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

Jedz123

Jedz123

Forum Sage
Past Site Supporter
Greetings
So I was recently offered a good running GS1000G to trade for my GS550E that I just restored. I personally like the idea of getting on an 8V 1000 because I know they are bullet proof. Bike has 35K miles (mine is pushing 29K). I secretly am trying to get back to a GS that rides like my old GS750 (16V W/ 840cc BBK). I don't really want to molest the 550E and thought getting into a 1000 would bring me back to where I want to be. I have never ridden a 10000G but have ridden some modified 1000E's (Skunks) and boy were the fun! So I would like to go down a similar road with cams, Pods and a 4-1 system from Delkevik. Unsure what i would look at for power generation but I know it's going to put me in a better spot than the 550E. Just that my 550E is such a little cream puff I will find it hard to let go.
I think overall this is swap that would benefit me. Bike is missing a cam cover or two and doesn't have a stock exhuast but the bike is otherwise stock and still has both side covers. My 550E was in MUCH worse shape so I think I could make this 1000G a nice bike to ride. Is it worth upgrading? IS it significantly quicker than a 550E?
Oh here's a picture of the bike as it sits. The owner of the big G is looking to get something smaller and less powerful, at least those were his words.
vUIORsq.jpeg
Cheers!
 
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I have a 850 and 1100 G and like them both. Sandy rides the piss out of a1000 G and is hard to keep up with sometimes. Easy to work on good power.

V
 
Pretty decent looking, though seat don't fit right & fugly exhaust. I bought one of those new in 80, traded in my "78" GS1000. Slightly heavier than 1000 chain dr, raises up "slightly" when heavy on throttle, instead of squatting, nothing major. Should feel a lot heavier, at first, than the 550. Power should be waaay ahead of 550 with no mods., same mods work for G & E eng.... Not as easy, maybe can't re-gear for the G. G had probably the most comfortable seat I've ever owned for less than 150 mi. trip. Longer trip felt like seat was too soft, felt I had bottomed out against the pan. All in all, I really liked mine... Decisions, decisions ???
 
That's what The Ugly should look like. I'd get it. It's a road trip machine with some baggage and a cowl. Just took mine to work today about 100 mile round trip with tools, water bottle and coffee thermos.

You know, that might be the bike for a sidecar.... just sayin.
 
May god bless the Ugly. Knowing the Ugly is a 1000G that know has me sold.
THe 550E is definitely not a bike I'd want to do a big trip on but I would like to get out to GS rally on a GS.
I'll check it out next Tuesday. I just got back from a ride on the 550 and it's just a cream puff... Not to say I can't get the 1000G there though.
Best
 
I don't know. Something seems fishy in Denmark. How well do you know the 'trader'?
 
If you get it, by all means, ditch that crappy mac turn out exhaust. Mine came to me with that same set up and I couldn't wait to find a stock 4-2 system.

If I ever have to change mine, it will be for a Delkevic 4-1. Lots of weight to lose with the 4-2.

Yeah, if you want something to get up and go, that 1000G will fill the bill for you.
 
Rob S. said:
I don't know. Something seems fishy in Denmark. How well do you know the 'trader'?
Click to expand...

I know he's a Jedz Moto subscriber. Name is Pete, my age with kids and a wife and owns a house on the Vermont side of the Connecticut river valley, He loves the 550E and has watched my 550E video a few times. He ride a Verses 650 as a daily rider and the GS1000G is too big for him to enjoy, also he has friends that come over and likes to offer bikes for them to ride and many are intimidated by the size and power of the 1000. So he's looking for a smaller GS to meet his needs for back road riding and borrowing, makes sense to me.

It's a Vermonter transaction, I'll show up, likely talk about the summer, weather, gardening and our kids than look at motorcycles. I will test ride the 1000G and if it feels right we will fill out a handwritten bill of trade, sign on the tank, swap plates and I'll ride home with 450 more cc's between my legs, if not than I got to enjoy a great ride through the green mountains on the 550E.

Ball is in my court for sure. No pressure and things are different here in small town world. Guy's been great over the phone and text so far.
 
alke46 said:
If you get it, by all means, ditch that crappy mac turn out exhaust. Mine came to me with that same set up and I couldn't wait to find a stock 4-2 system.

If I ever have to change mine, it will be for a Delkevic 4-1. Lots of weight to lose with the 4-2.

Yeah, if you want something to get up and go, that 1000G will fill the bill for you.
Click to expand...

I am not a fan of the exhuast, the more I look at it, the more I cringe.

Yamaha FJ is going to be sold come Monday, just sold a Vulcan 750 I restored and made good profit on that. So I have some spare coins on the Jedz Moto books I could use for a 4-1.

Cheers!
 
That seat appears to have been modified. It looks like the rider portion may have had some foam removed to lower seat height? The stock one (also on the 850) is almost completely flat and may be the most comfortable stock motorcycle seat ever.
 
If that's an OEM seat, with that much foam removed, I'll bet your butt is against the pan all the time. The "big" gap between the rear of the seat & the tail section is really questionable. If seat were moved back to fill the gap, It'd have a big gap at the front. Something just ain't right about it. That being said, finding a nice OEM seat may not be a very big problem as seemed to be bunches of 850's out there.
 
The airbox is not correct for the '80. I wonder if this thing was merged with an 1100G. The seat and airbox are in question, but apparently functional. It makes me wonder if the carbs are jetted correctly. Overall, it looks like a solid project that will need a little love. Hard to say on the value of the slightly mix and match 1000G vs a nice 550. I don't think it would be a mistake to take it or leave it. I say do it if you want to.

More power and torque, but 5 speed instead of 6 and more weight. It's been too long since I rode a 550, so I can't report on the seat of the pants difference.

I've been riding my 1000G for over a decade, because there's nothing I'd rather have. Fully adjustable shocks, straight rate springs and emulators, Salty Monk brakes, GK bags when it's not on track. Love it.
 
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Thanks guys, I'm still contemplating it, the market just opened up a mint GS1100L that doesn't run which might fit my fancy more...
But I did ask for close up shots of the bike and the more I look, the more it make me look sideways. He's changed parts (bars and no mirrors).
vvrhahT.jpeg
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mG52PCp.jpeg
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DBDvU1P.jpeg
The tires also don't look new, in fact the print makes me think those are some mighty old Kenda Challengers.
Good eye on the airbox, that looks like an L air box.
Plug caps too Yeesh!
I can see potential in it for sure... but the 1100L is much better looking bike for only $1100 right now. I would say my GS550E is valued at $1500 as it sits in good running condition, complete and all legal. I guess would you value this GS1000G at that price? I know the engines are dang near bulletproof. Hmmm....
Thoughts?
 
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