1980 Suzuki GS

gs110x503124

Note to bidders: If you have feedback lower than 10 you must email me prior to bidding to review my terms and conditions. Our bikes are offered turn-key, ready to ride anywhere and we guarantee our condition description. They also usually look pretty decent although you won’t often find words like ‘showroom condition’, ‘mint’ or ‘perfect’ in my descriptions--few 30+ yr old bikes are. We cannot compete on price with your brother-in-law Lenny and his driveway operation so if you are on a tight budget, take a cold shower and come back later.Just in case you think you're getting an 'old guy's cruiser bike' here because it is 32 yrs old, I've added a couple quotes from a period review from Cycle magazine:'Cycle tested the GS in February 1980, concluding that the Suzuki was the quickest and strongest production Superbike of all time.' 'The GS1100 is the finest example to date of one-liter-and-up Superbikes. Its versatility makes it the king. Here's a motorcycle that can run low, low elevens in the quarter-mile and have 120 mph in hand at the traps. It can gobble down the miles on an open-highway tour with a ride quality topped only by a couple of specialty touring bikes. And, assuming you're willing to use its suspension adjustability to maximum effect and its engine to nine grand, you'll be on the front line of any canyon war. All it takes to get full-spectrum use out of the 1100 is some knowledge and a little time to make a few suspension adjustments. The engine, mind you, requires only right-wrist adjustments. Even after 1500 miles of testing, a full twist of throttle would still provoke a sinister laugh.' 'Maintenance on the Suzuki is simple. With its electronic ignition, owner-serviceable (no shims) valve adjustment and O-ring chain, the Suzuki won't keep you in the garage Saturday night preparing for Sunday's ride. Suzuki recommends that you inspect the valve clearance roughly every 3500 miles. Aside from changing,the oil and spark plugs at the prescribed intervals, the Suzuki requires you to do little other than adjust the chain, keep an eye on all of the nuts and bolts and prepare for the inevitable rear tire replacement...'Warning to bidders: THE PICTURES AND DESCRIPTION BELOW MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH. IF YOU HAVE A JOINT CHECKING ACCOUNT, DON’T TORTURE YOURSELF BY LOOKING. Akron Suzuki Works ‘regulars’ know our story--I believe we are the only GS specialty shop that makes its entire income on repair, detailing and restoration of 1979-1983 GS bikes. Pretty tiny niche but we’ve sold nearly 100 bikes in the past few years and done many client-owned restorations. For an example of our work on another 1980 GS1100E see this GS resources bike of the month page: http://thegsresources.com/halloffame/2010/gs_photo_aug_2010.htm This Auction Bike 1980 was the first year for 1100 E 16-valve GS which came in 2 colors: silver or red. The period rectangular headlight and integrated dash panel were unusual for 1980. The dash panel even included a ‘graphical user interface’ before Apple and Microsoft popularized them on computer screens. The body works were a result of the partnership with Target Design of Germany, a collaboration that also produced the love-it-or-leave-it Buck Rogers Katana series. We have evaluated all mechanical and electrical functions of this bike and certify that they are within the specification limits for the model when new. This means the cylinder compression, charging system, brake function, tires are new (rear) or nearly new (front), all electrical features work as expected (turn signals, horn, front and rear brake switches, all dash panel indicators, head light, tail light) The suspension components do not leak and the system has been set up with comparable static sag front to rear. The clutch pull is light, no false neutrals, crisp-shifting. The bike accelerates easily to the red line No leaks of any kind from the engine, brakes or fuel system The paint on tank, fender, tail section and one side cover appears to be factory original. One side cover was apparently refinished but you can’t tell which without turning them over. The first owner had the bike for 30 yrs and put just 7600 miles on it. The bike is completely stock in appearance (except for a recovered original seat). Minor changes mentioned below were done to improve cold starting, reliability, performance and safety. The E’s were ahead of their time in the early 80’s and aren’t out of place on the highway or back roads today. This bike appears to have been very well stored with the original paint on body works and frame showing very well. Based on our evaluation of typical wear points, we believe the 8,288 miles on the clock is accurate. The engine and transmission are tight and smooth and the bike has none of the noises or rattles common to E bikes if they have not been ridden and maintained carefully. This bike starts right up from cold and idles steadily till warmed up, pulls out smoothly, brakes are quiet and progressive. Suspension works as new. All lights, gages, switches work as new. Riding experience is pure time warp. Body work is in remarkable condition, no cracks or repairs on the side cover tabs and slots, tank and frame paint shows lovely. Wiring, under tank and behind side covers is clean and tidy with factory tie downs and rubber boots in excellent condition correctly positioned. Updates and reconditioning done on this bike included: Brake system overhaul: both master cylinders rebuilt, calipers overhauled, front brake switch and fluid