1978 GS1000 - Restomod

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  • mattfeet
    • Apr 2026

    #1

    1978 GS1000 - Restomod

    I picked up a 1978 GS1000 from another GSR member a few weeks ago and am just getting around to making a build thread. I sold a '05 SV650 for 2.5x what I paid for it to partially fund this build so I've been ordering parts left and right lately. The goal for this bike is to restomod it. I am going to repaint it but it'll be the stock paint scheme but will be updating other items either in the name of performance and/or safety. To non-GSR people, it'll look like a stock Skunk but you guys will be able to point out the items I've upgraded. It'll be subtle but tasteful and still retain it's heritage.

    Info on the bike:
    - 10,xxx miles
    - V&H pipe
    - K&N Pods
    - 1100 Alum Swinger
    - Progressive Suspension


    On the trailer ready to come home! Had to stop at City BBQ for lunch!




    Right now, the bike is in pretty good condition. The paint has issues in a few areas and is coming up on the cowl but it'll get repainted this winter.

    So far I have:

    - Put new Avon Roadrider tires on
    - New black supermoto bars
    - All new K&S controls
    - Cleaned all connections in HL bucket
    - New NISSIN master cylinder (black, of course)
    - Napoleon bar end mirrors (LOVE these)

    Soon to do:

    - Ordered new SS brake lines
    - Ordered Saltymonk brackets for new Kawi dual brake setup
    - New fork seals
    - All new EBC brake pads
    - Dynojet Stage 3 jet kit
    - Oil Change
    - Carb sync

    Current pic:


    Will update thread as more progress takes place!!!

    Matt
    Last edited by Guest; 10-22-2015, 07:00 PM.
  • steve murdoch
    Forum Guru
    Past Site Supporter
    • May 2004
    • 8511
    • St. Catharines, On.

    #2
    An excellent starting point.
    That p.o. was okay. haha.
    2@ \'78 GS1000

    Comment

    • mattfeet

      #3
      I'm looking forward to it.

      Comment

      • mattfeet

        #4
        Wow...this place doesn't get too many replies!

        CBR900RR rotors installed:


        Mounted:


        That's where I'm at right now. Tomorrow Im going to be installing the lines, calipers, pads, and taking her out for a spin.

        Comment

        • Guest

          #5
          Don't worry about the lack of posts, it's summer, everyone is out riding. Very nice bike, glad to see it's getting more love and attention. The rotors look fantasic on those spoked rims

          Comment

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

            #6
            Originally posted by azr
            Don't worry about the lack of posts, it's summer, everyone is out riding. Very nice bike, glad to see it's getting more love and attention. The rotors look fantasic on those spoked rims
            Yea things seem to have thinned out a bit. Bike looks great, and just gets better.

            Comment

            • ged
              Forum Mentor
              Past Site Supporter
              • Sep 2011
              • 203
              • Brisbane Australia

              #7
              Was that a Vance and Hines 4 into 1 system?
              GED

              1980 GS850G (BLACK)
              http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=185562
              1980 GS850G (RED) http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=219169
              1980 GS850G (SILVER) (Coming soon)

              There are old riders and there are bold riders but there are no old bold riders!!!!!!


              Comment

              • mattfeet

                #8
                Yes it is. I still have it...just have to to take it off for the lift.

                Thanks for the comments!

                Comment

                • Rob S.
                  Forum Guru
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • Dec 2013
                  • 9488
                  • New York City

                  #9
                  Beautiful!

                  (Bit too much baffle in that pipe, though! )
                  1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                  2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                  Comment

                  • rwnielsen

                    #10
                    That front wheel looks terrific. I love big drilled disks on spoked rims. Retro-racy

                    Comment

                    • mattfeet

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Rob S.
                      Beautiful!

                      (Bit too much baffle in that pipe, though! )
                      I'm actually going to be welding on a Yoshimura RS-3. I wanted the MotoGPWerks exhaust but I dont want to lose the passenger pegs, so I'm going to weld up a custom setup that still has the Yoshimura name to it.

                      Matt

                      Comment

                      • mattfeet

                        #12
                        Finished the brakes and controls:



                        Comment

                        • Guest

                          #13
                          Fantastic, hows the stopping power now???? Looks like the one brake line is a tad long, do you need one of the stock brake line T's or did you mean to set it up like that? if you need one I've got a shed full. That's an interesting reservoir, what's it from?

                          Comment

                          • mattfeet

                            #14
                            Braking is night and day better than before. That brake line is the wrong length. I have a new one on order. Master Cylinder is a new NISSIN unit.

                            Comment

                            • redstedman

                              #15
                              Looking good Matt. Love the BIG rotors.

                              Comment

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