New Member, GR650 Owner from Brisbane - Australia

[d4g6k11]

Hello all.

I feel I'm very new to motorcycles despite having owned a motorcycle for about 8 years now. First I owned a GS500 and then 'upgraded' to a Yamaha XJR1300.

Now, I've just picked up a Suzuki GS650 project bike to try and learn more about basic motorcycle mechanics. I'm currently only at 'change the oil and spark plugs' competency level.

My grand plan is to get the bike roadworthy for commuting and if I can do that, work on achieving a bratster style aesthetic (cafe racerish with high handlebars?). No doubt my tastes will change though.

Here is a pic of the bike - https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=2C795CEFCF39E065!984782

I'm still working on identifying the year model (I suspect it is an 80s bike - I have an 11 digit VIN).

Hopefully I can get some help and advice from theGSresources community along the way.

Cheers.

 

[Charlie G]

Welcome. I'm not certain what you have?

 

[d4g6k11]

Some more pics - https://onedrive.live.com/redir?res...84788&authkey=!AGH--mPcpTByjpc&ithint=folder,

 

[Charlie G]

My guess is that you have a GR650.

 

[Guest]

Hey mate, welcome! Good to see another Brissie based GSR member!

There are actually quite a few Suzuki GS(X) nuts around the traps here, although it appears Charlie is right that you have a GR650.

The GS650's are fours but the GR is a twin. Similar but not quite the same as the GS450/500's and a little rarer but nevertheless still a good ol' solid Suzuki.

Big Rich on here is in the know with the GR's as are a few others who's names escape me at present.

I managed to rebuild my 450 from the ground up after having done nothing but oil changes previously, so you can definitely get it done, just be prepared to be patient, listen to advice, and you'll be fine. Over four years and about 45k km's after rebuilding mine I still commute every day on it and get out to Mt Mee or other twisties as often as I can.

If you want to catch up with some other fellas then there's a bunch of us meet every Saturday morning at Cashmere for a brekky run. I only get there once or twice a month but 90% of the time someone is there who is a fan of our old GS(X)'s.

 

[d4g6k11]

Thanks for the welcome

A GR650 eh! I'll start reading up on them now. A quick look leads to the 83 Tempter model?

I'm having trouble finding what year I've got with my 11 digit VIN but I'll ring around today and see if I can find out.

Pete - Cashmere is practically my backyard! I should really meet up but my Sat mornings are usually full. If I get a free pass, where is the starting point?

EDIT: I found the bike details on a plate stuck on the bike's steering stem. Apparently this is the first place you should look? I have a lot to learn. 1983 GR650.

 

[Guest]

Yup, a Tempter it is! Pretty sure it was only a one year model, maybe two? But I seem to recall there was only the 1983 model. The compliance plate on the steering stem is what you need to get it registered and is what Qld Transport will look for.

The start at Cashmere is the IGA corner of Kremzow and Ira Buckby Rd's and we get there fueled up ready to leave by 7am in the warmer months and 8am in the cooler months. The time generally changes with the southern state's daylight savings time.

I have the joys of on call this week so won't be there but I will be out the weekend after hopefully.

I occasionally get out on a Sunday as that's actually an easier day for me so I'll shoot you a PM on here next time I'm heading out. Could be a ride being organised for the 13th March when one of the Katana fellas from down south is up here for a visit.

As for the 650, start a project thread up when you get into it and keep us up to date!

 

[Big Rich]

Welcome!

Here in the US, the GR was basically a one year model (I heard some 84's were sold with a different paint, but I can't confirm). From what I've read though, the GR was sold elsewhere around the world until 1989. The good news? Nothing changed that I know of.

How does the engine run? The engine is very unique, so parts can be scarce. There's a lot of other "rare" parts to the GR, but parts from other GS models can be made to fit. Take care of the engine! That 2-1 exhaust must be loud.....

 

[d4g6k11]

Welcome!
That 2-1 exhaust must be loud.....

Sure is, especially seeing as the pipe has been chopped and has no baffle to speak of. But, neighbours haven't complained, yet.

 

[d4g6k11]

Big Rich - I'm in no way trying to restore this bike to its 'original' state. I'm more than happy to replace corroded/faulty/aged parts with upgrades or to plug'n'play parts from other models if they fit and work appropriately. If it becomes a frankenbeast, so be it. Obviously the GS parts are the starting point but where can I find out what the common swap options are for this model?

 

[Big Rich]

Oh geez..... that's a tall order. Just about every single part can be upgraded somehow (bike technology has gotten slightly better since 1983.....haha). The things that are NOT easily swapped: seat, gas tank, side panels, and fenders. But things like the front brakes, forks, carbs, R/R, etc, etc. can be.

It is really a part by part question. I'll offer advice when possible though.

 

[Guest]

Rich you need to get your GR thread over here I think... it fits in with the GS series quite well...

In the meantime... here's Rich's project over on the GS Twins site: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=67525.0

 

[d4g6k11]

Thanks for the link Pete, That thread looks great.

 

[Guest]

No worries mate, Rich has some skills for sure!

 

[d4g6k11]

Every GR650 build thread I've looked at so far has the frame being chopped. Is it possible to build a Bratstyle bike without modding the GR650 frame?

 

[Big Rich]

I've seen a few. How's this?

http://milchapitas-kustombikes.blogspot.com/2012/10/suzuki-gr650-1984-by-ellaspede.html?m=1

 

[Guest]

Yeah the trick is to take it down to bare bones and put your imagination to work. A lot of people just decide it needs to be hacked off with not much thought because that's how they've seen it done before.

My 450 is definitely a bit different to stock but I didn't have to make one single structural modification to get it that way. Admittedly it's not that drastic a departure from stock but it's unique enough for my tastes.

Ellaspede is over at West End so if they have some stuff on the floor might be worth a trip to take a look, they had a couple of bikes in the Laverda Concours a couple of years ago. Not a GR though.

http://www.ellaspede.com/

 

[d4g6k11]

It's just a stumble from Brat Style to Bobber isn't it? The seat appears to be a key difference. Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Yeah once you get into Brat/Bobber/Cafe etc. all the lines start to blur... I tend to call my scrambler inspired rather than a scrambler as I run road tyres and would never off road it... street scrambler at best.

I tend not to categorise too much though, I like a custom just to be a custom, with whatever tastes the builder has and whatever direction they've taken.

I pretty much equally appreciate a restoration and a well done custom.