New to the Thread 1978 GS750

[waldrtw]

I am the second owner of this GS750. I am in the process of replacing the head gasket and valve adjustment on the bike. The bike has about 24k on the odometer. I am thinking about turning the bike into a caf? racer with drop bars and a few other things. I am worried about doing this to the bike because it is pretty much all original except the exhaust. What do you guys think I should do? Keep it AS-IS or go with some mods?



Thanks,
Tim

 

[raygun]

If I were you I'd leave it be. It looks fantastic. But to each their own!

 

[gbw]

Are you sure it's a 78? I thought only the 77 had spoke wheels and a single disk up front. That seat looks different than I remember my 77 looking though. I don't think mine had that strap running across it.

Regardless, very pretty bike you have there. It's yours so do whatever you want. Be careful about how much you put into in though. In perfect condition they're not worth a lot and if you make permanent modifications it'll be worth even less. You'll never get what you put in it back. So only spend the money that makes it more fun for you.

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome. Thats great looking cycle, and yours to do with it what you want. Personally, I would keep the mods to a minimum.

 

[allojohn]

That is a very nice '77 - way too good to "cafe". My two cents....

 

[waldrtw]

The bike is titled a 1978. I think it was sold in 1978 and the title was from that year. The frame date says 1977.

 

[rudeman]

Are you sure it's a 78? I thought only the 77 had spoke wheels and a single disk up front. That seat looks different than I remember my 77 looking though. I don't think mine had that strap running across it.

Regardless, very pretty bike you have there. It's yours so do whatever you want. Be careful about how much you put into in though. In perfect condition they're not worth a lot and if you make permanent modifications it'll be worth even less. You'll never get what you put in it back. So only spend the money that makes it more fun for you.

They made spokers in '77, '78, and '79.

The bike is titled a 1978. I think it was sold in 1978 and the title was from that year. The frame date says 1977.

Built in '77 as a '78 model.

 

[tkent02]

A '78 model built in late '77. In '78 you could get wire spoked wheels or cast. Show us a picture of the ignition switch? That will tell for sure which year. You can put another front brake on using that wheel, or newer brakes from a 1980+ GS, or if you want you can have excellent brakes, search Saltymonk. And yes that one is way too nice to cut up. At least ride it first, you may enjoy it as it is.

 

[rudeman]

I would not chop it up. Just freshen up your brakes with some new or upgraded lines and pads. Get the motor dialed in, good rubber, get the wheels aligned, etc. Replacing the stock shocks with one inch longer units will quicken the steering quite nicely.

 

[Guest]

Had one just like it, except for the Kerker and what looks like an 'E' seat, MUCH more comfy-

 

[rudeman]

If you wish to add a front caliper to the right fork leg you'll need to swap out the slider for one with caliper mounting bosses.

 

[Sandman900ss]

Put me in the "leave it alone- don't hack it up" category.

Clearly too original and nice to do that. I owned the same exact bike, and yes it's a 1978 for certain, with the better E model seat as mentioned.

 

[tkent02]

Except the flat early seats are much more comfortable for longer rides. You can sit on the front for a while, sit on the back for a while, side sideways with one foot on the front peg and the other on the back, switch it up and sit the other way, then back on the front all without having that foam ridge up your ass. Besides the flat ones look a lot better.