'78 GS1000E restoration project

[noobie]

If anyone is interested, I just put up all of my bikes on Bikepics:
http://www.bikepics.com/members/viid/

The GS is at the bottom. 3 were bought in Holland (the 650's photo was taken by the prev. owner), 1 in Germany (the 250) and the Yammer here in Slovenia. Btw., all of these bikes, except for the 650 had to be restored...

 

[Mr. Ed]

You've got PM Noobie.
Ed

 

[82Shafty]

I always think it is cool to see global Suzi's and to also witness their new found fans restoring them.

I do have to say that you made quite the journey to get bike. Glad you and your mate made it back in one piece.

 

[noobie]

S'been a while, much has happened, most of it RL.

The Suzi is almost finished, just a few minor optic details (like finally putting the Suzuki emblem on the tank, buying new rear-view mirrors and get the exhausts back from the chroming), a few technical gremlins (front right rubber brake-line ruptured by the metal end, will buy new one; and adjusting the No.3 carb because the cylinder is barely working - rough and unstable working of the engine) and we can start test-riding the bike. On the topic of brake-lines: are steel-braided ones really that better than rubber ones?

Btw., what kind of foam is used for the seat? The seat is namely too high, impossible to reach the ground with anything but toes, and I want to style my own seat.

Also: is the GS lettering on TOP of the gas tank, by the cap, normal or was it probably after-market solution by a PO? Any ideas?

Hopefully the bike will work as good as it looks.

Pics:

I really like the chromed edge protection for the gas-tank - visible only the lower side, but actually runs all around the tank's edge.

The way it looked before (though the pic doesn't really show the horrible condition in which the bike was):

Will try to find a few older pics to show how the process went.

 

[Bill Alexander]

Also: is the GS lettering on TOP of the gas tank, by the cap, normal or was it probably after-market solution by a PO? Any ideas?

Looking great !! your progress has inspired me - will have to get back in to gear on mine.

Mine is exactly the same colour scheme as yours and yes it also has the GS on top of the tank. I was just looking at the tank the other day - thinking about getting it painted and I wondered exactly the same thing as you. I had a bit of a look on the net to see if it was a Suzuki addition but came up blank. It was good to see yours and confirm that it is authentic.

 

[slip]

Wow, your bike looks beautiful.:-\\\ You have really done an outstanding job. Where can I get the chrome trim on the bottom edge of tank. Mine is rusted there, and it would cover it up.

 

[noobie]

Looking great !! your progress has inspired me - will have to get back in to gear on mine.

Thanks!

Mine is exactly the same colour scheme as yours and yes it also has the GS on top of the tank. I was just looking at the tank the other day - thinking about getting it painted and I wondered exactly the same thing as you. I had a bit of a look on the net to see if it was a Suzuki addition but came up blank. It was good to see yours and confirm that it is authentic.

Yeah, noticed that too. Saw a lot of pics on the net, but no other GS had the letters and the stripes. Does your have stripes on the top of the tail too? Also never read anywhere about them and on the sites that offer the complete decal-set they're not there either. Perhaps only the red bikes have this.

Strange. On the other hand, our bikes look like limited edition

Wow, your bike looks beautiful. You have really done an outstanding job. Where can I get the chrome trim on the bottom edge of tank. Mine is rusted there, and it would cover it up.

Thanks! Can't take all the credit, since it was a joint project with my father (3rd project now) and he's a mechanic so he knows his stuff and knows the right people to get things done easier, faster and cheaper.

The chrome trim was bought in Louis, a bike shop in Austria. They have it online, it's in different colors:
http://www.louis.de/_20447353dbb901...le_context=detail&artnr_gr=10006086&anzeige=0

Hopefully the link worked because sometimes their page is moody and instead of linking you to the product it throws you to the main page.

Not sure if they ship it to the US, though.

 

[Guest]

that looks great noobie, well done!

btw, what's the windshield? another product from louis or hein gericke? i envy you guys for the access to those shops in europe. nothing that comprehensive down here

 

[noobie]

that looks great noobie, well done!

btw, what's the windshield? another product from louis or hein gericke? i envy you guys for the access to those shops in europe. nothing that comprehensive down here

Thanks!

You guessed correctly, it's from Louis, a Puig mini-screen. Cost only 19 EURO. They come in dark black, light black (which is the one on the bike), clear and blue.

Haven't seen anything about shipping outside of Europe, but you and slip can mail them and ask them (I'm sure they understand English): order@louis.de

 

[noobie]

that looks great noobie, well done!

btw, what's the windshield? another product from louis or hein gericke? i envy you guys for the access to those shops in europe. nothing that comprehensive down here

UPDATE: Website of the shield's manufacturer: http://www.puig.tv/

I also found you a PUIG distributor in Australia (unfortunately there is none in NZ). They're called Road Rocket, 489-491 Victoria St., West Melbourne - Victoria 3003, phone +610393837600, rocket@roadrocket.com.au.

 

[Bill Alexander]

Yeah, noticed that too. Saw a lot of pics on the net, but no other GS had the letters and the stripes. Does your have stripes on the top of the tail too? Also never read anywhere about them and on the sites that offer the complete decal-set they're not there either. Perhaps only the red bikes have this.

Strange. On the other hand, our bikes look like limited edition

Yes it does also have the stripes on the top of tank and tail. Mine is very faded these days and the outside stripe is almost a gold colour (I will try to take a photo and send it in the next few days). If our bikes were in the same part of the world I would have suggested they were accessorised by a particular dealersip as a promo or something like that.

