Progress!!! 1978 GS1000E Restoration/Performance Rebuild

[80GS850GBob]

Looking good!...reminds me that I have to try and tweek my seat mount and latch...not quite aligned correctly and rubs a little at the latch box area.
...you gonna remove the valve cover gasket cross stay?

[philosopheriam]

Looking good!...reminds me that I have to try and tweek my seat mount and latch...not quite aligned correctly and rubs a little at the latch box area.
...you gonna remove the valve cover gasket cross stay?

I have to pull the valve cover gasket one more time to check the valve clearances after a few heat cycles. Then the cross stay gets removed :-D

[philosopheriam]

I am so impressed by this build - not even sure what to say.

A highlight for me is that headlight/turn signal bracket. Love the signals too. So clean. I'll go back and read - curious if that was purchased or fabricated.

I purchased the headlight brackets and signals from Dime City Cycles - however, I had the brackets and the signal bodies powdercoated in the same color as my frame, etc.

The headlight bucket is from the same place, same powdercoat color, as well.

The spacers between the brackets and the headlight bucket are simply aluminum spacers from Mcmaster Carr - I polished them to make them look pretty :-)

[steve murdoch]

An odd thing to say considering all the great looking parts on your bike, but man those side covers are beautiful!

[philosopheriam]

An odd thing to say considering all the great looking parts on your bike, but man those side covers are beautiful!

Thank you, sir!

[philosopheriam]

Folks - I need opinions...

These - oval head mirrors


OR

These - shovel head mirrors


Also, I can't decide if I want black or chrome... I'm leaning towards the oval mirrors. I'm afraid the black ones won't match the existing satin black of my frame and small parts. However, I'm also concerned about the chrome ones looking out of place. Thoughts?

[JJ]

Folks - I need opinions...

These - oval head mirrors


OR

These - shovel head mirrors


Also, I can't decide if I want black or chrome... I'm leaning towards the oval mirrors. I'm afraid the black ones won't match the existing satin black of my frame and small parts. However, I'm also concerned about the chrome ones looking out of place. Thoughts?

I like the black ovals best, but they're all ugly, IMHO.

Having offered my opinion, it's your money and your bike. Overall, it's stunning. You do great work.

[philosopheriam]

I like the black ovals best, but they're all ugly, IMHO.

Having offered my opinion, it's your money and your bike. Overall, it's stunning. You do great work.

Ha - I'm trying to find a set of mirrors that don't stick out like a sore thumb and match the lines of the bike. The originals just look goofy to me...

[dorkburger]

Ovals for sure.

[JJ]

Ha - I'm trying to find a set of mirrors that don't stick out like a sore thumb and match the lines of the bike. The originals just look goofy to me...

LOL. As I said, it's yours, and you have done great so far. I'd go with the black ovals...

[alke46]

Another vote here for the black ovals. Also, great looking results on the project.

Just another comment about your beautiful bike. The pinstripe on the seat not matching the stripe on the tail section would drive me batty but that's just me. I would see it every time I looked at the bike but then, I am anal about stuff like that. It's your bike for sure so do whatever you like. I am just in awe of the talents you have shown on this re-build.

[philosopheriam]

Another vote here for the black ovals. Also, great looking results on the project.

Just another comment about your beautiful bike. The pinstripe on the seat not matching the stripe on the tail section would drive me batty but that's just me. I would see it every time I looked at the bike but then, I am anal about stuff like that. It's your bike for sure so do whatever you like. I am just in awe of the talents you have shown on this re-build.

Thanks bud - I hear ya about the being anal part... In this instance, the juice isn't worth the squeeze, if you know what I mean. Suzuki never intended the stripes to line up from the tail to the trim piece to the tank, and trying to make this happen will require some serious additional $$$

Just a reminder of what she looked like originally :-)

[philosopheriam]

FYI: Went with the black oval ones...

[nvr2old]

Are the pin stripes on your seat trim under clear..? If not, those two colors are available at auto paint stores for cheap (15 bux or so). It would be a snap to redo if they can easily be removed. Mis-alignment would drive me crazy, too.

[Gregory]

What do they call that color of burnt orange at the auto paint store?

Are the pin stripes on your seat trim under clear..? If not, those two colors are available at auto paint stores for cheap (15 bux or so). It would be a snap to redo if they can easily be removed. Mis-alignment would drive me crazy, too.