New to the site

[Joe H]

Hi all,
Been lurking around here for quite some time and thought Id join in.
Probably won't post much but you never know and I felt an intro was appropriate.
I have a few bikes in various states of disrepair, but my main rider for the last 27 yrs is a 84 GS1150. Its has gone though several changes over the years and is currently running 1260 pistons, 1mm over valves and some port work, Web .370 lift cams 190 grind (shorter duration), 38mm cv carbs and a bastardized mac/vance and Hines exhaust.
Its been a fairly faithful companion and I have many great memories with it.
Longest one day trip was from the Apostle Islands in northern Wisconsin to Milwaukee Wisconsin, 11 hours in the saddle with only 2 stops, Im way to old for that now
Haven't had as much riding time in the last few years but I do get a couple hours a weekend in and enjoy very second.
Seen some really nice bikes here!
Love the GS1000 from England and Australia always want one of those.
And I would love an old Kat 1000.
Came home from northern Wisconsin with the family a couple weeks ago and saw a guy trucking a MINT NX85, it was spectacular, he got off the same exist as me and I almost wanted to follow just to see where it was going but I'm sure the family unit would have killed me!
Great site, great info, lets keep those GS's rolling!

Joe H

 

[GSXR7ED]

Welcome joe,

You sound very experienced with motors. I couldn't or probably wouldn't do an 11-hr ride now. I enjoy riding but a 300 mile trip would suit me just fine atm.

Enjoy your way around here and post pics.


Ed

 

[steve murdoch]

Hi ya, Joe.
The GS as a "faithful companion"? I like the sound of that.
Welcome to the site.

 

[Joe H]

I couldn't or probably wouldn't do an 11-hr ride now.

Ive taken a more than a few long rides but that one was a one time event I would never repeat! It was over 20 yr ago the bike ran flawlessly!
I haven't done any long rides now for a long time. Kids, wife, work, life... all good, but does cut into ones personal time
Please don't judge the disaster in the garage it to is in various states of disrepair
Funny thing is I am a builder/carpenter by trade , Ive built many sheds, garages, act for others just not for myself. Im running out of room!
As far as experience , I can follow directions well, I know experienced people who have helped me out over the years, and I'm not afraid to make mistakes (as long as they can be fixed, although a few have cost $$$$) thats about it, besides these bikes are really easy to work on nothing complex about them, thats why there so great!



[URL=http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/uhsmuk/media/3afecbf1-286a-4ba4-83e5-7e089a15c7bd_zpsfb656d1b.jpg.html]

 

[A-train]

Beautiful bike!

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Gold01ca]

Welcome here Joe,
One sweet ride there my friend.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Wow! Nice Bike!

Thanks for sharing pics...uh, what mess? That garage looks lived in (as it's suppose to).



Ed

 

[steve murdoch]

I agree, garage looks fine/normal.

 

[Steve]

Longest one day trip was from the Apostle Islands in northern Wisconsin to Milwaukee Wisconsin, 11 hours in the saddle with only 2 stops, ...

Not sure if you ride slowly or wander like I do.

It's less than 400 miles, should have taken about 6 1/2 hours. :-\\\

I have been known to travel from the Los Angeles area to a rally in central New Mexico ... via Washington DC.

.

 

[Joe H]

It's less than 400 miles, should have taken about 6 1/2 hours./QUOTE]

It wasn't to slow but VERY meandering.
I was with a friend who was from Florida he had a 750 Night hawk he trailered up to Milwaukee and we took of from there. It took us about 7 hours to get there on a friday we stayed over in Bayfield and Saturday spent the day riding and seeing the sites took the fairy to Madaline Island. Stayed again in Bayfield and planned a route back with no numbered highways. It was a good idea until about 8 hours into it and we had gotten so far of the beaten path it seemed like we would never get back!
I should say we did stop for fuel a few times but it was gas and go, we had two stops one for lunch and one for dinner, so we waisted a some time with that also.

Two things I remember most; we arrived at the peak of the Mayfly hatch, it was unimaginable, you had to wipe the critters goo off your visitor because you couldn't see, and then you could only make out shapes. We were lucky enough to be very near our destination Fri night when it happened. We stopped for gas and you couldn't see the numbers on the pump because there were so many flys on it!
The other was the look we got from the Hotel manager when we showed up, two 20 yr olds covered in Mayfly goo one with a florida plate. Both of us with long hair and unshaven. He asked us to be respectful of the guests! Like we weren't really guests:roll eyes: I almost thought he wasn't going to let us stay.
So many freaking memories with that bike I think if it ever does finally die Ill just keep it to sit on (or maybe near if I can't get my leg over it)

 

[Redman]

Hi all,
Been lurking around here for quite some time and thought Id join in.
Probably won't post much but you never know and I felt an intro was appropriate.
I have a few bikes in various states of disrepair, but my main rider for the last 27 yrs is a 84 GS1150. .....
.....

Joe, Welcome to GSR.

I do not know where Eagle WI is to know how far it would be for you to go to southern Indiana. Do look in MeetingPlace for the TIna Wasserott Brown County rally that is in two weeks.

Dave

.

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome from a fellow 1150 owner. Beautifu cycle you have there....27 years...wow. I guess you bought it nearly new...great job on the upkeep.

 

[dorkburger]

Hello again. i just had a minute to more closely check out your cycle. Couple of questions...What rear shock are you using, and has the rear wheel been widened? Just curious...I also like the blacked out passenger peg carriers and swingarm.

 

[Joe H]

Good eye dorkburger and thank you, It was three yrs old when I bought it and it was actually in worse condition.
The PO had thought he knew how to make it "go fast"
So the original exhaust was changed, not bad, but he ran it with no baffle and no carb or air box mods, and its always best to tighten up the screw adjusters on the rockers so they just make contact with the valves when the valves are closed?
Oh, and make sure you strip every valve cover bolt and brake off and or strip at least every other exhaust manifold bolt
And as your taking it apart just RIP the body panels off, those tabs and bolts are unimportant!
Anyway it was great price and it did run and it came with the complete Suzuki dealer shop manual, good tires and chain. At the time I had little money and lots of time. So I spent the next couple weeks getting it running correctly, jet kit, baffle, helicoils, tune up. I was stunned at how fast it was when it ran right!
A friend traded my help on his roof for him to powder coat selected parts.
I had the rear widened by a local guy, very similar to Kossman, its 5.5"x18"
I can get a 170 on it 180 rubs just a bit.
The shock is a Works performance, Im a pretty big guy so it was a major improvement along with Progressive fork springs.

Thanks for the invite Dave I haven't been at a meet or on a long ride in a very long time, life keeps my schedule full for the time being. In the next few years with the kids getting older I am hoping to be able to do it again!

 

[dorkburger]

Sound like a lot of PO stories.....

Heres the ongoing saga of mine....
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/album.php?albumid=2518

 

[wymple]

" I was stunned at how fast it was when it ran right!"

GS1150. Not much left to add.

 

[Joe H]

Wow dorkburger, that is so similar it aint funny!
I bought mine and for the life of me I cannot remember the millage but if my memory serves me right (which it often doesn't) I remember thinking all this damage before the first service maintenance!
What where these PO's doing!

And the first night I got it back together and running RIGHT it was about 11pm I lived in Milwaukee at the time and I took it out hit a straight city block, punched it, broke the tire free and spun sideways for a bit before I regained my composure?? It was AWSOME! Of course the older I get the faster I was, as the saying goes!

 

[dorkburger]

I found it amusing that mine came with the previous abuse AND the break in warning / 600 mile service sticker still stuck to the gauge cluster....