First time GS1000 owner

[Guest]

Just bought a '79 GS1000, 1 owner, 26,000 miles. Bad battery, got a new one ready to go in. Drained the oil, changed the filter, realized I need the o-ring that goes on the filter cover, and also the o-ring on the filler cap. Pulled the tank to dump the old fuel and found a pair of Accel Super Coils! The yellow plug wires and aftermarket electronic ignition were hints. Stopping at dealer today for o-ring. Finish oil change, battery and fresh gas tomorrow. Check the plug gaps. Then decide whether I need to pull the carbs for a cleaning. If it runs well, it'll be time to decide on removing the dresser stuff. Then check the brake pads and lines and order new tires.

[Krunk_Kracker]

Where are you guys finding these damn 1000's and 1100's?!

I can't find one locally to save my life.

I'd pull the carbs and clean them anyways, and check the float height as well.

[FLHGSRay]

Found this one listening to a local Swap Shop on the radio. Decided I had to have it, so I sold a CL450 I had been tinkering on for about a year. Sold it through a Craigslist ad in about an hour. Guess I underpriced it. This GS will be a lot more fun on the highway than the CL was. So far I've gotten it started, rode it for about a mile.

[FLHGSRay]

Funny how these things always take on a life or their own. New battery, then in the middle of changing the oil, I decided I needed a new o-ring for the filter cap, another trip to the shop. Then decided to pull the clutch cover to clean the oil level sight glass. Had to cut a new gasket by hand. Pulled the tank to dump the old gas, saw the petcock was sealed with silicone. Pulled the petcock and cleaned that mess up. Hope a new o-ring for that is available. Then decided to pull the carbs, no sweat. Decided to pull the intake boots also, and had no trouble with six of the screws, two refused to budge. Got the Dremel out and cut a straight slot across each screw head and used Vise-Grips on a flat tip to bust them loose. Thanks, http://www.cycleorings.com/intake.html ! Ordered my carb and boot o-ring kits already, along with the SS screws. Lubed all the cables while they're hanging loose. Probably take at least a week to get the parts and finish the carbs. I'll take some of that time to check the brakes and if all is well, new tires are next! The only question is, do I reinstall the original airbox or go with the pod filters I'm already thinking about?

[sharpy]

Install the original air box every time. Pods sucks literally. Noisy and are hard to get the carbs running great. I sent you my photobucket link havent i? You can see my airbox/filter setup on there.

[portdave]

Just keep it stock. Get it running properly. Wish you the best. I am working on a 78 1000 also. You may end up wanting some new boots for the airbox to make it easier to get in and out.

[Octain]

FLYSPRay, sounds like you got it going on. I know you're prolly pretty stoked to get this thing on the road but through all the excitement dont forget to check your valves. Lots of bad things can come from tight valves.
Most around here will also recommend redoing the entire brake system if no updates have ever been done on it. We're talknig the hole nine yards. New master cylinder rebuild, front and rear, along with rebuilding the calipers, new lines and new pads.
Really really bad things can come from old gummed up brakes.

Get the bike running correct with the factory air intake system first. Then if you decide you want pods, go for it. But keep in mind running pods will require some pretty extensive jetting mods that requires a good ear and a fair bit of talent and research to make run right.


Keep us posted and for goodness sakes post some dang pics!

[Suzuki mad]

The joys of owning a classic bike with history. One small job that just keeps on getting bigger and bigger with each thing you come across.

As for pods or airbox, I'm an airbox guy...

[sedelen]

Where are you guys finding these damn 1000's and 1100's?!

I can't find one locally to save my life.

I found this one in Clermont, Florida, what's that? about 60 miles away from Lakeland. It was listed on E-bay but also for sale locally. Found it the very day I started looking for one.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/Chris-Kings-GS1100E.jpg

I got my GS1000 in Oklahoma, cost $300 to have it shipped to Florida. I wanted one pretty bad, and GS1000's are farther and fewer between that GS1100E's.

[1980GS1000E]

Mine is bone stock with a little bit of richness added by raising the needles a bit. Runs awesome.

[ptexotik]

whoa that's stunning!

Mine is bone stock with a little bit of richness added by raising the needles a bit. Runs awesome.

[FLHGSRay]

Great service from http://www.cycleorings.com/intake.html. Ordered carb o-ring kits and intake boot o-rings and screws Saturday, got the stuff Wednesday. Gonna pull the cam chain tensioner today and reseal it per http://www.bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html. It definitely has a small oil leak. Then reinstall the intake boots, then rebuild the carbs, then check the valve clearances. Then syncing and tuning the carbs.

[Flyboy]

Sounds like you have things well under control, and doing things the right way, that bike is going to run sooooo sweet when it is done, following with interest.
Yes, where are the pics, you know we like pics........

[Nessism]

Congratulations on your bike purchase and welcome. It's nice to read a thread from a new member where you understand that maintenance is all about.

Enjoy!

[FLHGSRay]

Thanks. This isn't my first rodeo, but it is my first Suzuki. Done alot of this stuff over the last 40 years, but am really enjoying it lately. I think it's the fact that it doesn't HAVE to be done anytime soon. No one is waiting for it, I don't need it for work, etc. I've got another bike when I want to ride. Can walk away from this one anytime. This seems like a great forum, lots of good info and pretty active. I bought this bike non-running, didn't take alot to get it started. Rode it about a mile then tore into it to clean the carbs and reseal the intake boots. Can't wait to hear it run again. 1-2 weeks away. Then I'll begin stripping it of the Windjammer and touring stuff the PO added in '79. May go back to bone stock for a while. Oh, and about the pics. We're on dial-up here, PhotoBucket is extremely slow. Been doing a few attachments. Any advice on posting pics is welcome. I may try loading them from my I-pod on wifi.