Another newbie here - & my GS750

dardoonk

New Member
Hi, found this site & thought I'd join. Lots of great bikes here.
Here's mine - http://www.bikepics.com/members/dardoonk/77gs750/
It is a '77 GS750
I found this in a barn last fall and it had sat for 20 some odd years. Last titled in '82; it looked like this when I found it, and beleive me, it looks to be in better condition than it actually was.
aad.jpg


The full path of my exploits is here, so I won't bore everyone or bother typing it all again.
Here's what I started with.
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=112598

Here's a shot as I was progressing.
gettingdone3.jpg


Anyway, this is my first rebuild & actually the first time I really tried something so involved. Other than pay a guy to cover the saddle I made, and have a few broken studs removed, I've done everything myself. Short of splitting the engine case, every part on the bike has been rebuilt or replaced. New Paint, gaskets, bearings, harness, top end, Dyna ignition, and the list goes on. I found a set of 37mm forks and a dual disk setup, along with an aluminum swingarm, so those items have been upgraded from stock. The rearsets are adapted from a Bandit, and a set of 29mm smoothbores are in the works. The paint is Nason (PPG) Corvette Red & Arctic White with silver pinstripes.

Before it was ready to ride, it took me 363 days, mostly working on weekends and whenever I had spare time, but here's the result:
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Even though my "official" finish date was the day before Thanksgiving, I do have more to do. Since I don't ride much from Dec thru mid-March, my "to-do" list is now underway. Most of this I couldn't do until I had a running bike:

Valve-adjustment- DONE (again)- When I built the motor, the valves were set on the tight side of the spec, but I've learned the GS runs better when set at or slightly over the factory spec.

Charging System - UNDERWAY - During the build, I upgraded the historically poor performing factory R&R (separate units on the GS) with a better integrated unit off a newer Honda. I had also rebuilt the entire wiring harness and bought a new battery. Until I had a running bike, I couldn't check the stator and right now it doesn't seem to be providing enough juice.

Carburation - GETTING CLOSER - The carbs got mostly all new parts, but finding the sweet spot is a slow process, especially when trying to tune in 40degree weather when I know most of my riding will be in 85degrees. The Mikuni VM carbs are mechanical slides, and is new for me since most of my experience is with Keihin CV's. If I were using an airbox and more restrictive exhaust, tuning would be easier. (but it wouldn't sound as cool) Right now, the idle doesn't drop off quick enough, but I think my fuel level is too high. I have 17.5 pilots and 117.5 main jets installed right now, so if anyone has any experience tuning these GS's, feel free to comment.
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KURT! Whats up broseph? Glad to see ya joined the dark side ;D Still say thats the best lookin GS750B to date....till i get mine done of course ;)
 
Cafe, I figured that was you. Nobody else puts up 3000 posts in like 3 months.. LOL.. You'd told me about this site, and I've been lurking a bit, so I thought I join up and "show off" my handi-work a bit.. ;D I've still got plenty of work to do, but the weather is too crappy here this weekend.

Hey, good to see there's a special thread for all the dedicated the Ohio boys... Maybe I can be an Associate Member since I spent 35 years there?
 
I would welcome ya for sure! Got my tax return back yesterday...all about gone already on parts...hehehe
 
Weather is crappy here too..i think right now with the windchill its -20 F. Crazy skin freezing cold :( But i've the next two days off, so ima spend it finishing up stuff on that seat, sanding, filling, more sanding. Even more sanding. Still dunno what ima do about that battery moving proceedure. We'll see. I dunno what im gonna do bout my tail light either. Been a couple of good posts on here bout it recently tho. Dunno if i wanna ditch the side mount set up i have now, and build one into the glass of the seat, meh..
 
TonUpSoldier said:
Got my tax return back yesterday...all about gone already on parts...hehehe

Man, you got it filed quick! I haven't even got all my stuff together yet to start looking at it..
Hopefully, this year I don't have to pay. It ruins your springtime.
 
I only have one w2, I went the day after i got it to HRblock. I want my shit NOW. LOL give it back you greedy bastards! I do my state and local myself, so i only end up paying them like 100 bucks and i get it the day of, got bout 1200 back this year :) Save about half and the rest i spend on stuff. This year its stuff for my project. Got my electronic ignition, new coils, going to pick up a 530 conversion set up, and that HOPEFULLY will be the last of the parts i need to buy. Of course untill i see some sweet alloy tank down the road that im sure will fit my bike (FAT chance of that)
 
That's quite a transformation, nice work dardoonk. The new seat alone makes a huge difference. Paint looks awesome, did you paint it yourself?
 
Me and my buddy were already looking at your bike. It was actually the closest to what he wants to do with his 77 GS750. What swingarm did you end up using, and was it a direct fit? I have started reading through your posts on GSResources, but hey, I'm lazy. I'll probably have a few questions for you in the next month or two as the project won't start until after his wedding in Feb. Anyway, damn nice job on that GS!
 
If you don't mind me asking, what do you think the total (or close to it) would be for this whole build? I know sometimes its hard to keep track of all the costs for all the parts, but I'm just curious as with my buddy getting married, buying a house and all that he may be a little concerned about costs. I think he plans on selling his Jeep as he never uses it and it's broke more than it actually runs. He traded his last bike for the Jeep ;D I just about kicked his ass when he did that. :mad:
 
rudy said:
Me and my buddy were already looking at your bike. It was actually the closest to what he wants to do with his 77 GS750. What swingarm did you end up using, and was it a direct fit? I have started reading through your posts on GSResources, but hey, I'm lazy. I'll probably have a few questions for you in the next month or two as the project won't start until after his wedding in Feb. Anyway, damn nice job on that GS!

