1978 GS400 Barnyard Rescue

[rudeman]

Very nice! The paint is slick, especially the Suzuki "S" you have imbedded. That's a nice touch. However, I would advise you to install a fender because those knobby tires will throw all manner of debris once you get her going. Also would provide some torsional stiffness in the forks.

I bet she sounds pretty tough with those shortys.

[Kiwi Canuck]

Very nice job, brilliant paint job and nice that you have such talented friends willing to help.

Enjoy.

Now what's next ?

[wedoo2]

My first GS was a 78 400 and I loved it. Took it everywhere, Smokeys, Nags Head, Arkansas..... Mine was nice, but she would have bowed down in humble adoration. Excellent job, great thread. I know that those shortys sound good. I did a Honda CB350 last summer and they were just the ticket, along with being a great value. Way to go. BOM

[Highway_Glider]

Just read the whole tread.

I missed somehow....OK I admit it. I saw it many times but I though it would be another Boober-build. Yawn.

Stellar work. The paint is simply amazing.

Now a bit of critique (Everybody is one. Right?).



There is no fender. The bike looks incomplete.

If you don't like them maybe make it really short in the front?

Beside aren't fenders required by law?

Again great work. I admire your work but honestly it isn't for me. I would cry at the first scratch so I probably never ride it.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Needs a front fender and then its perfect
very lovely paint and such.

[SouthsideWJK]

Thanks everyone for all of the compliments! I'm in the middle of moving this week so I haven't been able to do much personal browsing, but it was awesome to log on this morning and read all the positive comments! A couple of updates:

1. It runs beautifully. When I finished the build I had a grand total of about 8 miles of riding experience, so it has been a blast to bop around town (although we're experiencing record rainfall the last 3 weeks in NW Indiana, boo!)

2. I snagged some mirrors for it that keep with the theme but also function well and keep me safe (and legal!)

3. The fender comments were all spot-on and appreciated! My friend Adam is painting it and it should be on next week. I wanted to keep this bike more or less unmolested, no frame chop, bob, stretch, nothing. As an inexperienced 34 year old fat guy I really don't think I'm going to out-design a team of Japanese engineers and frankly, reading through these threads reinforced my appreciation for the GS and leaving the metal on this beauty as it was....

....BUT the clearance was waaaay too close for comfort using the stock mounting holes so we're adding about an inch and a half of steel to the fender ears to keep it safe and give it a bit more aggressive look up front.

I'll post pics as soon as I can get them, and I did submit for BOM this morning, thanks for even thinking my project is worthy enough for submission! Anc once again thank you all for your encouragement and for maintaining such an awesome community!

[MidWestCoast442]

Very nice build! I'm from New Carlisle. Will try to send a PM before I visit home next time...it would be fun to see the bike.

[wally]

This came out really, really nice! Congrats!

[SouthsideWJK]

The Show

So, I know you guys probably hate some page 8 build thread being drudged back to the top, but I had to finish the saga of this build. I rode about 600 miles after getting her off the launch pad, took some fantastic suggestions from Wally and others to get my fender in order (uhh, I rode in some serious rain around Halloween, that was all the further convincing I needed). My pal Adam who did the paint raised the stock Suzuki fender about an inch and a half, painted it to go with the bike, and BOOM!


Took a generic rock guard I found on eBay for $10, welded it to the trim ring on the headlight and powdercoated it flat to toughen it up a bit! And now I am loaded in for the Cavalcade of Wheels show here in South Bend. Hopefully we bring home some hardware for Team Suzuki!!

[OldTwin]

And now it's perfect, great job on the fender. Bring home the hardware...

[nvr2old]

VERY cool bike. Love the uniqueness of it.