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The 2,298 Mile Wes Cooley

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    The 2,298 Mile Wes Cooley

    I took a great road trip to New Jersey today and picked up a fantastic bike.

    Some of you may be familiar with this bike, as there had been some posts when in hit Craigslist back in July.

    I was one of the 1st callers who contacted the owner. However, after a few calls and some patience, I struck out.

    The seller was inundated with many interested parties from all over the world. And made a deal with someone that eventually fell through due to a title issue.

    Then one of our very own stepped in and made a deal, pending the issuance of a title. Knowing that I was one of the interested parties, and being gracious enough to pass along the deal, I consider myself very lucky to have another Cooley project.

    So, a big thanks to David (Kiwi Canuck) for his help in resurrecting ANOTHER Cooley.

    On to some details:

    The story goes that this bike was owned by a gentleman from Pennsylvania who owned a Suzuki dealership.

    According to his wife, he would race it on the street. The previous owner is somewhat of a bike chaser and he put an ad out that he was looking for bikes from the 70's.

    The widow of the Suzuki bike shop owner responded to the ad and the bike was brought out of storage.

    Getting a title was a long process for the bike chaser. There was no record of the bike ever being registered (Suzuki dealership owner just use his dealer plate?).

    With the bill of sale from the widow, the bike has been titled for the 1st time.

    The bike has 2,298 miles on it. From a little investigation, it really appears to be true!!! All the little bits are present..........things like the little rubber pieces the side covers pop on to, all of the fairing reflectors and rubber pieces etc.

    Also, all of the screws, nuts and bolts seem to be shaped properly, not buggered up at all. The original decals on the chain adjusters, chain guard and forks all look good. Brakes lines are fro 1979 and the tires are matching with lots of tread.

    Only a couple of things needed to put it to original, such as the air box and exhaust.

    I will probably be slow to get things rolling, as I have lots going on, but I am really excited about this bike.








    Last edited by Vmass; 10-26-2013, 07:21 PM.

    #2






    [URL=http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/cb1100f1/media/1979%20Wes%20Cooley/DSC04139.jpg.html][/URL





    Comment


      #3
      Very nice! Looks original and largely unmessed with to me.
      sigpic

      Don't say can't, as anything is possible with time and effort, but, if you don't have time things get tougher and require more effort.

      Comment


        #4
        yes very good score. And looking at the pics i see the lower case isnt painted. Lots paint it when restoring bikes. All depends on how "anal" u are, and yes thats me

        Comment


          #5
          What's the plan for this one Rich? Looks like a nice starting point.

          BTW, If you find something to replace the rubber grommet on the clock please let me know. Mine is missing too.
          Ed

          To measure is to know.

          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

          Comment


            #6
            WOW that's a nice looking bike

            Rich, it's been a long process to get that bike to you, and I'm very happy it worked out that way, couldn't have gone to a better person.

            Probably one of the lowest mileage Cooley's out there and I look forward to following your progress with that bike.

            Cheers,

            David
            2018 Honda Africa Twin AS
            2013 DR 650 Grey, sold 1981 GS 650E Silver,

            1980 GS1000ST Blue & White, X2

            2012 DL650 Vstrom Foxy Orange, in storage
            1981 CT110 X2 "Postie Bikes" Gone to a New Home.
            2002 BMW 1150 GS Blue & White - Sold
            1975 BMW R90/6 Black - Sold 1984 GS1150EF Sold
            1982 BMW R100 Africa trip, Stolen - Recovered- Sold
            1977-1980 Suzuki GS550, GS1000E, GS1000S GSX750, GSX1100,s
            Hondas ST90, CR125 CB175 , CB350 CB750, NSU Quickly, Yamaha RD's 350/400,

            Comment


              #7
              Looks like a great project. I wonder if the GS1000S was stored outside any insight?
              Steve

              1979 GS1000E (45 Yrs), 1981 GPz550 (11 Yrs)

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Nessism View Post
                What's the plan for this one Rich? Looks like a nice starting point.

                BTW, If you find something to replace the rubber grommet on the clock please let me know. Mine is missing too.
                Hey Ed, I will dig into it a bit and see where it takes us.

                I think it's going to clean up real nice. This may be a good one to keep as is, with the exception of the typical maintenance requirements and repairing the few broken pieces.

                I will certainly let you know if I find a good option for clock knob and grommet.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by srsupertrap View Post
                  Looks like a great project. I wonder if the GS1000S was stored outside any insight?
                  According to the widow, it was in a shed for most of it's life.

                  In my opinion, it is much too clean to have been outside for an extended length of time.
                  Last edited by Vmass; 11-28-2013, 11:12 AM.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Kiwi Canuck View Post
                    Rich, it's been a long process to get that bike to you, and I'm very happy it worked out that way, couldn't have gone to a better person.

                    Probably one of the lowest mileage Cooley's out there and I look forward to following your progress with that bike.

                    Cheers,

                    David
                    Thanks again Dave...

                    The miles are definitely a cool part of the bike. Maybe it's as simple as a good carb cleaning and hit the button.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      So it looks like it has a hand bent yoshi exhaust like what was originally on my '78 1k. Does it have the hand done emblem on the can?

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Here are some GS1000 pipes that maybe suitable if you are looking for stock pipes.

                        2018 Honda Africa Twin AS
                        2013 DR 650 Grey, sold 1981 GS 650E Silver,

                        1980 GS1000ST Blue & White, X2

                        2012 DL650 Vstrom Foxy Orange, in storage
                        1981 CT110 X2 "Postie Bikes" Gone to a New Home.
                        2002 BMW 1150 GS Blue & White - Sold
                        1975 BMW R90/6 Black - Sold 1984 GS1150EF Sold
                        1982 BMW R100 Africa trip, Stolen - Recovered- Sold
                        1977-1980 Suzuki GS550, GS1000E, GS1000S GSX750, GSX1100,s
                        Hondas ST90, CR125 CB175 , CB350 CB750, NSU Quickly, Yamaha RD's 350/400,

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by russr33 View Post
                          So it looks like it has a hand bent yoshi exhaust like what was originally on my '78 1k. Does it have the hand done emblem on the can?
                          I did not see an emblem, I will look later today.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Kiwi Canuck View Post
                            Here are some GS1000 pipes that maybe suitable if you are looking for stock pipes.

                            http://burlington.craigslist.org/mpo/4141287413.html
                            Thanks Dave! I will contact the seller today.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Nice score, Rich. Would love to hear her run w/ racing pipe and bell mouths Are the carbs stock VM26's, or perhaps smoothbores?

                              And hey, it has black windscreen screws!

                              Here's your stock airbox: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=215029
                              '80 GS1000ST
                              '92 ZX-11
                              Past rides: '79 GS1000SN, '84 GPZ900R

                              http://totalrider.com/

                              Comment

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