Perfecting my '78 GS750

[DaKyy]

I thought I'd start a project thread rather than spread the pics around the forum.

I got my bike last fall. I had been searching for a bike for almost a year. Never really had considered a Suzuki - I was just looking for >500CC 4-stroke from the 70's. Mainly I had checked out Kawasaki Z and Honda CB's. The right one never did come along although there were plenty of them for sale. I was just too picky I guess. Mine needed to be registered as a historic vehicle - which ment it had to be over 30 years old and it had to be original. And by original I mean there could not be aftermarket exhausts or even wrong kind of bolts in it. That narrowed down the search quite a bit. The benefits of it being registered as a historic vehicle are in the insurance. It only costs a mere 40$ a year to insure it.

Then I found the 1978 Suzuki GS750. It was already registered as a historic vehicle, had a price tag of 2900 euros and over 40000 miles on it. Wen't for a testdrive and bought it almost instantly. It wasn't in immaculate condition but damn near one.

Here are the pics when I bought it:

The bad bits were:
* The seat had a rip (pic below)
* The right sidecover was shot (PO had installed a intercom system behind it)
* Instrument cluster had faded lettering
* Broke the seatlock by myself
* Tail light had a crack
* Some oil dripping out from the left exhaust water when engine is cold
* Seems the other mirror isn't original - but hey if the inspector missed it...
* Front brake squeals like a pig on braking

Still on the to-do list:
* Change the instrument cluster
* Change the seatlock
* Adjusting the valves might just cure the oil spits...
* The front brakes - install new pads?

 

[DaKyy]

The seat

The seat

The seat had a small rip in a bit akward place to fix. Decided it wasn't worth the hassle and bought new seat cover from Pit-Replica.

I didn't try to tacle this myself so I gave it to a local car upholstery business and they did it for me. And when I saw how they did it I knew I would've messed the new cover I had if I would've done it myself.

This is how it turned out:

 

[DaKyy]

The side covers

The side covers

The PO had installed a intercom system under the right side cover - thus ruining it. It literally fell apart. First the emblem got lost and then some bits started to fall off it. I got a pair of original side covers from a very generous person from our forums. Thanks again CH! They just needed a bit sanding and new paint & emblems. If bought the emblems from Marcel Vlaandere (http://www.suzukitandgtparts.nl/) and the stickers I got from ebay. They aren't exact match of the originals though - but you can't notice it unless you view them side by side.

The original side cover:

And the refurbished couple:

The paint I used was VHT Gloss Black epoxy paint in a spray can. Not perfect finish, but enough for me I guess

 

[DaKyy]

Faded instrument cluster

Faded instrument cluster

Then there was this little annoying detail. Most of you probably wouldn't mind. BUT I DO!

I searched for solution - maybe paint them back? Maybe there is stickers that'll do the same for less effort? Or how much would new one cost?

Later I found out there are stickers for this cluster. It was too late though - I had bought this:

Bought the last one from a danish Suzuki dealer. It doesn't show it on the lower picture, but it is indeed the '77 model cluster. The '78 cluster is already different. It's beyound me why my '78 has the old type cluster.

It is still -5 degrees celsius outside and 3 feet of snow. My bike is in cold garage. These are the things I have done inside my house. Now waiting for the spring to actually install the parts to the bike

 

[gbw]

Wow...that is absolutely beautiful. Wish it would warm up here a little so I can get out in the garage and work on mine!

Looks like you got a real cream puff there. Love how the seat turned out. And great find on the gauge cover.

 

[Nessism]

Yes, very nice example! Love the fact that you are keeping it stock. Makes me want to get a 750!

 

[DaKyy]

Thanks

My right side blinker tends not to blink while engaged, left one works fine. If I rev it up a bit then it starts to blink. Is the relay shot? Not getting enough juice to blink? Or was it the bulb holders that didn't have good enough contact to the bulb? I already changed the battery though, so I don't know if that will cure it.

 

[850 Combat]

Nice bike.

