78 GS1000 restoration

[Rover]

My son (adult age) has expressed interest in restoring one of my bikes.(Now his)
Looking forward to working together on this.I saw this bike in a driveway for sale for 300 bucks in 2002.I paid for it,rode it home and never started it again.Exhaust and carbs off so far.I reminded him to take before and after pics.So here it goes.

 

[Guest]

Looks like it shouldn't take too much to get it in tip top condition.
$300, what a score. You could sell the gas tank for that now.

 

[steve murdoch]

Restoring to stock or something custom in mind?
I'll be an audience.

 

[Rover]

Going to break it down to the frame and clean everything up,do all the things old bikes need.. the GSR way.Make it safe and reliable.Not necessarily trying to be a create a show piece.
The wheels are a puzzle to me.Not spokes and only one disk up front.
Looks like the PO didn't mess with the wiring at all.(relief)

 

[Rover]

Looks like it shouldn't take too much to get it in tip top condition.
$300, what a score. You could sell the gas tank for that now.

I wasn't looking to buy a bike as I had just purchased a 79 GS1000 like a month before but too good to pass up.I will be doing re-doing my 79 while my son does the 78.Tank has some blemishes that don't show up in the photo.

 

[7981GS]

Excellent starting point! Eager to watch the progress.
Do you have an approximate budget limit?

Daniel

 

[SVSooke]

Going to break it down to the frame and clean everything up,do all the things old bikes need.. the GSR way.Make it safe and reliable.Not necessarily trying to be a create a show piece.
The wheels are a puzzle to me.Not spokes and only one disk up front.
Looks like the PO didn't mess with the wiring at all.(relief)

Had the same question on mine,here's the GSR brain trust at work http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=181058 If it's a 17" rear likely a set of E wheels,choices with a 18...............

 

[Rover]

Excellent starting point! Eager to watch the progress.
Do you have an approximate budget limit?

Daniel

Ouch,why did you ask that? If I examine this issue too closely I may come to my senses. I keep telling myself we will do all the work and so far this is true. Buying parts as needed , NOT keeping records!

 

[chuck hahn]

That looks familiar!!!!

 

[chuck hahn]

Here is the paint recipe..note these measurements are for a PINT(16OZ.) of paint..youll have to do your own calculations based on how many ounces you want made up..I believe its PPG 72906
884J LS RED OXIDE...66.3
864J MAGENTA..114.6
858J DEEP MAROON..146.1
805J JET BLACK..171.8
611J MED ALUMINUM..174.9
1006S COPPER PEARL..176.1
150K B/C BALANCER..436.3

 

[7981GS]

Ouch,why did you ask that? If I examine this issue too closely I may come to my senses. I keep telling myself we will do all the work and so far this is true. Buying parts as needed , NOT keeping records!

New tires, recovered seat, taller handlebar, new spark plugs, good working brakes, adjusted valves, cleaned and rebuilt carbs, some polish and wax
all should come in under $4-500.00. Cheap for a reliable/fun bike IMHO.

Daniel

 

[Rover]

That looks familiar!

Chuck,follow all your restorations...first class for sure.

 

[chuck hahn]

Get ahold of Larry ( Nvr2old ) and ask him what the PPG paint number was. He redid then tank after my little tip the 750 over into it accident.

 

[Vmass]

Nice project ...Rover. Great looking bike to start with, always been a fan of that color scheme.

It has one of those useless chrome pieces on the tail. Why don't you send that to me so I can toss it in the trash FOR YOU.

 

[Rover]

They are useless,hate them.:-\\\

 

[Vmass]

They are useless,hate them.:-\\\

Well, what shape is that useless piece in?

 

[Rover]

Build off

Build off

My son and I doubled the ante!

Drilled out a couple of those pesky broken bolts..rethreaded

Prepping tanks