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1980 Wes Cooley in the garage....finally!

....

Other than the speedo it looks like the seat was shaved down in the front and the turn signals were changed. No worry unless you want to try to put it back to stock.

I thought the '80 version had the rectangular turn signals as opposed to the round one on the '79?
 
The mandate for the 85 mph speedometers was 9/79. I think it was fairly common to swap the 85's for the 140's.

We took the fairing off and Rob, Mark and I all think there is no way the gauges have been swapped out. Nothing looks like it has ever been disturbed from the factory...I will post pics we took. As for the signals...yes they should be the round chrome ones...Europe though had the rectangular ones in 80...the seat has been shaved indeed but done well...my thought on this is that the first owner likely made these changes early after purchase like so many did...Kerker, Derale cooler...etc

Gave it a quick wash before we started taking it apart...cleaned up real well...





Once we had it ready to start...it fired up in ten seconds!



Gas tank has rust in it so we put 20 litres on apple cider vinegar it for a few days...should take care of it...



All the electrics work...including the clock...



Gauges look original...



Cold compression looks good....

 
Carbs have some issues....lol



I think I can wash that filter and it will be good to go...



Squirrel!!!



Rob is very talented...did all this with just two tools...



Done for the evening....thanks so much to my buddy Rob...I have a lot of parts already here but now I need rear shocks, wheel bearings, 530 chain and sprocket conversion, float bowl gaskets, brake and clutch levers, grips and I am going to sent the mirrors to a "guy" to restore them. I have Sonic fork springs ready to go as well...
This bike has great bones..no rust what's so ever....very well looked after...

 
Trevor, Looking good, they sure do come apart fast, good to see that you have good help too.

I'm pretty sure the speedo was changed but probably done at the dealer before it rolled out of the shop. (the SN speedo would drop right in)

We have seen only one or two 1980 ST US bikes with the 140MPH speedo's so a few were done for sure.

My Boise Beauty has the 85MPH Speedo and the Canadian Cooley is built for Canadian market so has the 240KM/hr speedo.

While you have it part check the swing arm bushes, both mine were bad on the left side and needed replacement. (bike on side stand and moisture/water runs left)

Look forward to following your refurbish/rebuild, always nice to see another Cooley getting the love.

David.
 
Congrats Trevor

I've watched Rob field strip a GS 1000 in an hour or so

If you want to keep those S&W shocks, try this

1. Strip and clean
2. Drill a 4 mm hole on the side, just above the bottom
3. Pump the old oil out
4. Inject some Seafoam Transmission treatment into the hole, leave the shock body upside down for a day or so.
5. Tap the hole for a button head Allen bolt
6. Remove the Seafoam, rinse with some fork oil. Inject a few ounces of fork oil, plug the hole and reassemble/paint/etc

Worked on my GPz

But, knowing you, there will be some Ohlins on there soon
 
Congrats Trevor

I've watched Rob field strip a GS 1000 in an hour or so

If you want to keep those S&W shocks, try this

1. Strip and clean
2. Drill a 4 mm hole on the side, just above the bottom
3. Pump the old oil out
4. Inject some Seafoam Transmission treatment into the hole, leave the shock body upside down for a day or so.
5. Tap the hole for a button head Allen bolt
6. Remove the Seafoam, rinse with some fork oil. Inject a few ounces of fork oil, plug the hole and reassemble/paint/etc

Worked on my GPz

But, knowing you, there will be some Ohlins on there soon

How the heck did you know those were SW shocks??? lol And are they good enough in the first place to rebuild them?
Cheers
 
Trevor, you forget how old I am.
Besides, I have a pair that came with my GPz
They were only an average grade shock BITD, which is why they weren't rebuildable
But, they're a cool vintage item
If you don't want them, I could use some nicer yellow bits
 
How the heck did you know those were SW shocks??? lol And are they good enough in the first place to rebuild them?
Cheers

Too funny. I spotted them right away too. Had a set on my '77 750 Yamaha, couldn't afford the Koni's. Sometimes us old guys just surprise you with stuff don't we? LOL. If there are paint stripes still on the springs they'll tell you the spring rates are. That's if you can find a chart. Anyway, congratulations on getting it home. It's going to be a great project.
 
Yes on the fuel Tee and Crossover tubes. Get them from Z1 at about the same price but faster to get to you. I buy them from Z1 everytime i come across those schlitzzztzy plastic crap ones. The oring kits from Robert Barr will have the new orings for the metal ones so unless you mysteriously snap a metal one off you will never be replacing them again.
 
Sorry Chuck Z1 doesn't list them for the 80 Cooley,would be worth a call though.
 
Same as the 78 1000 nipples if i recall correctly.

Hey Trevor, measure your tee and crossovers from shoulder to shoulder and let me know the numbers. I will measure up the skunk and let you know what they are so youll have some numbers.
 
Look at how beautiful that thing is....... Well, until you ripped it apart!:D What are your plans for the bike, are you doing a restoration or just maintenance and cleaning?
 
Damn, on first view I was thinking they were the "after" photos! Stunning.
 
Look at how beautiful that thing is....... Well, until you ripped it apart!:D What are your plans for the bike, are you doing a restoration or just maintenance and cleaning?

Well the plan...
List of things I will be doing..

carbs are with Mark in his ultra sonic cleaner
I bought parts that I thought I would need for sure for the bike months ago...Avon Tires, Sonic fork springs, Robert Barr o-ring kit, inner and outer carb boots, oil pan gasket, valve gasket, clutch cable, exhaust gaskets, etc...
I still need brake and clutch levers, wheel bearings, probably should change the swing arm bushings, float bowl gaskets..

I will clean everything on the bike while it's apart. Including going through the wiring and cleaning and greasing connectors. The battery sitting in the bike all those years caused some rust and corrosion in the battery box and swing arm, so I will clean that up and paint them.
Oh and I need to get braided lines for the oil cooler too.
It's all only money right?? :eek:
This bike is already in nice shape so I don't think it will take much for it to be a very nice example of a 1000s...
The bike will be a keeper and I plan for it to be the one that will get the loin's share of riding come spring.
 
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Same as the 78 1000 nipples if i recall correctly.

Hey Trevor, measure your tee and crossovers from shoulder to shoulder and let me know the numbers. I will measure up the skunk and let you know what they are so youll have some numbers.
The 80 S and E came with BS CV carbs not the VM's the 78 and 9 had.
 
Same as the 78 1000 nipples if i recall correctly.

Hey Trevor, measure your tee and crossovers from shoulder to shoulder and let me know the numbers. I will measure up the skunk and let you know what they are so youll have some numbers.
Sorry Chuck the 80 1000's had BS series CV carbs not the VM's of the earlier models.
 
I know that!!! BUT the fuel tubes are the same size and length is what I meant. There are a few carbs ( BS) that have closer intake port spacing ..depending on the bikes CCs..but the 1000s should be the same. Least this is how I remember things. Thats why i asked Trevor for some shoulder to shoulder measurements and I can see what the VMs for the 1000s are spaced at. This will give him some more options when looking for replacements.
 
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