1980 Wes Cooley in the garage....finally!

[bsharpish]

Congrats - strange greenish tint to everything though

Wait a minute - something affecting my vision !!!

[GSXR7ED]

That's a sexy bike!


Ed

[BigD_83]

Sure, the 1979 model had the 140 mph speedo and the 1980 had the 80 mph.

Post up what you need for parts, I may have a few cooley bits laying around.

It could be just a US thing, but it wouldn't be unusual for a few bin parts leftover from the 1979 production run to be used up in the early releases of the next model year, though...I've seen that on a few of the smaller displacement models.

[trevor]

It could be just a US thing, but it wouldn't be unusual for a few bin parts leftover from the 1979 production run to be used up in the early releases of the next model year, though...I've seen that on a few of the smaller displacement models.

Good point D it's manufacture date is 12/79

[Vmass]

Good point D it's manufacture date is 12/79

The mandate for the 85 mph speedometers was 9/79. I think it was fairly common to swap the 85's for the 140's.

[BigD_83]

The mandate for the 85 mph speedometers was 9/79. I think it was fairly common to swap the 85's for the 140's.

I love the history of these bikes. Didn't know the exact date of the mandate. Thanks.

[Ray916MN]

....

Other than the speedo it looks like the seat was shaved down in the front and the turn signals were changed. No worry unless you want to try to put it back to stock.

I thought the '80 version had the rectangular turn signals as opposed to the round one on the '79?

[trevor]

The mandate for the 85 mph speedometers was 9/79. I think it was fairly common to swap the 85's for the 140's.

We took the fairing off and Rob, Mark and I all think there is no way the gauges have been swapped out. Nothing looks like it has ever been disturbed from the factory...I will post pics we took. As for the signals...yes they should be the round chrome ones...Europe though had the rectangular ones in 80...the seat has been shaved indeed but done well...my thought on this is that the first owner likely made these changes early after purchase like so many did...Kerker, Derale cooler...etc

Gave it a quick wash before we started taking it apart...cleaned up real well...





Once we had it ready to start...it fired up in ten seconds!



Gas tank has rust in it so we put 20 litres on apple cider vinegar it for a few days...should take care of it...



All the electrics work...including the clock...



Gauges look original...



Cold compression looks good....

[trevor]

Carbs have some issues....lol



I think I can wash that filter and it will be good to go...



Squirrel!!!



Rob is very talented...did all this with just two tools...



Done for the evening....thanks so much to my buddy Rob...I have a lot of parts already here but now I need rear shocks, wheel bearings, 530 chain and sprocket conversion, float bowl gaskets, brake and clutch levers, grips and I am going to sent the mirrors to a "guy" to restore them. I have Sonic fork springs ready to go as well...
This bike has great bones..no rust what's so ever....very well looked after...

[Kiwi Canuck]

Trevor, Looking good, they sure do come apart fast, good to see that you have good help too.

I'm pretty sure the speedo was changed but probably done at the dealer before it rolled out of the shop. (the SN speedo would drop right in)

We have seen only one or two 1980 ST US bikes with the 140MPH speedo's so a few were done for sure.

My Boise Beauty has the 85MPH Speedo and the Canadian Cooley is built for Canadian market so has the 240KM/hr speedo.

While you have it part check the swing arm bushes, both mine were bad on the left side and needed replacement. (bike on side stand and moisture/water runs left)

Look forward to following your refurbish/rebuild, always nice to see another Cooley getting the love.

David.

[Big T]

Congrats Trevor

I've watched Rob field strip a GS 1000 in an hour or so

If you want to keep those S&W shocks, try this

1. Strip and clean
2. Drill a 4 mm hole on the side, just above the bottom
3. Pump the old oil out
4. Inject some Seafoam Transmission treatment into the hole, leave the shock body upside down for a day or so.
5. Tap the hole for a button head Allen bolt
6. Remove the Seafoam, rinse with some fork oil. Inject a few ounces of fork oil, plug the hole and reassemble/paint/etc

Worked on my GPz

But, knowing you, there will be some Ohlins on there soon

[trevor]

Congrats Trevor

I've watched Rob field strip a GS 1000 in an hour or so

If you want to keep those S&W shocks, try this

1. Strip and clean
2. Drill a 4 mm hole on the side, just above the bottom
3. Pump the old oil out
4. Inject some Seafoam Transmission treatment into the hole, leave the shock body upside down for a day or so.
5. Tap the hole for a button head Allen bolt
6. Remove the Seafoam, rinse with some fork oil. Inject a few ounces of fork oil, plug the hole and reassemble/paint/etc

Worked on my GPz

But, knowing you, there will be some Ohlins on there soon

How the heck did you know those were SW shocks??? lol And are they good enough in the first place to rebuild them?
Cheers

[Big T]

Trevor, you forget how old I am.
Besides, I have a pair that came with my GPz
They were only an average grade shock BITD, which is why they weren't rebuildable
But, they're a cool vintage item
If you don't want them, I could use some nicer yellow bits

[Sandy]

How the heck did you know those were SW shocks??? lol And are they good enough in the first place to rebuild them?
Cheers

Too funny. I spotted them right away too. Had a set on my '77 750 Yamaha, couldn't afford the Koni's. Sometimes us old guys just surprise you with stuff don't we? LOL. If there are paint stripes still on the springs they'll tell you the spring rates are. That's if you can find a chart. Anyway, congratulations on getting it home. It's going to be a great project.

[SVSooke]

Yes very cool Trevor.Was going to offer blasting services but doesn't sound like you will need any.I would replace those carb fittings with aluminum ones like these http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Suzuki-Carb-F...YAAOSwZ8ZXBsVD .That's odd no outer crossover listed,I would contact him to see if he had those to.Have them on my 1000,they are nice!