New Old Guy and a New GS Project

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  • Dan Thornton
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    New Old Guy and a New GS Project

    New to the group again been a lot of years it seems. Like many, I stepped away and came back to bikes. Decided I wanted to build some factory 80's race replicas. Started with an 83 VF750F HRC Spencer bike. Got that about done last spring. Then I started on the project that has brought me back here. I decided to build an 85 GS700ES Yoshimura/Cooley/Schwantz replica. It is getting close to being done now. I call it the "Forgotten Superbike". It was after the great era of the GS1000's and before the coming GSXR750's. It was for AMA racing still a little significant. It was the last in-lin 4cyl air cooled bike to win an AMA Superbike National at Sears Point in 84 with Wes Cooley riding it. It was also the first Factory ride for Kevin Schwantz. I liked the way it looked and the fact it wasn't so popular. Went through a lot of the normal searching for parts.

    The fairing on this bike is from one of the original Yoshimura race bikes. The swingarm is a Yoshimura built piece from a former AMA Privateers race bike. The other parts and pieces I made myself.

    The motor is the next thing to do on my list. I'm trying to track down the Yosh eng covers and a few other bits. The bike has the dual oil coolers. One up in the fairing where the headlight would go and then a replacement for the stock one.

    I guess this is a group that will like it.15d.jpg
  • Dan Thornton

    #2
    Another view

    Here is the other side 20b.jpg

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    • posplayr
      Forum LongTimer
      GSResource Superstar
      Past Site Supporter
      • Dec 2007
      • 23673
      • Tucson Az

      #3
      Admirable project. Looks like fun.

      Comment

      • dorkburger
        Forum LongTimer
        Past Site Supporter
        • Jan 2013
        • 10770
        • Stupid Freehold Boro NJ

        #4
        Welcome. I've seen your bike elsewhere online. Very cool. As you say, that model is an outlier regarding popularity, but I dig 'em. I missed out on one locally several years ago, back when I could do such silly things as buying bikes without forethought.
        sigpic
        When consulting the magic 8 ball for advice, one must first ask it "will your answers be accurate?"

        Glen
        -85 1150 es - Plus size supermodel.
        -Rusty old scooter.
        Other things I like to photograph.....instagram.com/gs_junkie
        https://www.instagram.com/glen_brenner/
        https://www.flickr.com/photos/152267...7713345317771/

        Comment

        • posplayr
          Forum LongTimer
          GSResource Superstar
          Past Site Supporter
          • Dec 2007
          • 23673
          • Tucson Az

          #5
          Would really be a great bike with a GSXR 750 in it.

          Comment

          • Nessism
            Forum LongTimer
            GSResource Superstar
            Past Site Supporter
            Super Site Supporter
            • Mar 2006
            • 35793
            • Torrance, CA

            #6
            I got to see Schwantz ride one of those bikes at Willow Springs. Not sure but it may have been his first with that bike. He left the line after spotting the field half a lap, and then he caught and passed the leader on something like the 3rd lap, passing on the outside at the fastest part of the track. He was SO much faster than anyone else there is was almost a joke.
            Ed

            To measure is to know.

            Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

            Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

            Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

            KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

            Comment

            • steve murdoch
              Forum Guru
              Past Site Supporter
              • May 2004
              • 8492
              • St. Catharines, On.

              #7
              Welcome back, Dan.
              Very cool bike.
              Not once have i ever said "the other parts and pieces i made myself".

              Just going from memory did the VF have a 16" front wheel?
              2@ \'78 GS1000

              Comment

              • GS1150Pilot
                Forum LongTimer
                Past Site Supporter
                • Nov 2013
                • 18931
                • MoN, AZ

                #8
                That is a gorgeous machine.
                "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
                ~Herman Melville

                2016 1200 Superlow
                1982 CB900f

                Comment

                • dpep
                  GSResource Superstar
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • Aug 2002
                  • 16199
                  • Jacksonville, FL

                  #9
                  Great project well done.
                  ...
                  Believe in truth. To abandon fact is to abandon freedom.

                  Nature bats last.

                  80 GS850G / 2010 Yamaha Majesty / 81 GS850G

                  Comment

                  • Charlie G
                    Forum Guru
                    Past Site Supporter
                    Super Site Supporter
                    • Feb 2009
                    • 6440
                    • Siskiyou county

                    #10
                    Nice bike! I have a 83 GS750e I picked up for cheap I'd like to gt in riding shape. Will follow along....
                    sigpic
                    83 GS1100g
                    2006 Triumph Sprint ST 1050

                    Ohhhh!........Torque sweet Temptress.........always whispering.... a murmuring Siren

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