1978 Suzuki GS750 project

[ValorSolo]

Polished the ignition cover. Not too bad.

My brother was suppose to bring me a sisal wheel, but brought a 3-pack instead.
None of the 3 was a sisal, but they'll get used.
Here's my 8" grinder with the stitched wheel from the pack.

I stripped the paint from my tank with a side grinder wire wheel attached to the above grinder.

Hidden under the paint were some nasty holes. I'll have to get someone to braise them.

Also some hidden dents, covered by paint and bondo.
I'll see if these can be filled with a braising rod when I have the holes done.

At least the flame decals are gone.

 

[ValorSolo]

I hopefully just made the final two purchases of this phase of the project.

Harley Davidson Taillight $17.98

and

Chrome Rear Fender $29.98

That puts me at just over $1000.00.
But I should have a solid bike after I get everything put together.
I'll have to save up for a few months before I can move on to the next phase.
That will include handlebars, controls, grips, headlight, gauges and a lot of electrical work.
Some exhaust work. I'm keeping the 4-2 pipes, but I'd like to put on a sportier muffler and bend the mid pipe up a few degrees.
Maybe paint the headers and leave the can chrome.
I also want to strip the frame, sand blast it and paint it.

 

[ValorSolo]

My chrome rear fender came today. I put it on and it looks great.
It bolted up fine to the frame, but only in the front holes.
I fastened it to the inner fender with a couple of holes drilled.
It's fairly sturdy as it is, but I'll fix it proper.

It wouldn't bolt to the rear holes, where the turn signals go.
But I knew that before I bought it.
I'll make a couple of nice, shiny brackets to go there and that will sturdy it right up.
After I get the taillight mounted, I'll snap a picture or two.

 

[TheCafeKid]

I don't think I've ever seen someone turn an "E" into an "L"...
But, it's coming along well enough

 

[tkent02]

I don't think I've ever seen someone turn an "E" into an "L"...

Seems just wrong, doesn't it?
My 650G was partially "L"ed when I got it.

Not anymore.

4-1 pipe going on this week...

 

[ValorSolo]

The rear fender didn't look right on that one, Tom.
But you sure made it look great afterwards. Very nice.

What are you doing with the exhaust setup that's on it now?
Those mufflers look very good. Would be super sweet all done in black ceramic.
Or maybe just the pipes and collector in ceramic and leave the mufflers chrome.

Josh, it's coming along okay, a little slow, but okay.
I've been almost too busy to mess with it at all this past week.
15 minutes here and 15 minutes there, barely worked on it 2 hours total all week.
I was hoping to get more done today and upload some pictures.

 

[ValorSolo]

My handlebars, grips and controls need a lot of work.

I wanted to switch out my cluster with some white face mini gauges, but these are starting to grow on me.

I'm gonna try to take them apart and clean-polish-paint what ever I can.
I need new grips, there's no re-using the old ones. It had some cheap HD knock-off crap when I got it.
New controls, as well, unless I can paint these up and replace the decals.
I'd like to have everything I need decided by the time I get my Superbike bars.

Oh yeah, I also need a new headlight bucket. I would like to see what a 6" light would be like on here.

One thing I really like is those rectangular mirrors.

 

[DannyMotor]

SHeesh... lot done so far! I like where you're going with this!

The new seat does look worlds better than the old one. You can freshen up those gauges pretty easily... save you a couple of bucks there... and also the controls... other than that throttle tube (yikes).

Depending on what grips you go with... I strongly suggest taking a grinder or dremel and losing all those 'ribs' on the throttle tube, as well as knocking down and narrowing that angled lip on the left-side. (Leave some lip to prevent the throttle tube from slapping around in the casing). But once it's smooth... use clear spraypaint on it and slide your grips on. Holds like glue and you won't have any annoying bumps under your grip.

I always install dirtbike/super-bike grips on everything I have... so those ribs REALLY make for an uncomfortable grip.

 

[ValorSolo]

That tube was broke when I removed the grip. Apparently the PO just covered it up with the new grip.
I'll want to replace that when I put on the other bar. If I can figure how to get the thing off.
Good tip on the paint. I'll give that a try.

