84 GS750 EF resto-mod The "Diversion" Project

[holyroller]

Greetings. As the title suggests, I have found myself a new (to me) bike. It was totally unplanned and a very pleasant surprise.

I have a number of other projects bikes on the go, the most pressing being a frame up caf? racer build of a 78 GS1000. That is an ongoing project.

My work keeps me very busy and my bikes are located in MY corner of my father's workshop on our family farm about 25 minutes from my apartment in Belleville, Ontario. Haven't bought a house yet although on the lookout now. All this means I can only really work on the bikes on holidays and weekends.

I refuse to pay someone to do work on my bikes unless absolutely necessary (as in I find an issue that I am wholly inept to address). The purpose of this hobby is to give me something with a constant learning curve and tangible results. I love the "hands on" nature of mechanics. Additionally, bikes are so much easier to work on than old cars.

So, I told my wife that I might look for a "runner" to have while I work on the other projects (none of which run currently).

Day after Christmas I stumbled on a 84 gs750 EF on Kijjiji (similar to Gumtree or Craig's List for those who do not know). Guy wanted $1000 for it and it was currently insured and running. It peaked my interest. It didn't peak my wife's however! $1000 just after Christmas was not going to happen.

I BEGGED and pleaded with her.. and finally I hit the right vein. If I sold off one of my part's bikes/future projects... then she would let me buy this one. (We have all used that line I bet!)

I called the guy expecting the bike to be gone... but it was still available. He had a number of calls but no takers. I went to take a look and loved it.

I had never even seen a full fairing GS750 of that vintage.

I returned home and did a little research... and more begging. I emailed the guy and offered him $600 cash. He said if I take it off his property that day, deal done. So I did.

Here is a picture of the bike (already seen by anyone coming over from my previous thread). It is still upside down and I will correct that shortly.

 

[holyroller]

The reason I have called it the "Diversion" project is that I had no plans on either picking up another bike in the short-term or working on another bike OTHER than the GS1000. However, this bike is amazing, I already love it, and since it already runs like a top, I think it would be worth the time in the near term to at least restore the bodywork. I will do a frame up rebuild at the end of next season.

I have been happily and joyfully diverted.

 

[holyroller]

Here is a video of the bike running. Keep in mind it was -8c and it was a completely cold start.

 

[holyroller]

After getting the bike home, I went for a very enjoyable rip on it. It was cold... -6c or so. Didn't care though. I totally love the bike. Lots of power, good handling and nice relaxed rider stance.

I previously owned a 89 GSXR750R (black and silver model) and this bike sounds, not surprisingly, similar.

Did a quick inventory:

The Good:

Both tires are less than two months old and barely used. Rear is a Kenda, which is what it is, but at least I don't need to spend money on rubber.
Seat was just re-upholstered in early October.
The lower fairing (much harder to replace if necessary) has not been plastic welded or otherwise fixed at all. Just painted.
Brakes pads are new
It has an undamaged Kerker K2 exhaust. Big plus there as pretty expensive to replace.
The forks are in excellent shape... no rust on the stanchions. That is rare for bikes of this age. Most of my bikes come with awful upper forks.
Everything works on the bike. Any work I do is purely out of choice rather than necessity. This is very unusual for me.
Cost $600 and it runs like a top. Merry Christmas to me.


The Bad:

It has 85000 kms on it. Not the end of the world but it is a lot.
It has these little LED signal lights... I want to restore the bike, so will need the originals. I think the PO has them but one is broken.
The bikini fairing has a crack on the right side where it attaches to the lower fairing. Not major but needs to be repaired.
I am pretty sure the tank has been dented and filled. There is a very visable dent just above the seat. I am going to strip the tank so I will find out soon enough.
There appears to be a very small oil leak, possibly base gasket. I haven't had time to check where yet. It is very small.
The bike needs a lot of TLC and hours of cleaning and polishing. (Good thing I love to do this type of work!)

More to follow I am sure....

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Wonder whether those turn signals are the same as on the '84 1150ES. If so, I have a set you can have for shipping. I gotta pay it forward in honor of Glen.

 

[holyroller]

Greetings Pilot. I am very thankful for the offer, and may take you up on that. I will get back to you.

Pardon my ignorance, but who is Glen?

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Glen is Dorkburger.

 

[GSX1000E]

You did very well with that purchase. The exhaust is probably worth half or more of what you paid for it. And it does sound good.
After you work on cleaning the electrics including adding a couple more grounds and check the valve lash, it will probably sound even better.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

GSX, you have mail.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

And ... those signals have been claimed by someone who has helped me out here recently.

 

[holyroller]

That is no problem re: signals. I will track down a set somewhere! I think the PO has three unblemished ones... he says he does. I will push him to get them sooner than later.

Anyway, all the fairing bits are off the bike. I am a little wary of getting at it.. no going back but I really like the original colour scheme on these bikes. I could be persuaded towards another colour scheme but I can't imagine what at the moment.

I am also wary of doing any work at all! I know that what starts out as small project "A" can very quickly spiral into full rebuild project "B". I hope to avoid that for the present.

More pics to come shortly.

 

[holyroller]

Removed the fairings today. Will have tank, fender and rear cowl off tomorrow morning.

 

[holyroller]

Lots of parts to sand and paint.

 

[holyroller]

I am wondering whether anyone around here knows where to source a good but not too expensive set of braided lines for the front and back brakes?

I think I would like to upgrade the brakes before spring.

 

[steve murdoch]

I have bought 3 sets of lines from Apex in Toronto and been very pleased with the results.
http://www.apexbrakes.com/

 

[SVSooke]

K&S make repro signals,see post 202 on my follow up thread in my sig.Yellow's gone but I'm going to repaint,might be back to Yeller,might go white. Probably be something completely different+1 on Apex SS lines.

 

[holyroller]

Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it. I will check Apex out immediately.

 

[holyroller]

I don't know why, but I like the original colours on these bikes. I do however, also really like the black and red look. Gorgeous. Attempted to get at the sanding today but couldn't b/c I have a nasty stomach bug at the moment. Laid up in bed. Back at it as soon as possible.

Can any of you guys fill me in on how the bike handles (stock)? I wonder whether progressive springs would be a good investment or whether it is just not necessary. Any thoughts on your experiences riding these bikes?

 

[SVSooke]

Handle pretty darn good in my books but I'm slow and don't really push my bikes or myself.I'd look into Sonic http://www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/ straight rate springs rather than Progressives. Haven't treated the 750 or 1000 to a set yet but I keep saying I should.The 750 is OK for me without air but I'm guessing the 1000 will need help.

 

[mikerophone]

I rather like the handling of my 83 750ES. I think I will do Sonic Springs but refilled my forks with a slightly heavier mix of oil in the meantime and run Pirelli Sport Demons. It's not a GSXR by any means but I love the stance, the power and the look, these bikes have just enough fairing for my tastes.


I've ridden cruisers for years and although I love the speed and handling of them, I don't like the stance and am not partial to the look of bullet/sport bikes. The ES/EFE models as well as Honda's Interceptor and early CBR/Hurricane models are the happy medium between the 2 styles for me.


You could always upgrade the forks or rear end to GSXR or bandit type, unless you want to keep it stock, which I'd personally recommend.