longwinded memories of a GS

[peels]

Hello to all. real quick shout out. thanks for this great site, I have lurked on occasion and I think I am on track...

But first, story of why I am here: (turned out way more longwinded than I planned-sorry)

I grew up in the Bay Area of California, and my dad always commuted by motorcycle. And....Some of My greatest childhood memories were going to Candlestick(3com or whatever it is now-i now abhor baseball) for giants games via his gs1000. I think I was 7...But it was 1984ish or so the last time I remember it running regularly ...I remember him smacking my helmet to keep me awake after the game... I'm thinking..."really?....sleep, now? this is AWESOME....riding a motorcycle next to the bay..."

so cut to 1988, most electronics built in china by now, no need for as many factories in the San Jose area, Dad gets the axe, we pack up and move to Iowa. yay. Already immobile since 84-85, His GS sits in the garage until 1992 when I decide to fire it up.. only takes a few tries -drain the gas, couple squirts of ether and a battery charger. SO I rode it for a summer, albeit having to pop the clutch repeatedly due to an electrical glitch(i have since read about). I feel like this is exactly how a bike should be built. I then graduate and move on. A guy who had seen it in the garage stops by a couple years later, and asks to buy it. Dad calls me to see if im ok with it...I said "sure go ahead"

This was a mistake. Like I said, all bikes should have been built like this. I base my taste in all motorcycles on that bike. Even later on The bike I bought on my own was an FZ-1. WHich reminded me of the gs- It's another great sport standard. Well..... I got rid of it too. (mistake again)

So I am bikeless. And with spring approaching...the bug is biting I want a bike. Got to thinking of that old GS, so I started doing research. I even had Mom trying to dig up old pics or paperwork-no dice. she did find a pic of his old kawasaki he had before, which was still very cool. I'd like to find a GS and restore it not only to ride, but to keep one of my favorite memories of my Dad alive. Or find a decent survivor to keep going...

Maybe you guys can make double sure i have the right info so I can search correctly? Here's what I know.....

It WAS a 1979, black and white striped, and it was chain drive not shaft. And it sounded cool.

I am 99.99999% now this means it was an "E" though i don't remember any letters on that side cover.

Again, sorry for the sappy long book I just wrote... LOL This site is a goldmine. I hope the next time you read a post from me, It will be because I have found a good one to restore and need help finding parts.

OH, Here is a pic stolen from google. This is just what I remember it looking like. Is this an "E"?

Oh, and long shot: anyone here from southeast Iowa area happen to buy a GS in the 90's, and still have it and want to sell it? LOL worth the shot.....

thanks for reading.

 

[peels]

wow I just sat staring at that pic for 10 solid minutes.

I am now obsessed I think.

 

[Larry D]

Welcome !!
Nice story. The pictured is a '78 GS1000, otherwise known as a "skunk"...I don't think I need to explain why.

 

[peels]

got it. lol

Question: was it made that way in 79 as well?

if not...Dad's was a 78. Because that is EXACTLY what this bike was. Oh, And.... my memory is shot.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Welcome--reading your story only solidifies my thought process for keeping my "T".

I grew up in SoCal and admired a lot of bikes during the early 80s. The bike that got my attention was the KZ1000 in red. (This is before I knew red was not a good color to own in Cali)

Anyway, I hope you find what you're looking for and please keep GSR updated with your adventures.





Ed

 

[Rover]

got it. lol

Question: was it made that way in 79 as well?

if not...Dad's was a 78. Because that is EXACTLY what this bike was. Oh, And.... my memory is shot.

The white stripe is on an indented portion of the tank.That tank was only made in 1978.The 79's ,same shape tank but without indent.
Good luck with the search,they are still around for sale.

 

[bbjumper]

Welcome, reading your post brought back why I have my "G" now. Way back in 82 I let one go just like what I have now, thinking it was too much of an old mans bike to keep around then. The new 83 CB1100F was just the S$it and I just had to have one. Well now I'm "old" enough to appreciate the "G" again and won't make the same mistake twice. Even though I have an engine split in my near future on the G, I'm gonna get that done so I can still enjoy it during the summer.

Your right, they don't make em like this anymore, it makes even my Beemer, even though it's 13 years old feel homogenized in comparison.

You'll find a good Skunk, keep at it, and you'll also have the rest of us in the Asylum around for encouragement to keep you addicted to your addiction...

 

[peels]

The white stripe is on an indented portion of the tank.That tank was only made in 1978.The 79's ,same shape tank but without indent.
Good luck with the search,they are still around for sale.

beauty...this helps!

it was NOT indented.

thank you VERY much.

 

[peels]

or maybe it was...jeez. memory is fleeting. I remember polishing it, but dont remember an indent....

that doesn't mean it wasn't there though.....

 

[peels]

Welcome, reading your post brought back why I have my "G" now. Way back in 82 I let one go just like what I have now, thinking it was too much of an old mans bike to keep around then. The new 83 CB1100F was just the S$it and I just had to have one. Well now I'm "old" enough to appreciate the "G" again and won't make the same mistake twice. Even though I have an engine split in my near future on the G, I'm gonna get that done so I can still enjoy it during the summer.

