GS 1000 S where to start??

[The G Man]

After a brief conversation and an exchange of messages on Facebook, I was the proud new owner of a 1979 GS 1000s.

My friend said it needed some work so I bought it there and then with a box of bits



[

I drove the 200 or so miles to go and get her together with the Yamaha XS 500 Twin which had been keeping her company outside in a friends back yard...The brakes were siezed on so both macines were un- ceremoniously 'manhandled' onto my well used trailer and transported home to South West Wales....

Once Back home I removed the rear calliper, inflated the tyres and then pushed the GS into my shed where I plan to work on her over the winter..

the XS will have to wait (although my wife has got her eye on it)

The clocks show 38000 miles which i understand isnt a lot for one of these engines, but they are slightly damaged on the right hand side..

The seat I believe a ' Two Four' which has a few small tears at the front...and the original tank is missing, however i found TWO replacement tanks in the box of bits, both slightly damaged but serviceable..

The motor has not beeen turned over for 6 years......






And the carbs open to the elements for the same period....

The rear cowling and the side panels arent toooo bad but the nose fairing is badly crazed and will need some work...

Not looking forward to removing these studs holding the down pipes on...

Chromed swing arm...not sure if that was standard on this model...it seem tiny by todays standards...

As I get around to doing stuff I will post up some more pics but in the mean time Im going to read up on that section about carbs and where to start....

 

[SVSooke]

Bit of advice,put penetrating oil on the exhaust bolts every day for a week before trying to get them off.A 12mm socket on a hand impact driver to loosen initially helps to.

 

[hampshirehog]

Hello mate. That swinger is an aftermarket jobby - the standard arm was tha same as on the GS1000e (round profile). The decent upgrade is to pop one on from a GSX1100 - alloy box section and goes straight in with no other mods.

She's also wearing the wrong carbs - they should be VM28s and you have got VM26s on there. Cable operated coke with the pull knob up on the steering stem.

Be real careful with those exhaust bolts - they snap pretty easily if you go at them hamfisted. Plenty of soaking in penetrating oil for a few days before event attempting to shift them. Then if they're still tough try a bit of heat. Loads of tales of woe on here from bods who have snapped them.

And look after those clocks - they'll cost you getting on for a million quid to replace them.

 

[rustybronco]

Swing arm and torque strut for the rear caliper aren't stock to the bike. if your plan is to return those pieces to stock, I have a spare swing arm which you could have for the price of shipping. I just 'might' even find a bit of time to sand blast and prime it if you've a bit time.

 

[Vmass]

I am a fan of both bikes....nice find. I am sure I will be able to help with a part or two, as I move forward with my S restoration.

 

[Nessism]

Bit of advice,put penetrating oil on the exhaust bolts every day for a week before trying to get them off.A 12mm socket on a hand impact driver to loosen initially helps to.

Be real careful with those exhaust bolts - they snap pretty easily if you go at them hamfisted. Plenty of soaking in penetrating oil for a few days before event attempting to shift them. Then if they're still tough try a bit of heat. Loads of tales of woe on here from bods who have snapped them.

Please do NOT use an impact driver on those exhaust bolts. Use a small 1/4" ratchet handle w/12mm socket and use a light touch. If the bolts don't come loose relatively easily then use heat on them and pent. lube. The key is to work the bolts, and do not over torque them, which will cause them to snap off. Several applications of heat/pent lube may be necessary so don't be in a hurry.

 

[The G Man]

Many thanks for ALL of the advice...it is appreciated.

Thanks to Rusty Bronco and Vmass the kind Gents offering parts to try and make her standard again, thats very kind.

My aim is to get the bike up and running, looking tidy and complete but more importantly useable and relativeley reliable.


I have started this project to tour the 'Route of 5000 curves' which is in The Picos Mountains of Northern Spain and is an event which usually takes place in September/October and pays Homage to Classic Bikes..so it only seems fitting that I do it on a classic bike...

Big thanks also to hampshirehog for noticing the finer details....Im a little concerned about having the wrong carb set up but not so much about the swing arm...which I quite like the look of...

im off to buy our finest penertrating oil to give them exhaust nuts a soaking....for a week or more...

i have a 4-1 laser pipe which came with it so I aim to put that on it to replace the short mufler shown in the photos...I will also post up some pics of the box of bits that came with it hoping someone can ID the right bits...