resovoir replaced, pads replaced on left front.New Dunlop rear tire (and tube—we replace tube if ANY corrosion is showing around the valve stem). Front is a replacement Bridgestone showing little wear. Carb overhaul: choke pick-ups drilled to .021”, pilots drilled to .018” to improve cold weather starting, low speed fuel air screws set for smooth, steady 900 rpm when warm, carbs synched on the bike. Bike starts instantly even in OH winter! Fork seals replaced, fork oil upgraded to 20 wt based on experience in this climate, suspension balanced front to rear Rear wheel bearings replaced Handlebar switches checked, cleaned Plug caps replaced Air box serviced, new air filter element Oil and filter changed, Castrol 10-40 Chain cleaned and adjusted (original 630 O-ring chain in very good condition, no visible wear on sprockets) Charging system tune up: all connectors, grounds cleaned or replaced and shrink-wrapped to prevent deterioration Tank interior is original and completely rust free Clear OH title ready for immediate transfer Condition Comments As an un-restored example there are inevitable imperfections. The engine case covers showed some clear coat deterioration so we removed and polished these pieces. There are several tiny paint chips in the body works. The front fender shows some touch up paint dabs and some crazing I associate with plastic flexing. A photo is provided of the engine number stamping which we believe to be dealer applied relating to engine warrantee work when the bike was new. The number is in the correct sequence for this model based on its date of manufacture meaning it was supplied by Suzuki. The under-seat grab bar and the seat rail show some discoleration and pitting. Some fasteners show some corrosion but most are amazingly clean (note the front rotor retaining bolts in the pics) The exhaust system is beautiful but not perfect with a few small pits evident on close inspection; the header pipes, joint covers and mounting hardware shows very nice. There are no mechanical, electrical or functional issues. The bike performs and looks as it did when it left the showroom in 1980. Although I am not a dealer, I do make a living as “Akron Suzuki Works” repairing, restoring and selling vintage Suzuki’s. I’m a mechanical engineer with 35 yrs of hands-on tuning, modifying, racing, touring and rebuilding experience with Japanese and European bikes. I’m not listing these bikes to get rid of them, I’m listing them to find buyers who appreciate what these bikes were in the day and are willing to pay reasonable money for our efforts to make classic Suzukis as close to new in functionality and reliability as possible. Note to International Bidders: I will assist in shipping at your expense to just about anywhere in the world. Remember that ocean shipping requires a crate but air shipping may only require a pallet. Also note that this bike is over 30 yrs old so may qualify for import to many countries (Israel for example) at reduced tax rates. Note to scammers: Don’t even think about it. Practice your English on somebody else and I don’t care if your uncle is the Sultan of Brunei and you’re on a ship and can’t do Paypal. I take only wire transfers and Paypal for international transactions, I don’t take payments for bundled shipping or other scammer-friendly arrangements. For the Lawyers…As everybody knows by now, you are buying a 32 yr old vehicle here which is sold as-is where-is with no guarantees that it will do what you, I or anybody else expects it to do. I do guarantee that it has been described accurately and back that up by canceling a sale if you win the auction and come to pick up the bike and it does not meet your expectations. Man I wish I’d gotten a guarantee like this from about half the bike sellers I’ve dealt with on eBay over the years! Additional Notes about Akron Suzuki Works I have a 2-bay shop and a few part-time Suzuki nuts who love to put GS bikes in primo condition for your daily riding and viewing pleasure. I look for low miles examples of GS750, GS850 and GS1100 bikes and get them looking and running as close to new as possible. We have sent bikes and parts to Europe, Canada, South America and all over the US. You can see more pics at high resolution on my photo server at:http://suzuki-gs-bikes.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/16-valve-models/1980-GS1100E-8k-mi-spectacular/17398262_zKqqSf#!i=1322801645&k=mPdxkxz I need a few of you GS lovers out there to step up and buy some of our bikes or else as my guys keep threatening me, they may be forced to get real jobs. We can’t have that! After 75 GS project bikes in the past 7 years we have identified the weaknesses and common problems of the GS bikes. We go over each bike with these things in mind and make logical, professional repairs, upgrades and minor modifications to improve function and reliability. GS guys know I am referring to charging system problems, cold blooded starting, fuel system and carb problems and of course a long list of things that happen over time to any machine. We incorporate Suzuki factory service bulletins that have been issued over the years and we keep an eye out on the GSResources site and web forums for good ideas. We prefer genuine Suzuki OE parts where available including filters and gaskets because they tend to fit and last better than aftermarket parts. We select after market parts based on experience with what works best. We also take pride in making these bikes easy on the eyes. Whenever possible we leave the excellent quality factory paint alone.