'80 GS1000G "Goldy" project

[7981GS]

I thought that I might as well start a thread dedicated to this project.

Started out as a $300.00 parts bike. When I got it:

After a few hours of work, I got it in running condition:

After scouring Ebay and all other sources, I managed to get the missing side covers. I bought an '82 GS1100G
and acquired a bunch of other Suzuki parts with it. Including some different rear shocks:

So, after installing the shocks, I got the idea to go with the Black/Gold theme even further.
With the help of Timtom on the GSR forum, he made an artist's rendering as to what I had envisioned. (sort of):

I started on the front rim as the tire that came with the bike purchase was dry rotted and
of questionable safety. :

While changing directions and building my new Suzuki Barn, I purchased another bike.
It is a '83 GS1100E. It has the coveted aluminum swing arm and the black exhaust that I was looking for:

I decided to use the far superior front suspension on the Goldy project as well:

Continued...

 

[7981GS]

After braving the bitter cold today (25F), I managed to fab up the exhaust on Goldy:

With the help of Rustybronco I got a gauge back that was in better condition that the one that came with the bike and had hit pavement on both sides:

Installed the front wheel well enough to push it out of the cold and into the Suzuki Barn:

Daniel

 

[bigboresuzuki]

Hi there,love the job on the gauges case.What type of paint did you use?
Cheers Mark.

 

[7981GS]

The same paint that I have been using on the rim and calipers.
High-temp VHT caliper paint (900 degree) and Dupli-Color clear engine enamel (500 degree).

Daniel

 

[TSCC]

A JPS replica.

 

[7981GS]

Finished installing the new bars from the 1100 as well as the master cylinder.
Mocked up some more parts today to get a better idea of how she'll look.
Still have to finish cleaning the engine and painting it black.
I am going to remove the chrome trim on the turn signals and paint them gold also.
Carb. bodies will be black with gold tops also.
I even got the "not correct" stickers for the side cases.

Daniel

 

[850GT_Rider]

Correct or not, the stickers look great! :clap: Are they gold or silver?

Where did you get them?

 

[7981GS]

www.classicmotorcycledecals.com
I got the gold ones for this project.
I was just going to paint over the stock lettering but, these might work better.

Dan

 

[Runningdog]

I like the vision, Dan.....make the bike individual, but make the mods look factory...details, details, details. Hope it ends up looking as good in the metal as in the photos....

 

[7981GS]

As the PO decided to bugger up the exhaust bolt hole by replacing an 8mm with a 10mm, I had to install
a Keen-sert so that I would not have to damage the OEM hole in the exhaust flange to make it work.
I had to drill a 27/64" hole, tap and install.

More on the results, tomorrow...

Daniel

 

[7981GS]

Moving along at a snail's pace...

Daniel

 

[81ZUKI75]

Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty 3

Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty 3

Reminds me of another classic...

 

[7981GS]

Not a whole lot done today.
I still have to take the chrome trim off of the turn signals and make them gold along with the final drive,
rear shock dust covers, grab rail and rear rim.
I am not having a great time bleeding the front brakes.
I'll get to painting the carb bodies black when I re-jet them.
And, of course, I have to cut and weld rear muffler mounts with new passenger peg mounts.

Daniel

 

[7981GS]

Got the axle mounted, the forks filled and adjusted, the front brakes bleed and slapped her back together. Went for a ride to work out the bugs in the fork dampening.

I don't remember ever having a bike that was this quiet before, so much for the 4 valve exhaust not working on a 2 valve, eh?...
(click on video)



Daniel

 

[ironfoot]

Looks very nice, Daniel. I have always liked the classic Black with gold pinstriping on bikes and cars.

Did you do your engine painting while the engine was in the bike? I didn't see any pics of the engine removed; the engine paint and detail is the focal point on your project for me; well done!

 

[rustybronco]

I suspect there might be some 1100E owners who would like to have had that exhaust you put on your bike and are cringing over it about right now. Personally, I don't see how you could have pulled off the look without them on it.

I like it!!!

 

[7981GS]

It has been a concept that I had in my head with some improvements along the way.
I really did not want to just install one of my black headers or just paint stock pipes.
I got lucky while trying to purchase a few sets of pipes from various vendors on Ebay and had settled on a set from an '84 1150E for about $250 with shipping.
About that time, I found an '83 1100E for sale locally and just bought the bike.
Bonus's were the anti-dive front forks and improved brakes.
Also I got the aluminum swing arm, rims and engine to go into the '79 Cooley!
The PO of the 1100E had already taken a hack saw to the tail of the 1100E, added a bicycle seat and couldn't find the parts to weld back on.
I gave him back the bicycle seat for his next bobber idea.
So, fixing the 1100E was going to take too long finding parts to repair the "improvements."
Most of the remaining parts from the 1100E will be fair game for those on this forum that are in need.
Including the frame with a clean title.
Yes, I painted the engine in the frame. It doesn't look too bad.
When I find the funds to do it right, the chrome parts will be anodized or powder coated.
When ever I pull the engine to make it into an 1100, 1136 or 1174 I will re-clean meticulously and re-paint the engine.
I basically wanted to see if I liked what the results looked like before committing to the expense of doing it right.
Strangely enough, it seems to run quite a bit better with the 1100 exhaust than it did with the stock pipes. Perhaps they breath better?
Still have more work to do to it like painting the final drive and rear rim gold. And the carb bodies black.
That will happen when she gets the new tire that is waiting to be installed right now.
So far, including paint, tires and donor parts, I am into this bike for under $500.00.
Not too shabby.

 

[Tim Tom]

Nice Work

Nice Work

Now that is a nice looking 850!! :clap:

I love that first photo with the sky in the background. Really nice shot of a nice looking bike!

Once the carbs and rear wheel gets painted up too your gonna have a super nice 'midnight special' GS.

Congrats and keep us posted. Its the last 10% of a build that really makes a bike pop.

 

[niclpnut]

What did you use to do the gold on the heat fins?

Nic

 

[7981GS]

What did you use to do the gold on the heat fins?

Nic

They are paint sticks.
I'll have to check tomorrow. I had to pay WAY too much for them but they last forever on the engine.
I used the silver on another bike with a black engine instead of grinding.
It was recommended on an Automotive forum that I visit.
I got some of the colors through Amazon.Com as none of the local supply houses/craft shops sold them.
The Red, worked perfectly inside the numbers on the side covers on my 750.

Daniel