82 GS1100E Mr Turbo Rebuild

[oldGSfan]

I went to the Laguna Hills CA DMV today to title the bike - there were three customers there and about 25 employees. I thought I'd be out in 30 minutes. 3 hours later I had plates and registration in hand, title is on the way.

The woman serving me first told me that they'd have to send the paperwork to Sacramento for them to make a call on it, because the bike was out of the system so long and per her, had been registered out of state. I said I think not. I had the original pink slip in hand.

To add to the confusion it had been using specialty plates (I DUST U) and those had been on other bike(s). She made 20+ trips to her supervisor, and then the supervisor got on the phone to Sacramento for an hour. Eventually she asked for $23 so I paid her. For what, I wasn't sure, but at least it was moving along. Then she handed me a printout and I saw 'Harley Davidson' and the wrong VIN on my printout - she had mixed it up with another guy she was helping while waiting for her supervisor! Still I kept quiet, I learned long ago to always be cool with someone you need something from....

I asked if I needed them to check the VIN and engine #'s, as I'd done this before on a 1951 BMW R51/2 I imported from my USAF days in Greece. She seemed confused, but about an hour later said for me to bring the bike up for inspection. Progress! A guy came out and asked for the speedometer to verify miles, but I'd left it at home. I was unfailingly polite all through this, and politely asked him if they could make an exception given that I'd been waiting 3 hours, and I'd have to drive home to get it. He went back inside and asked the woman if it was OK, and, I think because I'd been so patient, they let it ride. Once she corrected the HD mistake it came to $161 but at that point I'd have paid much more just to be done.

Even though it was sort of an ordeal, I am grateful and realized that she was working when she probably didn't want to, so I gave her a big thanks and now I'm very happy!

[Spyder]

I'm not a fan of the fairings. The '82-'83 's are such good looking bikes in stock form. If it were mine, I would get as close to stock appearance as I could. Plus, it would give you more of a "sleeper" effect. That thing is going to be a crotch rocket killer, lol.

you should look into a newer swing arm and wheel. Early GSXR for some fatter traction.

[oldGSfan]

Me too. It's nice to have options. I will leave it on the back burner, I could easily swap it out and ride either way. I am not sure a huge full fairing painted that champagne would look very good so I'd probably carbon wrap it. I'm kidding!!!

But I really like the looks of this one I just found at https://www.motoforzafairings.com/se...2x90mm-bol-dor

It's fiberglass, includes the lights and is a deal at $300. The Bol d'Or endurance racer look has always been a favorite.



The closest to my fairing that I've found is this:

I'm torn on this subject. I love to see the engine, especially if it has goodies on it, but I also love the look of fairings with lowers. So 50's - 60's race-bike looking.

[93Bandit]

I know, and all the turbo goodies hidden too. I love fairings, but lowers, not so much.

I'm torn on this subject. I love to see the engine, especially if it has goodies on it, but I also love the look of fairings with lowers. So 50's - 60's race-bike looking.

[oldGSfan]

Oh, no - lowers! Can't see the engine!

I know, and all the turbo goodies hidden too. I love fairings, but lowers, not so much.

[Rob S.]

Oh, no - lowers! Can't see the engine!

[oldGSfan]

I strung up the fairing to have a look, the metal frame mount bolts into the rear engine to frame bracket, and I just hung it with some twist ties in front. Hmmm..... I think I can move the clip-ons forward a bit and maybe not foul the tank, will see.

[Grimly]

At the exchange rate, that fairing is only $70

No screen with that, though.

[limeex2]

Their website is up, now.
http://www.pandpbodyworks.co.uk/prod...ckpit-fairing/

At the exchange rate, that fairing is only $70

[oldGSfan]

Thanks Dave and Steve for info on the fairing, I sent them an Email asking about an 8" headlight version. You never know. I could always use a 'regular' size headlight but I liked the look with the train light.

