1979 GS750 restore Project

[Jedz123]

Hey Guys Starting a thread of my GS750! So I've been amped to get a 750 for awhile and ended up trading my 550 for two 750's that needed work(a 1980 GSX750 with 38k miles & a Barn find 1979 GS750 with 13K miles) . So For most of the day I have been tearing the GSX down to get the parts I need for the 79. I plan on swapping the Front Forks, Rear suspension and rims today and I plan on using the spoke rims soon however the tires are worn and the GSX had new tires on the rims so I plan on using those until I have enough funds to put period style tires on my Chromes Spokes. The point of the Project right now is to get the 79 back up and running on her own steam... Pics of the bikes before.

79 GS750

And the Molested 80 GSX 750


So about 3 hours into the project the GSX750 is looking something like this...

The Harvest

As of now the forks look to be a direct bolt on except for on thing. On the 79 it has this stop attached to the frame that prevents the forks to come all the way around... The GSX doesn't have that... Safe to say I can angle grind it off and use the GSX forks just fine? I didn't want to proceed until someone could give me a yeah or neh.... Here's a pick of the two

the 79

the GSX
It looks like the GSX Forks utilize different stops on the fork then the 79... the actually stops hit the frame as the 79 suse and additonal stop the the frame and the fork... Here's a pic of the 79 stops

Can I grind?

Keep you Posted... Expect to see some GSX Parts in the parts for sale section!

Thanks!

 

[7981GS]

Here you go...

The upper tree on this one has stops to keep from hitting the tank, etc.

Eric

 

[old_skool]

You might want to size down your photos so we don't have to scroll back and forth to read or look at the photos, 1632x976 is a tad too large.
But glad to see your amped and all ready to dive into them.

 

[Jedz123]

Alrighty thanks! So it looks like I can cut off that stop. Right now I'm stuck on head bearings for the 79 has the stock ball bearings (which went all over the place!) and the 80 has brand new tappered rollers! Pink Grease and all! Wow!So the top bearings are the same dimensions on both bikes! But I am having a real hard time pulling the bottom tapered bearing out of the GSX Head Stem. Any Sugestions? The lower head stem on the GSX it slightly different then the 79's However I believe these forks will swap pretty perfectly. Keep you guys posted!

 

[Jedz123]

You might want to size down your photos so we don't have to scroll back and forth to read or look at the photos, 1632x976 is a tad too large.
But glad to see your amped and all ready to dive into them.

Yeah no problem sorry about that...

 

[old_skool]

But I am having a real hard time pulling the bottom tapered bearing out of the GSX Head Stem. Any Suggestions? The lower head stem on the GSX it slightly different then the 79's However I believe these forks will swap pretty perfectly. Keep you guys posted!

The only thing I know to do, is soak the assembly to try and loosen them, most cut them off and buy new, but, if you really want to try and remove them, I mix a solution of used motor oil and gasoline, kinda like the GS likes to do when the float needles fail, anyway, it a cheap way to make a large amount of penetrating oil, use an old bucket, keep out of an attached garage, somewhere pets won't get to, wrap some plastic around the top of the bucket, but let it soak over nite, not sure if heat might warp the bearing cage, try to pry upward evenly with flat blade screw drivers, another trick, protect the top of the stem, invert upside down, rap on the bottom of the stem, and sometimes it will break free, and gravity will do the job, all depends on what condition the stem was when they were put on, but they are cheap bearings, and can be sourced at your local hardware, even tractor supply has mine where I live, so it's not like you have to wait for shipping.

 

[Jedz123]

I got the bottom tapered bearing out... And its not the same size. So I need to purchase some new ones.I swapped out the rear suspension and called it a day. Can't really do much else going to tear into the gauge cluster and clean out the dead spiders that decided to nest in it. I'll stop by tractor supply and see if I can't find a bearing

 

[old_skool]

I got the bottom tapered bearing out... And its not the same size. So I need to purchase some new ones.I swapped out the rear suspension and called it a day. Can't really do much else going to tear into the gauge cluster and clean out the dead spiders that decided to nest in it. I'll stop by tractor supply and see if I can't find a bearing

Look up your part number for your bearings, I think the 4 digit or the las 3 is what they use, almost identical in numbers, like 5302, or 01, 03, something like that, don't remember.

 

[Jedz123]

Look up your part number for your bearings, I think the 4 digit or the las 3 is what they use, almost identical in numbers, like 5302, or 01, 03, something like that, don't remember.

Thanks OS, got the bearings sorted, I ended up using the 79 Tree on the 80 Forks. Ended up with something like this.

That was a challenge but everything came out well, I moved on to the next project which was Carbs and installation of the 1980 coils. Hooked up the my B-12 Battery to the old GS and was surprised to see all the electrical components worked very well... Except no Spark. Turned the bike over to check the ignition and no spark on any plugs... Had a spare set of coils from a 83 GS550... NO Dice no spark. I'm not sure how these points systems work so I took off the ignitor cover to investigate... No Idea how points work here VS the Elctric ignition in the newer GS. I was thinking of installing the Electric ignition system form the 1980 GS parts bike I have and going that route? OR am I missing something?
Any Way had lunch took a nap now updating my thread. I think I'll go out and swap out the rear wheel and reinstall the tail piece.
Any thoughts about the ignition?
Thanks!

 

[Jedz123]

ITS ALIVE!!!
FYI Check the grounding mounts of the coil itself! They were loose, bad ground= no spark...

Link to a video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPWyUE2fjLc

Carbs definitely need to be cleaned... Other then that the list to get this old girl back on the road is getting shorter.

Keep you guys posted with any more developments.

 

[Jedz123]

Alrighty guys just so you don't think I'm slacking here's some pics of the progress!!! Worked on the cosmetics... Stripped down to the Frame cleaned and repainted the frame. reinstalled the spokes . Polished up the forks, painted the calipers, Cleaned up the stock paint and detailed the rest!

Exhaust is off so I can start to detail clean then polish the engine... also looking for a stock 4-2 Chrome exhaust if anyone can help me out in that department that would be great! I don't want to put the stupid Kerker 4-1 performance exhaust back on this classic beuty!...

Going to send the Carbs out to the Cafe Kid for I don't know where to even start on a cleaning... But I want it do be done professionally and I want this bike to run like it did the day it rolled off the lot.

More updates to come!

 

[Spyder]

Looking really good so far. I LOVE the orange! Looks like an "E" model to me, maybe a "G"??

 

[7981GS]

Looks good!
You really should replace the right front rotor with a right front rotor though.

Eric