Should I restore my bike to its original body?

[Anonymous]

When I purchased my bike I wasn't a bit fond of the appearance mod (probably added to cover up evidence of being downed), but the more I look at the body the more attached I am to it.. I'd love to hear any suggestions, should I *slowly* bring this bike back into it's sleek stock style? or should I leave the look be (fixing the dents and dings & mirrors)?

My bike's current look-
(cut and paste these links)

http://www.geocities.com/c_mingus2001/GS850G/GS850G-F.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/c_mingus2001/GS850G/GS850G-R.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/c_mingus2001/GS850G/GS850G-L.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/c_mingus2001/GS850G/GS850G-T.jpg

Stock '79 GS850G-
(Restored PERFECTLY by Harry Buitenweg - found in the GS Gallery)

http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydispwnd.php?RegID=176

Not that I could do anything nearly that complete or beautiful... just curious what your thoughts were.

[Anonymous]

I guess I fail to see the dents you speak of. Styling looks great though. leaver her be. But fix the dents I guess.

What's with the OR plate, buster? Are you mooching off my tab fees? [menacing glare]

Michael

[Hoomgar]

I always like the stock look when restoring but if you are not planning a ground up restoration I say the bike looks nice as it is.

[Anonymous]

I'm leaning towards reviving the body as-is... mainly because I feel that there are a couple of improvements (handlebars-maybe 2tone), and if I'm not going to go full fledged on the restoration I might as well just pass..

[Anonymous]

I think it's cool.
Why have the same thing as someone else?
If it was a bone stock original, I'd say restore it that way. Historical preservation is a wonderful thing.

But it's not original so chop away! Loose those bars, mirrors and turn signals. Put on some nice new pieces and go out and go out for a long ride! You'll feel a lot better.

Steve

[Anonymous]

Re: Should I restore my bike to its original body?

Stock '79 GS850G-
(Restored PERFECTLY by Harry Buitenweg - found in the GS Gallery)

http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydispwnd.php?RegID=176

Not that I could do anything nearly that complete or beautiful... just curious what your thoughts were.

Thanks for the compliments...

At first I din't plan to get it back to stock, but I was incredibly lucky finding parts. And you'd be amazed what a set of new bolts and nuts and some new paint can do for the looks!
I wasn't in a hurry, so I just took my time, and eventually I found more and more parts on the internet, to make the bike look better.
It's not completely stock though. The exhausts are off a GS1000, the brakes and discs are from an 81 GS850. I could not get the original brakes working again; they were completely rusted.
Had the fuel tank (few nasty dents and some rust) repainted by a professional, and bought a few new parts (front fender, stainless steel brake lines, tires).
I painted the frame and the engine myself. The cylinders and part of the crankcase were painted black (with a brush!!) by the previous owner. I had the choice between either getting the engine sandblasted, or trying to repaint it myself.

I think that your bike looks nice as it is. Get the dents fixed, get some new handlebars and mirrors. You don't have to do it in a hurry; just take your time.

Your bike doesn't look bad at all!
Mine was in worse condition when I bought it: http://home.wanadoo.nl/kastanje/www/...en_641x493.jpg

[Anonymous]

incredible results with that bike jojo. I didn't know that was the original state..

[joe.d]

ditch those bars,,......horrible....but I say leave the rest of the bike as it is...