Another rebuild / restoration (GS750)

[Doona]

Hi, I'm fairly new to the forum but I thought i would begin documenting the restoration of my GS750.

Some back ground:
I live in the UK (East Midlands) & have some limited mechanical experience (mainly old Landrovers). I currently have a couple of bikes (a GSX1400 & this GS750)

I bought the GS of a 'certain auction website' earlier this year, with the intention of building a Cafe racer.
When I picked the bike up, I realised that it was actually quite straight & original (other than the colour)

 

[Doona]

The bile was originally registered in 1977 in the Isle of Man, but came to the main land in 1979 (hence the registration number)

It is shown as being black on the registration document, but there is a couple of minor issues which you may be able to help with (I did post on the site a couple of weeks ago, & it was suggested the bike is a GS750b, I thought it may be an E model?

The bike has gold mag wheels & gold switch gear, I assumed it would have had spoked wheels originally? I also assumed that the switch gear was original, however I have since been told none of the bikes had gold switch gear.

 

[Doona]

WOW, the pictures are massive, is there a way to make them smaller?

Whilst I'm waiting, the wheels:

 

[Doona]

Home & I managed to get the bike running. It was a bit smokey & very lumpy, I put it down to the fact it had not run for 18 months & needs a carb rebuild. All the cylinders have reasonable compression, so I think I will leave the engine in one piece & not start tinkering. The electric start didn't work, so i re fitted the starter cog & a reconditioned starter motor, bingo!
The electrics all work (apart from the gear indicator) but the loom is really tatty, so i will have to have a look at that.

The strip down begins:

 

[Doona]

A bit more stripping:

 

[Doona]

The plan:

The tank, side panels & tail unit are all at the spray shop. They will be sprayed in the original black & I am waiting for a decal set to arrive from the states.
The sprayer (a friend of a friend) is doing the whole lot, including laying the decals & lackering over them (bargin) I can spray (just) but he is a professional & I'm not!

I am now in a bit of a quandry. Should i wire brush & paint the frame & swing arm, or should i get the frame & swing arm blasted & powder coated.

Any one got any experiences positive or negative on the above???

 

[Doona]

In my haste to post all these pictures, I forgot to say that my intention has now changed & the bike will be returned to is original spec (might stuggle with finding an orginal exhaust though! )

 

[Doona]

Bike has moved on a little.

Frame has been stripped & powder coated, but the tank & panels are still at the sprayer. There is a problem with corrosion so it will take a while longer.
Photos to follow!

 

[Crankthat]

Nice! Thinking that will be real nice when you are done.
Welcome to GSR

 

[Bevo]

Great project and progress!

 

[wedoo2]

I like those gold wheels. Have no idea which model they are from. I'm sure someone here does though. Kinda reminds me of the midnight special Yamahas and might look real nice with a black paint job. For some reason the gold and the silver aluminum seems to clash though.

 

[althomas101]

I'd say the gold wheels were painted by what ever previous owner painted the bar controls, engine, tank/body panels. That bike had a makeover before, because all of that painting plus polished brake calipers, new wires, fork gaiters, etc give it away.

 

[Shwartz]

You're making quick work of that bike.

 

[Doona]

Cheers for the encouragement.

Work has progressed a little, treated myself to a small media blasting cabinet.

Half blasted top yoke:

Engine:

Before:

After:

Still a little way to go, but it's getting there!

 

[Doona]

Thought I'd post my other bike, bit more modern, but still on the same theme

 

[Frank Z.]

Thought I'd post my other bike, bit more modern, but still on the same theme

THAT is a very nice bike. Bandit conversion??

 

[Doona]

Thank you, it's a GSX1400, but with a few minor modifications

 

[motorjon68]

Thank you, it's a GSX1400, but with a few minor modifications

Another cool Euro version we don't get. Purple bike with gold wheels-I think Prince owned your bike! Seriously, you are making quick work of your project. Good luck with the wiring. Cheers, Jon

 

[Doona]

Didn't think of that! Could have put it on eBay as "very rare". Thankfully I have a mate who is a whizz at electrics (I hope!)

 

[Doona]

Bit more progress:

Spent some time concentrating on the brakes;

Rear calliper before:

After:

Front calliper before:

During:

After:

Comparison:

The images aren't too clear, but i have stripped them, glass media blasted, new pistons (in the front) etch primed, two coats of brake paint. Job done!