1978 gs1000e

[Fjbj40]

I purchased a 1978 GS1000E from a forum member by the name of Skuld, he started to work on it but decided that he was not ready for such a project. Here is his thread http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=161552&page=11 .

For the past week myself and my 14 year old son have started the process of rebuilding the bike. This is his first adventure in this arena. One of the reasons I purchased the bike was for my therapy and for him to learn engine and chassis fundamentals. this is what I do in the winters to stay sane. I just finished a 7 year resto/mod on a 1974 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser so I needed something:clap::clap:

So it is now a rolling chassis and the engine is torn down to just the crankcase and that will be split tonight.

So far, a POP Yosh 1085 kit along with non factory cams have been found!!! There is still hone marks on the cylinder walls so a quick deglaze will be performed as the cylinders are mint. There are smooth bores on the bike but 1 and 4 cylinders have lots of carbon while 2 and 3 are clean. Head is ported but I will replace all valve seals.

There was a MLS head gasket so that must be from the Yosh kit?

Will attach pictures in the next few days.

I am stoked, I have had 2 of these bikes in my life and they were stock bores, I think this thing is going to be a power house.

Cheers,
Daryl

 

[Fjbj40]

piston, 73mm measured.

it would only allow me to upload 1 picture. If it is like other forums I am part of I guess I need more posts to qualify to upload more?

cheers

 

[Fjbj40]

I guess 1 pic per post

 

[Fjbj40]

only a little more till the blaster cleans the paint and rust off her ...

 

[Guest]

Looks like a fun project.
Keep us posted!

Oh, you can post multiple high resolution pics if you find a hosting site.
Easy to figure out..

 

[russr33]

Sign up to Photobucket (free). Load up your pics there then you can copy/paste the "IMG" codes (that will be located next to your pics in photobucket) to your post and you will have nice big pics like this; Also you can post up to 10 per page.

Does that pipe look familiar? Same hand bent yosh. The second pic is after I had a custom upswept can made for the header. Local outfit named Jemco her in houston does the work. If you had any interest PM me. They could probably just copy mine again and I could ship it to you.


I wanted to buy that bike off of Skuld when he first got it a couple of years ago. Like you I had a hunch it was loaded with goodies. But an authentic Pops big bore??? FUDGE............ Is the head stamped as well?

 

[steve murdoch]

This should be a good build to follow.
The father and son aspect is an added bonus.

 

[Guest]

That didn't take much, I'm hooked. But then again I'm easy. Looks like you guys aren't afraid to dig into her, great stuff.

 

[Fjbj40]

That didn't take much, I'm hooked. But then again I'm easy. Looks like you guys aren't afraid to dig into her, great stuff.

Nope not afraid to rip anything apart, been doing this type of stuff for many years.

Now for a question, I should post it in the suspension forum but will try here.
The front fork tubes are pitted badly so I was thinking of installing a newer setup. I have a chance to get a complete setup off a 2003 SV1000 minus the whee for a smoking deal. I have searched but not found a positive answer.

Thanks

 

[russr33]

Nope not afraid to rip anything apart, been doing this type of stuff for many years.

Now for a question, I should post it in the suspension forum but will try here.
The front fork tubes are pitted badly so I was thinking of installing a newer setup. I have a chance to get a complete setup off a 2003 SV1000 minus the whee for a smoking deal. I have searched but not found a positive answer.

Thanks

I think you mean you are looking for a bolt on new generation front end set up? There is ton's of information on new set ups for the Kats and 1100's but the 8 valve stuff is harder to find. You might check on Old Skool Suzuki website. I am sure they can tell you.

This is a pic of a bike that was posted a while back. IIRC the guy said it was a bolt on front end and it was some mid 2000"s katana front end. Don't know for sure though. If you find out anything please let me know. I have thought of doing a front end swap on my 1K.

 

[Guest]

Now that is Christmas opening her up and finding a ton of aftermarket (especially) Yoshimura stuff. I loved their stuff in the late 70's. Were they still as good after the parting of the ways?

 

[Big T]

I haven't seen many SV conversions

GSX and GSXR are the most common , occasionally a Bandit (for the tubular handle bar) but that has a different steering stem.

You'll need to pick up an 1100 aluminum swing arm to fit the wider modern rear wheel

A spacer here, an adapter there - all pretty basic stuff I'm sure you can handle

So, it's a bolt up plus deal

 

[Fjbj40]

I haven't seen many SV conversions

GSX and GSXR are the most common , occasionally a Bandit (for the tubular handle bar) but that has a different steering stem.

