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Hello! I got my first GS about 2 years ago that I sold because I learned what an "L" was. I couldn't have that. Anyway, I took on a $50 '78 GS750 that I wanted to restore. I don't want to do a factory-perfect restoration, but mods will mostly be limited to updating and improving where needed/desired.
This project was started a month ago in august so there's a lot to catch up on here... The main chapters include:
Acquiring a ROUGH '79 GS1000 because I decided to do a 1k swap as soon as I found out it was possible. I know the 16v 1100 is a more effective swap but I wanted to do an 8v 1000 for ease of swap. So far it has not been easy and I wish I had held out for an 1100 anyway, but more on that later.
Rebuilding the front brakes. New MC, SS lines, and rebuilt calipers.
Coil Relay mod
New plug Caps
750 Carb rebuild (in accordance with the PDF from BikeCliff, don't worry)
Fabricating new mounts for the 1k swap.
Today I pulled the forks on the 750 apart for a rebuild with Sonic Springs and new springs, but unfortunately, one tube is horribly chipped and corroded. This turned into tearing into the 1k forks to see how difficult the swap would be. Not looking optimistic as the bottom part of the neck is too narrow to accommodate the roller bearing that was used on the 1k.
I think that's the bulk of it. I'll upload pics with more descriptions of each individual project below.
Let's start with a picture of the bike. I'm new to posting in forums so be patient with my formatting and photo uploads.
I'll have to find a picture of the 1000 when I first got it because It was hilarious. Nasty King and Queen seat, huge highway pads, shift linkage, 4 sets of footpegs, a better jammer, cargo box on the back, and a bunch of other strange alterations. None of which were done particularly well IMO but thankfully the engine is healthy enough, turns over great, 120psi compression across the cylinders. All the carbs are present and accounted for, but I'm missing the rear half of the airbox which goes under the seat and holds the air filter (IF ANYONE IS SELLING, I'M BUYING).
This was a weird one. When I was first getting the 750 fired up, the pipes were super clogged with sh!t. seeds and weird stuff from mice and squirrels from sitting outside. The engine blew most of it out, but it was only firing on 3 cyl. I pulled the headers off and could the 3rd cylinder was CAKED up into the head with what looks like melted carpet foam. It was so hard I was carefully chipping it out of the head with a screwdriver! Never seen anything like it. The 750 engine also comp tested at 80 psi or less, so I'm glad I'm doing the engine swap in the long run. I know rebuilding the top end is fairly easy but I wanted to do the swap regardless.
Here's me when I first got the 1k engine out. I was very excited lol
Here is one of the rear motor mounts I made, after a couple of attempts, it finally came out clean, and lined up just like I wanted it to.
Finally, here is my busted fork tube. If anyone has any ideas of where to take the front suspension, I'm all ears. swapping the forks from the 1000 doesn't seem feasible (or at least worth it). Torn between buying replacement tubes for the 750 or looking into more modern swaps. I've seen the Bandit front-end swap done, but that's usually into a 1000 frame if I'm not mistaken.
Please excuse the Instagram captions on some of the photos lol
This project was started a month ago in august so there's a lot to catch up on here... The main chapters include:
Acquiring a ROUGH '79 GS1000 because I decided to do a 1k swap as soon as I found out it was possible. I know the 16v 1100 is a more effective swap but I wanted to do an 8v 1000 for ease of swap. So far it has not been easy and I wish I had held out for an 1100 anyway, but more on that later.
Rebuilding the front brakes. New MC, SS lines, and rebuilt calipers.
Coil Relay mod
New plug Caps
750 Carb rebuild (in accordance with the PDF from BikeCliff, don't worry)
Fabricating new mounts for the 1k swap.
Today I pulled the forks on the 750 apart for a rebuild with Sonic Springs and new springs, but unfortunately, one tube is horribly chipped and corroded. This turned into tearing into the 1k forks to see how difficult the swap would be. Not looking optimistic as the bottom part of the neck is too narrow to accommodate the roller bearing that was used on the 1k.
I think that's the bulk of it. I'll upload pics with more descriptions of each individual project below.
Let's start with a picture of the bike. I'm new to posting in forums so be patient with my formatting and photo uploads.
I'll have to find a picture of the 1000 when I first got it because It was hilarious. Nasty King and Queen seat, huge highway pads, shift linkage, 4 sets of footpegs, a better jammer, cargo box on the back, and a bunch of other strange alterations. None of which were done particularly well IMO but thankfully the engine is healthy enough, turns over great, 120psi compression across the cylinders. All the carbs are present and accounted for, but I'm missing the rear half of the airbox which goes under the seat and holds the air filter (IF ANYONE IS SELLING, I'M BUYING).
This was a weird one. When I was first getting the 750 fired up, the pipes were super clogged with sh!t. seeds and weird stuff from mice and squirrels from sitting outside. The engine blew most of it out, but it was only firing on 3 cyl. I pulled the headers off and could the 3rd cylinder was CAKED up into the head with what looks like melted carpet foam. It was so hard I was carefully chipping it out of the head with a screwdriver! Never seen anything like it. The 750 engine also comp tested at 80 psi or less, so I'm glad I'm doing the engine swap in the long run. I know rebuilding the top end is fairly easy but I wanted to do the swap regardless.
Here's me when I first got the 1k engine out. I was very excited lol
Here is one of the rear motor mounts I made, after a couple of attempts, it finally came out clean, and lined up just like I wanted it to.
Finally, here is my busted fork tube. If anyone has any ideas of where to take the front suspension, I'm all ears. swapping the forks from the 1000 doesn't seem feasible (or at least worth it). Torn between buying replacement tubes for the 750 or looking into more modern swaps. I've seen the Bandit front-end swap done, but that's usually into a 1000 frame if I'm not mistaken.
Please excuse the Instagram captions on some of the photos lol
I feel this is the best way of giving it life, but I dont think the 1K will be in their for very long. I want to swap in a 16v 1100 as soon as I can afford/find one. I really want to get into hot rodding these engines, cams valves etc. thanks for your interest!
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