Today I am posting with mixed emotions, the end of a journey that started 4 years 2 months and 4 days ago has drawn to an end, in that time and along that road, there have many trials and tribulations, but there have been many more good and satisfying times, the satisfaction of seeing a piece of machinery transform in your hands, from something old and worn out, into an object of beauty, ready to serve another life in service, far outweighs the frustration of cash flow holding up progress, or the lack of equipment forcing one to take the long, laborious path to the eventual outcome.
Such is the character of the Suzuki GS series motorcycle, and especially my beloved GS1000G, Jennifer, like the Phoenix, ever ready to rise from the ashes and serve another lifetime with the tar rolling under her tires and the wind blowing through her cooling fins, as her exhaust note strums that unmistakable beat of an in line four in her element announcing to the world that she is not done yet, that she still has so much more to give.
this has been a memorable journey, one that started off with no set plan, no real tools to speak of and a very rudimentary, bare single garage space to work in.
The only certainty was that, come hell or high water, I was going to restore Jennifer back to her former, showroom glory, she deserved no less.
And although she had seen a hard life and was looking much worse for wear, like the old bag lady who shuffles down the sidewalk, bent over from a hard life, in her meager rags and worldly possessions in a shopping cart, but who still has the fire in her soul and who's eyes, framed by the wrinkles of hardship, light up like torches when she speaks of the past.
Jennifer was my bag lady, and there was no alternative, she deserved a makeover, so that she could once again ride with pride and dignity.
Along this road I have made some very good friends, friends that I would lay my life down for, friends that do not know the meaning of selfishness, but only selflessness, who, for no other reason than the goodness in their hearts have had just as much of a vested interest in Jennifer as I have.
To these people, I hope that the quality has not let you down or disappointed in anyway, I have always done my best with the resources at my disposal, which were pitifully few in the early days.
Over the years many people have browsed through my ramblings posted for the world to see, as work progressed, some fleetingly, I thank all of them for the interest, and a few who have been regular contributors from the beginning until the end, I will not mention names, for fear of ommision, but you know who you are, and you have my heartfelt gratitude.
However there are a few people who have come into my life like a whirlwind and left not only a lasting impression with their kindness and generosity, but who have made my life a better place for them being there in it, and they deserve a mention at the very least.
I must thank Frank for giving us the forum to keep the interest in these fantastic motorcycles alive, without the GSR this build would never have been possible, thanks to all the members who shared their knowledge and kept me honest and motivated.
Kobus (Woody1) who is forever stuffing GS parts into my hands and refusing anything in return.
Daniel (Highway Glider) my crazy Canuk friend who takes the long way home via the arctic circle, and who also is always digging through the store room for parts for me, refusing my money, one of the nicest, most genuine people you could you ever wish to meet.
Steve from Detroit who torments me with his GS1150, what a great, salt of the earth guy, it was an absolute pleasure to meet him and chew the fat, even if it was only for an afternoon.
Dale from Wisconsin, who made the effort to ride out to Oshkosh to meet us, and who offered to cast an eye over and storage for Nancy (GS1100GK) no, due to work commitments it never worked out that way, but he was willing to jump in all the same.
Andre (Matchless) who's advice and encouragement has been invaluable, yet to get down there and have a beer or six with him, but soon.
Lastly but most certainly not least by any stretch of the imagination, the two super stars in my mind, more wonderful, good honest people you could never ever wish to meet, both of whom without this project would be no where near half way yet and probably would have ended up abandoned under a tarp.
Dale (Rustybronco) and Chris (Tatu), I do not what to say, there are no words to describe your goodness, and caring towards your fellow man, both in and out of the GSR your kindness and generosity has brought me to tears on many an occasion, and I know that in a million lifetimes I could never repay you, my life is without doubt a better place for having you in it, there is without doubt a special place in heaven for you guys.
Two better, more wholesome human beings you will never meet, you will always have my undying respect.
Except for a few minor odds and ends that need doing, such as brakes, mirrors and hooters, for the most part, I am calling this transformation done and dusted, It is going to be a while before I am in a position to finish off the little things that need doing, and they are hardly worthy of long postings, so shall be filed under "what did you wrench on today" as and when they get done.
Still needed, just off the top of my head is a front brake reservoir, as mine perished to the point of crumbling and coming to pieces.
one stupid silly small seal for the rear brake master cylinder, which I have obviously lost, as i turned the garage upside down yesterday looking for it, but no luck.
While turning the garage inside out I also hoped to find my side cover decals, but to no avail, they are probably also on that island with the single socks and lost keys.
Mount the fairing.
I need to get a set of hooters (horns) as I don't have any, Lord only knows what happened to them.
Carbs need a dynamic sync, as all I have done is a bench sync when putting them together and set the mixture screws, that said, she runs pretty fine, with the hanging idle now all but gone, and revs cleanly through the rev range, and starts first touch of the starter button, hot or cold, and immediately settles down into a nice idle.
Took her out and rode her to the garage to pump the tires,as they were half flat, and I was not pushing a 500lbs bike with half flat tires to the garage. Oh, yes, sans brakes.
Once the tires were pumped to pressure, I gave her a quick squirt and she pulled strong from idle all the way to red line with no murmur whatsoever.
DAMN, IT FELT GOOD.
So seeing that she has had some tar under her tires and I am happy with the way she rides, so I close this chapter, with a touch of sadness, but filled with happiness.
Unfortunately the few things that still need doing will have to wait until cash flow improves one day, so this evening, with a heavy heart, I parked her under her cover where she will rest for the foreseeable future until I can get the brakes and the mirrors done at least.
Calling it done.
So without further babbling, herewith the pictures of Jennifer taken today, 'cause you know how we all like pictures.
A few before and after's
Having started this project with very little in the way of tools or work area, nothing but a bare single garage, not only did I have to find money for the build, but also slowly equip myself as I could, as I went along.
Which included building a work bench, installing lighting, and buying hand and power tools.
