GS1000G - Modifeid or Original

[Danie.e]

Just picked up a much neglected GS that I wish to clean and restore. Is this a variant or modified bike - seems to be around 1983

[Danie.e]

Another view

[rphillips]

Not orig. color, fairing, exhaust, etc. etc. etc. That's for U.S.A. models, don't know if South Africa models could be different.

[Redman]

[Redman]

If that is 1000G (not 850G, not 1100G), The model chart (here on GSR website, not the forum, the website) lists 1000G for 79 thru 82.
all I can say is its not 79 based on the carbs and a couple other clues.

Paint scheme is definitly the eurpoean (not USA), looks like what have seen posted from other members in Europe and elsewhere.

I dont have any idea if the fairing and other body work was aftermarket or dealer installed.
TO me and my USA experence, the fairing says Rifle or maybe even BMW.
I know in US, in the 79 model year, certain models, the dealers could get a Suzuki branded, color matched, fairing and such. Although those looked like Cafilai (?speling?), not like yours.

I suspect Ben 2BRacing there in SA will have some better insight. Especailly since the paint sceme and color looks a lot like his (and his brothers).

>>Other comment.
THe side bag there looks exactly like the Samsonite bags I had for 14-15 years. Although the mounting brackets are all different. THe bags I had the bags had a big trianglualr shaped area on the back that matched the big trianglular mounting brackets. Maybe another USA/ verse Eurpoean difference.

[Steve]

How about "stock, with modifications"?

Not sure about Europe and SA, but the 1000G was only available in '80 and '81 in the US.

There are several details that confirm 1000G:
- wheel pattern
- instrument cluster
- shape of fuel tank
- location of "choke" control
- shape of airbox ends
- rear footpeg/muffler mounts
- rear taillight cowling

There are a few differences from stock:
- chrome front fender (might have been stock on non-US models)
- lower handlebars (might have been stock on non-US models)
- different handgrips (same as I have on my bikes)
- fairing and lowers of unknown manufacturer (but I do like them)
- saddlebag mount, possibly for Krauser bags
- aftermarket mufflers

It appears that you have the start of a nice touring bike.

.

[Redman]

I should have found this first, before sharing my ignorance.

Went for a most enjoyable father-and-son ride on the 850 and the 1000 on a glorious spring day.

[2BRacing]

Just picked up a much neglected GS that I wish to clean and restore. Is this a variant or modified bike - seems to be around 1983

Great find, Danie! You seem to have a knack for finding interesting bikes (like your Military Police model!).

I can confirm that the chrome front fender and low handlebar were stock items on most of the SA GS850G's and GS1000G's that I have seen around here. The fairing looks very much like a modified BMW R100RS fairing (based on the shape and the yellow lines on the transparent headlight cover - however, the round air intake grille below the front indicator was not original BMW - see internet pic below).

The hard luggage is Krauser, just like the set on the GS1000G that I bought from my brother. The silver/blue colour scheme is similar to mine, but the width of the stripes is different to yours. There was also a black/orange colour scheme on SA GS1000G's, like the late Flyboy's bike in the second photo, but the width of the stripes was also different to yours. The stock exhausts had longer silencers.

EDIT: Just a useless bit of information: the double round licence disc holder (made by Stirling) mounted at the top of the left rear crashbar was for the licence disc and the compulsory Third Party insurance disc that we had to display here in SA during the '80's.

Do keep us updated on your progress!

[Grimly]

Fairing is something like a PowerBronze or Rickman or any one of half a dozen makers, one of which made that clone of the BMW RS fairing. Relatively common in the UK at the time.
I had one very like it and it was ok, but mine had an irritating scallop about halfway down which funnelled icy-cold streams of air right at my knees. It wasn't designed by someone who rode in the winter.

[Big T]

Keep it original with upgrades - suspension, brakes, electrical
That's a perfect long distance machine

[rphillips]

Ours all seemed to be dark drab colors, dark blue, brown, dark maroon, black. Heck, I like those brighter happier colors & stripes you can see, ours only got small pin stripes. I agree with Big T.

[Danie.e]

Thanks for all the replies. One seem to get hooked on these bikes and once hooked it never seems to stop. So now I have three - two complete and this one ready to be made "new" again. Someone please teach me to upload such nice big pictures

[2BRacing]

……... Someone please teach me to upload such nice big pictures

You need to upload your photos to an image-hosting site such as flickr or imgur (which I use), and then paste the image code in your post on the GSR forum. Once you have registered (free), you can upload your photos. I use the "Auto resize" feature and choose 15 inch or 17 inch monitor size from the list each time before I upload photos, to limit the size accordingly.

Click on the uploaded photo and a new "Editing" window will open, with a list of options on the right hand side. Click on "Copy" next to "BB Code (message boards & forums)" and then paste (Ctrl V) in your message. You can paste 9 photos per post. Press "Enter" twice after each photo to create a space between the photos.

Drop me an e-mail if you experience difficulties with the process.

[kingofvenus]

Pichler fairing. I would love to have one of those for the 850 my son now owns...

[salty_monk]

I had the same racks for Samsonite cases on my 1000G. My cases were a different series to yours though. They worked great but would induce a weave when pushed above 85 or so (mine had the useless USA 80mph speedo so I couldn't really see exactly what speed it started)....