Where do you buy the gauge stickers? I can use new stencils / stickers on mine.

Those rings around uour mufflers about a foot from the end will become rust holes eventually. You probably have years left though.

 

[DaKyy]

Nice bike.

Where do you buy the gauge stickers? I can use new stencils / stickers on mine.

Those rings around uour mufflers about a foot from the end will become rust holes eventually. You probably have years left though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-GS1000...61?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3f02560ec9
And incase the auction dies on some point, here is the shop link http://stores.ebay.co.uk/classicmotorcycledecals?_trksid=p4340.l2563

Nice to know about the mufflers - any cure for it or should I start hunting for a spare?

 

[Guest]

Thanks

My right side blinker tends not to blink while engaged, left one works fine. If I rev it up a bit then it starts to blink. Is the relay shot? Not getting enough juice to blink? Or was it the bulb holders that didn't have good enough contact to the bulb? I already changed the battery though, so I don't know if that will cure it.

Check the earth wire for corrosion/good contact. On mine it was where the circular connector on the wire is bolted to the indicator.

 

[DaKyy]

Sun has started to shine, almost 10 degrees celcius outside in the sun. Looks like the riding season is about to begin!

Todo:
One last charge on the new battery
Quick oil change + new filter
Install the new battery
Install the sidecovers
Check the tire pressure
Drive it home from the storage

Todo @ home during the summer:
Install the new speedo bezel
Try to check the valves...
Carb cleaning (I just bought an o-ring set from cycleorings.com)
Carb sync
Maybe rebuild the brakes (new brake lines + caliper rebuild + new pads)

Recently I bought ultrasonic cleaner to help with carb cleaning. I Also bought a bottle of special cleaning agent that is made for softer metals. Probably the brake components will get the same treatment.

 

[DaKyy]

[x]One last charge on the new battery
[x]Quick oil change + new filter
[x]Install the new battery
[x]Install the sidecovers
[x]Check the tire pressure
[x]Drive it home from the storage

Todo @ home during the summer:
[x]Install the new speedo bezel
Try to check the valves...
Carb cleaning (I just bought an o-ring set from cycleorings.com)
Carb sync
Maybe rebuild the brakes (new brake lines + caliper rebuild + new pads)

So the bike is now home. Oil change went well exept for the oil filter cover seal. How the heck does it settle in correctly... The seat with the pit-replica cover is now mounted as well as new seat lock which I broke last year.

Also the new speedo bezel is installed. And found a new pair of Suzuki badges so went ahead and installed those also. Old ones were quite scuffed...

All it now needs is a good clean.

Before:

After

The new Suzuki badge and the new side cover

New seat (cover)

 

[Guest]

Nice one. Looking sweet.

 

[cowboyup3371]

I can't believe I missed this one before. Great looking bike.

 

[DaKyy]

Thanks guys. I'll get some more pics after I've washed and waxed it.

 

[DaKyy]

So I washed and waxed it... Found an unpleasant surprise...

Tips on repair? Wouldn't want to change the muffler as it looks ok otherwise.

The odd thing is I hadn't noticed it before. It looks like that kind of damage wouldn't appear in couple of months.

 

[rustybronco]

A piece of stainless steel, some muffler/furnace cement and pop-rivet a patch over the hole?

as the hole is on the very bottom, the repair shouldn't look to unsightly when viewed from the side.

 

[chuck hahn]

Man..I would hold someone at gunpoint for a guage face as nice as that for my bike..Mines the exact same color as yours is. Your gonna love that bike.

 

[rustybronco]

I got a pair of original side covers from a very generous person from our forums. Thanks again CH!

Hmmm.... I wonder who that might be? '750's, generous, just can't put place the initials

 

[chuck hahn]

I dont know the guy hes talking about either.. generous, careing, gives stuff away for free.. Doesnt sound like anyone i would want to be aqssociated with. Oh and I just gotta ask..so where did you get thats guage cover? Did you buy a new one or get that one restored? If its a restore job, im would be very inteested in sending mine along.