1980 GS1000S Progress!!

[Vmass]

WOW,,,,that's a lot of nice new parts.......

may I ask where your getting them from ? typical placess like Z1, and Boulevard Suzuki ? as I have not really ordered anything that has come in those type of packages, and it looks really cool with all the SGP on everything...

A good amount of the "still available" parts are from Z1 (Chris has been very helpful). The other parts I have just found here and there.

[Vmass]

Made a little progress today:

1) Rear wheel reinstalled with new tire, sprocket and cleaned up a bit.
2) 530 conversion kit installed
3) New grips, switches and clutch perch.
4) New clutch cable.....need to learn how to adjust!!

Next up is new rear caliper caliper and brake line and then on to the gauge reinstall.

[chuck hahn]

Clutch adjustment..basics.

At the handle bars, turn the adjuster about half way in on the threads.
At the top of the engine case where the cable passes thru, you want that to be just about all the way threaded thru.
Turn the knurled end of the clutch actuator rod all the way clockwise( to the right) and put the link on with the cable hole facing back paralell to the seam of the clutch cover and hook up the cable to the lever.
Adjust the bottom threaded end of the cable back till you start to get some lever resistance. Adjust till you have about 1/4 to 3/8 inch freeplay at the lever beforem it starts to have resistance from the clutch. This will be pretty close and you can fine tune it with the end below a bit more once you start the bike and get a feel for the levers gripping point. Further fine tuning is done with the adjuter at the handlebars.

[Vmass]

Thanks Chuck... I will give it a whirl.

Here are a few pics.... nothing too exciting, but is is progress!

Before and after of new kill switch, grips and a little cleaning:





Before and after of 530 Conversion:

[Vmass]

If all goes well, I plan on firing up the bike tommorow. This evening I put the new Yoshimura pipe on and finished with the rear brakes.

Some of the things I've done over the past few months:

Clutch Cable
All new brake components
New tires
530 chain conversion
New switches and grips
A little painting here and there (still plenty to do on engine and frame)
New seat cover
New battery
New front pegs
New tail lens
New windshield
New Yoshimura pipe
And of course...Paint by Larry

If I find it running well tommorow, I will put the body parts on and go for a ride!!!!

[Rover]

Keep the pictures coming!
Chain changeover go smoothly?

[Vmass]

Keep the pictures coming!
Chain changeover go smoothly?

I should have some pictures today.

The 530 conversion was very easy.

Cutting the old chain off took a couple minutes and only one dremel cutting wheel.

I did use the removable clip master link for the new chain. I know it is not ideal, but I didn't want to go the rivet route, at this time.

The only notable change is adding the washer to the outside of the front sprocket.

I compared the old sprocket teeth to the new, there didn't seem to be a lot of wear. However, I was not comfortable with a chain that was sitting for 10 years so I figured I might as well do all the components at the same time.

[Frank Z.]

If all goes well, I plan on firing up the bike tommorow. This evening I put the new Yoshimura pipe on and finished with the rear brakes.

Some of the things I've done over the past few months:

Clutch Cable
All new brake components
New tires
530 chain conversion
New switches and grips
A little painting here and there (still plenty to do on engine and frame)
New seat cover
New battery
New front pegs
New tail lens
New windshield
New Yoshimura pipe
And of course...Paint by Larry

If I find it running well tommorow, I will put the body parts on and go for a ride!!!!

May the luck 'o the Irish be with you today, Vmass. Ride her for a celebratory green beer or 3.

[Vmass]

Vroom Vroom

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who made this day possible. Today, I took the bike for a 4.3 mile ride.

Without you, this Suzuki would have been just another washed up bike, that had seen it’s last ride.

It has been a great learning experience and I appreciate all of your help. A special thanks to the traveling GeniuS, who helped me get through a valve adjustment project, as well as various maintenance issues...you know who you are!.

Thank you to my family for understanding that motorcycle projects come before college tuition.

Thank you Ebay.... for allowing me to spend a ridiculous amount of money on both parts that I needed, as well as parts I didn’t need...sometimes you just get caught up in the excitement.

I didn’t write an exceptance speech, I know I am going to forget someone..... It goes without saying, what ties the whole thing together is the spectacular paint work of Larry Pearson. To this day, all I can say is pictures do not do his work justice, you have got to see his work in person to full appreciate it.

I would also like to thank the PO for at least keeping it out of the weather for 10 years and in his basement....that certainly helped a bit.

Thanks to the guy in California who kept several Yoshi pipes in his attic for 20+ years.... what a nice sounding exhaust (I have another NOS Yoshi I might let go).

Oh and thanks to Frank....I don’t know how I forgot Frank...without his creativity, I never would have been able to put the ignition key in the right position to start the bike!!

And here it is......

[Frank Z.]

Mighty dang fine work there, V. Had to be a glorious 4.3 miles. (Lemon juice will help get the grin off your mug.)

[Vmass]

Some more pictures....











As you can see, I did save some work, which I will do at a later date.

Thanks again to all who helped!!

[azr]

Ok, you suck. That is a dang fine motorcycle, one to be very envious of. Very nice work indeed.

[tatu]

Very nice bike, good work!

[Good Times]

Awesome specimen of a Cooley there. Love it. Congrats on finishing the build.

[steve murdoch]

Love it when a plan comes together.
Take a bow.