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not sure if this is the right area, sawsall???

  • Thread starter Thread starter highpointbuc
  • Start date Start date
Ever since I bought my 850G I've been itching to chop it. The paint is an ugly matte black, side panels are missing, and so on. Restoring it would take less work than letting it slide into chop/rat territory.

The problem is, I've seen too many examples of ugly chop jobs. The seats always end up mangled, the engine+gas tank area is always much taller than the rear end making it look off balance. If you can visualize the whole project enough to know that it will work out, then go for it. Chopping these bikes reduces their vintage value, but a killer custom is worth more to other people.

Like a few others have echoed, if you aren't completely sure what you're doing, and aren't ready to flush the whole thing if it comes out crappy, just leave it alone. Mr. Suzuki was wise in his design, and little tweaks often make things much worse.
-=T=-

I'm not NEARLY the stickler for "every nut and bolt original" that many people are and I paid over $100 (by the time I found the part in a distant warehouse somewhere, bought the insignia and the paint to make it the correct color) for ONE side panel. I parked it (mostly) for two weeks because I couldn't stand to ride it with the side panel missing. We're all crazy in our own way.
 
to cut or not to cut that is the ?

to cut or not to cut that is the ?

you guys can cut up all the g or gk's you want those bikes are just parts bikes for the e models they are like 4 door nova's or chevelle don?t get me wrong they are nice but they are in no way ever going to be a collector bikes just my opinion
 
you guys can cut up all the g or gk's you want those bikes are just parts bikes for the e models they are like 4 door nova's or chevelle don?t get me wrong they are nice but they are in no way ever going to be a collector bikes just my opinion

Hmmm ... is that why a mint GK commands a mint (just like a mint "E")? The GK's are more rare, so maybe we should chop up the "E" models since there are more of them? Better idea ... let's preserve the good examples of BOTH, since they're both fantastic machines, each made for it's own purpose.

For the record, My fully dressed "G" has little difficulty keeping up with any "E" in the twisties - ask the "E" guys I ride with and they'll attest to its capabilities... I suspect that my "GK" project will perform even a little better, since it has wider, thicker front forks with hypothetically a bit better capability and stability. We'll see...

Regards,
 
Hmmm ... is that why a mint GK commands a mint (just like a mint "E")? The GK's are more rare, so maybe we should chop up the "E" models since there are more of them? Better idea ... let's preserve the good examples of BOTH, since they're both fantastic machines, each made for it's own purpose.

For the record, My fully dressed "G" has little difficulty keeping up with any "E" in the twisties - ask the "E" guys I ride with and they'll attest to its capabilities... I suspect that my "GK" project will perform even a little better, since it has wider, thicker front forks with hypothetically a bit better capability and stability. We'll see...

Regards,

Actually, when the GS1000G came out in 1980, it was widely acknowledged that it handled better than the GS1000E (which was in its final year of production), due to a lower center of gravity and different steering geometry. Suzuki had finally overcome the shaft-jacking phenomenom to the point that a final drive shaft on a bike no longer made it a handful in the curves.

The E was a bit quicker accelerating and had a higher top speed due to the inherent superiority of the chain final drive system ;), but the G pretty much ruled the twisties over the E.

Either bike is a great example of the UJM concept circa 1980.
 
you guys can cut up all the g or gk's you want those bikes are just parts bikes for the e models they are like 4 door nova's or chevelle don?t get me wrong they are nice but they are in no way ever going to be a collector bikes just my opinion
Watch it, they'll ban you too for saying blastphemous stuff like that...


I chopped mine...cut it behind the shock mounts and added some 1/4" flat stock bent to support my trakker seat.

Still handles lke an 82 GS750EZ...

Besides, it was already a POS when I paid $250 for it. Its down there next to Evel. And yes, I run an annoyingly loud exhaust too...the whole package screams "look at me"...