Actually mine is a bit mysterious in its specs. It has very early frame and engine numbers which suggest it should be on spoked wheels and have only single front disk but it is on alloys and has double disks - it is actually 'E' spec. It went on the road here in NZ in Sept 78 and I have owned it from 85 - I believe the mods were from new not by a PO.

I have wondered if it was used by the dealership as a demonstrator

Now that I know the "GS" and stripes are authentic I will certainly be keeping them when I paint it. I thinks we probably can claim limited edition status for the

 

[Guest]

cheers for the tips, noobie

Actually mine is a bit mysterious in its specs. It has very early frame and engine numbers which suggest it should be on spoked wheels and have only single front disk but it is on alloys and has double disks - it is actually 'E' spec. It went on the road here in NZ in Sept 78 and I have owned it from 85 - I believe the mods were from new not by a PO.

bill, the usa market was always different to other markets and i think you'll find that both europe (noobie's models) and aus/nz (your model) had indeed had alu wheels / double front discs (i.e. the "E" spec) available right from '78.
though, the discs were still solid (not drilled), the m/c was round not rectangular, and the brake callipers are the earliest type, too.

the stripes in the centre i am not sure about

btw, bill, are you on the kiwibiker?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/group.php?groupid=110

 

[noobie]

cheers for the tips, noobie



bill, the usa market was always different to other markets and i think you'll find that both europe (noobie's models) and aus/nz (your model) had indeed had alu wheels / double front discs (i.e. the "E" spec) available right from '78.
though, the discs were still solid (not drilled), the m/c was round not rectangular, and the brake callipers are the earliest type, too.

the stripes in the centre i am not sure about

btw, bill, are you on the kiwibiker?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/group.php?groupid=110

No problem, psy!

Hm, my GS's serial number is a genuine E serial number... GS1000-5009XX. First registered in May (or April, not sure) 1978. And yep, the disks are solid, with no cooling-holes. Which means that I won't be able to use my disk-lock

My brain is not working at full power after driving all day (went to get the exhausts chromed... unfortunately the metal is too porose and it didn't come out perfect), so what is an "m/c"?

 

[noobie]

Yes it does also have the stripes on the top of tank and tail. Mine is very faded these days and the outside stripe is almost a gold colour (I will try to take a photo and send it in the next few days). If our bikes were in the same part of the world I would have suggested they were accessorised by a particular dealersip as a promo or something like that.

Yep, mine are gold on the outside too. Though I took them off for the painting of the tail (they were faded and torn anyway) and will probably just put new all-white ones on instead.

Now that I know the "GS" and stripes are authentic I will certainly be keeping them when I paint it. I thinks we probably can claim limited edition status for the

Hehe, we rule!

 

[Guest]

so what is an "m/c"?

brake master cylinder

 

[Bill Alexander]

cheers for the tips, noobie



bill, the usa market was always different to other markets and i think you'll find that both europe (noobie's models) and aus/nz (your model) had indeed had alu wheels / double front discs (i.e. the "E" spec) available right from '78.
though, the discs were still solid (not drilled), the m/c was round not rectangular, and the brake callipers are the earliest type, too.

the stripes in the centre i am not sure about

btw, bill, are you on the kiwibiker?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/group.php?groupid=110

Thanks for the info psy. It certainly rings true as I can't recall ever seeing a GS1000 on spokes in NZ. A couple of years ago I tried contacting Suzuki NZ to see if they have any history/achives from 78 - they never got back to me. I am quite curious about my bikes history - it's numbers suggest it was one of the earliest on the road. I have a couple of "two wheels" mags from May and Sept 78 which appear to suggest they went on sale in Aussie about Sept (I suspect they were a little earlier here). Do you have any further info ?

Only just joined kiwibiker - got a PM from Colin Green on this forum letting me know about it. I am beginning to make some realistic steps towards puttiing mine back together (biggest hurdle is getting some free cash to pay for the chrome - carpet, kitchen, bathroom ..... all somehow sit higher up the list ) so maybe I will get to participate in some rides in the next year or so.

 

[Guest]

Do you have any further info ?

this is where i get most of my info on the european gs models:
http://www.gs-classic.de/index1e.htm

another good site:
http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html

the model you an noobie have seem to have been first presented in 1977 and was available in europe from early '78

btw, do you have a thread on the gsr about your rebuild?

 

[noobie]

this is where i get most of my info on the european gs models:
http://www.gs-classic.de/index1e.htm

another good site:
http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html

the model you an noobie have seem to have been first presented in 1977 and was available in europe from early '78

btw, do you have a thread on the gsr about your rebuild?

I completely forgot about the German site , thanks for reminding me

 

[Johno]

My Red/White 1978 GS1000HC

My Red/White 1978 GS1000HC

I also bought a red model GS1000 in 1978 which I recall was a HC model - which was a European spec machine. It was as a number of you have described - alloy wheels, twin solid disks up front and the decals as described.

It was very similar spec to the E.

Later in 1978 there were a limited number of twin disk, wire wheel models imported for Production Racing.

The wire wheels were lighter and provided better options for tyre choice. They were used in the 1978 and 1979 Castrol Six Hour production Race.

 

[Guest]

thanks johno,
that sounds very accurate - the later E models that were called only E, not EC or EN had different rear shocks, drilled rotors, etc.