Beefing up the front & rear of an old classic

[GS1150Pilot]

True, Harley guys love bolting doo-dads to their bikes.

[Neveragain55]

Yes they do, but the Harley guy that gave me the compliment said that it reminded him of the old school racers from the 70’s and his first bike…………..an old Suzuki GS.

I’ll use the colors I choose to paint on my canvas, you use yours…………no harm, no foul…..

[GS1150Pilot]

Absolutely. Good luck on the cheap no cut or weld suspension upgrades.

[terrylee]

Wouldn't think welding shop would charge much to weld on a couple of mounts. terrylee

[isleoman]

I doubt you can do a Bandit swing arm for less than $250. It cost me $250 just for welding and fabricating the tabs. The swing arm itself was probably another $75 off ebay after shipping.

The problem with these resto mods is that every change results in needing to change something else. You "may" be able to bolt in a swing arm, but will likely be stymied by the resulting changes required to the brake master cylinder and rear sets. No sense in going Bandit if you don't use the 180 rubber. That gets back to alignment issues.

You can "maybe" slot in some modern forks however you'll have to figure out what to do with the head light mounting ears, gauges, and the front fender. Then there's the tach drive cable.

You need to figure everything out up front or you'll waste tons of money and time reversing yourself, or follow someone else's path.

KingofVenus has a very nice resto follow his lead or make him a generous offer on his bike.

The best option at this point would be to ditch your significant other and start dating a machinist/welder. Another option is leave the GS stock and buy a late 1990s FZ750 of Honda 600. A golfer's gotta have an assortment of clubs. A biker needs an assortment of bikes.

[hjfisk]

"A golfer's gotta have an assortment of clubs. A biker needs an assortment of bikes."

Now that is as true a statement as I have ever heard. Now to just get everyone else to agree

[Dj66]

Can't you be nice?

I too will never again be 55, am not a mechanic (or a welder), and would be interested in such upgrades for my 1100EZ.

I can, and i was not trying to be mean, it just comes naturally. I am also attempting near exactly what the O.P. wants to do, on a 78 750 E, so naturally i searched this forum for the information i needed. I then studied up on parts interchange and hit ebay. Iv'e got under $500.00 in all the parts i need to convert to a 97 750 swingarm and a 89 750 front end. It's too cold out (no heat in the garage) to work on it now so it's just been gathering and planning. If you are not going to build your bike you must be planning on having someone do it for you, maybe whoever that is should be doing that too.

[x01660]

Hello!

So I'm gonna ask this here so I don't start a new thread; I want to do the same thing (upgrade my suspension to modern suspension so I can get radial tires), but I have an 84 GS1150. How much would I be looking at to swap the forks and swingarm to accommodate modern sportbike tires (including all additional hardware and parts), and how much will it run? Thanks.


-x01660

[isleoman]

Hello!

So I'm gonna ask this here so I don't start a new thread; I want to do the same thing (upgrade my suspension to modern suspension so I can get radial tires), but I have an 84 GS1150. How much would I be looking at to swap the forks and swingarm to accommodate modern sportbike tires (including all additional hardware and parts), and how much will it run? Thanks.


-x01660

Low ball # with you doing all the work

$75 for used swing arm but you'll have to do something to make the mono shock mate up and usually a top hat bearing to get back to GS pivot bolt.



$250 - $500 GSXr forks (get a complete set with brakes, wheel, calipers and fender from same source) Probably need new steering stem bearings and relocated steering stem locks. Figure your going to want to rebuild them as well with oil and possibly springs



$250 rear wheel/brakes and caliper by the time you buy paint or powder coat so the front and rear match



New radials tires front and back $250

Miscellaneous because who knows if you'll have to relocate the rear master and brake actuator ie new rear sets $300

Do you have a fairing with headlight mounted or is yours an E with head light bucket and ears? Those can get pricey.



New chain and offset sprockets $275

May need new front master cylinder $75

Clip ons? or are you going to put bars on?



I'd plan for $1500-$2000 Don't forget that time is money so if your bike is tied up and un-rideable for a long period of time you have to factor in that pain as well.