Your right, they don't make em like this anymore, it makes even my Beemer, even though it's 13 years old feel homogenized in comparison.

You'll find a good Skunk, keep at it, and you'll also have the rest of us in the Asylum around for encouragement to keep you addicted to your addiction...

oh missed this -BMW R bikes.... no slouch either. I would LOOOVE to have 1100r or 1150 r.... I started looking at those back at the millenium turn as well...when I was starting to realize the mistake I made by letting dad sell the GS.

I think bikes should be simple... reliable OR easy to fix if they break.. As I feel BMW's air cooled USED to be anyways.

I want the GS for the memories...and the ride.

well see. I'm not gonna get in a hurry and grab hold of a huge problem.... i'd like to get an "OK" runner...then customize and restore a little bit later on...

probably be a busy summer anyways. Weve taken on boating as a family hobby this year...kids are a great age for it. I imagine that will gobble up most of my time.

 

[peels]

this is local to me....

def. not a fan of the wheels. stock magz are fine. or the exhaust.

and not a fan of the price with the work Id have to do...gas tank....

not that the price is bad, just doesnt have all of what I want.

what do you folks think?


http://ottumwa.craigslist.org/mcy/3626239626.html

 

[marvinsc]

this is local to me....

def. not a fan of the wheels. stock magz are fine. or the exhaust.

and not a fan of the price with the work Id have to do...gas tank....

not that the price is bad, just doesnt have all of what I want.

what do you folks think?


http://ottumwa.craigslist.org/mcy/3626239626.html

Just my opinion, no way is that bike worth near that asking price. I have seen many that look better for less

 

[JEEPRUSTY]

1650 for a bike with a bunged up tank
nooooooooo way.

 

[dorkburger]

Your story was enjoyable. Old cycles and memories go hand in hand. Good luck on your search.

 

[peels]

Your story was enjoyable. Old cycles and memories go hand in hand. Good luck on your search.

yep....I think about it, and the noise of the exhaust...I can hear it in my mind...and remember that ride from San Jose to San Francisco. This was 1983 and I was 7 or 8 and it feels like yesterday in some ways....


marvin, and Jeep. I agree on that price, I was hoping more knowledgeable folks would concur.

thanks.

 

[Charlie G]

yep....I think about it, and the noise of the exhaust...I can hear it in my mind...and remember that ride from San Jose to San Francisco. This was 1983 and I was 7 or 8 and it feels like yesterday in some ways....


marvin, and Jeep. I agree on that price, I was hoping more knowledgeable folks would concur.

thanks.

I think the wheels on that bike would be easy to trade for some stock ones and even make a few bucks.The price is a bit high. I paid $300 for a thrashed, complete non runner last summer. A nice running stock one like your Dads may be hard to find but not inpossible. Be patient... there there. Become a craigslist stocker. Oh and welcome for a Bay Area Boy(old man).

cg

 

[peels]

cool...good thought! But I think thats too much $ to even start from. Ill watch for a new ad with price lowered

You know, it really doesn't have to be a "skunk" just the same layout....mechanicals and all that, and I just dig the stock wheels. I did see a gs with wire wheels not too long ago that was gorgeous. Looked very european. anyways.....

I'm looking for the "feeling" or aesthetics that I remember. stock engine and exhaust, chain drive, stock seat shape. I would consider putting on slightly more aggressive (forward) handlebars though. And Id consider giving it a subdued paintjob. silver or black... nothing crazy.

 

[Redman]

..................
You know, it really doesn't have to be a "skunk" just the same layout....mechanicals and all that, and I just dig the stock wheels. I did see a gs with wire wheels not too long ago that was gorgeous. ......

Wire spoke will be a 78. (and some 79?).

80 and after had larger stator in charging system, better headlight, electronic ignition (not breaker points), slotted brake disc, CV carbs and some other design changes.

Same layout you mentione would be G (shaft) or E (chain) model, or maybe a T (chain), but not an L model.


http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html


.

 

[peels]

It was an E skunk, as you guys call it. no doubt about it. Chain drive. I remember soaking the chain all day in oil when firing it up after years of sitting .

still pretty sure it was 79, no indent on the gas tank.

seriously think the owners manual said "gs1000/gs1000e" this is a 20 year old memory though LOL

no not an L, not a fan of the raked curly handlebars cruiser look. Looks like motorcycle companies try to emulate harley...and that is unacceptable to me.

I'm just going to keep looking, but in no hurry. But it would be cool to have one by fall for a winter project....

thanks again everyone.

 

[dorkburger]

Good idea taking your time and being selective..You will have a better chance of ending up with what you really want. I sold my near perfect 1150e, because i was smitten with the es model and quickly bought one when it came to me. LIterally. I was at the local shopping mall when a gentleman approached me, seeing that i was on a gs. He told me he had to clean out his moms garage and there was a 1200 mile 1150 es for sale among other things. It turns out that in 1200 miles it was crashed and repaired ,and the back tire was bald from burnouts. I paid 1500 for it in '99, which i didn't think was bad. Looking back i probably could have kicked in more money and found a nicer one....Thats ancient history now though. 13 years later i still own and love it, despite it scars. Some came with it, some i've added.