Another one saved

[mriddle]

Last year before the Brown County Rally, I stumbled across an add in Craigslist for a 1981 Suzuki GS1100E.

No picture and verbiage ..


This Suzuki is cosmetically perfect but does not currently run. Bike needs an intake cam to get it running. Will sell entire bike or part it out if you need something specific.

I contacted the seller and arranged to send a deposit to hold it until I was on the way back from the rally.

My thoughts were that I could use the parts (and potentially salvage the engine to fix my crashed 1981 GS750E.

After seeing the pics .. I was confident that I would want the bike.


2008.05.18 I was accompanied as I went to see the bike in person by Josh, Steve and Victor.

While the bike had it's issues .. this was not a candidate for parting.

2008.06.15 I visited the Ohio gang again where Steve (and Bonita) was (were) good enough to help me snag the bike and stow it in his (their) garage for later repair. Jim came down on Bad Juju for support. Josh was there helping too.

 

[Monty850]

Did Steve get it done? I knew it was about ready to be put back together.

 

[mriddle]

Inspection of the cylinder head revealed the reason for the intake cam snapping. Steve will have to explain it as I do not recall the details.

As time for Josh and Steve allowed .. (and cash flow for me) .. we obtained a pair of replacement cams .. all the gaskets and other goodies we think of to bring one of these bikes back into service.

Steve went through the carbs and gave the bike a good once over (several times).

When the bike was first reassembled, there was an inordinate amount of smoking from the exhaust. .. bummer.

 

[mighty13d]

oh keep going. I hope this wasn't the end of your story for now.

and valve seals or piston rings for the smoking???

 

[mriddle]

Off comes the head again. ..

Steve had the cylinder head inspected by a qualified machine shop and found the cylinder block to be healthy and in spec.

New rings are ordered and the cylinders honed (not bored).


2009.03.25 Steve and Josh are installing the new rings .. bike runs .. one cylinders 1,2 and 3. Off with it's head again.


2009.03.26 Josh informs me that the bike is cursed. .. this time the exhaust cam is snapped.

When I had purchased an intake cam (first one that broke) I bought the pair. It was the second to that pair (exhaust this time) that snapped. Steve reinstalled the original exhaust cam.

Purrs like a 500 pound kitten now.

 

[mriddle]

2009.03.28 Steve earned the honor and takes it for it's maiden ride since being repaired.

 

[mriddle]

Josh gets his road test.

 

[mriddle]

Coming soon to a Rally near you

Coming soon to a Rally near you

 

[Monty850]

Glad to see it up and running!

 

[mighty13d]

so he meant to post this in the 'for sale' section right? I've got $250 in my pocket... CASH IN HAND!!! lmao jk

great looking bike. I can't wait to pick up another GS

 

[stiksave]

Looks great, no, looks new. Nice job. I hope you stole it from the seller.

 

[mriddle]

My heros

My heros

These two guys allowed me to ride a beautiful old GS that I could not have fixed myself (at least before I retire).

I will be forever in gratitude.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

New/old, says who?

New/old, says who?

These bike seem young to us guys. Great rescue! :clap:

 

[mriddle]

Did I mention that it was the original owner ..

I am number two !

Looks great, no, looks new. Nice job. I hope you stole it from the seller.

 

[terrylee2u]

Very sweet looking ride...

 

[earlfor]

Congratulations! Isnt it nice when a plan comes together?

Earl

 

[jwhelan65]

Without a doubt the 81 1100E was by far IMO the nicest looking GS ever made...the blue, the square headlight, a true classic. I would love to own one someday, Great find that bike is timeless!! :clap:

 

[JTsGS650]

Beautiful bike. Well done gentlemen!

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

Hats off to y'all. That bike looks great! Well done! :clap:

 

[maro]

great story, nice work guys!