I've looked at dozens of grips, but haven't decided on any yet.

 

[DannyMotor]

ProGrip and Renthal are all I run, they're very comfortable and some of the only grips that don't leave my hands numb (especially on my 2-stroke).

The harder the compound the more vibration you'll feel.

My bike had foam/rubber grandpa cruiser grips on it when I got it... THOSE were a b*tch to remove. Hahah...

 

[ValorSolo]

I was looking at some ProGrips this morning on eBay.

Today, I found a 1/2" or 5/8" stainless steel rod about 4' long, in my shed.
I placed it in the vice and fired up the torch. Now I have my grab bar.

And after a little cleaning. Still a lot of work to do.

So after I get it all cleaned and smoothed, I'll get some brackets welded on and then polish it up.

 

[ValorSolo]

I received my carbs in the mail today. Thanks Josh. They look great.
Might actually be riding this thing before too much longer. With a little luck.
There's still so much to do. But hey, that's why I bought it and not a new bike.
I'll get a lot more satisfaction out of something I had to put sweat and blood into, rather than just money.
Although, by the time I'm through, I'll have almost half the money in it as a new one.
And I really do enjoy working on it. Honest.

 

[DannyMotor]

Haha.. glad to hear its moving along! Youll be up and running in no time!

 

[TheCafeKid]

I received my carbs in the mail today. Thanks Josh. They look great.
Might actually be riding this thing before too much longer. With a little luck.
There's still so much to do. But hey, that's why I bought it and not a new bike.
I'll get a lot more satisfaction out of something I had to put sweat and blood into, rather than just money.
Although, by the time I'm through, I'll have almost half the money in it as a new one.
And I really do enjoy working on it. Honest.

Damn that was quick! Glad you like em. Wish I'd had some better screws to use for the caps and bowls, but alas no one around here stocks those little metric buggers. I should order a batch from McMaster-Carr.

Should be "nearly" plug and play, obviously you'll have to dynamic sync them at some point, and you may have to play wih the air screw. But like I said, if ya need any direction, give me a buzz

 

[ValorSolo]

Yeah, I was a little surprises that they came today. I was figuring on tomorrow.

No problem on the fasteners, I can put those in anytime.
But for future reference, doesn't Robert Barr carry the stainless fasteners at cycle o-rings?
I know he sells them, but not sure if he has them for the VM carbs.

 

[TheCafeKid]

Yeah, I was a little surprises that they came today. I was figuring on tomorrow.

No problem on the fasteners, I can put those in anytime.
But for future reference, doesn't Robert Barr carry the stainless fasteners at cycle o-rings?
I know he sells them, but not sure if he has them for the VM carbs.

I was under the impression all he carried were the intake boot bolts. I'll have to look but last I knew he didn't have any bolts for VMs.

 

[TheCafeKid]

By the way ignore the angry face. I'm on my iPhone and sometimes my giant fingers hit random things without me noticing...hahaha

 

[ValorSolo]

My turn signals arrived from China today. $7.54 for four lights, and they are actually very nice quality.
The first set was lost in the mail, but the seller was gracious enough to send another set, no charge.

They are smaller than they looked on eBay.

I told the guy I would share the link, so if anyone's interested.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370445997928

 

[ValorSolo]

I think I've envisioned the final destination of this project.
I want the dual disc brake system of an "E", and the headlight and rear fender of a "L".
Everything else will be stock, except my modified tank, custom battery box and superbike bars.
Maybe a few other minor modifications. Like the HD tail light and Chinese turn signals.
Everything I do will be bolt on and completely reversible.

As for what I've been doing to my bike recently, absolutely nothing.
Oh, well almost nothing. I did play around with the wiring. Just enough to know it's a mess.
I plan to finish my tank mod this coming week. Then buy all my paint the following week.
Once I get a tank on it, I'll be ready to fire it up and hopefully get it road tested.

 

[7981GS]

You will have to modify the back end of the seat also or it will certainly look goofy with that large opening between the seat and rear fender.

Eric