Craigslist CF

[TC750]

Ok, so first off I'm a new member and was really excited to get this bike and the PO started making it into a cafe racer but last riding season according to him it had "Just stopped running" And was told by a motorcycle mechanic it had a bad head gasket. So I picked it up for what I initially thought was cheap but now overpriced, and upon tear-down was horribly surprised at how thrashed everything was. Both inner spark plug electrodes were broken, cylinder head domes nicked beyond repair, piston 3 was mangled and down in the lower case, piston 2 was completely MIA, and the piston walls in the lower case are broken into pieces. Now my question is because of all this damage do I even bother trying to repair this engine or just give up and try to find another one? Thanks for your help in advance.

[tkent02]

All of that broken and missing metal went someplace, that can't be good.

Good 750 engines are easy to find. Find one.

I have one if you need it.

[TC750]

yeah, I know it had to go somewhere, and I bet if I tore it down anymore Id find it but at this point, seems pointless. I work at an auto dealership and have never seen a piston just disappear into thin air and the other break and go into the crankcase. How much for the engine and is it the same as what Ive got? Mine is a 77. Im new to the GS legacy lol

[TC750]

Ive been looking for replacement engines but there is only one on eBay that is bad or only for parts, and a google search has yeilded almost nothing. The rest of the bike seems like in good shape from as far as i can tell. All the paint, fenders, and frame are in good shape. Never been layed down. He had the stock airbox which when i opened it oil came out? And looked like a shotty seal. The "Cafe" end of things was a set of clubman bars the instruments were "modded" meaning only the speedo and tach were mounted, not the shrouding surrounding the gauges, shortened the rear fender and took the baffles out of the factory exhaust. Thought this was going to be a modest project which with needing a new engine is now going to cost a lot more. UGH

[TC750]

yeah, I just sent a PM to tkent02 about it, and will place an ad in the Wanted section about it. Thanks for your help guys. Glad to be reassured my GS project isn't completely dead.

[Crazy_Russian]

maybe this is a good time to do an 850 upgrade ;-)

[tkent02]

Better yet a 1000 upgrade!
Way more better!

[1_v8_merc]

I think most of these motors go for $150-300 on eBay.
(depending on their condition)

You can do a rebuild, but pistons/rings are the only expensive part.
it's usually cheaper to just buy another motor.

Plus who knows what else that scumbag neglected on that engine, why risk it!?

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. TC750,

Yeeoww! That engine is messed up!

Yes, find another and plug it in. That will be the cheapest/easiest solution.

Let me help a little by dumping a TON of information on you and sharing some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[TC750]

Yeah i think im just going to get a replacement engine. From what ive seen so far on Ebay the 850 and 1000 are shaft drive. Do they make chain drives as well or is this a trans swap of sorts?

[Steve]

Yeah i think im just going to get a replacement engine. From what ive seen so far on Ebay the 850 and 1000 are shaft drive. Do they make chain drives as well or is this a trans swap of sorts?

All 850s are shafties, but the 1000 was available as a chain model up through '79.

By the way, just in case you didn't know, it will be near-impossible to stuff a shafty drivetrain in there. The entire frame and swingarm are different, you could not convert them.

.

[tkent02]

The 1000 chain drive engine went from 1978 to 1980, but the 1980 has CV carbs, you want the 1978 or 1979 to be able to reuse your old VM carbs and air box. They are a lot more common than the shaft drive 1000s.

[bomber737]

Just sent you a pm. I have a 79 gs750 engine sitting in my garage. Im close and you can have it cheap

[Crazy_Russian]

Just sent you a pm. I have a 79 gs750 engine sitting in my garage. Im close and you can have it cheap

isn't 79 750 HTCC engine?
by 850 conversion i meant, swapping 850 pistons and cylinders on a 750 case/block

[TC750]

isn't 79 750 HTCC engine?
by 850 conversion i meant, swapping 850 pistons and cylinders on a 750 case/block

Whats the HTCC mean? and that 850 idea sounds tempting as well....