New Old Guy and a New GS Project

[Dan Thornton]

New to the group again been a lot of years it seems. Like many, I stepped away and came back to bikes. Decided I wanted to build some factory 80's race replicas. Started with an 83 VF750F HRC Spencer bike. Got that about done last spring. Then I started on the project that has brought me back here. I decided to build an 85 GS700ES Yoshimura/Cooley/Schwantz replica. It is getting close to being done now. I call it the "Forgotten Superbike". It was after the great era of the GS1000's and before the coming GSXR750's. It was for AMA racing still a little significant. It was the last in-lin 4cyl air cooled bike to win an AMA Superbike National at Sears Point in 84 with Wes Cooley riding it. It was also the first Factory ride for Kevin Schwantz. I liked the way it looked and the fact it wasn't so popular. Went through a lot of the normal searching for parts.

The fairing on this bike is from one of the original Yoshimura race bikes. The swingarm is a Yoshimura built piece from a former AMA Privateers race bike. The other parts and pieces I made myself.

The motor is the next thing to do on my list. I'm trying to track down the Yosh eng covers and a few other bits. The bike has the dual oil coolers. One up in the fairing where the headlight would go and then a replacement for the stock one.

I guess this is a group that will like it.

 

[Dan Thornton]

Another view

Another view

Here is the other side

 

[posplayr]

Admirable project. Looks like fun.

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome. I've seen your bike elsewhere online. Very cool. As you say, that model is an outlier regarding popularity, but I dig 'em. I missed out on one locally several years ago, back when I could do such silly things as buying bikes without forethought.

 

[posplayr]

Would really be a great bike with a GSXR 750 in it.

 

[Nessism]

I got to see Schwantz ride one of those bikes at Willow Springs. Not sure but it may have been his first with that bike. He left the line after spotting the field half a lap, and then he caught and passed the leader on something like the 3rd lap, passing on the outside at the fastest part of the track. He was SO much faster than anyone else there is was almost a joke.

 

[steve murdoch]

Welcome back, Dan.
Very cool bike.
Not once have i ever said "the other parts and pieces i made myself".

Just going from memory did the VF have a 16" front wheel?

 

[GS1150Pilot]

That is a gorgeous machine.

 

[dpep]

Great project well done. :clap:
...

 

[Charlie G]

Nice bike! I have a 83 GS750e I picked up for cheap I'd like to gt in riding shape. Will follow along....