electrical starter to kick starter

[daffan]

Hey guys,
I just bought this 78' GS750 with an 81' GS75X engine.
Like probably many of you guys, I have some problems getting it to charge. Well the battery seams to "leak" power, which is according to this site, probably due to a broken stator and/or regulator.

Since I'm planing a rebuild on the bike, I was playing with the idea of replacing the electrical starter with a kick starter and change and simplify the electrical system. So I then turn to you guys to pore over me with your knowledge and experience on the field.

I might mention, that I have next to none experience with wrenching on engines, but I am quite handy, and a very eager and quick learner.

Any help on the matter would be muck appreciated, guys!

Andreas

[terrylee]

Don't believe it is possible to install kickstart on that engine. Check out Basscliff's site (probably be around to welcome you soon), and find Stator papers which is a step by step in checking charging system on bike. terrylee

[SqDancerLynn1]

Not possible You would need the original 78 750 motor

[tkent02]

If you ca find one, go for it, the '77 - '79 750 engine is a much better engine than the '81 anyway.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. daffan,

Sorry, you can't retro-fit a kick starter. Though most of the '80 and '81 models still have the space in the crankcase for the kick starter, it is so infeasible as to be nearly impossible unless you have crazy mad fab skillz and access to a machine shop. So clean up your wiring harness, repair your charging system, and do all of the other required maintenance for a happy motorcycle. Then ride!

If you are here you probably have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs about 20 years worth of maintenance. In the links below you'll find maintenance lists, documentation, wiring diagrams, "how to" guides, vendor links, tips, tricks, and a whole lot of GS goodness. This is your "mega-welcome". Let's get started.

Let me dump a TON of information on you and share 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!

More links to helpful threads in the forum:
Help! Your Bike Won't Start
DON'T DO THESE THINGS
Help! Your Bike Won't Run Well
Oh God! Pods!


Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[daffan]

Hey guys!
Thank you for your replies! I suspected as much (not possible), but i was hoping.
I think I will just change both the stator, regulator and all of the electrical wiring.

tkent02: How come you think the 77-79 engine is better? more reliable? I think anyway I have to make due with what I have.

Like BassCliff says, I probably have about 20 years of maintenance to catch up, and since i'm gonna do and complete renovation, I'm gonna take the whole bike apart.

The motor is running good, and stable when the battery is full and it is warm. The clutch is also good.
What kind of parts should I expect to change (inside the motor)?
I have to be finished with the whole project within Christmas, so I need to plan it well, and make sure I have all the necessary parts.

Does anyone know a good and cheap place to buy spare parts here in Europe?
And do anyone have any experience in rebuilding the the electrical system in a way that I will have an open space where the side covers are now? What kind of battery should I choose?

Any and all advise is much appreciated! I'll keep you guys updated with pictures on the build when I start sometime next week.

Cheers!

[daffan]

And thank you BassCliff for the motherload of information you dumped on me!! I have some reading to do.

[tom203]

If motor is "running good" (and you have an xmas deadline), why tear it apart now, instead of just fixing what's wrong ( charging issues, etc.) and bringing maintenance up to date?

Lots of guys have relocated smaller (but still adequate) batteries to other areas; I wonder why you want that "open space where sidecovers are now"

[tkent02]

tkent02: How come you think the 77-79 engine is better? more reliable? I think anyway I have to make due with what I have.

Yes, the 1980 750 is one of the few GS engines that had problems, some had oiling or oil pressure issues. Some have gone 100,000 miles and more like any other GS, sadly others have not. Besides if your bike came with a kickstart engine, why not have it. I bet you can find an old 750 engine for a song.

I have one but shipping it would be expensive.

[daffan]

It's running "good", but does not look good. I want to paint the engine black, and the carb "silver". To get the best result each piece should be painted separated, hence the tearing apart of the engine. And I am also repainting the frame (a bit rusty and not so neat looking). Since it is already apart, I should change all maintenance parts, gaskets etc. Besides gaskets, what should I expect to replace etc.

I would like an cafe cruiser style on the bike, when finished. Looking at pictures online, I really like the design where you have a visible and open frame. When looking at my bike at the same area, it is packed with different electrical components and the brake fluid(?). Somehow the different designers have managed to hide these, and I'm guessing they have made a simpler electrical system with smaller components(?).
Which components should i replace the original with and where to place them is then the question?

[daffan]

Yes, the 1980 750 is one of the few GS engines that had problems, some had oiling or oil pressure issues. Some have gone 100,000 miles and more like any other GS, sadly others have not. Besides if your bike came with a kickstart engine, why not have it. I bet you can find an old 750 engine for a song.

I have one but shipping it would be expensive.

well, then I have to do a serious job restoring the engine I have. I would love to have it. Looks better I think. The original engine broke down and had to be replaced mid 90's.
Unfortunately I have a budget I have to try to hold (probably gone fail miserably), so I have to make due with what I have. Some time in the future when my wallet is a bit more filled up, and if my current engine breaks done, an original engine could be installed. The 80 mod has 10 more HP

[Big T]

If you just want to paint the motor, you don't have to take it apart

You can soda blast or scrape the exterior, mask and paint

No sense in taking apart a perfectly good motor

[850 Combat]

Its usually a good idea to fix what is wrong with it, instead of trying to do something else. The charging system is needed even if you have a kick starter. Your electronic ignition requires voltage too even with a kick starter.

[daffan]

For an untrained ear it sounds like it runs okay. Since I'm redoing the entire bike I want to make sure there is no unwanted surprises just around the corner. I'm taking it apart, cleaning it up. Changing the gaskets etc and seeing it there are any soon to come problems.
I follow you guys on the, hold back and keeping it simple part. I want a well restored an re-build reliable bike, which I know won't break down on me unexpectedly. (Can never be 100% though). Since I'm taking it apart I would like some input from others who have done the same.

Anyway to get the frame free I need to take the motor somewhat apart, since I don't have a crane.

850 combat: true! But it looks better with a kick starter, and you are nit that depended on the battery to start(?). Anyway, a fun idea that has been put aside now.