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Second post here... The first was hopefully useful to the OP around fitting USD forks to a GS thou.
I'm currently bikeless. We moved to NZ from the UK about 2 years ago, and I'm just starting to get (the important!) things sorted. While in the UK I had several GS-series bikes:
GS550. It had a 620cc kit, JMC arm, Astralite wheels... Nice bike, and my introduction to 4-cylinder Suzukis.
A GS650 Katana. Y'know the one... It was OK - actually, as a reliable mode of transport it was superb - but didn't really light any fires.
An '84 GSX750 Katana, the one with the gold frame. Oh yes... D'you know, I really don't remember what it was like to ride? Does it matter? There's never been another bike that looked like this.
A GSX750F. I bought this in the UK the day before VAT went up to 17.5%. According to the invoice, I actually bought it 2 days before as you weren't allowed to buy vehicles on a Sunday. I loved that bike - it handled well, went well, I liked the looks. It took me all over Europe, saw some speeds that were frankly ludicrous (and well outside theoretical maximum speed) and never, ever let me down. A Volvo estate caused it's demise.
A Wiseco 1201 kitted GSXR1100WN. Last of the oil-cooled bikes... Wow. Rocketship, yet comfortable and reliable. Superb.
And the GS1000s (small 's' - plural).
The first was an import to the UK from the US, and pre-dated release of the GS1000 in the UK. Piranha ignition, flat bars, ex-CB900 race pipe (with Yoshi-esque cut in the rear part of the frame).
The second... Had pretty much the works before I got it. USD forks, Metmachex swing arm, but a more-or-less standard engine (if you ignore the Dynojet kit and GS1000S airbox).
The third: my race bike. I rode it in Earlystocks. That was fun.
Back to the present and I've been looking around. GS1000s aren't cheap here, but I've found a 1980(ish) GS1000G in need of some tlc and a new home. Aside from needing threads for cam cover and header pipes re-tapping, info received from the seller includes:
The seller has "a set of four new used inlet valves."
A good GS1000E goes for upwards of NZ$4500 here - this one is available for less than $1200. I'm not afraid of a project, but I think this needs to be a little cheaper. OK, in the US (or the UK) it'd sell for much less, but I'm living where supply and demand rules. (For instance, a complete basket-case - non-running, boxes of bits - 1987 GSX1100 just sold for over NZ$1400.)
Anyway, whether this becomes mine or not, I think another GS1000 is in my not-to-distant future!
Cheers,
Graham
I'm currently bikeless. We moved to NZ from the UK about 2 years ago, and I'm just starting to get (the important!) things sorted. While in the UK I had several GS-series bikes:
GS550. It had a 620cc kit, JMC arm, Astralite wheels... Nice bike, and my introduction to 4-cylinder Suzukis.
A GS650 Katana. Y'know the one... It was OK - actually, as a reliable mode of transport it was superb - but didn't really light any fires.
An '84 GSX750 Katana, the one with the gold frame. Oh yes... D'you know, I really don't remember what it was like to ride? Does it matter? There's never been another bike that looked like this.
A GSX750F. I bought this in the UK the day before VAT went up to 17.5%. According to the invoice, I actually bought it 2 days before as you weren't allowed to buy vehicles on a Sunday. I loved that bike - it handled well, went well, I liked the looks. It took me all over Europe, saw some speeds that were frankly ludicrous (and well outside theoretical maximum speed) and never, ever let me down. A Volvo estate caused it's demise.
A Wiseco 1201 kitted GSXR1100WN. Last of the oil-cooled bikes... Wow. Rocketship, yet comfortable and reliable. Superb.
And the GS1000s (small 's' - plural).
The first was an import to the UK from the US, and pre-dated release of the GS1000 in the UK. Piranha ignition, flat bars, ex-CB900 race pipe (with Yoshi-esque cut in the rear part of the frame).
The second... Had pretty much the works before I got it. USD forks, Metmachex swing arm, but a more-or-less standard engine (if you ignore the Dynojet kit and GS1000S airbox).
The third: my race bike. I rode it in Earlystocks. That was fun.
Back to the present and I've been looking around. GS1000s aren't cheap here, but I've found a 1980(ish) GS1000G in need of some tlc and a new home. Aside from needing threads for cam cover and header pipes re-tapping, info received from the seller includes:
- stored two years
- head been off about 2 months
- 4 into 1 exhaust in OK condition - not great
- fuel is clean but he's sure there may be a little rust in the tank, but nothing major
- head removed and found number 3 exhaust valve was burnt more than the others - previous investigation showed not carbs or coils so off with the head [number 3 wasn't firing properly]
- good compression
- replaced the starter clutch - was a problem when he bought the bike
- starter clutch cover has temp repair
- pistons, rings, bores, bottom end, all good
- did not use oil or over heat
- done a lot of road trips on it so know how she rides "and it's beautiful" - the box is excellent, shaft is quiet and smooth
- brakes are OK - the front ones may need to be replaced but nothing evidently wrong; back brakes also OK and work well, shoes seem fine
- wheel bearings are all OK - bike is easy to move and push around [still worth checking properly imho]
- rear tyre is new, front is worn
- still has centre and side stands
- charging is working fine but needs a battery [doesn't have one]
The seller has "a set of four new used inlet valves."
A good GS1000E goes for upwards of NZ$4500 here - this one is available for less than $1200. I'm not afraid of a project, but I think this needs to be a little cheaper. OK, in the US (or the UK) it'd sell for much less, but I'm living where supply and demand rules. (For instance, a complete basket-case - non-running, boxes of bits - 1987 GSX1100 just sold for over NZ$1400.)
Anyway, whether this becomes mine or not, I think another GS1000 is in my not-to-distant future!
Cheers,
Graham
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