Offered a (mostly)complete 1980 GS1000G for my 78 550E, what to do?

[Guest]

I'll add that the chrome front fender isn't stock, either.

I think the only non-L shafties with a chrome fender were the '79 850s.

 

[dorkburger]

I definitely have mixed feelings. Personally I’d love to park a little GS next to the 1150. Your 550 looks like a fun ride. Can the G replace the fun factor of the 550?

 

[Eli69]

Check the tank carefully too. The Ugly tank was always popping a leak until I sealed the inside.

 

[Jedz123]

I had the guy shoot me a pic of the inside of the tank. It looks good!
I had a great ride on the 550E this AM, it was a nice relaxed ride, I was looking for some extra power as I usually do on it this morning to attempt a pass but never did. it's not a bike you can just get around things on, you have to plan and have luck on the straight-aways, not very many of them on my ride to work unless I take the dreadful route 7.
As I rode the 550 in I thought this morning, I really want a GS that was reminiscent of my modified 81 GS750L. Why I'm contemplating this bike or an 81 GS1100GL (which needs work).

The GS1100L in question:

This bike runs but poorly, History is that it's been sitting for 20 years and needs a refresh. Much better shape than my GS550E when I found it. I would need to pay cash for it... $900. I could try to sell the 550 and have this bike.

I know the GS1000G runs well enough that the owner is meeting me at a park and ride away 20 miles from his house.

I think ultimately the 550E is not the bike I'm looking for in the long term unless I make it a 670 and after that I'm unsure it will have the thrill factor my old 750L did.

Anyway much to think about. I only meet the guy in 3 hours!

Cheers,

 

[rphillips]

Personally, I've never been an "L" guy. The GS550 will never be what a GS1000 is, both fun but in different ways. Anxiously waiting for your next post. Sorry if I'm nosey (no, not nosey, just wondering)

 

[Jedz123]

So I did decide to swap my 550E for the 1000G. It needs work, brakes are bad, suspension is shot and the turn signal lights are all wonky. However the Engine is PHENOMENNAL Holy cow does that thing make some power north of 7K RPM. The stock bars came with the bike and they will be going on ASAP. I can't stress at how smooth and powerful the engine is running. No pops no hesitation no flat spots. Just loads of torque. I rode it for a short stint on the highway and it easily buried the (85MPH) speedometer and was pulling HARD. I cruised at 65MPH most of the time and with engine braking the bike made it over the mountains no issues. 85 miles and it ran beautifully. Also, I forgot it was shafty, Suzuki nailed these shaft bikes. transmission is awesome, and that 8V 1000. Wow.

The ride home was more fun and the bike worked allot less than the 550 did on the way over to the swap location. I think a good cleanup and I will be more than happy to have this bike in the stable. I see some big rides in it's future.

The good surprises: Tires are actually date stamped for 2019 and rode nicely with plenty of meat. Engine and carburation is perfect. Plug caps are rough but new plugs and fresh oil change. No leaks or engine smoking. It runs fantastic.

The sure needs: Indicator circuit repair, relay and lights. Stock bars. New shocks and front end work. BRAKES, at least lines, pads and new fluids, might rebuild masters for the heck of it. Gauge cluster needs to be restored or replaced, faded gauges and te numbers are gone from the cluster (gear lights work though). Stock seat. 1 GS1000G badge. Exhaust, it needs to go, it's rotting out and loud. Just a detail clean, pain and polish. Oh and Cam cover cap.

Cheers!

Home:

 

[Rob S.]

I find it hard to believe you're so impressed with the torque when you used to own a gen 2 VMax. Oh well, different strokes...

 

[rphillips]

You mean you could feel the difference in power??? You may miss the 6 spd trans. I never figured why Suzuki felt the GS550 could pull the O.D. OK, but the GS1000 & 1100's couldn't, just never made sense. One more thing, those stock bars are pretty tall, OK when used behind a fairing or windshield of some kind, but bunches of folks, including me, have used something between what's on there now & the stock bars... Congrats & hope both ya'll are happy. Keep us updated.

 

[Jedz123]

I find it hard to believe you're so impressed with the torque when you used to own a gen 2 VMax. Oh well, different strokes...

Haha love the sarcasm

For a 42 year old motorcycle (older than me), damn straight I'm impressed with torque.

It doesn't Compare to the Max, The B-King, the Concours 14, etc.... I've owned but for the vintage it's a darn impressive.

 

[Jedz123]

You mean you could feel the difference in power??? You may miss the 6 spd trans. I never figured why Suzuki felt the GS550 could pull the O.D. OK, but the GS1000 & 1100's couldn't, just never made sense. One more thing, those stock bars are pretty tall, OK when used behind a fairing or windshield of some kind, but bunches of folks, including me, have used something between what's on there now & the stock bars... Congrats & hope both ya'll are happy. Keep us updated.

Compared to the 550 this thing is going to be far more enjoyable for me in the mountains. The frame feels solid however with the crap suspension I can't really get a good feel on how the bones of the bike are compared to the 550.

I was thinking the same thing but they did a decent job at gearing out the 5 speed. On the interstate in 5th the engine seemed pretty laid back. The torque is adequate enough so your not searching for power in the gears.

I have a few sets of bars, I have a FZ1 stock bar that might work well, these drag bars are DEFINITELY not going to stay on. I might give the stocks a shot but of they feel too "L-ish" I'll grab something from the pile.

I like this bike. I'm sure after I get all the things neglected in order I'll love it.

Gotta run, Dad-mode time!

Cheers!

 

[Eli69]

The Delkevic exhaust should work on that bike. That's what I have on my skunk.

 

[Jedz123]

I'll start a new thread on the restore, I discovered new carb boots, new air box boots, new gaskets on the valve cover and clutch cover. Someone put some love into this bike (The PO didn't ride it much) to make it run well, and that it does!

 

[Dogma]

Stock bars are halfway to L. I think they're meant to be paired with a Windjammer. Drag bars are too low and straight, Daytonas are a good height but too much bend. I like GP touring, Euro bend, superbike. IIRC you're a couple inches taller than me, so weight my thoughts with that in mind.

I look forward to seeing what you do with this thing.

 

[Guest]

If you are going to do a lot of miles, and knowing how long YOUR riding season is, a National Cycle Street Shield EX would be a nice addition, and the stock bars would work well with that.

 

[KiwiGriff]

I'll add that the chrome front fender isn't stock, either.

I think the only non-L shafties with a chrome fender were the '79 850s.

not sure whether it's a US market thing or not, but my '81 1000G has a chrome front fender - always has. (haven't read through the rest of the post yet to see what he did!)