But first, story of why I am here: (turned out way more longwinded than I planned-sorry)
I grew up in the Bay Area of California, and my dad always commuted by motorcycle. And....Some of My greatest childhood memories were going to Candlestick(3com or whatever it is now-i now abhor baseball) for giants games via his gs1000. I think I was 7...But it was 1984ish or so the last time I remember it running regularly ...I remember him smacking my helmet to keep me awake after the game... I'm thinking..."really?....sleep, now? this is AWESOME....riding a motorcycle next to the bay..."
so cut to 1988, most electronics built in china by now, no need for as many factories in the San Jose area, Dad gets the axe, we pack up and move to Iowa. yay. Already immobile since 84-85, His GS sits in the garage until 1992 when I decide to fire it up.. only takes a few tries -drain the gas, couple squirts of ether and a battery charger. SO I rode it for a summer, albeit having to pop the clutch repeatedly due to an electrical glitch(i have since read about). I feel like this is exactly how a bike should be built. I then graduate and move on. A guy who had seen it in the garage stops by a couple years later, and asks to buy it. Dad calls me to see if im ok with it...I said "sure go ahead"
This was a mistake. Like I said, all bikes should have been built like this. I base my taste in all motorcycles on that bike. Even later on The bike I bought on my own was an FZ-1. WHich reminded me of the gs- It's another great sport standard. Well..... I got rid of it too. (mistake again)
So I am bikeless. And with spring approaching...the bug is biting I want a bike. Got to thinking of that old GS, so I started doing research. I even had Mom trying to dig up old pics or paperwork-no dice. she did find a pic of his old kawasaki he had before, which was still very cool. I'd like to find a GS and restore it not only to ride, but to keep one of my favorite memories of my Dad alive. Or find a decent survivor to keep going...
Maybe you guys can make double sure i have the right info so I can search correctly? Here's what I know.....
It WAS a 1979, black and white striped, and it was chain drive not shaft. And it sounded cool.
I am 99.99999% now this means it was an "E" though i don't remember any letters on that side cover.
Again, sorry for the sappy long book I just wrote... LOL This site is a goldmine. I hope the next time you read a post from me, It will be because I have found a good one to restore and need help finding parts.
OH, Here is a pic stolen from google. This is just what I remember it looking like. Is this an "E"?
Oh, and long shot: anyone here from southeast Iowa area happen to buy a GS in the 90's, and still have it and want to sell it? LOL worth the shot.....
thanks for reading.
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