78 GS1000 Skunk

[Big T]

Yep, a later year fuel tank painted to look like a '78 E model.

I'm still wondering why they didn't paint the tail to match

[crackerman]

Managed to remove the swing arm bushings and swing arm bearing. Took a ton of smashing to get those things out. The triple tree cups where a biatch to get out as well. Had to do some cutting with the dremel.

Parts are ready for powdercoating. Picked up a bolt tumbler from Harbor Freight. So far it's done a pretty good with the bolts. I'll post some pics in a few.

[crackerman]

engine badges

Anyone use these engine badges from ebay? Looks pretty legit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190864308054

[SVSooke]

Those are vinyl decals,flat without the embossing the originals had.Up to you how fussed that will make you.They would look better than what you have,just not "correct".

[Big T]

Your LH badge looks good, all it needs is cleaning and painting

It's stuck on with double sided tape, so get out the heat gun and gently pry it off. Then buff or blast it and repaint the black

The ignition badge looks bad. New ones on Ebay for $60+ when available

The decals don't look so good on the bike

[bomber737]

I just picked up an NOS ignition cover badge for $23 for my build on ebay. I got the style to match the other side with the silver Suzuki and the black background. I did see a few other styles so you should be able to match what you have.

[Big T]

Yours is probably the newer badge

[bomber737]

You might be right. The engine is an 81 I do believe. I just wanted to match my good one. I didn't pay attention to year

[Big T]

The badges for the PO's bike are in that decal link - It's the one with DOHC across the top

[crackerman]

Got the engine up on the stand today and drained the oil. I pulled the cam cover and it looks pretty good. Not sure I really want to pull the head. I'm going to check the valves, but I'm not sure I really need to do much else to the engine. What do you guys think?

Plan is to clean it up, replace all the screws with a set of allen bolts. Got some other parts in as well. Got a complete gasket set just in case. Frame and other bits are off to the powdercoater.

[Big T]

I'd just clean it, maybe paint it

If you haven't ordered SS bolts, go here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-carburetor-screws-gs1000-gs850-gs750-gs550-/230382986208?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item35a3e563e0

Polarroler1@aol.com

Just email him with what you want, he has sets made up at a very good price

Is your ignition badge bashed in, or just scratched up?

Also, I'd refurbish the cam chain tensioner seals and such, follow the tutorial on BC's site

[crackerman]

I just got those bolts, along with the carb bolts as well.

The badge is a small gash on the side. Nothing too bad. So do you guys paint the badge and then sand off the lettering? or tape off?

I'll check out BCs site.

Thanks

I'd just clean it, maybe paint it

If you haven't ordered SS bolts, go here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-carburetor-screws-gs1000-gs850-gs750-gs550-/230382986208?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item35a3e563e0

Polarroler1@aol.com

Just email him with what you want, he has sets made up at a very good price

Is your ignition badge bashed in, or just scratched up?

Also, I'd refurbish the cam chain tensioner seals and such, follow the tutorial on BC's site

[crackerman]

Frame, swingarm, triple tree, and other bits are at the powder coater. Should have them back soon. In the meantime I've been going through the carbs. They were actually weren't bad at all. I'm shining them up, replacing the gaskets and O-rings. Everything else looks good. Here's a shot of the before.



Here's after a soak and wire wheel.

[Big T]

A soak in what?

You are following the carb rebuild tutorial?

[crackerman]

A soak in what?

You are following the carb rebuild tutorial?

Yea, I took a look at the VM carb rebuild from Bikecliff's website. Ton's of good info on that. I'm waiting on the O rings and gaskets before I can put them back together.

I don't have my can of carb dip anymore, so I let them sit in water and degreaser overnight and then washed them out with clean water, then hit it with the air compressor to get all the water out. This mix doesn't work well. I'm getting a ultrasonic cleaner from harbor freight and I'll run them once through that again, with simple green and water. I've read that works well.