78 GS1000S replica, down under style

[rudy]

As requested by srsupertrap, I'm posting up a few pics of my S replica. It's been a great bike so far. I've been riding it since June of this year. Rides great, lots of power, not too many troubles in about 5k. Most of them were my fault.

What it looked like the night I bought it. Don't let the fancy picture fool you, it's quite a dog with oil leaks and rust everywhere, but it ran. Sort of....


The day before getting it on the road. Almost a year later (11 months) after total teardown, rebuild, and rewire. Was it ever CLEAN then!!


What it looks like now:


After getting home from the first long all-day ride, which was an absolute joy by the way.


This winter will see a good cleaning, a few parts painted that didn't see paint yet this year, exhaust repainted, chrome panel airbox (thanks to Steve Murdoch), and likely a valve shim job and carb tune up.

[russr33]

Rudy that same style fork brace came on my '78. What's it called? I have a telefix on my "S" and I must say I prefer it much better. Really top notch job btw. Beautiful!

[rudy]

I have no idea what brand the brace is. I bought it from a wrecked 82 1100E, which is where the front fender and rear brake is from as well. I got it all pretty cheap, so I didn't ask too many questions.

[midnightcafe]

nice job, its very well done- took me some time to notice the four piston calipers and polished swingarm. Is that a mac header with a yoshimura can?

[nvr2old]

Nice looking bike Rudy. Can you tell me where you found the Suzuki decals for the gas tank?

[67fire]

Fantastic job! I'm lovin' it!

Eric

[srsupertrap]

I have no idea what brand the brace is. I bought it from a wrecked 82 1100E, which is where the front fender and rear brake is from as well. I got it all pretty cheap, so I didn't ask too many questions.

Rudy,
I think Racer Supply either made the fork brace or was the distributor, I have the same kind and that is where I purchased it from. BTW, the bike looks really great. It will make the guys down under take notice.

[KiwiGS]

Looks great mate!
I am nearly there

NOT!

[simon kuether]

I never was to keen on the red 'S colour scheme,but the more I see it ,the more it's growing on me.Well done old mate.Luv the wire wheels etc,etc,etc. Cheers,Simon.

[sharpy]

I never was to keen on the red 'S colour scheme,but the more I see it ,the more it's growing on me.Well done old mate.Luv the wire wheels etc,etc,etc. Cheers,Simon.

So my bike is a pile of crap u wouldnt own? might be getting a megacycle system cheap to get to old girl on the road soon

[rudy]

nice job, its very well done- took me some time to notice the four piston calipers and polished swingarm. Is that a mac header with a yoshimura can?

I rode it for about 5 minutes with the original single front caliper. I was appalled at how awful it was. These Ninja brakes will lift the back wheel. I got really lucky with the swinger, and it looks pretty nice! The header is a Kerker, the PO welded an old crappy VH pipe to it. I picked up the Yosh can for $30 off ebay and it polished up real nice.

Nice looking bike Rudy. Can you tell me where you found the Suzuki decals for the gas tank?

It's a bit of a long story. I found this guy in town that does reproduction graphics for vintage bikes. I was actually first asking him about the possibility of getting the Yoshimura plate for the muffler reproduced. He said it was more work than it was worth, and mine actually cleaned up well. While I was there, we chatted about decal sets for the rest of the bike. I couldn't find anywhere that had the exact one I wanted. The blue/white version is readily available, but that don't work for me. I worked with some of the best folks from NZ and OZ to get measurements and pictures of original bikes. I still owe them a frosty brew if I'm ever down there. Brian was a stickler for details, and the outcome was really good! If you wanna get a hold of him, his website is www.bdesigns.ca. Tell him I sent you.

Looks great mate!
I am nearly there
NOT!

Your bike is sweet. Gonna be a good lookin machine when it's all done.

I never was to keen on the red 'S colour scheme,but the more I see it ,the more it's growing on me.Well done old mate.Luv the wire wheels etc,etc,etc. Cheers,Simon.

I was originally gonna do the blue/white scheme. Then I realized that everyone has that. Same thing with the cast vs. spoked wheels. I LOVE spokies anyway. Re-spoked them with Buchanan's stainless oversized and its good to go! I have the other set of casts if I ever want to go back, but it's not very likely.


Thanks all for the good words.

[simon kuether]

So my bike is a pile of crap u wouldnt own? might be getting a megacycle system cheap to get to old girl on the road soon

Hey , lookout.No offence intended there old mate.I guess I'm just a "blue" kinda bloke.Like I said , the more red colour schemes I see , the more I'm liking it.Park your bike out the front with the keys in it and I'll show whether I'd "own" it or not. I've got an old set of 4 into 1's you're welcome to for the cost of the freight if you're interested.Bit rough (just rusty - not "smashed" ) but with a good aluminium can.Cheers,Simon.

[TheCafeKid]

Double hoop fork braces, definately period pieces, but do the job just as well. I have one myself. Been thinkin bout tossin it up for sale, as while its cool to have one if you're doing a period bike, a Tarozzi brace is cheaper, and does just as well..

[Nessism]

Your bike looks great Rudy, thanks for sharing.

[shedman1300]

Looks good rudy, the decals have turned out really well. Waiting for the aussie dollar to rise and will order some myself.