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1978 GS 750 Indiana Barn Bike rescue

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ledyard
  • Start date Start date
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Ledyard

Guest
Greetings All,

I'm new to the forum, and new to the world of GS restoration. I recently picked up a 1978 Suzuki GS750 from a work colleague. Her dad rode it to his veterinary practice for 10 years, from 1981 through 1991. Since 1991 it's been sitting in an unheated, but weather tight, Indiana barn. I bought it for a couple of hundred from my friend's dad's estate, and have just started taking it apart.

I've read through a lot of the material on this listserv, and it is a treasure trove of information -- I'll be relying on it over the next year....

My other bike is a Royal Enfield Bullet. So far I'm totally impressed with the superior metallurgy of the late 70's GS.

Stay tuned.... and happy for your comments.
 
A closer angle... as I loaded into the truck and took it home, I heard it say in a voice that sounded like the Tin Man from the Wizrd of Oz... "earl can... earl can." It's locked up pretty tight right now.
 
What a GREAT find and deal. Looks like it's all there as well. Nice original bike. Spend some time on BassCliff's site. He's got a lot of good information. Can't wait to see your work as you get started. Are you planning on a restore to stock?

Start with a good battery, clean tank and clean carbs and you'll know what you have.

Welcome to the board.
 
Thanks, Good Times. You've done a great job on your bike.

My goal is to keep it stock. The old vet added some things, like the lunch bucket on the back, an engine guard, and a windshield (that snapped off when we loaded it up). I've got most of those fiddly things off already.

And thanks for the tip on BassCliff -- his site is very helpful. Also picked up Clymer for this model, the factory service manual, and Zimmerman's book on restoration. I do maintenance on my Enfield, but this is a whole new league for me!
 
So, I've been reading up on the GS750 like mad, particularly BassCliff's page and the links. Also taking the bike apart, taking lots of pictures, and taking lots of notes.

A question -- one of BassCliff's recommendations under "common issues" is: Petcock (install a NEW one). Just to clarify, are we talking about the whole petcock assembly (about a $100 item on BikeBandit).

Happy for your opinions on whether trying to rebuild the petcock is a waste of time.
 
Take out the plugs and give the cylinders all a good blast of PB Blaster and let it sit a good day or two. Then gently use the kicker to see if she will free up a bit. Go to this place for the OEM service manual..sellect the 8 valve version. Clymers and Haynes have both been known to be frout with incorrect information.


http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/
 
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Welcome to the nut house.
Nice find there, I truly hope you are going to restore her back to original condition.
Looks like you have a real pearl there under all that dirt.
Will be following this one with interest.
 
Ledyard said:
So, I've been reading up on the GS750 like mad, particularly BassCliff's page and the links. Also taking the bike apart, taking lots of pictures, and taking lots of notes.

A question -- one of BassCliff's recommendations under "common issues" is: Petcock (install a NEW one). Just to clarify, are we talking about the whole petcock assembly (about a $100 item on BikeBandit).

Happy for your opinions on whether trying to rebuild the petcock is a waste of time.
Click to expand...

Yes. Be prepared to spend a bit of money as it will need some maintenence to get it roadworthy. Tires, brakework, carb dipping and installing new o-rings, etc....Spend some time here learning, researching and using the search function for your specific needs. Of course, questions are okay too.

Looks like you found a nice complete one. :)
 
Glad for the encouragement, all. I did download the OEM Service Manual, bought a copy of Clymer, bought Mark Zimmerman's general book on restoration, and have been reading and searching this forum. So, I will only be able to blame lack of talent, not lack of resources, if I don't get her back to stock.

My Bike Bandit cart is already loaded with things I'm sure I'll need, with more to come. Gives a good incentive to keep pressing forward.

Here's one more shot before I did a thorough wash down before the dismantling process started.
 
