Maybe the most "cobbled-together" bike I have ever purchased!

[1978GS750E]

Found this one on Facebook marketplace and picked it up today! (I must be nuts!)



Title says it's a '79 GS1000L. It has complete '78 skunk body work, GS1100 aluminum swingarm, 17" rear wheel, GS1100 front fender, CV carbs off of who knows what, '78 skunk gauges, an aftermarket 8" headlight, miniature LED turn signals, aftermarket shocks, replacement seat cover, an unknown 4-into-1 exhaust (VERY LOUD!)..... and best of all........the rear cowl is "spring-loaded"! It's mounted with springs under it! (That's a first for me!)

Of course, it has the required rattle-can black special paint on the engine and select portions of the frame. As a plus, it also had chrome "skull" tire valve caps! (Goes great with rattle-can black!)

Got it home and threw a battery in it and it started right up! Smoked like a diesel for a few minutes and then cleared up.

I haven't decided what to do with it just yet. Should I part it out, return it to an original "L" (probably will not happen), or leave it like it is and flip it, or sell it in the spring after cleaning it up and getting it running properly?

Decisions, decisions......

[Big Block]

Actually that one is pretty cool. I am waiting to do similar mods on my second 78 1000. Swingarm, headlight, dual disks, header etc. I would keep it and refine a few things. Lucky to get that tank!

[rphillips]

Are you sure it ever was a GS1000"L"? The "L" models had a leading front axel, this one don't have, and the "L" had no place to mount a tail cowl, just a rounded off chrome rear fender with a tail light sticking up off of it. Also, though not sure, I'd have thought the Skunk tank on an "L" frame, the front of the tank would sit higher, not flat like on an "E" or in this picture.

[1978GS750E]

Are you sure it ever was a GS1000"L"? The "L" models had a leading front axel, this one don't have, and the "L" had no place to mount a tail cowl, just a rounded off chrome rear fender with a tail light sticking up off of it. Also, though not sure, I'd have thought the Skunk tank on an "L" frame, the front of the tank would sit higher, not flat like on an "E" or in this picture.

Just going by the VIN number, GS1000-703438, everything I have found says it should be an "L"????

This thing has a strange VIN plate, unlike any I have seen before so who knows what it was in a previous life! Of course there is no headstock sticker. And strangely enough, there are no numbers stamped into the headstock, only a riveted plate!

[1978GS750E]

Actually that one is pretty cool. I am waiting to do similar mods on my second 78 1000. Swingarm, headlight, dual disks, header etc. I would keep it and refine a few things. Lucky to get that tank!

That's the direction I am leaning. I've already got a set of the correct VM carbs for it. Just got to get an airbox!

Yeah, and the tank is clean inside and has not been lined. That's a plus! Looks like there may be some filler on it, as there is a surface crack in the paint, which is not original paint.

[rphillips]

I didn't realize you could swap CV carbs with VM carbs on the same head. Isn't the mounting set-up for CV's totally different from mounting for VM's.

[1978GS750E]

I didn't realize you could swap CV carbs with VM carbs on the same head. Isn't the mounting set-up for CV's totally different from mounting for VM's.

Looks like someone changed the intake boots on the head to a larger diameter size to "almost" fit the CV carbs. That and some red silicone got 'em to work I guess!

Like I said, it is cobbled-together!

A set of intake boots and carbs that I had for a '79 GS850 fit perfectly!

[GS1150Pilot]

May Pod be with you!

[bitzz]

I didn't realize you could swap CV carbs with VM carbs on the same head. Isn't the mounting set-up for CV's totally different from mounting for VM's.

You CAN... doesn't mean you should. The CV's require more air flow to work, so the CV (GSx) head has bigger ports... so putting VMs on a CV head would be an "upgrade", putting CVs on a GS head would be a "down grade"
VM33s or CRs work great on a GSx head, but have to be "necked down" to 31mm for the GS head, for max performance.

[salty_monk]

Also has a plastic front fender off an 1100. There’s no way that was ever an L. All the parts are wrong and wouldn’t fit an L frame. If the Title says L I think you got what the UK call a “ringer” (where a VIN number is taken from a wreck and placed on a stolen or untitled frame in order to use the title).
Can’t imagine it’s strictly legal to do that anywhere but with a bike this old maybe a “new chassis” repair would be allowed (like buying a galvanized Brazil tub for an old VW or something).

Lots of good parts there. If it was cheap you did well.

[Nessism]

I agree with Dan. That bike is a ringer. GS bikes never used riveted VIN labels. Is the title clear? If so, I suppose you would be fine with fixing and flipping. Personally, I wouldn't bother changing the carbs if what's on there is working decently.

[rphillips]

Just think'in if that's a "78" gas tank with the indention down the side, Folks are asking a lot for those things.

[dorkburger]

That headlight setup looks like its from an 1150E. Not necessarily an easy find these days.

[1978GS750E]

Looks like I've decided what to do. I'm going to slowly get it back to an original skunk as much as possible over the winter months.

Today I rebuilt the cam chain tensioner, installed the new carb to head boots, painted the starter cover and stuck the new carbs on it.

Waiting on an airbox, rear fender and battery to arrive this week from Fleabay.

Still need to get an air filter housing, original swingarm, center stand, shocks, headlight, handlebars, front fender, turn signals and a whole big bunch of small stuff!

(Send a PM if you have any of the above to sell!)

The good news is that the black paint comes off really easy after a quick soak in gasoline! (I'm sure glad the PO used cheap paint!)



Looks like I have my winter project!

[1978GS750E]

I agree with Dan. That bike is a ringer. GS bikes never used riveted VIN labels. Is the title clear? If so, I suppose you would be fine with fixing and flipping. Personally, I wouldn't bother changing the carbs if what's on there is working decently.

Yes, I have a clear title.

The CV carbs that were on it worked, just not very well, and I had a newly rebuilt set of the correct carbs sitting on a shelf.