motor, and bike..

chuck peterson · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2019, 07:59:21 AM »

I worked pit crew for a Zuki ama pro..1979-80..amazing experience...

I've seen a 78 somewhere in New England in the last few weeks...maroon tank decent at under $3

I'll see if I can find it again

chuck peterson · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2019, 08:02:23 AM »

This ain't it................. .......

https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/wolfeboro-falls-1996-suzuki-125/6812522337.html

chuck peterson · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2019, 08:05:40 AM »

This ain't it either but a really nice mate to your blue one....I think the E shaft drive are a great buy, just one step away from "the one" everyone wants makes things a lot cheaper...guzzi content!

https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ayer-original-82-suzuki-gs1100/6827221689.html

chuck peterson · « **Reply #20 on:** February 26, 2019, 08:11:26 AM »

That she blows!.......found it

For race breeding purposes this is the one that started things, not the E drive shaft.....as a near stock bike it looks fantastic too me...id buy that as a historical significant model, buff it up and not do much to it to modify

https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/bradford-1978-suzuki-gs-1000/6815347528.html

chuck peterson · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2019, 08:14:14 AM »

Here's the one I want...

one of my photos from back then...Roberto Pietre (sp?) I believe.....notice the hand bent curves on the head pipes...coming down off the hill in the big right hander at Loudon

Not my foto, but as far as Honda vs Suzuki goes.........

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2019, 08:35:16 AM »

Quote from: Furbo on February 25, 2019, 01:27:00 PM

Go full 70's. Windjammer faring and clafia bags.

Wasn't it enough that countless motorcycles from the 70's and 80's had to endure Windjammer fairings? Please let us all take part in ending the suffering and let the last few remaining unmolested survivors live the rest of their time w/o fear of one of these monstrosities being anchored on them.

bodine99 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2019, 08:59:57 AM »

Quote from: Furbo on February 25, 2019, 01:27:00 PM

Go full 70's. Windjammer faring and clafia bags.

My 81 56,867 miles stator & reg. years ago. Florida to Barber several times great bike

hannibal smith · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:18:10 AM »

Quote from: bad Chad on February 25, 2019, 09:25:23 PM

No idea about now, but back in the day I took my old shims in and exchanged them at the dealer for something like $2 each.

I have a small motorcycle shop within 500 yards of my shop- He has a tackle box full of shims. I just do swaps, or pay $4.00 each.

hannibal smith · « **Reply #25 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:22:45 AM »

Quote from: Perazzimx14 on February 26, 2019, 08:35:16 AM

Wasn't it enough that countless motorcycles from the 70's and 80's had to endure Windjammer fairings? Please let us all take part in ending the suffering and let the last few remaining unmolested survivors live the rest of their time w/o fear of one of these monstrosities being anchored on them.

Roebling3 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:28:02 AM »

Now how cool izzat? Holding on to your hat, in a turn, while racing. And the strap buckle bouncing about provides a nagging; Now what, dummy. R3~

wymple · « **Reply #27 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:34:23 AM »

I still ride my GS850G. Bullet proof motors & transmissions on those 8 valve engines. Valve adjustments are easier than advertised, and a once in the life of the bike thing, but still more trouble than most. Almost nothing ever made is easier than a Guzzi. Get on the GS Suzuki forum, do the wiring upgrades that are recommended and you will be more than happy. These bikes are more top heavy than our Guzzis if it matters to you. I think they are the finest of the Japanese lot.

wymple · « **Reply #28 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:38:34 AM »

BTW, those Windjammers are/were everywhere because they worked, and did so better than anything else. Rode behind a lot of them.

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:47:33 AM »

Quote from: wymple on February 26, 2019, 10:38:34 AM

BTW, those Windjammers are/were everywhere because they worked, and did so better than anything else. Rode behind a lot of them.

When I bought my 850T from Lauri it had a windjammer-esk fairing with it. The deal was if I bought the bike the fairing was the 1st thing to be loaded to make sure it didn't get left behind. He also suggested not tying it down real good in hopes it blow out on the way home.

The only place I see windjammers is periodically one will pop up on CL and the seller asking several hundred dollars thinking they are valuable. I set mine along the curb for free and even the trash man turned his nose up at it. Ended up taking it to bulk trash where they reluctantly took it, and they take just about anything.

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Author Topic: Suzuki GS1000 (Read 14837 times)