GS1000 streetfighter idea w/ picture

[80GS1000]

This is a performance build to create a Yoshimura GS1000 racebike tribute. New suspension components will be used, the motor will be tuned, and the frame will be braced.

Bike as stock looked like this.

Will most likely resemble in the end, the 1981 Yoshimura GS1000 racebike:

 

[NATEO]

I think I can see where you are trying to go with this, and yes, that will look cool... kinda Ahnold's enemy type bike...very mean looking! I like it!

 

[terry]

Geez, I hope you're not going to "streetfighter" that beautiful bike mate? While I understand that we'd all like to get more performance from our bikes ( from both the engine and the chassis) I can't understand the point of adding modern wheels, forks, brakes, swingarms, bodywork etc to our old bikes?

I mean, I ride my GS1000S, because I like my GS1000S, not just my GS1000S engine with a GSXR front end, Honda Fireblade rear and Yamaha R1 tank/seat? Whatever you do, don't hack up a beautiful bike like that one in the pic, it's way too good for that kinda treatment! Cheers, Terry.

 

[80GS1000]

I like my bike as is, no doubt. But I also like to mod stuff too. Stock can be boring. If I design the mods correctly, I should be able to "convert" the bike from modified to stock pretty easily by removing the custom mounting hardware for the seat and tank. Adding modern wheels, forks, brakes, swingarms, bodywork etc to our old bikes is aimed at improving handling performance and looks - all those components have dramatically improved over the years. And it's fun to have a one-of-a-kind bike. Thanks for the input. :-D

Geez, I hope you're not going to "streetfighter" that beautiful bike mate? While I understand that we'd all like to get more performance from our bikes ( from both the engine and the chassis) I can't understand the point of adding modern wheels, forks, brakes, swingarms, bodywork etc to our old bikes?

I mean, I ride my GS1000S, because I like my GS1000S, not just my GS1000S engine with a GSXR front end, Honda Fireblade rear and Yamaha R1 tank/seat? Whatever you do, don't hack up a beautiful bike like that one in the pic, it's way too good for that kinda treatment! Cheers, Terry.

 

[8trackmind]

I agree with terry, please don't cut it up. Yours is just too nice.:-D

You know what would be great: Find a crappy beater and bring it back to life! :-D

(or, just buy a Bandit)

 

[jimcor]

Why take a classic and make it look like every other BORG assimilation machine the factories are coming up with? You're taking something unique and making it common. But the bottom line is it's your bike, but you did ask for opinions.:-?

 

[Hoomgar]

Why take a classic and make it look like every other BORG assimilation machine the factories are coming up with? Your taking something unique and making it common. But the bottom line is it's your bike, but you did ask for opinions.:-?

I agree with Jim, strongly! For the love of God please don't ruin a classic bike in that kind of condition! :|

If that is what you want, buy a used Bandit or something man. Bike looks way better in it's classic state.

Next opinion

 

[billthebike]

i'd leave it stock. the're only original once......................

 

[hp1000s]

Sorry, my friend......I've gotta' agree with the rest of the folks. You have an uncommonly clean bike, and there's sooo much you can do to it to improve it without changing the essential character of the machine. Suspension, brakes, seating, lighting, handlebars etc. These changes also make it unique. Buy a beater and then get the torches out! : )

 

[Guest]

i'd leave it stock. the're only original once......................

Exactly!

Save the money and aggravation and buy another bike (there are plently that look like your revised photo). That way you will have two!

 

[darkwolf]

Hmmmm....tough call for me. I like them both.

But, I'd say...it's your bike, and you are the one that has to be happy with it.

Personally, I would take a bike, like mine, and do that, since it's seen it's fair share of action anyways. LOL And you can't hurt it. LMAO

 

[80GS1000]

FWIW, what do you guys think of this guy's GS1000 streetfighter? I think it looks pretty cool, with the exception that the seat is bent too far upwards. I'd leave my seat horizontal like the original GS1000, and keep the original rear suspension instead of the monoshock for a more classic look. And I'd make the mods bolt-on accessible to be able to return it to a stock appearance if desired.

 

[jimcor]

Well, obviously your link didn't work, but show us all the streetfighters in the book, and for the most part everybody is gonna tell you the same thing. NO.

 

[darkwolf]

Well, obviously your link didn't work, but show us all the streetfighters in the book, and for the most part everybody is gonna tell you the same thing. NO.

I'm not sure that I would say no. I do like the idea, and the appearance. The only thing that would make me say no is if it was my bike, just because I don't want one. LOL But, as far as looks go...I wouldn't mind looking at it.

 

[emjay]

...Find a crappy beater and bring it back to life! :-D

If it were me and I had the ability you seem to have, I'd buy a beater as 8track suggested and mod that one up. Sometimes the goal (owning a streetfighter) isn't as important as the path (modding an old GS). Half the fun might be the project. \\/

 

[80GS1000]

If it were me and I had the ability you seem to have, I'd buy a beater as 8track suggested and mod that one up. Sometimes the goal (owning a streetfighter) isn't as important as the path (modding an old GS). Half the fun might be the project. \\/

Exactly. I think it'll be very fun and challenging to fabricate and design the parts and modifications required to get the old frame to work with the new seat subframe and gas tank. To boot, this bike needs to ride better than the original - this bike is my daily rider. As mentioned before, I think if I design the bolt-on mounts for the new seat and tank correctly, I should be able to disassemble the streetfighter look and reassemble the classic GS look in about a half an hour. It'll be quite the project, looking forward to starting. I just ordered a GSXR 1000 tail cowling and seat from eBay - next step is to get a seat subframe and GSXR 1000 gas tank.

