1982 GS750E Monoposto

[Guest]

I just finished a semi-custom restoration of an '82 GS750E. I always liked early GS's but did not care for the long bench seat or the way the logos and stripes all slanted towards the middle of the bike, giving it a swayback look. And the rear tail section just sticks out the back a bit too far in my opinion. To accomplish my goal I removed 5" from the rear by cutting the subframe and moving it up and forward, welding it on top of the main frame.

I found this bike rode hard and left outside wet a while back although it ran great. No engine teardown was needed but the rest of the bike was a full restoration down to every last bolt. List of mods is below the pic, no changes to suspension geometries or riding stance.



? Removed 5? from rear subframe by cutting behind shock mount, lifting the cut off section on top of the frame rail and sliding it forward 5? then welding subframe on top of remaining frame
? Raised rear of fuel tank 2?
? Raised side cover mounts 2?
? New single seat with handmade wooden base
? Stripped, degreased and painted engine with VHT paint then baked to cure
? Replaced large ?dashboard? type instrument cluster with separate tach/speedo units, cut down instrument stalk between the gauges to remove gear indicator and fuel gauge
? Replaced front turn signals with smaller ones. Integrated rear turn signals into side cavities in taillight
? Replaced stock handlebars with superbike bend handlebar
? Modified front fender (shortened)
? Powdercoated frame and wheels
? New paint on all body panels with hand pinstriping to reflect original stripe design and colors
? Stainless steel Galfer brake lines, rebuilt brake masters and calipers, new brake pads
? Stock exhaust with Ceracote "chrome" finish
? New sprockets and drive chain
? Progressive shocks
? New Continental tires

 

[Guest]

1982 GS750E Monoposto

This is what I started with:

 

[trevor]

Awesome! Really like the finished product. You have talent my friend.

 

[Guest]

Great Work! Nice subtle, effective upgrades

 

[Grimly]

Nice end result, but the original had been hacked around horribly by some POs, giving it that look you didn't like.
Seems to be a mixture of bits in there, of 'L' and 'non-L'.

 

[tosaw]

I really like what you did here! One minor nitpick, find a way to get rid of that wrinkle on the seat cover, it's the only thing keeping it from looking 100% professional.

 

[dorkburger]

Looks good. I like that the shock mount gusset is still in place. I hate when the cafe guys simply cut that part off and leave the remnant open and unfinished.
The raised tank makes the engine look smaller due to the newfound space around it. Not a criticism, just an observation....

 

[Guest]

I really like what you did here! One minor nitpick, find a way to get rid of that wrinkle on the seat cover, it's the only thing keeping it from looking 100% professional.

looks good, not butchered, but its amateur hour until the seat gets fixed

 

[Guest]

Amateur hour?? Wow. The seat has a crease in it (on both sides... oh, the horror!) because the cover is a single piece of vinyl stretched across multiples complex curves. There is no way to "tuck" or stretch it out of existence. The only way to eliminate it is to have a proper cover sewn and I will likely do that this winter.

But "amateur hour" considering the rest of the build and mods? What a stupid statement.

 

[Guest]

You've done a lot of cleaning and maintenance and personalized the bike and it looks good other than the seat upholstery. I wouldn't call it a "build" and i don't see a lot of "mods" it looks pretty stock, which is good.
But the poorly done seat takes away from the otherwise good looking bike and makes it look homemade and amateur hour.

and speaking of stupid statements .....

"New single seat with handmade wooden base"

and welcome to the forum

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Looks good to me. I don't know what the proper definition of "build" is. But there is clearly a lot of nice detailed work here. Nicely done. I'd ride it with pride.

 

[Guest]

You've done a lot of cleaning and maintenance and personalized the bike and it looks good other than the seat upholstery. I wouldn't call it a "build" and i don't see a lot of "mods" it looks pretty stock, which is good.
But the poorly done seat takes away from the otherwise good looking bike and makes it look homemade and amateur hour.

and speaking of stupid statements .....

"New single seat with handmade wooden base"

So what exactly, oh wise one, is stupid about that statement?

And please enlighten me on what constitutes a "build". You say I "did a lot of cleaning and maintenance...", did you even read the list of changes made to the bike?

 

[Guest]

OK, I'll bite

Now, a wooden seat base has no place on a motorcycle, even if it is hand made.
(aren't all wooden motorcycle seats handmade?)

You posted the picture, do you not expect responses?
I said it looked good other than the (ugly seat). I'm not the only person to say so.
you took offence and posted the "stupid statement " remark.

of course I read your list
sorry, but I guess i just don't like the term build (but I do like parentheses) and I don't see a lot of mods in your list.


so I posted something back...

oh wise one, enlighten me? thanks, I'm flattered

spend some time over the winter and make a nice looking seat with a metal or fiberglass base. (it needs a little rear fender)

you're welcome

 

[1978GS750E]

I like it! Some nice work you have done to get it looking so good!

 

[Rob S.]

Top is "before", bottom is "after"? You changed the seat, exhaust, took the red off the cams?

You certainly cleaned it up and it looks nice (didn't read the whole thread yet). I wouldn't berate any of your work, but I do think a better ($) seat would do wonders for it's looks.

I've always been drawn to the seats on bikes. Back in the 1970's, getting a new, custom seat was big. HUGE.

Seats are big visual draws on bikes - right up there with engines and tanks. Hell, they've already covered up the engines and much of the tanks.

 

[Guest]

OK, got the message... the seat cover sucks. I will do something about that, thank you for the feedback! And thank you all for the comments, both good and bad. I actually expected more negative about cutting a classic.

Take care all and keep the shiny side up.

Dave

 

[salty_monk]

Looks good to me. I think it might look good with a Guilara seat....