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It's done: 1980 GS1100E restoration

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1100E
  • Start date Start date
1

1100E

Guest
Well, she's finally finished and ready to strut her stuff :)

picture.php

Left-side, rear quarter view: Close to original with some subtle mods...

picture.php

Front-left engine detail: Note OE exhaust and reproduction decals (and a lot more)...

The "Silver Streak" will be cruising the streets of New England starting next week, can't wait. As many of you know, I was fortunate enough to have had an '80 1100E (exactly like this) when they were brand new. I sold my '80E to upgrade to the champagne '82E and have kicked myself ever since... Don't get me wrong, I love the '82E, too, but the '80E was my first "superbike" and it will always have a sentimental place in my heart.

I bought this particular "80E from a GS Forum member (Mike Bradford - thanks Mike!) and went to John Wilson at Akron Suzuki Motorworks for the restoration. I've worked my butt off to afford the work done and I'm very grateful to be in a position to have done this resto. The work done on this bike is amazing, I'm not an expert wrench and couldn't have ever brought this E back to the mechanical and cosmetic condition seen above.

More pics to come...
 
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that thing belongs in a museum
at least bring it in the house in the winter

move your wifes chair out to the garage if need be.

stunning work you should be pleased
pleased and scared to drive it
 
Thanks guys, but I believe you have to ride these bikes to really enjoy them. :D

Oh, and I always store my bikes in the house during winter months - it gets too dang cold in the garage.:cool:
 
WOW, nice work, id be affraid to sit on her with shoes on....lol. great job on the bike..:clap:
 
Nice, very nice...

Every so often, someone puts up pics of a bike that I just know I could not be allowed to own or ride...
Way to nice for me...:)
 
Very Nice, alot of work and bucks I'm sure. Exhaust is beautiful. I like the classic look and kept my 81 GS750EX all stock as well. While it is a 16V little brother, of course it is doesnt have the grunt of the 1100 :rolleyes:.

Congrats
 
posplayr said:
Very Nice, alot of work and bucks I'm sure. Exhaust is beautiful. I like the classic look and kept my 81 GS750EX all stock as well. While it is a 16V little brother, of course it is doesnt have the grunt of the 1100 :rolleyes:.Congrats
Click to expand...

Thanks man, cost wasn't too bad, a lot less expensive than a new bike. I sure wish we weren't on opposite coasts, it would be great to have a pic of our two bikes!! It'd look like a print ad from 80/81 :) Your 750E is gorgeous btw, as nice as any 1100E IMO :clap:

steve murdoch said:
Beautiful bike, Tom.
It looks new enough to have a factory warranty again.
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve, much appreciated :) Can you imagine what Suzuki's response would be if I asked them for an extended warranty?? :D
 
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Well done indeed. Gotta love a stock restoration like that. First rate! Enjoy!:)
 
Yes, definately has my vote for next bike of the month! Fantastic job, beautiful machine. Can't beat stock I reckon. I have the same model/colour 750 (wish it was the 1100)

Hope to have mine half as good as that one day! :)
 
Nice job, very, very well done... perhaps we'll cross paths here around NE this Summer.
 
bonanzadave said:
No doubt ! Did you have it re-chromed ? Fabulous !!
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave, believe it or not that's an original exhaust (a survivor, if you will), it was a real find and came complete with heat shields. We found 4 broken exhaust studs when the PO's header was removed, not a huge deal since the head was coming off anyway to repair a leaking gasket.

Finding parts wasn't too bad but the available supply is dwindling, there won't likely be many more restorations like this. Boulevard Suzuki says this was their "biggest order of parts for an '80 Suzuki, ever". Here's a look at one of the orders :o

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The original tank, seat and a broken side-cover were replaced with perfect-condition pieces from an '81 750E (they're identical). The cases, swingarm, wheels and other shiny bits were hand-polished to a high lustre. Shed loads of little parts and pieces were repaired or replaced, having been changed to non OE over the years.

From a purely economic point of view, restoring the '80E back to its original condition isn't going to produce a profit. We restrained ourselves and didn't go nuts, finding deals on parts and watching the budget, but this wasn't inexpensive (about $8K total - includes purchase of bike, all parts, labor and shipping). I don't plan to sell her and expect to put a lot of miles behind me.

I hope to run across a lot of New England GSers this summer. Please stop me if you see me tooling by :)
 
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hikermikem said:
Nice job, very, very well done... perhaps we'll cross paths here around NE this Summer.
Click to expand...

That would be cool, I'd love to meet and have a chance to ride together :)

hacksaw55 said:
She's a beaut can't wait to see her in person,nice work John.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! What are you doing next weekend? Maybe we could get together, bring the two bikes out for some exercise? That '82E is waiting for you... :)
 
Does the company that did your restoration have a website? I'd like a set of bars like yours for my 81
 
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