I'll let Dardoonk get into the specifics, but i just did the same mod on the swingarm. Its off a GS1100. It will require you to drill out the pivot boss on the frame because the pivot bolt on the alu swinger is a bit bigger in diameter. Not an overly tough mod, but a bit of a scary one, as if you dont watch what your doing, and keep your drill going straight on each hole you'll end up with a crooked one, and then your totally f-ed. BUT *I* did it, and it worked out pretty good, so im sure you can do it.
 
rudy said:
Me and my buddy were already looking at your bike. It was actually the closest to what he wants to do with his 77 GS750. What swingarm did you end up using, and was it a direct fit? I have started reading through your posts on GSResources, but hey, I'm lazy. I'll probably have a few questions for you in the next month or two as the project won't start until after his wedding in Feb. Anyway, damn nice job on that GS!
It was an GS1100 swingarm. As josh said, a bit hairy drilling it because you MUST keep the larger hole directly lined up with the old one. In other words, you have to remove the same amount of steel all the way around the existing hole. If this isn't done, your swingarm bolt will not line up when it is pushed thru. Screwing this up would cause suicidal actions.

Ideally, you want to find a 16mm drill bit, but those are pretty rare. So are 41/64" bits. I learned a 5/8" bolt is very close and I believe the safest bit to use. Other than the drilling, it is a straight swap, but 2" longer than stock, so you need to be prepared to buy longer shocks to compensate. I went up to 14.5" shocks, but I have reduced clearance because my mudguard is flat under the tail now.
 
rudy said:
If you don't mind me asking, what do you think the total (or close to it) would be for this whole build? I know sometimes its hard to keep track of all the costs for all the parts, but I'm just curious as with my buddy getting married, buying a house and all that he may be a little concerned about costs. I think he plans on selling his Jeep as he never uses it and it's broke more than it actually runs. He traded his last bike for the Jeep ;D I just about kicked his ass when he did that. :mad:
I only paid labor twice: once for machine work to extact broke bolts from the head & for covering the seat. The seat is custom because it is about 5" shorter than stock. I did everything but cover it. In total, I've got about $200 in labor costs.

This bike is what I call a hobby bike, I've got another ride and this was a project, so I bought new or found replacement parts as I tore the bike down. Probably, a lot of parts were still acceptable if I had just been trying to get the bike on the road. Keeping in mind I went overboard and spent money where your friend might be better off performing an upgrade after he's restored the bike:
a] I needed points and tune-up kit ---- I bought new Dyna coils, wires and Dyna S ignition - about $250 vs $25 for a std ignition
b] Forks leaked and needed rebuilt ---- I got hold of a complete 1100EZ front end. It was already rebuilt, but cames with 37mm tubes and dual disk brakes (w/rotors). (cost was $175 for everything, but I didn't have to buy parts to rebuild)
c] Brakes system --- I rebuilt the new brakes, upgraded both master cylinders to something modern and installed all stainless lines. The new brake system (rebuilt calipers, Kawi ZRX M/C for front, Bandit M/C on rear, new pads, and new stainless lines & banjo bolts) was, I would guess about $400.
d] Chain, sprockets, clutch, wheel bearings, swingarm bearings, and control cables were replaced without consideration they could be salvaged. Probably $275 or so.
e] I had rebuilt the stock swingarm, but found the aluminum one, so on it went. I had to buy a new swingbolt and replaced the needle bearings (again). (another $30 bucks)
So, you can see there are a lot of items where I could have cut back if I had wanted to get the bike running sooner.

I learned pretty quick it was all the small stuff that adds up quickly. For the engine, (rebuild kit, rings, valve guides, stainless hex bolts, etc...) I dunno, maybe $275. I bought about 40 valve shims for $90 bucks too.
New marker signals, tail & head lights, Honda regulator/recifier, plus misc heat shrink, connectors, wire, etc... Gave me a mostly new electrical system (I took the stock harness apart and repaired everything questionable) --- cost, about $80
Body parts - new black superbars ($30) retro football grips ($20) bar end mirrors ($90) ebay side cover ($30) VERY Nice chrome fender I didn't use ($75) black cover for fuel tank ($20) Bandit rearsets ($75) Raask rearsets I didn't use (don't ask), Carb rebuild kits, a bunch of Mikuni jets, new needles, ($100 bucks or so) plugs & oil ($15).. Probably a bunch of other stuff I can't remebmer too...

Paint - I used a Nason Ful-thane 2 part basecoat/clearcoat - - Primer, basecoat & clearcoat cost me $110 total. Paint for calipers, frame, engine and everything else was probably another $100. A bit high but the Harley black wrinkle paint is expensive.

That about does it, except for shop supplies and I have no idea on that..

All the above stuff I bought = $2400
Bike that ran 20 years ago = $450
New Duro tires & tubes = $115 (yes, mounted and they aren't bad either!)

For a grand total of .....drum roll please.........( I wish you hadn't made me think of all this).....

$2965 :eek:
 
HerrDeacon said:
That's quite a transformation, nice work dardoonk. The new seat alone makes a huge difference. Paint looks awesome, did you paint it yourself?
Yes, this was my first go round with a paint gun, but it came out pretty decent. I used Nason 2stage, which is made by PPG.
It is four coats of red basecoat/ wet sand/ pinstripe/ four rounds of clearcoat/ wet sand & buff. I built a contained 10x10 paintbooth in the garage out of plastic, furnace filters, and a fan so I had a good dust free enviornment.... It is good, but not great.... TonUpSoldier will get a better paint job when I do his bike.
 
how have those unipods been holding up?
I have heard that they take reapplication of oil all the time to keep working properly. I have not run them so I don't know if this is true.
 
Excellent close up, you can really see the effort you put into the paintjob...

I wouldn't let myself near that bike... It'd be filthy in an hour.
lol
 
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