Hello (again)! Couple bikes from western PA....

[GRich]

Some of you may remember me (most won't, and that's OK too) but my old user name was Big Rich. I have a customized GR650, and I had a heavily modded 1980 GS450S (which i sold to a guy in Georgia). After some pretty crazy changes in my life, I'm getting back into motorcycles again.

My wife wanted to ride with me so we started out on the GR650. Once she got comfortable, she said she wanted to go on a longer trip, say a 10 hour ride to Tennessee! I said we should get a bigger bike for that. A little searching and we found a 1983 GL1100 Aspencade. While it runs ok, it was a pain to work on (no offense to the Goldwing crowd - I just compare it to older Suzuki bikes). So we discussed it and decided to get a "similar" Suzuki...... lo and behold, we found the GS version of the GL. A 1983 GS1100GK!

Something else I am happy to share - my wife decided she wanted to learn to ride, so we bought her a 1983 GS450E. I'll have to look around for pictures of her bike.....

[GRich]

I'll have to start a thread for the GK for sure, but here are some more pics

[GRich]

[GRich]

[rphillips]

Welcome back to you and welcome for her. Seems you got a good thing going... Wondering why the gs450? Very similar to a GR650 as far as wgt, HP, and seat hgt.... not that it's any of my business.

[GRich]

She was concerned about the power of a 650, and I was more concerned with availability of parts. Here's a crappy pic from the sellers listing.

Her bike is in really good shape for the price. It was dropped on the left side, but the handlebars and the turn signal took the brunt of it. And oddly enough, the float for the fuel gauge sending unit is gone...... like, not loose and rattling around in the tank, but GONE!

[Rob S.]

Welcome back! That 450 looks like an '83 11E...buy it!

[rphillips]

No doubt 450 would be way more known as a starter bike... Shhhhh, we won't mention the slight GR vs GS HP difference

[GRich]

Thanks for the welcome btw fellas.

I found a picture of my 1980 GS450S. Quick rundown of what was done: GS850G triple tree, GS500 forks / front wheel / fender, Bandit 400 rear wheel with disc conversion, 520 chain conversion, carbs and other parts from the GS500 as well, and obviously the Katana 1/4 fairing from Airtech. What a great little bike!

[Redman]

WElcome. ANd thanks for the posts and pics.

I have also thought that the GK was Suzukis answer to the GoldWing, but your picture

sure makes them look a lot a like, with both of those being about the same color combination.

And, Hey! You found a fairly oroginl complete GK, that is still a GK. Most of them have been deeKayed.

[Redman]

Western PA.... Ellwood PA... I was looking to see if near Johnstown PA (my dads hometown), and I see you maybe kinda close to GSR's famous member from Youngstown Ohio.

[dorkburger]

Hey Rich, welcome back. I remember you but for some reason don't remember your former 450. That thing looks like a whole lot of fun.

[Pewpew82]

Welcome from NE Ohio. I have old coworkers that work out near you.

[GRich]

Thanks gentlemen!

I am a little ways away from Johnstown, but I have been thru there quite a few times. And Ellwood City is an odd little town..... most people have never heard of it. If they know the area, I say I'm south of New Castle. If not, I'm northwest of Pittsburgh.

I think the only person I have actually met from the GSR is BarnbikeTom......

[grcamna2]

Welcome back Rich.