[FRodTim]

Guys just joined and hoping to learn a bit about how to create a modified bike. I have built and raced cars from the ground up and in the search for a father son project was given a pristine 1979 GS1000L Suzuki .... In survivor condition garage kept for 35 years from the original owner with 10,000 miles it was originally parked 10 years ago due to a minor sticking carb issue with the mikuni. I am sorting out now but after reading a bunch feel I want to get the bike running flawlessly before embarking on a cafe project. Heading out today to get manometer to ensure the carbs are synced correctly. I currently ride a 2011 VRod Muscle but don't hold that against me and my eldest has a 2008 ZX6R.

I have tried googling for other GS1000 cafe projects and find a ton for the S and not knowing the differences between models wonder if the L version is an ok starting point for the project. Truly would love any direction for modification ideas, parts ... Etc. I a pretty capable with all forms of fabrication and tuning just have never applied it to bikes ... Other than making parts for my Harley

 

[Witworth]

An L/GS is not an impossible bike to modify into a café racer. The S and E models are a better sport bikes, but unless you are racing superbike class, I doubt it will make a whole lot of difference to you riding on the road.

If it's the chain drive one, you have a very good motor and carb setup as a basis.

Post some big clear images of the bike.

Doing the basic maintenance on that motor is not particularly difficult. Apart from normal replacement stuff like oil, plugs and filters, about all you need is a rocker cover gasket and maybe some valve shims.

Get a genuine Suzuki service manual or a Haynes one.

About the only weakness with older GS Suzukis is the charging system, and that's not that expensive to fix.

Danger, is my business.

 

[Geeto67]

Gs1000L is a the factory chopper model. you'll end up replacing so much on the bike and it will still be ugly so it's probably to clean it up and sell it on and use the money to buy something you really like.

 

[Joep7]

Seems like 90 percent of people show up with either a Yamaha Special, Honda "C", or Suzuki "L". Does anyone know what the breakdown was for the production in the 80's? Were there that many more "Chopper" models produced?

 

[Witworth]

The L, C, Custom and Special plagues affected all the Jap brands in the USA.

The streets were crawling with the ugly things.

Plenty of brand new ones got shipped to the U.K. after the good ol' boy network wouldn't buy them anymore.

In Europe they may have sold only 10% soft-chopper UJMs compared to the same model proper "Euro-style" ones.

Bike sales figures are hard to find at the best of times, let alone nearly forty years later.

Danger, is my business.

PS: If you want a better basis for a café style bike, sell the L and find a good 2-valve GS750E, A far better bike on many levels.

 

[bmartin]

The L model is the chopper form of the Suzuki 1000 - too bad you don't have an S model as that would be worth some real money. I have to agree with Geto on this one. The L model is the ugly duck of the 1000's and would take some real imagination to make it look decent. The good point is the 1000 motor is pretty snappy. If the bike is running good and in good shape, I would unload it and use the money to start with a better candidate.

As it turns out, the GS750 was one decent handling bike in it's time and much better than the GS1000. To sum up - it doesn't make much sense to cut up the L if it's in nice shape - find someone else to love it more than you do...

 

[Dean]

I would like to have a GS1000S Wes Cooley replica myself

 

[Dean]

You know... when the Japanese Bosozoku style trend hits stateside, after this caféd fad has worn off:

the C's , L's , LTDs and Specials from the 80's will be excellent build platforms .. just 'sayin

 

[hillsy]

GS Resources.com is going to be your new best friend. Read all the tech articles.

I was going to say if it's still running and charging the stator and reg/rec have been changed (IE: fixed) but since it's low mile and been in storage who knows....

Bosozuki style is cool, but they rely heavily on making tunes with the throttle so all the over 400cc bikes will struggle with this. 250 and 400 in line 4's make the best tunes....

 

[Teazer]

I can't wait for that style to catch on in the US. I have a couple of old TZ fairings that would look totally badass mounted like that.

Anyone know wher i can get one of those cool riding suits to go with my new look cafe Bozo look?

 

[Witworth]

I can't wait for that style to catch on in the US. I have a couple of old TZ fairings that would look totally badass mounted like that.

Anyone know wher i can get one of those cool riding suits to go with my new look cafe Bozo look?

Don't tempt fate with this bōsōzoku shit! Roland Sands, O.C.C. and Jesse James have just about run out of bike design ideas now.

Danger, is my business.

 

[Dean]

I can't wait for that style to catch on in the US. I have a couple of old TZ fairings that would look totally badass mounted like that.

Anyone know wher i can get one of those cool riding suits to go with my new look cafe Bozo look?

Hey Richard , save one of those fairings for me! I will need one for my "Bosozoku bike buildoff " vs. CaTacL1sm