Starboard M Builds a Bobber/ Brat

[Starboard M]

This build started a year ago when I purchased a '79 GS750L. It was my first bike, I had grand intentions, but unfortunately they never quite played out.

How the bike originally looked. Typical L bike.

The bike slow progressed in the looks department. I originally wanted a cafe, but I realized my tastes had always gone more towards the bobber and brat bikes.

You can see the rest of the build in my old thread:
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=175140

My interest in the bike waned when I bought a new to me SV650N. Bike was more suited for the twisties, and allowed me to explore the roads of Colorado. At this point I tried to sell the GS, with little interest. I also just couldnt seem to get myself to sell the thing.

I was running into motor issues, driving issues, and a lack of knowledge. Not having a garage or a real place to work on the bike also hindered my ability to actually work on the bike.

So, the bike has been sitting neglected in the front of my parking space for the last year. Fast forward to present and I just moved to a new house with a "garage."



This thread will be a long, drawn out build to get this bike back on the road. I work slow, have to many hobbies, and have limited funds.


I also know this forum isnt as fond of the cafe, bobber bikes, so be easy on me!

 

[Starboard M]

This is how the bike looked before I parked it.

After being parked, a friend and I got the bike loaded onto the Uhaul and onto its new home.

I now have the bike parked in my 'garage" which is really a carport and am in the middle of tearing the bike apart.


Got interrupted by the girlfriend to do some errands before I really got into it today, but tomorrow will be a long day of getting this thing down to bare bones.



Current list:
-Tear apart
-Cut off as much as I can off the frame
-Redo all wiring
-Find a 4-1 exhaust
-Purchase carb boots to replace the old, damaged stock ones
-Rebuild carbs correctly
-Find new front end, either a non L or get the front end off my SV to work
-Depending on the front end, change the rear or keep it stock
-.....?

As with all projects, it will change halfway through. Should get me started though.



And, just to keep things interesting, here are some pictures I will be using for inspiration. Everyone loves pictures.

 

[Starboard M]

Took about 4 hours, but got the bike down to a bare frame.

Looks like the #1 or #2 carb has been leaking gas.

Used an interesting way to get the engine out. I am not sure if I will be making a stand for it, or if I will just work on it while its just on the ground.

Had some issues with the some previous owners doing stupid stuff to the bike. The crank case guards were held on with a 10mm bolt, and because the nut was stripped, a standard equivalent was jammed into place.
Several screws were stripped, broken or missing.

Also couldnt seem to the chain master link apart, which just made me pull things in a different order.

Things I learned today:
-The 750 is a heavy freakin engine
-Seems my fork bearings were shot. Took the fork off, and as the handlebars were turned you could feel the "ratcheting" of the bearings.
-The frame is surprisingly light. Im trying to figure out if I should add some reinforcements or not.
-Only needing a couple of sized sockets and wrenches is awesome. 10, 12,14, and 17 were the most used, with a random showing of the crescent wrench for the larger bolts.

Over the next couple weeks I will get the frame ground down to the bar essentials, and remove as much of the paint as possible.


Question of the day. The VIN number on my bike has 750E in the full number, which begs the question, was my bike originally an E, converted to an L? Or is that just how US bike were stamped?

 

[Starboard M]

Question of the day. The VIN number on my bike has 750E in the full number, which begs the question, was my bike originally an E, converted to an L? Or is that just how US bike were stamped?

Here is the vin sticker on the head tube.

GS750E-XXXXXX



I guess no one cares about a brat build?



No updates, life always gets in the way.

 

[Guest]

Hey - I'm in. Just keep the pictures coming! You putting spoked rims on her? They always help the brats out.

This one you posted is snarky indeed.

 

[GateKeeper]

I am watching as well....keep going...

.

 

[Starboard M]

Hey - I'm in. Just keep the pictures coming! You putting spoked rims on her? They always help the brats out.

I am watching as well....keep going...

.

Thanks guys, I figured people were watching, just felt like an idiot for talking to myself. I do that enough in real life, now I start doing it on the internets....



Snuck out to the garage yesterday, and started to adjust the valves. All eight were at about .02mm clearance.

Got six of them back into tolerance, but need to either buy or swap the last two.


Learned:
-Valve jobs are not that hard. I psyched myself out and didnt do it before. Took me all of an hour to get everything measured, swapped and written down.
-The job is a lot easier to do when the engine is out of the frame. I tried before I tore the bike down and it was a PITA. Out, the engine is a lot easier to mess with.
-Bikes are a lot more fun to mess with when you have another one to ride!

And, just because I can, a picture of a cute girl and a bike.

 

[Hakamisu]

Hey, anymore on this bike project.

 

[BigD_83]

Hey, anymore on this bike project.

...or anymore pics of the girl in post #7?