Testarossa's 1980 GS750L Project

[Testarossa]

Well, I do plan to replace the seat with something a little more sporting. As for the fenders and other cosmetics, well, who knows. As you know I'm just about done with my KZ1000 project, and not keen on another involved bike project for a little while. I do want to sort the cable routing to clean up the shorter handlebars, but once its all street legal, I'm just going to ride this one and make changes as I go. I would like to eliminate the rear fender in place of some sort of a rear cowl like on my KZ, but that will come in time. I'm taking a different approach here since this one is a runner. The KZ was a total basketcase.

I know one thing, if this bike is anything like the KZ, then what ever plan I have now will be likely to change in time. I will say that my wife is a bit of a cafe racer fan, so I may go that direction, but I fear that those bikes are starting to be a little too popular.

[Bad Kaw]

...hmmmmm ... cafe ... I like that! Mini Monster-ish fairing ... Cooley-Rep-ish tail cowl ... or the KZ650 duck-bill could look 'right'. Lots of potential...sounds good!
...oh, and I know how plans-change with time ... buh-lieve me, I know!!!

[Testarossa]

...hmmmmm ... cafe ... I like that! Mini Monster-ish fairing ... Cooley-Rep-ish tail cowl ... or the KZ650 duck-bill could look 'right'. Lots of potential...sounds good!
...oh, and I know how plans-change with time ... buh-lieve me, I know!!!

Leon(531blackbanshee) at KZR wanted me to dress it up like a KZ650. Too funny.

[Motocrossx23]

Have you considered sand-blasting/painting the front and rear fenders to match? That's the route I'm going with my "L".

[Testarossa]

Have you considered sand-blasting/painting the front and rear fenders to match? That's the route I'm going with my "L".

That's a possibility since I have all the necessary equipment. However, the chrome is in such nice shape that it would be a shame to paint over it. Anything is a possibility I might get the bug to make a hybrid out of it the way I did my KZ1000. Then those chrome fenders will be totally gone.

[Testarossa]

I hope you have your sunglasses handy. Here goes some pictures of my screaming red paint job in the clear coat:





The color doesn't look quite right in those first two pictures. Those make it look too orange. This one is more true to the color:



I built some overly tall sawhorses to hang my parts while painting:

[Hoosier Daddy]

BRAVO!!!
I know hat you mean about camera's not capturing the true color. But I can see you holding the camera in the reflection!!!!

[Motocrossx23]

Wow, looking very nice! Once you wet sand and wax that color is going it pop! Great job

[Testarossa]

I'm hoping that the sun is shining when I get home today. If so, I'll push her outside and get a better shot of the whole bike. I did pretty good this time. I can only find one very minor run on the seam of the tank. That will be easily fixed. I probably won't get much else done this week. I have to help my son build his pinewood derby car for the race this weekend.

[Testarossa]

Well the paint dried, and the sun came out, so I rolled her out of the garage:

[Testarossa]

I'm going to give the clear a couple of days to cure before I put the emblems back on. Hopefully they won't put impressions in the clear coat that way. Anyway, I also had to re-spray the clearcoat on two parts of my KZ1000. I figured that you guys might want to see the stablemates together.

[cowboyup3371]

Those are really nice looking bikes.

[Testarossa]

Those are really nice looking bikes.

Thanks! I think that the red one needs a different seat to complete the transformation. Obviously, I don't want a stock "L" seat. Got any ideas on stock GS or aftermarket seats that are less cruiser styled? I would hate to have this seat pan recovered. Someone would like this seat, it's in good shape, and it's quite comfortable. It just doesn't fit my vision for the bike.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Man, you know I am new to this Suzuki scene. But that does not look like the seat on my '80 GS750L. Mine has a higher step and the bum pads are not such a saddle shape, has some fancy script on the sides as well as the Suzuki logo.
Wonder if they are both OEM or is yours an aftermarket?

[Tazman001]

Seat

Is aftermarket, or recovered.