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1978 GS750 Pretty but...

  • Thread starter Thread starter kw86er
  • Start date Start date
K

kw86er

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DSCN1918.JPG


So I just bought this bike. I have been in search of a Z1 like project and when this bike came around for $1400 on craigslist I couldn't pass it up. The description said it didn't run. The PO bought it as such and didn't have any history except that he was told that it ran before it was parked. But she sure is pretty...

Got her home and started to look a little closer, I couldn't find a rusty bolt anywhere, everything was so clean. I started to notice things were too nice, seat is NOS same with the front fender. The break line isn't even in it's stay. Changed the oil, checked the air filter... something is wrong it's all too nice. I had better dig a little deeper...

I pulled the cam cover to check clearances aha lots of shinny clear red gasket sealer oh and more over there and there and there. This engine has been rebuilt and has never ran or at least not for long.

What I thought was a well taken care of motorcycle was really an unfinished project.

What to do now? Who rebuilt it? did they do a good job? So many questions...

I am tempted to pull the top end apart just to see what has been done. Valve clearances are non existent, there is next to no compression and I am thinking you don't get that far and give up unless you really have no clue. Oh well we will see what tomorrow brings.

k
 
Do the valve clearances first...thats most likely the source of the compression problems...they are leaking.

Second, do the full carb tear down and rebuild per the tutorials. If you dont want to tackle them, PM me and we can discuss.

Third, do a leak test on the petcock. What I do is get 2.. 3 or 4 FT lengths of vac hose and put them on the main fuel nipple ( the big one) and on the vacuum suction and run them each into a 2 liter pop bottle and put the petcock in the ON positon. Check the bottles in the morning to see if theres fuel in any of them. If so some petcock love is needed. And you will be ok if there is just a little from the main line..but uinder no circumstances do you want any from the little,vacuum line one. That one goes directly to the cylinder 3 via the vacuum port. This is how the crankcase gets full of gas and can quickly ruin the crank if it goes unnoticed.

Once valves are done and carbs good, get it started and vacuum sync the carbs and set the timing. Check the charging syatem also once the maintenance and timing is done.

Download the 8 valve 750 manual here and do some reading...


http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/
 
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Pick any visible RTV off..it can clog oil gallies if it sluffs off when running. Get a new OEM Suzuki gasket for the cover. There are many horror stories of aftermarket ones leaking and a OEM one seals and doesnt leak.
 
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WOW! Thanks for the quick reply. I will do those things and let you know how a make out.
 
Like I said though I see the gasket sealer everywhere now that I look harder. which wouldn't bother me if the bike was running but it's not and that red sealer should be black by now if it ran for any amount of time after reassembly. I am a bit worried that someone just slapped some new rings in or new valves without lapping... I guess all I can do is get it running and see what I get.
 
Great advice from Chuck. These things are the basics to assure you have your bases covered to have a smooth running bike.
Unless there is some major internal damage(which I doubt) you could likely get the bike running with an evening of tinkering.....BUT
it will likely run rough or stall or have flat spots in the rpm range....THEN you are left without knowing exactly what the problem is.
With the carb rebuild (easier than you think), the valve adjustment/check and the petcock check, along with a timing check....once you then go and start the bike you are sure of the integrity of these mentioned components and systems....if every new GS owner would follow these basic maintenance checks and services, there would be sooo many less questions on why it wont idle smooth or why it bogs, or why the carbs are overflowing....etc
Nice buy on the bike, it is a real classic and looks very nice. Good luck, keep us posted, we surely want you to have a great running bike and are here to help.

BTW....how many miles on it?
 
Thanks again guys. I checked out some of the recourses available through the site and there is a ton of good info. I will read up and get started.
 
She is an absolute beauty, Please, I beg you,in the name of all that is holy, tell me you are not going to be messing with such a beautiful example. :pray::pray:
 
tell me you are not going to be messing with such a beautiful example
Click to expand...

I feel your pain... But I am not that conservative.

As I said this is someone else's unfinished restoration. There is allot of bolt on NOS parts. They are removed very easily and can be passed on to someone who will appreciate them. It's not like this bike has been kept in this condition for 35 years... even then I would have to do with it what I want... It's what I do.

I am open to offers if someone want's the box of OEM parts when I am done. Or anything in particular. But it's not going to happen soon. I need to get it running and ride it as my daily until my TZR project is finished.

