Hey guys.  You were all really a great help when I was getting my GS500 up to my standards, and Buddha you rock.

But I sold my GS last spring and haven't really been on here much lately.  I just yesterday bought my next bike, and wanted to tell you guys thank you for everything.

Here's what I got:

I wasn't really looking for a new bike, but I found one. Last night I was playing around on ebay, and right before I went to sleep I clicked on eBay Motors. I started looking at what kind of auctions were ending soonest, and then clicked "classified ads". I filtered the search results to items within 50 miles of my house, and BAM there was a listing for a 1982 GS750 for $5.00. Thinking it was too good to be true, I read through the ad, and there was the reason. The bike had a rod knock, and call for more details. So, I watxhed the item and went to bed.

This morning at work, I had a minute, so I clicked the ad, got the phone # and gave the guy a call. I asked if it was still available. He said, I'm 75 years old and have been riding this thing for 12 years, and I still have it. There's a knocking noise from the engine, but I rode it last week and other than the noise it runs pretty good. I asked how much he wanted. He said "yeah, I put $5 on the ad" (I thought "here it comes") "but I just want it gone. Come get it if you want it."  He also said "I got about 10 emails, but you are the first one to call. I won't reply to them, it's yours."   

I went there straight after work, checked it out, rode it around the block, he signed over the title, and says "five bucks". I said, I don't have a 5, but take this $10.

I rode it home and went back later to pick up my car. I now have a new winter project.  It knocked the whole way home, but I had a grin from ear to ear the whole way.

And some pics, because everone likes pics....











What do you think?   

SCORE!

Those things are as big as a boat, but wicked fast! Shouldn't be too hard to find a donor motor, either 

If you are up for a project then you did real good.

I think its technology is about same as the GS500. Whatever you know from here applies there.

It was at the top of heap in its short day. The Kawis had competitive motor but wobbled. The Suzukis didn't wobble.

Rod knock - man them things are a tank. I would almost bet it a cam chain, or a misfire or some other da-bling thing.
Open er up. You may have a surprise. BTW you could shove a GSXR air oil motor in em. Kat or gsxr ... pre 90 750, pre 92 1100, all kats and what not.
Of course all gs 4cyl motors fit, and I know of someone with a peach of a 1100 laying round.
Cool.
Buddha.

i think you got ripped off  jk. cool project

I see cafe all over that.

Definitely drop an old school gixxer engine in there. With your luck you might find a wrecked one for $9.50   

Why aren't there deals like that in Seattle?

For repainting, check out http://colorrite.com/ and http://www.eastwood.com/

Cool bike! What a steal!

Yeah, it is much heavier than my old GS500.  The first time I pushed it around, it felt like it was twice as heavy.  Getting it on the center stand is not easy either. 

I was thinking cafe bike too, and Buddah, now that you say it, a KAT engine would be SWEET in there.  And these things are easy to swap.  750's and 1100's used the same frame part # from what I read.

Buddah, can you email me info about the 1100?  jimpski(a)gmail(dot)com

Thanks!

Here's a VID of the noise... (click on pic)

Tell me what you think...

Thanks!

Yeah I'd check the top end before being in a hurry to do a swap . Hard to tell from the video but it sounds like something up top. Those ( I know my 850G is) are roller bearing motors- hard to kill the bottom ends.

If the compression is good ( looks like you have a head gasket weeping some oil there )I'd try to fix the engine you have there...

Or stuff an 1100 in it...

Yes they are heavy.

Pop that valve cover off. That sounds like top end. Would be awesome if you just had valve train problems. if you have a mechanics stethoscope you could almost pinpoint the area. If not get you a long screw driver and cup it to your ear. Wherever its loudest is the problem. What a steal!!! I'm sure we can find it in our hearts to extend ourselves past your twin to your new quad project.

The 1100 motor is with my friend in spokane WA. Laserred - You are somewhere east coast if I remember.
Sorry bit of a road trip there ... and I am betting (not heard that noise cos I didn't watch the vid so far though) ... top end, cos these buggers eat top ends 100 times more often than bottom.

You want an 1127 to stuff in there ... cos I know where there is one of those too ... comes complete with alu frame, shorty swingarm etc etc ... 

Cool.
Buddha.

that's a decent price you paid 
Cool project for upcoming winter.
Good luck

Well guys, no such luck.

I rotated the engine over until each piston was moving in a down ward motion then pushed on the top of the piston with a 1/4" long extension.  Nothing until I got to cyl #2. ::thunk:: 

#2 rod bearing is F'ed.

This bike is going to become a 1000cc bike as soon as I can find a donor engine/bike.

Even if I spend $300-$500 bucks for the engine and parts, I will have a good deal.

Wish me luck, and PLEASE let me know if you know anyone with a GS1000 engine.

Thanks guys!

Dude those bikes and motors are legendary! That is why the GS500 exists. It's great to see an old school bike like that meet someone that cares.I am looking for an old GS550 I think, some on correct me it was the first Gen of 4 inline cylinders and was akin to the Kawasaki Zephir 550? Lots of power! But very hard to keep running cheaply that is why Suzuki came out with the twin inline GS500 in 1989 at a lower cost entry level bike.

Wow sorry to hear its actually in the cylinder. Keep us updated on the build to a 1000. I'll keep my eyes open on a gs1000 engine.

The GS450 I bought a few years back did the same thing after the oil became diluted with gas. There was also metallic debris present in the oil. The odd thing was it didn't knock all the time and would quit if I leaned it to one side or the other  . Sold it and never did find out what the problem was. Good luck with your project.

Quote from: reajcox on October 10, 2010, 07:37:37 AM
Wow sorry to hear its actually in the cylinder. Keep us updated on the build to a 1000. I'll keep my eyes open on a gs1000 engine.

Yeah it's a bummer.  although, now that I'll have the engine out, it will give me cause to strip it down to the frame, and clean/paint/powdercoat everything and get the tank and plastics painted.



Definitely let me know if anyone sees a 1000/1100/1150 for sale, that runs.   

If you're pulling the motor regardless you should toss it on your workbench and just pull it apart. Nothing to lose at this point? What's one bearing and a few gaskets for the chance that it may fix the problem. 

The 1000cc motor does sound fun though. Great looking bike!