New GS Owner

[Steve]

So lucky me, I came across a 83 Suzuki GS1100ES! ... Plan is to Cafe this Rocket ...

I'm waiting for the uproar to start.

The 1100ES was a one-year-only bike that is highly sought after, quite a few here would likely be VERY willing to get that bike from you to save it from the saw.

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[nejeff]

I'm waiting for the uproar to start.

The 1100ES was a one-year-only bike that is highly sought after, quite a few here would likely be VERY willing to get that bike from you to save it from the saw.

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Hate to say it Steve but us purists are losing the battle

I am on several other sites & forums and the stuff people are hacking up is enough to make you sick.

[Steve]

Yeah, I know, Jeff, I was just letting him know that someone MIGHT be interested in the bike BEFORE he cut it up.

And, some of us "purists" aren't all that "pure". I like my bikes mostly stock,
but not one of them is exactly like it left the factory.

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[Redman]

.... is a Suzuki guy. Told me it was the one to have! ...........

I believe what he meant was that a stock ES, that hasn't been crashed or otherwise lost its ES fairing and paint scheme is a rare find.

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[rwinn]

Just like on the KZ site, there were many purist as well as custom guys. My 79 KZ650 had everything stock with added bolt on items! Yes paint was different and I did cut back the fenders. A saw never touched that bike. I kept every decent part and had extra VM24 carbs. Stock exhaust was trashed as well as the seat. I could only salvage part of the foam which I did use for the seat. When I sold it the buyer got all those parts. That bike could very easily be brought back to stock for a purist. The same will go with this bike. I'll get rid of nothing! I'll even keep the dented tank, scuffed fairing (lower part missing), rear seat assembly (also scuffed and torn), and the exhaust! EBAY had a few tanks reasonably priced. I know CV carbs don't do well with pods so even be keeping stock air box! A saw will never touch this bike! The CB1000 is also stock except for paint and added 1/4 fairing.

[Deuce]

All I did to my SR was to put a 65 Chevy tail light on it and aftermarket turn signals. It had none up front when I bought it. I hate to say it, but I don't worry too much about keeping a bike original with all the parts. My Mustang is a limited edition, but I've sold the stock wheels, springs, and a few other things. Personally, I'm too old to worry about what other people will say about its originality. I guess I don't consider many of these bikes to be on the level of a 1973 Z1, CBX, Katana, etc.

[rwinn]

All I did to my SR was to put a 65 Chevy tail light on it and aftermarket turn signals. It had none up front when I bought it. I hate to say it, but I don't worry too much about keeping a bike original with all the parts. My Mustang is a limited edition, but I've sold the stock wheels, springs, and a few other things. Personally, I'm too old to worry about what other people will say about its originality. I guess I don't consider many of these bikes to be on the level of a 1973 Z1, CBX, Katana, etc.

Love love love CBX1000! Bucket list bike for me some day! I'm not worried about it. I respect the purist! Agree mostly especially cutting up beyond being recognized! I'm more of a creative person and like to make it my own. I live in Harley country. When I ride with my buddy it's my bike that draws a crowd. When it's all said and done you guys can be the judge. I think it'll turn out nice! It will be a long term project. 1st thing making sure it runs!

[rwinn]

Question, going thru the bike the other day and it's a little rougher than I thought! No biggie! Tank is probably done with a lot of corrosion and large dent. Ill be looking for replacement. My question is the gauge cluster. This one's is complete toast and un-repairable! Looks like a little tougher to source. Are there any year and models that are interchangeable? Like 83 GS550 or GS1100's that are not ES models? GS550 looks similar where the others look completely different. Or maybe a suggestion on a good aftermarket one that's not too difficult to modify connectors.

[rwinn]

Question, going thru the bike the other day and it's a little rougher than I thought! No biggie! Tank is probably done with a lot of corrosion and large dent. Ill be looking for replacement. My question is the gauge cluster. This one's is complete toast and un-repairable! Looks like a little tougher to source. Are there any year and models that are interchangeable? Like 83 GS550 or GS1100's that are not ES models? GS550 looks similar where the others look completely different. Or maybe a suggestion on a good aftermarket one that's not too difficult to modify connectors.

This must be a hard one!

[rwinn]

Was able to do a little work on the bike over the weekend. Pulled the tank and body panels. Marker lights were completely crumbling. Put in a good battery and it turns over fine. Used a little gas in a funnel and it did fire but not start. Good sign! Found a good tank so I should have it in a few days then I should be able start it up.....fingers crossed.