I am sorry if it offends people, I get it and I question my own taste but I would have to sell it if I was going to keep it stock because it's not what I want out of a bike.
 
Funny, but I'm not sure how I didn't notice you were from Vancouver.

There are 24 of us on the GSR. Well, there are 24 of us that publicly admit we live in this perpetually wet, leftist, extremely expensive city.

That's a great looking 750 you have there. I'm not sure how I missed the CL posting for that beautiful machine, but now I'm somewhat jealous.

As much as I like it stock, it is yours to do as you like, so I am curious, what direction are you taking it?

Seriously though, I do have plenty of tools and space at my disposal (and more flexibility with said space come July 1st). I imagine you have everything you need, but if you need a carbtune, dip, etc, drop me a PM or email.

Welcome to the GSR.


Derrick
 
That one was posted up for sale in Kelowna for a few weeks. Seemed high for a non running bike but it seems to be as clean as the ad stated. Good luck with the project and I'm sure you won't have any problems selling the OEM parts if that's the way you go.
 
That's the one. I tried haggling a bit but he flat out said no. Hard to haggle from a distance but my band was going through town on tour so I was able to grab it on the way. Don't think I would have gone that far out of my way otherwise. The price wasn't that big of a deal though. I was looking at CB750's and KZ's that were bagged for the same price and 3-5k for anything in good shape. I hope I don't have to work to hard to get it in running order. This is supposed to be my daily rider for the summer not really another project. Won't get much time to work on it because I am moving at the end of June. Oh well maybe it will rain all month anyway.
 
I guess I should post an update, I got her running thanks to allot of information found here or from links on this site to other resources. She still needs some tweaking and I have some parts on the way to restore the airbox...

Did the full carb rebuild as per:

http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/docs/vm_carb_rebuild.pdf

Did the valve shims adjustments...

yeah she runs.

I am going to collector plate it for the winter and likely next summer while I work on my other project, a tzr250 complete rebuild. It's in boxes...

Thanks again for everybody's help and opinions, I almost forgot to post an update I was so happy to ride it.
 
Well, the rain started and... I couldn't help myself. She is now a project. I am going to do a AMA style superbike but with the white,red,yellow Texaco Heron colours. Almost thinking the same paint design as the Cooley but in Texaco colours.

IMG_2692.JPG


I have stripped most of the usual stuff off. It will all be made available within the week. If people want to get there hands on some nice OEM extremities. I pictures in my google+ images here

https://picasaweb.google.com/104564268231844497026/1978SuzukiGS750?authuser=0&feat=directlink

I will see if there is a classifieds on the site and list everything there so GSForum gets first dibs before resorting to ebay or craigslist.

I am open to trades if you have some trick parts or WHY

I am willing to part with the paints if you have paints to trade. Must be in paintable condition and tank must be in nice shape inside.

I prefer local pickup but shipping will be negotiable.
 
I will never understand why a nice stock bike gets taken apart and turned into something it was never intended to be.But some of you guys make some nice cafe racers out of them eventually. I look forward to seeing how you change it. It will take some skill to improve its looks.
 
Sorry guys, its what Im into. I have a hobby motorcycle shop that I rent to do these things. I like to start with the original stock bike and take it down from there. As you are all aware (and are worried that I am doing) there is allot of kids hacking bikes up who have no idea what they are doing, I stay away from those bikes when I look for a new project. This bike has all the original parts to it and I can strip away what I will not use and make it available to all you purists that want to restore there own bikes. Again I must emphasize that I am not building a bobber or cafe bike. The tail section is not getting chopped, I am not even throwing pods on it. It will have the same lines... just with some trick parts and some fresh paint. I am a huge racing fan and this will be my tribute to the late 70's Suzuki racing days. Cooley/Sheen AMA/GP title days. I will likely not post that consistently but I will throw a picture up when significant progress is made... and I might have the odd Suzuki specific question. Our shop is or has been primarily a Harley shop and I have dabbled in two strokes. This is my first inline 4. I appreciate all the information on this site and i have made great use of it so far, thanks again.
 
Can you still put a collector plate on it? I know there is some leeway when it comes to paint schemes as far as colour/years (+/- 2 model years) but can you put era race colours on it and still qualify?

Where is your shop located?
 
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