First time GS1000 owner

[FLHGSRay]

Pretty fast service from Dynatek

I called them last Wed and got a return authorization #. Mailed it Thur morning. Got an email today saying the thing is definitely bad and they're sending a replacement. Only problem so far is getting through on the phone. 20+ minute waits on hold. Email seems to work much better. I'm getting a little anxious, I think I've about got this thing sorted out. Would like to get some time in on it before the weather turns. Just ordered a new timing plate. PO hacked mine into 3 pieces per the instructions for the old Gerex EI. I have timing marks, it's just that the timing plate itself, (behind the points plate or Dynatek plate), is cut into 3 pieces. A new one will make the installation easier.

[FLHGSRay]

Got the replacement EI today from Dynatek. I was ###hole deep into a home project so I couldn't put it on. Was sitting on a rented backhoe when Fedex came. Digging footings for a retaining wall. May take the day off the patio project tomorrow and get the 1000 fired again. Perfect riding weather this week. Mid 70s for the high.

[FLHGSRay]

Just a bump really

Been waiting since the 1st for a new timing plate. Supposed to be here today. Just wired up replacement EI today, left hanging for timing plate install. Spent some time dressing up the wiring around the battery box. Installed a Battery Tender lead. Removed the 12v accessory box, I'll never need it. If I do, I'll just run a wire to my tank bag. Got the HD wired for heated clothing, anyway. Pretty confident this thing is gonna run great after I get it timed. Getting anxious, perfect riding weather is here.

[FLHGSRay]

Finally got to take a ride!

Bike runs great! Finally found time to install the new timing plate and remount the EI. Bike fired right up. Warmed it up then turned the idle screw up to 2500 rpm and timed both modules. Ran the idle down to 1000 and the thing is just as smooth as glass. Took a 40 mile ride and all seems good. Took it up to 8000 rpm in 1st and 2nd gear and it didn't miss a beat. I'm thrilled with it. It took a little longer and cost a little more than I wanted, but I've got a 26,000 mile bike with new tires and tubes, battery, K&N air filter, fresh oil change and no leaks, fresh carbs and boot o-rings, valves adjusted, Dynatek EI with new plugs and wires, new throttle and clutch cables, and fresh grease in the neck bearings, and probably a few things I've forgotten, for less than $2000. Still need to sync the carbs. Should be good for a long time. I put historic plates on it, which never expire. Insurance is about $100/year, but I got a $50/year multi-bike discount on my HD, so it'll cost almost nothing to keep it. Brakes are working well but really should be rebuilt. I'll probably rebuild the calipers and m/cs this winter, along with new pads and lines. My latest dilema? I've got a line on a '80 GS850G. Guy says he bought it new, 12,000 miles, hasn't run in 10 years. Windjammer with saddlebags. Haven't seen it yet. Don't care much for the shaft drive, so I will only buy it if it's dirt cheap, then leave it as-is and get it running well.

[SVSooke]

Know your pain,bought a 81 CB750F yesterday

[FLHGSRay]

Wish I'd been able to post more pics as I was working on this thing. Dial-up sucks. But here's one I took this morning getting ready to leave for an open house at a local bike parts distributor. Bike show, free eats, etc. Met Larry, tech guy from Dynatek. I had talked to him on the phone about my new EI possibly being bad. Nice guy, has an old GS. This bike seems to be ok, I've put about 100 miles on it since getting it back on the road, only issue has been a fuel leak from the line to the carbs. Having a hard time fitting the line on the petcock. Not much room between it and the airbox and frame. Tank is the wrong color, doesn't match the tail and side covers, but most people don't even notice it, and I think it looks ok. May do a spray bomb paint job on it someday. Thinking about bar-end mirrors when I find a set I like. I've got the tank emblems, still looking for screws to mount them. Front fender has some small but pretty deep dents, may try tapping them out over the winter. Still gotta rebuild the brakes, although they work well right now. Still need mufflers and a carb sync. May go with a custom seat from a local guy, seat pan is solid but I hate this custom job that the PO had made years ago.

