'79 GS1000E project start

[oldGSfan]

They are EPM, front is magnesium and is amazingly light. They are running tubeless as the slicks I took off were. They needed a bit of help sealing up with some Xtra seal goo. They are fine, holding air etc. I wanted to powdercoat them and my neighbor manages a shop but nobody here would touch magnesium so I spray bombed them after a lot of prep.

Tom,I like the gold wheels you have on your GS1100EZ,are they tubeless tire applicable ?
I had an 82' 1100E of the same color in the early 90's and always wanted to install new tires without tubes,but.. :concern:

 

[grcamna2]

They are EPM, front is magnesium and is amazingly light. They are running tubeless as the slicks I took off were. They needed a bit of help sealing up with some Xtra seal goo. They are fine, holding air etc. I wanted to powdercoat them and my neighbor manages a shop but nobody here would touch magnesium so I spray bombed them after a lot of prep.

Wow,true magnesium 'Mags' ! The bike must ride excellent over all different road surfaces.What width are they compared to your stock aluminum wheels ?

 

[oldGSfan]

Rear is 18x3.5 vs 17x2.5 stock, and I run a 140/70. Front is 18x2.5 vs 19x2.15 stock and I run a 100/90. Both Avon Roadriders. The 1100E rides well but I like the overall feel of the '79 GS1000 just a bit better, to be honest. It's a longer stretch to the bars on the 1100E and I may put stock bars on, which I have, but that means longer brake lines. I put Shinkos on the GS1000E 712s on due to budget issues and they seem fine.

Wow,true magnesium 'Mags' ! The bike must ride excellent over all different road surfaces.What width are they compared to your stock aluminum wheels ?

 

[oldGSfan]

I found a stock airbox really cheap on eBay with decent side covers, this is the worse side of the two and it's fine, overall patina of the bike is similar.

Bonus: Looking at the '79's rear airbox section on the diagram, its shape sure looked a lot like the '82 GS1100E to me. Since mine was already out of the red '82 I tried it and it fits perfectly. It's a different part number and the housing is 'fluted' underneath, but other than that I can't see any difference. It even came with a fresh air filter.

I'll sell my K&N pods and be up overall. I am going to fit the OK GS850 pipes on it instead of selling them, and if all goes well I'll sell the V&H.

 

[Nessism]

Just a little FYI FWIW...

When fussing around with my (now departed) 1000S, anytime the airbox was disturbed, such as when the rear airbox was separated from the front, or when the lid was removed, the bike immediately went into a high idle situation. The system is very sensitive.

 

[oldGSfan]

Thanks for tip, I'm going through the rubber bits and renewing them and also will put a new foam strip on the lid as it's degraded. I'll get it set up as best I can. I'll have to yank the Dynojet #138 mains, not sure if needles need to be changed back. I have been reading that just a bit over stock mains helps but nothing drastic, will keep researching.

Just a little FYI FWIW...

When fussing around with my (now departed) 1000S, anytime the airbox was disturbed, such as when the rear airbox was separated from the front, or when the lid was removed, the bike immediately went into a high idle situation. The system is very sensitive.

 

[oldGSfan]

Well, I'm done with the project, the bike's running really well, I am extremely happy with the outcome. The engine's smooth, powerful and oil tight, the suspension is spot on, stock up front and the rebuilt Fox shocks out back. The plugs look good after a long ride today, carbs are synced and set up well, no flat spots. The brakes are super strong and it handles and rides beautifully. It's my favorite of my 3 current runners. Last touch was to mount the $5 fork cover that I repaired, so I dropped the forks off and installed earlier today.

I'll be doing a riding video in the morning and will post link. Thanks to all for your help in answering questions and some stuff I needed (Ed that's you!)

 

[steve murdoch]

Are you sure the GS850 stock exhaust will fit?

Like the look of the lightly polished fork legs.

 

[Nessism]

You done well Tom. Now ride the crap out of it!

BTW, how do you like the seat comfort?

 

[oldGSfan]

Thanks Ed, it's certainly cushy, and given the size of the seat it's OK to sink down a bit. Sort of Barcalounger like, which means it makes a great first impression. But I prefer firm, always have.

You done well Tom. Now ride the crap out of it!

BTW, how do you like the seat comfort?

Yeah Steve, the exhausts definitely fit, all the mounts lined up both sides in all locations. I just need to ream out the holes on the flanges a bit, and at the moment I'd rather be riding.... with earplugs.

Are you sure the GS850 stock exhaust will fit?

