New to me, GS1000GT

[melchiro]

Hey everyone, I've been lurking here for a while. Finally purchased the Suzuki shaft drive GS that I've been wanting. I consider this my long distance, comfortable bike, with a bit of performance, ride.. As I grow older, it sucks, my current steed of bikes, a highly modified CBX & a modified CB750/1100, are not entertaining on these 250+ mile rides..

So I bought this project below. Price of entry, $140.00.Yes with a title.. Lot's do to. Parts to purchase, measurements to take.... I'm in no rush. I've been searching key topics here and I have a good idea of where this bike will go.....
Regards,
Mel

Trying on some stuff, just for kicks..

 

[Dogma]

Nah, I don't like the look of that. I mean, c'mon! Blue coils?

Are you looking at paint ideas for the stock bodywork, or something more radical? Because the early 850/1000G seat was said to be the most comfortable of the time. Some say best ever. But it can never be comfortable with those handlebars, if you ask me. But there's enough missing that I can see why you might consider going in a radical direction.

What is that goo on the stator cover? Two missing engine mount bolts... etc. Yeah, lots to buy. The intake and exhaust look reasonably unmolested. She runs?


Oh, hey! Your first post. Welcome to the forum!

 

[melchiro]

Yeah that "gooo", is crash damage repair.. JB Weld.. Funny, eh? Does it run? Seller stated, " It ran when I parked it". Years ago.. Hahahaha..

Does not matter to me, as I knew what I was getting into with this purchase. First thing on my "list", is that Ebay Cruzinimage big bore kit....

This thing will get completely stripped down and much modified from stock. And no, it will not get "Cafe'd" out.. Remember, this is my, "me getting older and I need a more comfortable bike to ride"..

 

[steve murdoch]

Mel, nice to see you in the wonderful world of GS.
After seeing how well those Hondas turned out i have no doubt this Suzuki will be a quality build.
Blue coils? Everything Mel owns is blue!

 

[Higgibaby]

Good luck with this...Im looking forward to seeing it when its done...

 

[Charlie G]

$140.00, my kinda of bike. Welcome!

 

[melchiro]

First big step of this project, engine removal.. Stripped it down to a rolling chassis and engine onto a work table.. It sure was a bit of work doing this by myself.. But I got it.. It sure is filthy.. Oily dirt, greasy goo... I plan on spraying Easy Off over cleaner, then power washing this mess..

Need to prep the motor for these.. Cruzinimage big bores..

 

[melchiro]

I had an extra day off, so I power washed the motor.. Motor was filthy dirty.. So I sprayed a whole can of Easy Off oven cleaner to loosen things up.. Then power washed it.. Worked great..

Next, I removed the head.. Cams looked good.. Head looks good too.. I still have lots more to go, but it's a start...

 

[Guest]

My favorite GS for doing tons of mileage with. Looks and sounds like you know you way around a wrench with these old inline 4's, looking forward to the build. Welcome to the site.

 

[melchiro]

Thx Azr... My other bikes are a heavily modified CBX, a heavily modified CB750SC track bike with a CB1000C motor, converted to chain drive & a modified CB750F with an 1100 motor.. So this is going to be my "comfortable" , not messing with chains, can ride it for more than 4 hours bike.. But it will still be modified.. I just can't ride a stock bike..

 

[ShadowFocus603]

Thx Azr... My other bikes are a heavily modified CBX, a heavily modified CB750SC track bike with a CB1000C motor, converted to chain drive & a modified CB750F with an 1100 motor.. So this is going to be my "comfortable" , not messing with chains, can ride it for more than 4 hours bike.. But it will still be modified.. I just can't ride a stock bike..

Haha this made me laugh (in a good way!) I have the same problem. I get a bike and tell myself "This is going to be my stock cruiser" then I trip into a box of performance and aftermarket bits and that goes right out the window.

 

[melchiro]

My friend dropped off a Harbor Freight Soda Blaster... So I gave it a try... I am amazed at how fast it cleaned the combustion chamber.. Did all four in five minutes! Look at the bare aluminum! When the valves come out, I'll blast the ports...

Also did my friend's CB550 head.. I used a golf tee, to plug the valve stems. Blasted the chambers and all of the ports.. No carbon left.. Amazing for the the purchase price..

 

[melchiro]

Wow, over a year has gone by... I did work on my Honda DOHC CB-F Track bike motor earlier this year... Installed a 1123cc Cruzinimage big bore piston kit & some other major engine work to it. Goes good now..

So I actually did some work to my GS1000 motor this weekend... Upon disassembly of the motor, I verified excessive valve guide slop.. Lots of side to side movement.. So I purchased a set of new bronze valve guide from Schumann Motor Works, with new Viton valve seals..

First have to get the old guides out.. I threaded the inside of the guide, installed a bolt & punched out the old guides.. They all broke in half, at where the circlip is. No biggie, just threaded the other half, installed the bolt and punched them out. This should make the porting job easier as well.

I have the new guides in the freezer right now.. I'll work on the porting job and installing the guides this weekend..

 

[thebrandonbeezy]

I like it!

 

[melchiro]

Porting, lots of manual labor... Requiring proper tools too. I first hogged out the intake tracks.. Opened them up about 3mm. The left side done, the right still to go..

Now the delicate stuff, shaping the septum.. I started with the burr bits that I have, but it's to difficult because the shanks are to short.. Ordered a set of 6", long shank, bits.. I should get them later this week. One port is almost to my liking, port #3.. Before and after shots.. #2 is stock, #3 is ported..

I'm feeling good about FINALLY working on this bike...My goal is to have this motor assembled by end of January??

 

[melchiro]

My new burr bits came in... Sure made porting much easier..

Next up, give the head a good soapy bath wash and install my new bronze valve guides..

 

[thebrandonbeezy]

What are you going to do about the carb boots not matching up with the head now

 

[melchiro]

I will modify the existing boot or make my own. I will not be using the stock carbs so I knew going in, that I will have to get creative.

 

[melchiro]

New bronze valve guides installed.. Used my propane torch to heat up the hole.. Put the valve guides on my home made install tool.. Gently hit them in with a hammer.. All eight are in.

Guides are seated..

My concerns with changing valve guides are that the valves may not sit "centered", on the valve seat.. Well my concerns are true.. After placing the valves in and shining a light on the valves, I can see lots of light, when looking through the intake and exhaust port... Time to cut the seat.
Big concern will be hoping after cutting the seat, that I'll have enough clearance for shimming.

 

[melchiro]

While awaiting my valve seat cutters to arrive, I used this weekend to prep the cylinder block for the new "cruzinimage" big bore pistons..
First gave it a good bath in a container with hot water and laundry detergent. In the past, I would use Dawn dish soap, but this would create a big tub of bubbles. Laundry soap does not do that & cuts the oil/grease really good. Next, a good wipe down of the liners with lots of WD-40 & paper towels..

Next up, verify the ring end gaps, then install the ring onto the pistons. Did this inside while watching the NFL Championship Playoffs.. Installing the rings always make me nervous.. Was successful without breaking.

So after boring the liners, the taper at the bottom of the liner is gone now.. I guess removing 3mm of "liner meat" will do that.. Concerned about catching the rings, when installing the block onto the pistons, I ground in new tapers..

Before..

After.. It's hard to see in these pics, but it's just enough to guide the piston rings into the cylinders..