GS450S Restoration Project

[Red]

I'm sure most people have said this "Never Again", but here I am another bike challenge sat in the garage waiting for me to put some sort of life back in to the old girl!! I guess us restorers only fully understand why we do it.
Previous restorations included; Triumph T140, BMW R100RT, BMW K1100RS & BMW R1100RS.

The Suzuki GS450S was bought on e-bay 2 years ago, the intention being to occupy my time during the long cold winter here in the North East of England.
Strip down went well, no "OH MY GOD" what have I bought yet!
Findings were as follows;
- Frame good
- Tank dented but fixable
- Seat no good
- Front cowling missing
- Brakes shot
- Clocks no good
- Tyres no good
- Wheels restorable
- Engine bottom end sound, cylinders & heads require work.
Overall most bits were restorable.
I won't go into the nitty gritty of the restoration but feel free to ask if someone is doing a simillar restoration.
Main problem I encountered was finding an original front cowling, it took me well over a year or web searching before I finally found one in Australia.

 

[MAJikMARCer]

She is a beautiful bike. Looks almost like new. Love it. I've really kinda fallen for the GS450S.

The small side bags look nice. Utility without taking too much from the original look of the bike.

 

[steve murdoch]

Beautiful resto, Red.
I like the contrast of the black barrels and shiny cases.
Wouldn't mind seeing a pic of the T140.

 

[Red]

gs450s restotation project

gs450s restotation project

Thanks for your coments, this bike I feel is a good all rounder, touring or just riding around the doors. I have before, during and after photo's but could only manage to upload one.

 

[Biggie]

i love the cowling, i 'm looking for one too, to replace the one on the gk (i think it's to big )

 

[Guest]

Mate it's great! Love it!

To get up to 10 photos in one post, get a Photobucket account, upload them to that, then post links in here. Works like a charm... if you look in my rebuild thread you'll see plenty of posts with 10 in them

 

[Charlie G]

Your bike is looking nice. I have an extra set of clocks, seat and a few other 450 parts from my sold 450e. Postage to the UK is a killer though.

cg

 

[Collo]

Hi Red,

Great bike you have there it looks in good condition too. I sat on my project for a while but it's now coming along. Good to see more 450's projects.

Collo

 

[wally]

Awesome! Better state than my previous black one was in! Dig the saddle bags!

 

[Red]

GS450S Restoration Project

Additional photo's can be seen on this link of the rebuild. http://m1322.photobucket.com/albums/ghall775?newest=1

 

[tatu]

You've done a superb job there, those look like 80's Oxford throw overs?

 

[Red]

GS450S Restoration Project

Not sure, I bought the panniers second hand on e-bay, they were described as original classic panniers.They smell of old leather so I guess they must be.

 

[Guest]

Definitely a superb job :clap:

It looks like I was mistaken on your rear rack... that's not the sports option at all but it still bolts in place of the grab rail. Do you know what it is?

 

[Red]

GS450S Project

GS450S Project

Not sure Pete, It looked like it would fit so I just took chance and bought the rack on e-bay.

 

[Guest]

Not sure Pete, It looked like it would fit so I just took chance and bought the rack on e-bay.

In that case good score!