 

[morthrane]

To boot, this bike needs to ride better than the original - this bike is my daily rider.

If there's one thing that's anti daily rider, its probably a "project" bike...

I just ordered a GSXR 1000 tail cowling and seat from eBay - next step is to get a seat subframe and GSXR 1000 gas tank.

How you gonna run a GSX-R* late model subframe and keep your twinshock setup?

 

[Cyg]

i have oh five bikes, first one I got I decided too chop was a yami, tx 750. ( no title but still I chopped it). That was a year ago. Then I got my hands on a gs 750 (put the stuff from the gs 1100 on that one. The gs 1100 I went small mods.

Point is and I have my many friends in the same situation. Doing big mods too your daily rider, is never a good idea. small ones yes. But make sure its not your only bike you ride all the time. I know a friend who chopped a and did a cafe on a savior frame and twins yamai xs engine with a gear box install. He said he finally went out and bought a daily rider cause his bike is taking too long too work on. Now doing it in the winter is a good idea. Are you plainning these mods for the winter? I took some showa shocks from a dirt bike and made a front wheel for them. but the tree was what stumped me the most on the head for the gs 850. I couldnt find a bearing that fit in there just right. close but no winner.

 

[80GS1000]

i have oh five bikes, first one I got I decided too chop was a yami, tx 750. ( no title but still I chopped it). That was a year ago. Then I got my hands on a gs 750 (put the stuff from the gs 1100 on that one. The gs 1100 I went small mods.

Point is and I have my many friends in the same situation. Doing big mods too your daily rider, is never a good idea. small ones yes. But make sure its not your only bike you ride all the time. I know a friend who chopped a and did a cafe on a savior frame and twins yamai xs engine with a gear box install. He said he finally went out and bought a daily rider cause his bike is taking too long too work on. Now doing it in the winter is a good idea. Are you plainning these mods for the winter? I took some showa shocks from a dirt bike and made a front wheel for them. but the tree was what stumped me the most on the head for the gs 850. I couldnt find a bearing that fit in there just right. close but no winner.

This will be a winter project, for when it's too cold or snowy to ride.

I was fooling around in Photoshop again to see what the proposed bike would look like with a more traditional headlight. I think I like it more - the other headlight was too modern. Still trying for the "If Suzuki were to build a GS1000E today, what would it look like?" look. As you can see, this may take a few iterations. :-D

I like the balance of new and old in this:

How you gonna run a GSX-R* late model subframe and keep your twinshock setup?

Don't know yet. I have some ideas, but it's hard to say until I get the actual parts.

 

[80GS1000]

An update after a bunch of research and trial/error:

This '04 GSXR 1000 complete front end (forks, brakes, rim, triples, Michelin Pilot Power tire, rotors) arrives this week via a man driving a brown truck: =D>

Once the front end is installed, I'll be replacing the rear end too with a GS1100 swingarm, GSXR rear brake, a 4.5x17" rim, IKON shocks, a 530 chain conversion, and a 160 section Michelin Pilot Power tire. If the riding position is better, rearsets may be installed as well.

I decided to leave the tank and seat stock to keep with the look and feel of the bike. Same goes for the headlight and instrument panel.
A 140 MPH speedo was purchased on e%ay and that's in the queue to get installed.

The rear fender has been removed, except for the piece protecting the battery. I removed the tail cowl and fabricated a taillight/turn signal/license plate mount. The rear turn signals are now from a GSXR 750. The last 2-4" of the subframe will be cut off where the tail cowl and stock turn signals used to be and the new lights/license plate mount will be installed nearer the rear of the seat for a cleaner, more modern look.

I actually tried out a GSXR tank and seat/subframe/tail fairing and they just looked goofy, not to mention the amount of fabrication needed to get them to install. FWIW, the ONLY sportier looking tank that will fit a GS1000 in terms of dimensions and mounting without fabrication is a GSX1100 tank like this one. But, after shipping from Europe, it winds up being about $300. GS1100 and GS1150 tanks are too long.

The engine and tranny will stay stock save for a pods and Stage 3 jet treatment. I decided to save the money I was thinking of putting into an overbore treatment and other spendy go-fast goodies into the buy-a-new-'07-Bandit-1250-that-has-that-stuff-stock fund. :smile:

The clutch blew chunks last week so it's in the shop getting fixed. I had to replace the valve cover gasket as it was leaking oil pretty badly.

Once all the mechanical work has been done, the tank and side panels will be painted satin black. The top of the tank right now is pink from all the sun-fading, so it needs paint badly.

Thanks to everyone for all the great info on this site - I couldn't do this without you!