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Greetings from Brisbane, Australia. I have only recently discovered this site and would like to share a little of my enthusiasm for my beloved GS 1000. This tome has turned out longer than expected. My bike is nearly 28 years old, purchased new in April 1978, and according to the manual is a GS 1000 HC. It is used every day having been used for commuting, sport riding, weekend blasts, and long distance touring. As of today it has covered 327,000 klms (about 205,000 miles) as is running beautifully and is still in excellent condition. I find it hard to believe I have kept one bike so long, but it just never misbehaves. I was brought into Australia as part of a shipment of six GS 1000's prior to the official release here, the frame compliance plate showing it was manufactured in February 1978, and has engine number 50. It copped a hiding in it's early days (well!!! I was 28 years younger then) but has always been well maintained. If there has been any major contirubting factor to it's longevity, aside from good design and engineering, it has been the maintenance schedule; always used high quality oil, changed the oil filter with every change at 5,000 kms (3,100 miles), points and timing checked every 5,000 kms (yes it still has points ignition), shims checked and carbies balanced every 10,000 kms. It is mainly in standard trim, the only major modifications are a Lockhart oil cooler with an inline thermostat fitted the day it came out of warranty, an oil temperature gauge, Koni rear shocks, Magnum front fork springs, after market pipes when the originals went to God, and a voltmeter gauge - yes, I have had the same challenges with the charging system every long term GS 1000 owner has faced. To be objective about it though, the original alternator was replaced with a locally re-wound exchange alternator from a GSX 1100 when it went into melt-down, and has been running faultlessly for over 20 years. The only other modifications are cosmetic, bikini fairing, panniers and top box, quartz headlight relpacing the original sealed beam. Built as the leading edge sports bike in it's day, it is an excellent tourer, having been used for many long trips, varying from seven non-stop trips Brisbane to Sydney (just over 1000 kms) then return, five trips of between 5,000 kms and 8,000 kms. The biggest though was a two-up trip from Brisbane (on the east coast) to Perth (on the west coast). Taking the shortest most direct route to get there, then touring southern West Australia, and taking the scenic route home, it covered 12,000 kms (7,500 miles), effortlessly hauling two people with luggage across all terrain, from crossing the Nullabor Plain twice, to country roads, and some scenic, but very rough, forestry trails. Would you believe the only breakage was a blown bulb in the speedo, and that happened 40kms (25 miles) from home on the way back.
There is more to tell but it could take forever so if anyone has any comments of questions please post a reply, I could talk about my beloved GS 1000 for hours. I'd love to here from you.
There is more to tell but it could take forever so if anyone has any comments of questions please post a reply, I could talk about my beloved GS 1000 for hours. I'd love to here from you.
I enjoyed your message.
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