2006 Kingbird Stretch Project – Suzuki GS750/1000

> updated 05/22/2007 <

:: The Beginning ::

Too many bike projects, not enough time.

I purchased this 1979 Suzuki GS750 from Jared Shand in the Fall of '05. We put a GS1000 motor into the cradle of it and Jared jetted the carbs to fit the pod filters. He at one time had also cut the backbone and raked the front end a few more degrees. Once again Jared got tired of a project and I just couldn't let this one get away. He sold me the bike for $500. Now it did need some work so it was not a perfect bike.

The bike starts and runs fine, as long as you can get the starter to engage. It needs some starter clutch work that I can hopefully take care of. The right-side controls on the handlebars are also busted and the megaphone exhaust is a bit banged up. Jared didn't like the stock burgandy paint on the bike so he rattle-canned it forest green.

Here are some pix of the bike right after we finished putting the motor in:

  1. left-front side
  2. right side
  3. right-front side
  4. Jared giving the "shocker"

:: The Goal ::

The goal is pretty simple actually. I've always liked 70s/80s stretched japanese bikes so that's about all that's gonna happen to this project. But since I'm always budget-conscious we're gonna do everything the cheap way… ourselves. Spray paint, a welder and eBay are gonna guide us through this project til the end. When is the end? Well the goal is to have the project stretched and painted by the Summer of 2006 and riding. I created the illustration above to closely resemble what it is that I'm shooting for.

I'm also gonna learn to fabricate on this project. Kevin and I have recruited our old buddy Keith Butler to teach us to weld since we both suck at it. I'm sure it'll be challenging since I think Keith can only TIG. Keith has a machine shop in his garage from years of building his own Midget cars so we'll have no shortage of equipment; we'll just have to make the time to go over to his house and get our shit together.

Why aren't you gonna race the bike? I'm a pussy. Frankly riding a motorcycle scares the shit out of me. Funny hearing that from a guy who owns two of them. I know it's not a good idea to learn to ride on modified motorcycles but I have no intention of stunting, knee-dragging or top-ending this or any bike. I mainly like the way they look and when I will ride them I will be pretty slow.

:: Maintenance ::

December 2005 – Right-side swich control

I got a right-side switch for a 1980 GS750 for $9 on eBay. This will replace the broken switch on the bike now.

:: The Swingarm ::

December 2005 – Bought GS750 Swingarm

I picked up a used GS750 swingarm from eBay for about $18. The plan is to use the chain adjusters and pivot from this and fabricate the stretched swingarm out of square stock tubing.

:: I Gave Up ::

May 2007 – Sold

I just could not find a starter clutch so I sold the bike to a guy that collects GS1000 motors.