A skunk in disguise?

[John Kat]

I restored my GS 1000 EC a couple of years ago but I didn't realize it must be one of the early skunks.
The gas tank is obviously more recent as it doesn't have the indents but the tail cover has them.
More significantly the rear swingarm is of a larger diameter ( 43 mm) than the later GS 1000's (38 mm).
The engine is also missing the front little bolt between the cylinder head and the cylinder block.
The airbox has the caracteristic fins also.
I'm sure there are other differences I haven't spotted?
The frame vin is : 513829 and the engine: 120517
Here a some pictures:

[steve murdoch]

Another beauty, John.
What are the tank badges from? Did you paint them yourself?

[John Kat]

Another beauty, John.
What are the tank badges from? Did you paint them yourself?

Thanks Steve.
The tank badges are the OEM ones but painted the same "Wes Cooley" blue as the tank.
No, I didn't paint them myself

[Octain]

Looks wonderful!

[Octain]

Looks wonderful!

[Rover]

The Cooley instrument panel is one of a kind.You have the "normal" speedo.

[sedelen]

Couple of other things you could check, a '78 Skunk carbs have the choke lever on the left carb bank instead of the pull knob on the rubber cover, and the oil filter cover on the '78 has a drain plug, the '78 rear set pegs are round, the '79's square.
As far as the tank, if it has the lever it's probably a '79, repainting won't change the location of the badges which are a little higher, lower on a ' 78.
Obviously the case emblems are for an '80 model.
Regardless of whatever it is, it sure does look nice.

[Nessism]

Obviously the case emblems are for an '80 model.
Regardless of whatever it is, it sure does look nice.

Naw, those aren't 1980 emblems, they are later. Agree the bike looks nice.

As for the swingarm goes, all the chain drive 1000's use the same part as far as I know.

[John Kat]

Couple of other things you could check, a '78 Skunk carbs have the choke lever on the left carb bank instead of the pull knob on the rubber cover, and the oil filter cover on the '78 has a drain plug, the '78 rear set pegs are round, the '79's square.
As far as the tank, if it has the lever it's probably a '79, repainting won't change the location of the badges which are a little higher, lower on a ' 78.
Obviously the case emblems are for an '80 model.
Regardless of whatever it is, it sure does look nice.

You are right, my choke lever is on the left of the carb bank and there is a drain plug on the oil filter cover
The rear pegs were missing when I bought the bike but I have a set of round pegs that I will use!
I saw Nessism post about the swingarm beeing identical on all GS 1000's?
Could you check please?

[John Kat]

The Cooley instrument panel is one of a kind.You have the "normal" speedo.

I kept my bike as close to original as possible except the "Cooley" color scheme.

[John Kat]

Naw, those aren't 1980 emblems, they are later. Agree the bike looks nice.

As for the swingarm goes, all the chain drive 1000's use the same part as far as I know.

Here's a picture of the swingarm.
You can see how the brake hose is held in place.
I've never seen this on any later GS 1000 ?

[rustybronco]

A 1978 GS1000 swing arm.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d44/rustybronco/IMG_2537.jpg

[John Kat]

A 1978 GS1000 swing arm.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4...o/IMG_2537.jpg

We have the same swingarm
I'm sure you have the same diameter of 43 mm for the round tubes going to the rear spindle.
It's amazing to note that Suzuki reduced the diameter of the swingarm tubes in the later years

[rustybronco]

If you reduce the diameter of the tubes, you reduce the unsprung weight. Makes it easier for the shocks to dampen the suspension.

[sedelen]

Naw, those aren't 1980 emblems, they are later.

Never argue with the big dog, Ed your right. I stand corrected.