New forum member

[igoldin74]

Hi! About 2 months ago I came across of 1982 GS650 that was listed for sale for a song. I ended up buying it even though I didn't plan to get an extra bike. I figured I could restore it as it was not in a terrible state for its age. Now as I am looking at it I am also considering making a cafe racer with minimum modifications. I think I will shorten the frame, refinish surfaces on the frame, tank, and side covers, replace bars and seat. The engine has got 40k miles, and I was initially going to open it up at least the top end, but after measuring compression I changed my mind as it showed 135-140 on a barely warm engine. There was a tiny oil leak around oil filter cover or/and oil pan but after inspecting I discovered that one of the studs was loose and the seal was almost flat, I replaced the seal and the oil filter and tightened up the stud, poured fresh oil, and degreased the affected area. I didn't have a chance to start it yet, but I once I let it run I will inspect again, there's a good chance that I will take off the pan for inspection and will replace the gasket anyway. I also had a chance to contact a few notable forum members for their carb service, which I really appreciate. I might create a thread in "Projects" category later on, although I am too lazy to document all I am doing and take pictures.
Thanks for keeping this forum alive and active, it's a great deal of information, inspiration and support!

[80GS1000]

Welcome to the forum!

[rphillips]

Looks too nice & orig. to be cutting up, you can find any old bike sitting in the weeds to do that to. Nice & complete old bikes, like this one, are much harder to find. This looks like a little TLC & you'd have a very nice old GS. FIND SOME LOWER BARS, those make it look like an "L" model. Oh yeah, welcome & congrats on the nice old GS.

[LAB3]

If you start chopping it you'll suffer from premature hair loss, erectile dysfunction, heart failure and weltschmerz. Your wife will leave you and members of the Suzuki family will hire ninjas to castrate your dog. Once you're finally done it'll explode, spreading your remains across no less than three continents only to be eaten by raptors whose droppings will fertilize poisonous plants that the illuminati puts into your coffee for mind control purposes.

Not really but here's my point: Have fun with it! It's your bike, make it your own. Welcome to the forum, and remember

[dorkburger]

Welcome. Definitely a good looker. Before you chop it, I’d suggest getting proper handlebars as noted, getting it up and running well, then ride it. You may find that you like it as is.

[steve murdoch]

If you start chopping it you'll suffer from premature hair loss, erectile dysfunction, heart failure and weltschmerz. Your wife will leave you and members of the Suzuki family will hire ninjas to castrate your dog. Once you're finally done it'll explode, spreading your remains across no less than three continents only to be eaten by raptors whose droppings will fertilize poisonous plants that the illuminati puts into your coffee for mind control purposes.

Not really but here's my point: Have fun with it! It's your bike, make it your own. Welcome to the forum, and remember

Going soft in your old age? You are really starting to go easy on the Newbies.

Welcome to the site, igoldin74.

[GSXR7ED]

Welcome,

I didn’t even notice the bars but...yes, change them.

The bike looks great as-is...chopping it up would ruin what is a nice looking original vintage bike.

It’s yours to do what you will...but try different bars first.

Ed

****

[Redman]

Other than the bars and the mirrors, looks to be a complete original condition bike. Even original paint looks good.

[roeme]

Welcome to the forum!

With that tail, you already have a good base for a cafe racer look without the need to chop the frame. No idea what your background is, and I don't have strong feelings about chopping frames.
But what I do recommend from experience is to make non-reversible changes only as a last resort.

Just with changing the handlebars alone, this bike will look wildly different.

[igoldin74]

Thanks everyone for warm welcome, with such compliments for the bike I am already seriously considering leaving it as-is and just replacing damaged/old parts, which I pretty much have been doing so far. What bars exactly would you recommend? Aftermarket or something from other models?

Other than the bars and the mirrors, looks to be a complete original condition bike. Even original paint looks good.

The paint is somewhat OK, there's patina, cracks, chips and awful touch ups everywhere.

If you start chopping it you'll suffer from premature hair loss, erectile dysfunction, heart failure and weltschmerz. Your wife will leave you and members of the Suzuki family will hire ninjas to castrate your dog. Once you're finally done it'll explode, spreading your remains across no less than three continents only to be eaten by raptors whose droppings will fertilize poisonous plants that the illuminati puts into your coffee for mind control purposes.

Not really but here's my point: Have fun with it! It's your bike, make it your own. Welcome to the forum, and remember

Ha-ha, thanks! Duly noted

[rphillips]

Bars are always a personal preference, whatever you feel good with. From picture those look like 9" to10" rise. Orig. bars would have been appx. 5" to 6". Me personally would feel comfortable with probably 3" to 4". Are you are comfortable with your other 2 bikes bars? If so find bars that kind'f equal what they are. Really like the bike, really orig. for 40K mi. Hate the tail section, worst Suzuki ever put on a bike. Remember everything I say is just my opinion. Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

[roeme]

(...) I am already seriously considering leaving it as-is and just replacing damaged/old parts, which I pretty much have been doing so far. What bars exactly would you recommend? Aftermarket or something from other models?(...)

This:

Bars are always a personal preference, whatever you feel good with. (...)

Since you're aiming for a cafe racer look, you could put adjustable clubman/ace bars on it (not sure if that's the correct name). Then by replacing the humongous tail light and rear indicators with small, high-vis LED ones you're already quite a bit there, and only with bolt-on, easily revertible modifications.

I would've added exemplary pictures, but the forum is acting up on this computer.

[Gorminrider]

If you start chopping it you'll suffer from premature hair loss, erectile dysfunction, heart failure and weltschmerz. Your wife will leave you and members of the Suzuki family will hire ninjas to castrate your dog. Once you're finally done it'll explode, spreading your remains across no less than three continents only to be eaten by raptors whose droppings will fertilize poisonous plants that the illuminati puts into your coffee for mind control purposes.

Not really but here's my point: Have fun with it! It's your bike, make it your own. Welcome to the forum, and remember

What a great curse! It only needs an upside-down pentangle and a sacrifice to Beelzebub to take effect!


@Igoldin...but yes, I'd ride it awhile before chopping it up..I have one (identical but black) and I keep longer bars on it...be sure to check everything out here and especially, download the 650G shop manual

BikeCliff's Website

[igoldin74]

I appreciate your constructive feedback fellas!