Open a photobucket account and upload your pics there, then copy and paste the img code into your posts and you can post 10 pics per post like this...

attachment.php
 
Ledyard said:
Glad for the encouragement, all. I did download the OEM Service Manual, bought a copy of Clymer, bought Mark Zimmerman's general book on restoration, and have been reading and searching this forum. So, I will only be able to blame lack of talent, not lack of resources, if I don't get her back to stock.

My Bike Bandit cart is already loaded with things I'm sure I'll need, with more to come. Gives a good incentive to keep pressing forward.

Here's one more shot before I did a thorough wash down before the dismantling process started.
Click to expand...
There are places to buy parts alot cheaper than the BANDIT, try Z1 you'll be glad you did and Boulevard Suzuki
 
Nice find there. That will be a great bike when you are done.

You'll find once you get it running well that the stock suspension is horrible. You'll need new oil, springs and cartridge emulators (see racetech.com) up front and new shocks out back. Search the forum for shocks (or racetech, but be ready to spend $$$)...there are lots of threads.

Will be watching this as you go along. I have a soft spot for the early 750s :)
 
nice find! put the BP Blaster in the cylinders as mentioned above and let sit for a couple days..

THEN put it in 3rd or 4th gear and while on the center stand, work the rear wheel back and forth. do it a few times, then just wait. more blaster. then try it again. even a couple days keep working it back and forth if it moves eventually, good. if not then you will have to get more aggressive, but give it time. I've freed up many a bikes and 90% ended up running with no oil usage problems at all. you re correct on the 70s metallurgy ..it rocked!!!
 
Ledyard said:
A question -- one of BassCliff's recommendations under "common issues" is: Petcock (install a NEW one). Just to clarify, are we talking about the whole petcock assembly (about a $100 item on BikeBandit).
Click to expand...
The success rate on petcock rebuilds is hovering around 10-15%, how lucky do you feel? :-k

Do you want to spend the money on the rebuild kit, then have to get the new petcock anyway, or just spring for the new one right off the bat?

Forget Bike BANDIT. That same petcock is available for $80.17 at G&S Suzuki. (Bike BANDIT is also the ONLY vendor that does not use official Suzuki part numbers.)



Ledyard said:
My Bike Bandit cart is already loaded with things I'm sure I'll need, with more to come. Gives a good incentive to keep pressing forward.
Click to expand...
Here is a little MORE incentive for "pressing forward": shop elsewhere. :eek:

Bike BANDIT earned their name justifiably, they are the second-most expensive retailer on the internet.

Take a look at BassCliff's Welcome Page, you will see a list of vendors, and some commentaries about them.
The overwhelming favorites on this forum are (in no particular order) Boulevard Suzuki, G&S Suzuki, Z1 Enterprises and PartShark. (<-- click the links)

.
 
Always good to see another '78 750, welcome to the asylum! Prepare for GS obsession. Good luck with the project and post plenty of pics.
 
Wow, thanks for all the counsel. I checked G&S Suzuki's prices, and indeed, everything is listed for less than BikeBandit. The Bandit cart is now emptied, and I'm ordering a complete petcock and other necessities from G&S. Gracias!:)

Before attempting to start the thing, I'm planning to drain and clean the gas tank, since whatever gas is there has been sitting for 20 years, change the vintage 1991 oil (maybe twice), change the battery and plugs. I guess I'm a bit fearful of even trying to start the engine before doing some basics...

A question on PB Blaster... assuming this loosens things up in the cylinders, I'll still have to do the full carb clean-out and re-build (ala Paul Musser's VM Carburetor tutorial), right?
 
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Ledyard said:
A question on PB Blaster... assuming this loosens things up in the cylinders, I'll still have to do the full carb clean-out and re-build (ala Paul Musser's VM Carburetor tutorial), right?
Click to expand...
That is correct. Of course you need the engine to turn over, but you also need to completely and correctly rebuild the carbs and bring all the maintenance up to date for it to run correctly and be safe to ride.
 
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