You'll need to pick up an 1100 aluminum swing arm to fit the wider modern rear wheel

A spacer here, an adapter there - all pretty basic stuff I'm sure you can handle

So, it's a bolt up plus deal

Are you saying a GSXR swing arm or a GS1100 swing arm? I believe the current swing arm on her is from a GS1100? What would be the widest tire I can put on that swing arm?

I have seen the GSXR front ends and from my research it appears a early 1100 or mid gen 750 is the ideal set up. Early or late gen 750 GSXR is too short?

Maybe I will just get my tubes rechromed, who knows with all the other goodies on this bike there may already be some good quality springs in there and maybe emulators also!

Daryl

 

[Big T]

GS 1100 swing arm

Some people have gone with a 160 or 180 rear tire you need the proper wheel to do this

Yrs, in some years the front end is too short, be sure to keep it long enough

 

[BIKER BILL]

Russr33, can i ask what swingarm is inthe second pic? Looks like one that came on my old GPZ1100.
BB

 

[Fjbj40]

Over the past week I have spent about 5 hours at the glass bead cabinet. All paint has been removed from all of the engine. Because the bike spent 3 years outside it had a reasonable amout of oxidation on all the aluminum engine bits. The majority has been removed but unfortunately there are still areas which will never look as good as new.

I have decided to paint the engine. I will paint it black or silver, not sure. Maybe a combination such as lower cases silver and cylinder barrels black and the head silver or black?

Any thoughts or pictures to share?

I now need gaskets and seals. I was figuring on a Cometic MLS head gasket and copper base gasket. New Vitton valve seals and the remainder of seals and gaskets OEM Suzuki. The consensus seems to be most aftermarket gasket kits are questionable in quality.

Have spent lots of time researching front fork swaps and it is either going to be a Katana or GSXR, keeping the GS1100 rear swing arm and going with newer style wheels.

Cheers,
Daryl

 

[Guest]

Nice!

Nice!

Nice continuation.
How about silver cases, black cylinder and head with a silver VC? Then black or silver covers?
Anywa, The '90-'92 GSXR750 arms are about the same length as the GS1100's. The GSXR11 arms are anywhere from one to three inches longer than the GS11.
Sorry, but I think too many are worrying about teh fork length. Yes, it will be shorter and more with the smaller wheel, but you can clearence teh alt cover some and the igi cover as well. You gain some clearence back when you raise the rear to get a real 24 degree head angle. Only under the engine would be a problem with a traditional 4:1. Make a skid plate.
G

 

[Fjbj40]

That was along the lines I was thinking about the engine colors. I think the side covers being black will make the engine appear to be a bit narrower, which is a good thing.

So you are saying the GSXR750 swingarm is the same length, what about width? Does it need to be narrowed to fit?

Right now I am thinking I will keep the GS1100 swingarm, get GSXR1100 RSU forks or Katana forks. I would like to go with early GSXR or GS1150 18" wheels. This would return some of the lost ground clearance. :-k

I have Marzocchi rear shocks, they require a rebuild, but if that is to much I will get some new rear shocks. Thi assuming I do not switch to a rear mono shock set-up.:-k

Daryl

Nice continuation.
How about silver cases, black cylinder and head with a silver VC? Then black or silver covers?
Anywa, The '90-'92 GSXR750 arms are about the same length as the GS1100's. The GSXR11 arms are anywhere from one to three inches longer than the GS11.
Sorry, but I think too many are worrying about teh fork length. Yes, it will be shorter and more with the smaller wheel, but you can clearence teh alt cover some and the igi cover as well. You gain some clearence back when you raise the rear to get a real 24 degree head angle. Only under the engine would be a problem with a traditional 4:1. Make a skid plate.
G

 

[Big T]

You can get the Strada rebuild kits from Marzzochi UK

 

[Guest]

Swingers

Swingers

Hiya D
The GSXR arms are about 3/16 inch wider than the GS arms. I solve this problem by getting a small car jack and spreading the pivot a little. Really, it works and doesn't take much. It also gives you a little more chain clearence as well although it doesn't sound very advanced. The biggest problem is sometimes the pivot bolt is a little short. You then grind down the bosses on the outside of the frame. Or get an '80 to '82 1100E pivot bolt.
I think a single shock is the way to go no matter what. Cheaper and lighter and any GSXR shock is better than most cost effective duals. But it's only my opinion.
Laters
G