1978 GS1000 Complete Engine Overhaul With Mods

[Hoomgar]

Well I placed my order tonight for the chain, sprockets, K&N pods, Dyna coils and the wires.

We were going to get my disks drilled but I may do that later. Anything at this point that stands the chance of holding up this build is being put off now.

Unfortunatly this means the paint too. I spoke to the guy I was going to get to do the paint tonight. He is a big vintage bike buff too. He is totally able to do what I want with one major problem. He wont have time to take me until mid May. So my nicely rebuilt GS is going on the street this year most likely as a hideous beast. It will look worse than before I started because I already sold the original tail piece that was painted to match. But it will be functional. And at this point, I'm taking whatever I can get just to get it done.

Here are some pics the painter sent me tonight of a few of his recent bikes he painted. He even painted the carbs on the Honda

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Hey Mark. Glad to see you're moving along. Just a quick note if you decide to have the discs drilled as I did mine. DO NOT let any one talk you into chamferring the holes. The sharp edges are what helps stop galling of the rotor. Sharp edges are critical to the "self cleaning" of both pad and rotor.
Be sure the rotors are drilled correctly with a new cobalt drill bit. A worn or poor quality drill bit will overheat and warp the rotor and the holes will not be sharp and clean. The right bit and drilling action will give you good, clean holes that wouldn't need a de-burring anyway. Choose a hole pattern that completely sweeps the pad. Don't drill the holes too big.
The genuine Suzuki front rotors are no longer available. The rear was as of 5 years ago, don't know about now. So be careful. I believe a few aftermarket makers have a rotor for us now too. These newer discs have larger center holes and you can snap on a typical hoop lock easy.

 

[Hoomgar]

Thanks for the info Keith. I have noted that. As I said that will most likely wait until later. Maybe next winter. The bike has run for almost 28 years the way it is so one more season wont hurt

As for the rotors. No way I am taking my rotors off and drilling them. When ever I modify any stock part I buy a replacement first and modify it. I have kept all my stock parts so far except the original tail piece since the new one I bought is identical.

I may just try to find a set of after market disks that fit my bike that are already drilled or slotted.

I am pressing really hard on my builder now. Hopefully we wont come to words about it but I am keeping my voice in his ear. I want this done. No more BS.

 

[Anonymous]

Mark, I don't want to be critical, but the pics of those sidecovers show lots of paint defects. I'm not painter so I can't tell you why the pock marks are there, but they don't look good to me.

Did he rattle can it?

 

[Hoomgar]

No it's air brush. No worries. Not only is that some of his early attempts at art but I wont be getting any. I am a straight paint. I have seen his work on several restorations at the shop, that's actually why I picked him. That and he came highly recommended.

But he doesn't have time right now anyway. So it may end up being someone else.

Those pics are of his own bike. You know how that is. Your own stuff is the experimentation ground. Some of the work he has done for Joe's other customers was first class. I have seen and touched it myself.

But anyway, that's neither here nor there. Plus the price came in way higher than I was expecting.

I saw the same things your talking about but it isn't concerning me at this time.

We'll see.

Thx for the imput man.

 

[Anonymous]

I gonna do the paint myself. How hard can it be? :lol:

Actually, I live by a phrase my dad taught me many years ago "Use a tool once and it pays for itself". So, I'm going to get a spray gun. I'm not sure which one at this point in time.

I'm still prepping the parts, so it looks to be a few weeks away at the pace I'm going.

I'm going very simple ont he paint - like you. One color, and I'll outdo you for simplicity, probably flat black, or satin black. No glossy stuff. This should make the painting even less critical.

 

[Hoomgar]

hmmm, you got me thinking now Swanny. But I think I may just hold out and have it professionally done. After I read your post last night I went out and priced paint and paint gun equipment. I'll have more than half my paint job cost wrapped up in materials. No experience and the biggest issue is I have no where I can paint. I cannot paint in my garage due to the over spray and there is no room in there to construct a paint booth.

I am just going to pay the man I think. Plus I get a guarantee and free touch ups on the paint this way

But again, it isn't happening now anyway. It's going to be an ugly duckling for the first of the season here.


But I haven't let the paint it yourself idea go 100% yet. We'll see

I'll wait and see how yours comes out

 

[Jethro]

I'm getting someone to do it for me. I have quotes for $4-600. That's worth every penny to me.

 

[Hoomgar]

I'm getting someone to do it for me. I have quotes for $4-600. That's worth every penny to me.

That was close to mine too Jethro. It went up a few more though when I added some much desired customizations.

Mine could touch 850 I was told if I want to do everything I am asking. That price however also includes dent repair and tank sealing.

 

[MichaelHoward]

Hoomie,

You're killin me buddy!!! I wanna see this beauty!! :wink: :wink:

I need Patience huh?? ROFLMAO!! 8)

 

[DMPLATT]

Who did you guys go to for these quotes? $400 doesn't sound too bad.