Flame away...I can take it. :D
 
g and gk is for grandpa

g and gk is for grandpa

If I wanted to take a Sherman shaft drive tank Suzuki into the twistys I would bring a stitch kit and some casting material to set the broken bones
I said in my opinion I would rather push my whole E collection up MT Everest than to own a shaft drive motorcycle other than a parts bike and that?s MY OPINION all mine
 
If I wanted to take a Sherman shaft drive tank Suzuki into the twistys I would bring a stitch kit and some casting material to set the broken bones
I said in my opinion I would rather push my whole E collection up MT Everest than to own a shaft drive motorcycle other than a parts bike and that?s MY OPINION all mine

And I think You are wrong but that is My opinion.:p But this is how civilized discussions are conducted, not with personal insults and profanity.;)
 
If I wanted to take a Sherman shaft drive tank Suzuki into the twistys I would bring a stitch kit and some casting material to set the broken bones
I said in my opinion I would rather push my whole E collection up MT Everest than to own a shaft drive motorcycle other than a parts bike and that?s MY OPINION all mine

Haha!
Certainly won't argue whether a chain drive bone stock will handle better than a shaftie bone stock, it will. That being said I've scraped the footpegs more than once on my shaft drive. I can replace the footpegs with what I didn't spend on chain lube, chains, sprockets, and cleaning bills for the crap thrown off the chain. I'm very interested to see how it handles after the frame bracing I'm about to start. If it's 50% the handling improvement I got from losing the "so heavy they must be made out of uranium" stock exhaust it's going to be great.
 
That is my point agree to disagree you don?t have to use that language. here is some more of my opinions again if I had a extra $600.00
Dollars lying around I would go and buy a couple of mint condition g or gk models and weld them To the chains on the front of my boat to stop it from moving while I fish just kidding
But it is so easy to get you shafty guys GOATS
 
Actually, My previous Shafty (GS850) or My current one (GSX1100G) either one would make a great boat anchor but they are even better motorcycles.:)
 
Never owned a shaftie before this one, and love chain bikes. I rode a virago or something like that years ago with a shaft and it was TERRIBLE. Suzuki at least got it right. It took about a day to get used to the different feel in the twisties. The ass end not digging in when you twist the throttle.
 
That is my point agree to disagree you don?t have to use that language. here is some more of my opinions again if I had a extra $600.00
Dollars lying around I would go and buy a couple of mint condition g or gk models and weld them To the chains on the front of my boat to stop it from moving while I fish just kidding
But it is so easy to get you shafty guys GOATS
You got my goat? Here I am with this big, heavy 'ol shaft and no goat!:eek:
 
The only thing I don't like about the "G" is the tank. I wish I could fit one of the flatter skunk tanks to it.
 
For the last few weeks, I was sort of working up to a post wondering why all of a sudden we're seeing all these GS chop projects.

Not my cup of tea (especially the hard tail thing), but I think it's a better fate for a GS than slowly returning to its component elements leaned up against the back of some shed. I do hate seeing a nice example chopped up, but most of the chops I've seen are starting with a pretty rough bike that was never going to become anything else anyway. And there is proof that a shaftie can make a nice custom if you're paying attention. The shaft is certainly cleaner visually than a greasy chain or rubber band drive belt.


Now related to the original question, I still don't think there's really such a thing as a stupid question. However, there are questions that fall into the category of "if you have to ask, then don't do it", and this was one of them.

I don't think anyone would have batted an eye if the question would have been asking about what bracing might be needed to compensate for removing frame tubes aft of the shock mounts. (This was indeed brought up and answered amid all the social explodery and bannination.) A question like this implies the querent is thinking ahead, considering structure and safety, and may actually have the ability to cut and weld metal.


As to some of the cracks regarding shafties, all I can say is that you need to come out to a rally and ride with me for a while... :twistedevil:
 
If I wanted to take a Sherman shaft drive tank Suzuki into the twistys I would bring a stitch kit and some casting material to set the broken bones
I said in my opinion I would rather push my whole E collection up MT Everest than to own a shaft drive motorcycle other than a parts bike and that?s MY OPINION all mine

That is my point agree to disagree you don?t have to use that language. here is some more of my opinions again if I had a extra $600.00
Dollars lying around I would go and buy a couple of mint condition g or gk models and weld them To the chains on the front of my boat to stop it from moving while I fish just kidding
But it is so easy to get you shafty guys GOATS

As to some of the cracks regarding shafties, all I can say is that you need to come out to a rally and ride with me for a while... :twistedevil:

...So true, Brian. Anthony would be sucking our exhaust the entire weekend! How embarrassing it would be for him to forever follow a loaded "G" or "GK," hehe!! :twistedevil::lol:;)

Regards,
 
sucking our exhaust Nice guys

sucking our exhaust Nice guys

I would be more than happy to meet you guys in the Pocono?s at a open track day but you guys are more experienced than me I would like to know if I could use one of my dads bike if that would be ok I have only been riding on the street for two years now but I started racing motor x
when I was 4. I will be 18 in 17 days oh ya bring cash because I don't take plastic
 
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