Like the look of the lightly polished fork legs.

 

[oldGSfan]

Took a video with my Rylo, haven't used much and the first ones I took had terrible sound so I put some microfiber over the mic input which helped. Just a ride around the neighborhood. My speedometer cable shredded itself the other day, a replacement is in the mail.

 

[oldGSfan]

Took a ride today, beautiful out and the GS is running well.

 

[Sandy]

Look Trevor. Nice clean black motorcycle with the required shiny bits. LOL

 

[craz1]

Nice looking bike

 

[limeex2]

The shocks look great.
For others here is the link to the shock rebuild and parts site.
http://www.evolutionsuspensionproducts.com/

Thanks for the link on the fox shocks repair site. Looks like a great place!

 

[Rob S.]

Tom,
In the August 6 photo, the bike appears to be wearing the stock exhaust (or at least a 4-into-2), while in the December 19 pic it's the V&H 'Street Megaphone.' What were you running in the August 7 ride?

If you're taking requests, how about a ride along video starring Mr. Turbo?

 

[oldGSfan]

Rob, that's a '79 GS850 exhaust that I was checking for fit. It will work just fine with one mod - a bit of Dremel action to widen the exhaust flange hole spacing. I'm still undecided if I will bother with that. I may just sell the exhaust. It runs fine with the V&H, as in the video, and isn't too loud. And I need the $.

As for the Mr. Turbo, I may do that this week. It's been exceedingly cold here, daytime high's only into mid 60's. Just kidding! Real reason is I've been restoring my '69 Airstream and it's quite a lot of work, no time to ride much lately.

Tom,
In the August 6 photo, the bike appears to be wearing the stock exhaust (or at least a 4-into-2), while in the December 19 pic it's the V&H 'Street Megaphone.' What were you running in the August 7 ride?

If you're taking requests, how about a ride along video starring Mr. Turbo?

 

[Rob S.]

As for the Mr. Turbo, I may do that this week.

I hope you're not just teasing me!

I've got a million questions...

What are the parameters of the boost? Is it adjusted with a tool, or a knob that you could conceivably reach down and adjust at a stop sign? Or do you have to make other adjustments if you want to increase the boost? (Jetting, timing?) Are there any lights/gauges that come with the turbo? Where are they? (On the handle bars, the engine?)

How much do you charge per question? Wait, that one doesn't count!

 

[oldGSfan]

No worries, ask away Rob! I charged up the camera and bike's batteries today, haven't used either in a while. Tomorrow perhaps.

The boost is adjusted at the blowoff valve with a wrench, it's a simple locknut arrangement like a cam chain tensioner which adjusts the internal spring tension. The valve's quite simple, I took it apart to clean it, just a little chamber with that spring holding the piston back with variable force. See below pic, valve hanging off the bottom of the exhaust collector.

The gauge pictured below was part of the Mr Turbo kit, it's liquid filled and has a mount made for the Suzuki. Pretty rare piece I imagine. Right now it's not registering, I think it's the line from the blowoff valve to the gauge, it's pretty soft rubber and I think may be flexing. When I hit it with compressed air it works fine. I will get proper line. The bike needs a rev limiter.

That's it for controls/gauges.

It ran 25 lbs boost at Bonneville but it's set to 15 lbs now. I think the timing was something like 25 degrees advance but that's just something that stuck in my mind from a conversation with the owner, who wasn't a tuner. I imagine changing boost radically may require some adjusting but I don't think anything needed changing except the blowoff valve tension for it's latest street escapades. It runs just fine on premium and with that massive oil cooler it stays in normal temp range.

Once it gets into the boost at about 7K, to be honest it is just scary, it takes off so fast that my reflexes can't keep up. I had a 150HP Multistrada which was my most powerful bike up to this one, and the acceleration is on another order entirely.

I hope you're not just teasing me!

I've got a million questions...

What are the parameters of the boost? Is it adjusted with a tool, or a knob that you could conceivably reach down and adjust at a stop sign? Or do you have to make other adjustments if you want to increase the boost? (Jetting, timing?) Are there any lights/gauges that come with the turbo? Where are they? (On the handle bars, the engine?)

How much do you charge per question? Wait, that one doesn't count!

 

[oldGSfan]

My luck - my Rylo camera is kaput, think it's just the battery so I have to research and buy one or two. I did take it for a nice ride on the Ortega, it's just about the most perfect day you could wish for here.

On the GS1000E topic, I have a 'spare' GS1100E aluminum swingarm that is eyeballing me and asking to be put on the '79 GS.