 

[Hoomgar]

Hoomie,

You're killin me buddy!!! I wanna see this beauty!! :wink: :wink:

I need Patience huh?? ROFLMAO!! 8)

It wont be beautiful when it's done Michael

It will look possibly worse than when I started. :|


-----------------------

Who did you guys go to for these quotes? $400 doesn't sound too bad.

My quote came from a local guy here who does paint work for anyone and Joe uses him at times. He cut his teeth as an aprentice at a local paint shop and is also an instructor at some school now teaching it.

This work is something he does on the side so that is why his time is like it is.

There are others but I really connected with this guy and like the work I have seen.

I may need to price around though

 

[MichaelHoward]

Oh, I bet it will look good buddy!! I have been excited for you. 8)

 

[Hoomgar]

Thx Michael. I know I am going to like it but I was reffering to the fact that it wont be painted. All the parts will still look like the same old bike

But it's all good. I am a family man and simply don't have the greenbacks to do a project all in one shot like this. I know you know what that is all about :wink:

I have restored the bike pretty much ground up but there will be a lot of little things that can be done another winter. Maybe another thread to drag out forever LOL :lol:


When this bike and my Turbo are done I may just take on another. Don't know. Time will tell. I figure if I keep collecting and rebuilding bikes eventually she will kick me out and then I will have my own place and wont have to worry about it anymore :twisted:

 

[MichaelHoward]

Same here friend!! If and when I do get another :wink: It will take me some time to do the things I want to her. :wink:

We will just keep pluggin along! 8)

 

[DMPLATT]

But it's all good. I am a family man and simply don't have the greenbacks to do a project all in one shot like this. I know you know what that is all about

True Dat. I've nickel and dimed my bike since I've gotten it. I'm replacing the missing parts from the rear brakes and that should be all of the missing parts finally replaced. Only took 10 months. :roll: :roll:
As for the painting that it needs pretty bad? I'm thinking that'll have to wait til maybe next year. Kids are needing shoes and food again. Seems like they like to eat every day and twice on Sundays. LOL.

 

[Hoomgar]

But it's all good. I am a family man and simply don't have the greenbacks to do a project all in one shot like this. I know you know what that is all about

True Dat. I've nickel and dimed my bike since I've gotten it. I'm replacing the missing parts from the rear brakes and that should be all of the missing parts finally replaced. Only took 10 months. :roll: :roll:
As for the painting that it needs pretty bad? I'm thinking that'll have to wait til maybe next year. Kids are needing shoes and food again. Seems like they like to eat every day and twice on Sundays. LOL.

I know it brother. And I just bought them all new clothes last fall. But no, they aren't good enough anymore. Daddy, my shoes don't fit. Daddy, my shirt is too tight, Daddy, I can get my pants shut. Daddy, I'm hungry. I just fed them dinner last night! What a bunch of whiners. I mean really. I buy a pair of pants and 'm good for the decade. Their draining my budget man :wink: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

But it's all good. I am a family man and simply don't have the greenbacks to do a project all in one shot like this. I know you know what that is all about

True Dat. I've nickel and dimed my bike since I've gotten it. I'm replacing the missing parts from the rear brakes and that should be all of the missing parts finally replaced. Only took 10 months. :roll: :roll:
As for the painting that it needs pretty bad? I'm thinking that'll have to wait til maybe next year. Kids are needing shoes and food again. Seems like they like to eat every day and twice on Sundays. LOL.

I know it brother. And I just bought them all new clothes last fall. But no, they aren't good enough anymore. Daddy, my shoes don't fit. Daddy, my shirt is too tight, Daddy, I can get my pants shut. Daddy, I'm hungry. I just fed them dinner last night! What a bunch of whiners. I mean really. I buy a pair of pants and 'm good for the decade. Their draining my budget man :wink: :lol:

I don't mean to steal this thread, but we pretty much lived paycheck to paycheck until the kids left the house. Weather the storm boys! :lol:

 

[Hoomgar]

But it's all good. I am a family man and simply don't have the greenbacks to do a project all in one shot like this. I know you know what that is all about

True Dat. I've nickel and dimed my bike since I've gotten it. I'm replacing the missing parts from the rear brakes and that should be all of the missing parts finally replaced. Only took 10 months. :roll: :roll:
As for the painting that it needs pretty bad? I'm thinking that'll have to wait til maybe next year. Kids are needing shoes and food again. Seems like they like to eat every day and twice on Sundays. LOL.

I know it brother. And I just bought them all new clothes last fall. But no, they aren't good enough anymore. Daddy, my shoes don't fit. Daddy, my shirt is too tight, Daddy, I can get my pants shut. Daddy, I'm hungry. I just fed them dinner last night! What a bunch of whiners. I mean really. I buy a pair of pants and 'm good for the decade. Their draining my budget man :wink: :lol:

I don't mean to steal this thread, but we pretty much lived paycheck to paycheck until the kids left the house. Weather the storm boys! :lol:

I am not looking for clear horizons anytime soon Steve. My last post was a joke brother

I love my kids, they come first. Unfortunately they come way before anything like this here bike build. But shhhh, I don't want them to know that or they will ask for more :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Mark, I was kidding too. 8)