Update:

I'll be off to the DMV on Thursday to re-title the bike. (still open in CA for now), so as of yet the engine remains in the frame.

I ordered a heap of parts from Partzilla - seals, rubber grommets, emblems etc. It's great that they have pretty much everything plus diagrams to help assembly (I am taking detailed photos too).

The rear brake is disassembled - I had two and one was pitted/rusted, but the other is fine. Both sets of pads are barely worn, one set is the original Tociko. I need to take the front calipers to my friend's house to remove the 14mm bolts with his impact driver, I don't want them to shear off by hand. Hopefully no issues getting them out.

I think I'll skip powder coating the frame, the only scuffs are on the front down tubes, and I can rattle-can them, they will look just fine. Same as the chain guard, it has the original sticker on it so I will just touch it up. I will powder coat many steel parts and some aluminum ones - brake parts mainly. I watched a video on Youtube on DIY Cerakote, he was very meticulous. Although I doubt I'll DIY them, I learned about the prep - he chem stripped, then cleaned with acetone before etching them in a blast cabinet with aluminum oxide. Seemed logical but tedious and messy, I hate messy work with strippers, ahem.

My 15 y/o son is big into Enduro mountain biking, and I'm his mechanic. I am trying (and trying) to teach him the finer points of maintenance and repair, with mixed results. He is quite interested in the GS and I'm teaching him to start from the bottom/outside and work up and in - brakes, suspension, frame, chain, etc. My late brother had a '65 Mustang and he did all the cosmetic stuff first (and only), and it sat in the garage until I got it running and did a brake job on it. Maybe he was just smarter than me.

My job is going to 50% 'work' from home starting Thursday. It will be hard to focus with the old GS in the garage calling me.

Sorry for the long post but it's kind of boring today at work!

[Grimly]

Another vendor to contact is also in the UK.
The S fairing with the larger opening for the 1100E headlight doesn't show on their page but i think it would be worth contacting them as i think they make their own products.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GS...EAAOSwq~tZS5wj

Their website is up, now.

http://www.pandpbodyworks.co.uk/product/suzuki-gs1000s-cockpit-fairing/

[steve murdoch]

Another vendor to contact is also in the UK.
The S fairing with the larger opening for the 1100E headlight doesn't show on their page but i think it would be worth contacting them as i think they make their own products.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GS1000S-Nose-Fairing-With-Screen/324065924480?hash=item4b73d59580:g:ScEAAOSwq~tZS5wj

[limeex2]

Stainless exhaust scrubs up nice with red scotchbrite and WD-40. If your serious about a Cooley fairing, as mentioned Airtech makes nice ones( I have one) and reproduction mounts can be found in England/Europe. Maybe try/e-mail these guys. I had Triumph carbon fiber shipped here and shipping really wasn't that bad. The brackets are $145 USD + shipping. Their fairings are $108 USD if the price is current. https://www.suzukiperformancespares.co.uk/product/gs1000s-oem-style-fairing-brackets/2809/

https://www.suzukiperformancespares....se-fairing/86/

https://www.suzukiperformancespares.co.uk/product/gs1000-s-type-fairing-kit/4028/

[dorkburger]

I think Airtech makes reproduction GS 1000s fairings. Airtech's stuff usually requires some fab work for mounting though.

[oldGSfan]

Yeah I hear ya on the wrap, it's cheesy. Maybe I can insulate inside the side cover. I think I'll take the advice from Cris. Get it running first etc.

I tried fitting the big fairing and side covers, but the bar cutouts seem to require bars so low that I'd hit the tank with them, hence the need to limit steering lock. That won't do. Plus the side covers hide the beautiful engine. So for now I'll go nekkid with that big 8" light. My last '82 GS1100E had a Wes Cooley style fairing with the 8" light, and it looked good, but is rarer than hen's teeth I bet.

Please, don't wrap!

Wrapping screams to me of college student with only $10 to spend on the exhaust. Plus, wrapping never ages well. My 2 cents.