[FLHGSRay]

Took a 200+ mile trip on the GS today. Went to see PO Jim to pick up a spare key that he forgot to give me. Took this pic of him and his wife. Dig the moustache! They were really happy to see the bike running again, kept telling me about trips that they had taken on it back in the day. He was really proud of the Windjammer and the custom seat, so I don't think he was thrilled to see I had taken off all the touring stuff, but I think he enjoyed seeing it close to how it came from the dealer. He kept walking up to it and just touching the throttle and the seat. Bike ran great. I had hooked my trailer up to my truck so someone could rescue me if needed, but all went well. Had a hilarious encounter with a young kid on a GSXR at a fuel stop. He walked up to the bike, saw there was no tank emblems, looked at the side cover emblems and said "GS1000E, what's that?" Didn't even realize it was a Suzuki. I said, "That's your bikes grandpa". Southeast MO is a great area for riding, lots of lonely, curvy roads.

[Rover]

Read all your posts...good reclamation of a classic.Well done.

[FLHGSRay]

Thanks! Still need to sync the carbs and sort out a few more things. Got some help here on the forum, it's a great resource. Been kind of slow lately, though. Not many responses to questions. I guess everyone is out riding. Should pick up over the winter. For anyone that enjoys looking at maps, as I do, that last pic that I posted is Hwy A in Reynolds Co. MO. Took a 15 minute break there and saw only 1 vehicle. Hwy 32 just north of there is frequented by the sportbike crowd. Lots of bikes every weekend. I try to go during the week. Much less traffic and I'm not out to prove how fast I can go. A kid on a GSXR yesterday told me he takes most of the curves at 75-100. Said he needs that adrenaline rush. I told him I do it at 55-70, I'm in no hurry to get to the end.

[steve murdoch]

Great resto/repair job, Ray.
1 car in 15 minutes? i need to find a road like that. One of the nicer roads in my neck of the woods is a tourist destination on the weekends and until Labour Day. It is finally clearing out of traffic these days just in time to get covered in leaves.

[FLHGSRay]

Thanks, not much of a resto really. More of a "rustoration". Haven't even really cleaned it well yet. But it runs great, starts easily and doesn't leak. Torque is all over the rpm range. On the back roads just leave it in 3rd and you're good from 35-75 mph. Handles pretty well, but I'd really like to update the brakes and suspension a little. Looking for later model stuff that will bolt on. I asked about bolt-on stuff here but didn't get much response. I'm not a really fast rider, so I don't need top of the line performance. Don't want to do the Kaw brake conversion that is popular here. But yeah, southern MO is packed with great roads. Most with good pavement and little traffic. No really long distances or high elevations, the highest point in MO is about 1400 ft, but nice twisties with rolling hills. Lots of small towns with gas and eats. Maybe I should start a thread in Destinations.

[FLHGSRay]

Why would anyone do this? PO wanted a little more noise, I guess. Was probably convinced it would give him more power. Apparently this allowed moisture to collect in the mufflers and rust them out. I guess since it's already ruined, I could weld it closed while I shop for a solution. Any ideas?

I asked the PO why he drilled the mufflers. He said mice had built nests in them and he couldn't get them out. I'll bet they jumped out when the hot exhaust hit them!

[Rover]

If I had to replace some or all of the exhaust I would keep an eye on E-Bay.
Aftermarket,JC Whitney sell mufflers.Best to send for their Motorcycle catalog in the mail as their on-line catalog isn't the best .
Some people use Harley cast off mufflers.Post in the parts wanted section here also.

[steve murdoch]

Ray, imho, best upgrade for suspension is Progressive fork springs.
Lots of info in the tech section. Some people added a spacer of varying sizes.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/Fork-Spring-Kit-111106-1879.aspx

I did the Kawi brake upgrade on my '78 and it made a big, not huge improvement. I like the look.

[FLHGSRay]

Took the bike out for a short trip yesterday. 8-10 miles. Noticing a small flat spot only when pulling away from a stop after sitting for a minute, say the length of a red light. Need to blip the throttle once or it hesitates for a sec. Haven't synced carbs yet, may not until spring. It's hell having no garage.