Many thanks again.
Graham

 

[Flyboy]

Graham, I know she looks rough right now, but you really got yourself a gem there, I am in following this project with interest.
Wish I could pick up an S in that condition for a steal, unfortunatly over here the people have rocks in thier heads and they think a real heap of dung is worth a fortune.

 

[Guest]

Nice find. You've got your work cut out for you but nothing that can't be fixed. Looking forward to the progress.

 

[rustybronco]

Just noticed the swinger on the bike appears to be an under braced swinger. I think it would be nice to de-rust it, then paint it and use it on your new found project.

should be a cool bike when finished!

 

[hampshirehog]

Im a little concerned about having the wrong carb set up but not so much about the swing arm...which I quite like the look of...

im off to buy our finest penertrating oil to give them exhaust nuts a soaking....for a week or more...

She'll run ok with VM26s on there - she'll just be a bit 'under-carburated'. 26s were standard on UK early GS1000s anyway - she just won't be standard and will be missing a bit of performance.

For penetrating oil my favourite ready mixed is '3-in-1 Professional Penetrating Oil' - comes in an orange and chrome spray can. Either that or a home brew mix of ATF and thinners.

 

[russr33]

Just noticed the swinger on the bike appears to be an under braced swinger. I think it would be nice to de-rust it, then paint it and use it on your new found project.

should be a cool bike when finished!

+1 on that. Unless you are wanting to return to stock that is a VERY cool part. Seat appears to be a Guliari which has been recovered. Also a very rare very cool aftermarket piece. I have one on my '78 1000.

 

[The G Man]

hey guys...

im loving this....cool parts and stuff...paid ? 100 about $175 per bike...although it was from a mate and Im not looking to sell...
Im loving the opinions and stuff so please feel free to post up with just what you think...

 

[Vmass]

Many thanks for ALL of the advice...it is appreciated.

Thanks to Rusty Bronco and Vmass the kind Gents offering parts to try and make her standard again, thats very kind.

My aim is to get the bike up and running, looking tidy and complete but more importantly useable and relativeley reliable.


I have started this project to tour the 'Route of 5000 curves' which is in The Picos Mountains of Northern Spain and is an event which usually takes place in September/October and pays Homage to Classic Bikes..so it only seems fitting that I do it on a classic bike...

Big thanks also to hampshirehog for noticing the finer details....Im a little concerned about having the wrong carb set up but not so much about the swing arm...which I quite like the look of...

im off to buy our finest penertrating oil to give them exhaust nuts a soaking....for a week or more...

i have a 4-1 laser pipe which came with it so I aim to put that on it to replace the short mufler shown in the photos...I will also post up some pics of the box of bits that came with it hoping someone can ID the right bits...

Many thanks again.
Graham

What a great idea..... I lived in Spain as a Kid. I would love to ride those twisties!

Maybe when my bike is ready to roll, I will look into it. If I time it right, I can spy on my kid when he goes with his senior class in two years!

 

[SVSooke]

Please do NOT use an impact driver on those exhaust bolts. Use a small 1/4" ratchet handle w/12mm socket and use a light touch. If the bolts don't come loose relatively easily then use heat on them and pent. lube. The key is to work the bolts, and do not over torque them, which will cause them to snap off. Several applications of heat/pent lube may be necessary so don't be in a hurry.

Meant one of these

Not one of these

That would be a disaster.

 

[Nessism]

Meant one of these

I knew what you meant, and it's the wrong tool for the job. Sorry, don't mean to attack you or anything so please don't take my comments that way please.

 

[SVSooke]

I knew what you meant, and it's the wrong tool for the job. Sorry, don't mean to attack you or anything so please don't take my comments that way please.

Not taking it the wrong way but am wondering why you think it's the wrong tool.Took off 3 pipes on my bikes with not 1 broken exhaust bolt.

 

[The G Man]

Progress

Progress

So today I spent a little time with the GS...
I have been a good boy and for the past two weeks I have been spraying penetrating oil on all the essentials especially the plugs which looked coroded and the exhaust studs.
The throttle and clutch cables are now free and I have taken the tops off the carbs and sprayed carb cleaner inside which has freed off the slides...
One plug gave me a heart attack and appeared cross threaded but I managed to get it out and after a little work the thread now seems ok...going to change the oil and strip the carbs and see if its going to be a viable project...Thanks for the advice