March 2004 Bike Of The Month
1979 Suzuki GS1000S
Owner: Bob Hoffman
skyflyer@pacbell.net
ID #124
A Note From The Owner...
This is my 2nd "S" model. I bought the first one new in '79 when I was in the Air Force stationed in Phoenix, AZ. Along with being my daily ride, it served me well in two seasons of racing in Southern California. I sold it when I got orders to Okinawa - dumbest thing I've ever done.....only cool part was that the drummer for The Tubes bought it!
This one popped-up in Cycle Trader Online Oct. '02. It had considerable corrosion and a number of parts missing, but just 11K miles showing on the odometer, so I just couldn't resist.
My first thought was to try to get it back to stock (collectable) condition, but I knew I was never going to sell it, so I built the bike I wished I could have built back in '79. It took over a year (and almost cost me my 3rd marriage!) to get it this far, but it is obviously well worth it.
Here's the list of changes and modifications:
- DynoJet Stage III Carb Jetting
- Individual Filter Pods
- Jardine 4-into-1 Exhaust
- Metzler Tires
- ME-33 Front
- MD-99 Rear
- Spec II Drilled and Resurfaced Disc's
- EBC Brake Pads
- Russell Braided Steel Brake Lines
- Bel-Ray DOT-5 Brake Fluid
- Electrex Electronics
- Stator
- Regulator/Rectifier
- Work Performance Shocks
- Telefix Fork Brace
- Works Performance Fork Springs
- Bel-Ray 15wt. Fork Oil
- Dyna Electronics
- Dyna S Ignition
- Dyna 3 Ohm Coils
- Holeshot Performance "Blister" Turn Signals
Total weight reduction is #48 lbs.
To say it's a blast to ride would be an understatement. To paraphrase a quote from the July '79 Cycle Guide test, "After a ride on the GS 1000S, I feel like that big red "S" on the tail piece should be emblazoned across my chest instead !"
Thanx !
Bob Hoffman