New member from South Africa

[Guest]

I just bought a GS 1000 G as I am looking for a project with my son who now has a 2 month holiday after finishing school. Will be my first project so I have no clue, I am an accountant with very little tools in my garage but we love motorcycles and we love riding ... Still not sure whether we should modify the bike (not too keen on the battleship look with boxes and fairing) and whether we should try for original. Bike sat under a tree for 2 years sol will first have to get it running (clean the carbs etc) before we decide on a look.

[Redman]

Welcome to GSR.

Are some other members in SA.

THose are big bags and trunk. And big fairing with lowers, and big mirrors.

Looks like aftermarket seat and exhaust.

.

[steve murdoch]

Manuals and how-tos are available here. .http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/
Welcome aboard.
I like the idea of a father-son or daughter project. A great way to spend time with a kid.

[Who Dat?]

Don't knock the "battleship" look until you have tried it.

I have talked to a few people who swore they would never even put a small windshield on the bike because it ruined the looks, then watched them smile after putting it on. They admitted that the protection from the wind and bugs was worth what little it detracted from the looks.

Your bike is on the other end of the scale, but you may find the practiality outweighs the look. Might be able to take the lowers off the fairing to get a little more breeze on the lower extremities, but you might find that you enjoy it.

If you DO decide to remove the fairing, be aware that you will have to source a headlight, mounts for the headlight and turn signals. Might not be as easy as it seems.

[Big T]

Well, you've come to the right place, all the knowledge you'll need is on here

You'll have to take off most of the accessories just to start servicing it.

Good luck with the revival

[Gorminrider]

Nice bike! that is a noble-looking machine! I like that description: "Battleship" ! I'd incline to Who Dat's take: by all means get those "ears" for the headlamp (and the headlamp itself too of course) and make it a stock bike but keep the acoutrements to bolt back one as you need...I do this on my GS650. Those saddle bags look awful handy.... and,if you want the fairing on for awhile, it may be you can simply unbolt the stock headlight tuck the ears in (they can be turned on my bike) and mount the fairing. It takes an hour, I guess...

[2BRacing]

Welcome to the forum Cobus! You have certainly found the best collection of knowledge and information on these fine machines. Enjoy working on your project with your son!

I recently acquired my brother's GS1000G which is kitted out in a similar way to yours. This bike has not been used for about 20 years, but was stored inside, so is in very good condition.

[ddaniels]

Welcome to the forum Cobus! You have certainly found the best collection of knowledge and information on these fine machines. Enjoy working on your project with your son!

I recently acquired my brother's GS1000G which is kitted out in a similar way to yours. This bike has not been used for about 20 years, but was stored inside, so is in very good condition.

What is the deal with that tank?

[ddaniels]

Oh, by the way, welcome!

[CobusvZ]

Thanks - that is a good idea to make the boxes and fairing available, even if it takes an hour or two to fit back on - just for that long road trip once or twice a year. That will provide a much better "wow" than to chop it into a bobber or street, I could not find peace in my mind chopping up this bike. Will have it delivered Thursday when son finishes exams, can not wait.
DDaniels, your bike is in great shape! Looks good

[wyly]

I like the idea of a father-son or daughter project. A great way to spend time with a kid.

i hoped for that but my daughters don't care for dirt under their manicured nails and my son prefers xbox

[wyly]

Welcome to GSR...there are lot's of very smart gearheads here to help should you need help with your project...

[ddaniels]

Thanks - that is a good idea to make the boxes and fairing available, even if it takes an hour or two to fit back on - just for that long road trip once or twice a year. That will provide a much better "wow" than to chop it into a bobber or street, I could not find peace in my mind chopping up this bike. Will have it delivered Thursday when son finishes exams, can not wait.
DDaniels, your bike is in great shape! Looks good

Thank you, yes it's pretty clean, but not perfect.

[wyly]

What is the deal with that tank?

I'd guess it's an extended range tank so that they don't run out of fuel in lion country ...can't roll up the windows on GS and wait for them to go away.

[Gorminrider]

Thanks - that is a good idea to make the boxes and fairing available, even if it takes an hour or two to fit back on - just for that long road trip once or twice a year. That will provide a much better "wow" than to chop it into a bobber or street, I could not find peace in my mind chopping up this bike. Will have it delivered Thursday when son finishes exams, can not wait.
DDaniels, your bike is in great shape! Looks good

I don't want to belabour you with my stuff but if you do like the idea, put thought into it as you take the old fairing off and put the stock headlamp and ears on..I'm not sure about your fairing but Vetter windjammers often seem to get the bikes wiring adapted rather than the other way around as it should be...you may find the wiring of the fairing (and tailights inside the saddlebags? ) with various adaptations from the stock wiring harness. Keep the conversion in mind.is all I mean,really..things like using temporary wiring inserts between fairings plugs and suzuki until you are fixed on a system and can make it permanent.

these pix are a bit out of date- for instance, turn signals are now IN the saddle bags when they are attached...which somewhat illustrates my "tip" above.