1987 GSXR750 rebuild

[Laava]

This is my latest project and seems to be mainly there except screen and life at this stage. Am putting this thread up in the hope someone may have good advice on parts etc for these bikes, I have been told that the parts are a bitch to get at times. I will need a complete new exhaust system, carb recond kits, mirrors, clutch lever and general fixings etc. I will be doing a complete strip down minus the engine which I am hoping at this stage is strong? Need a new starter motor for that too by the way! Then it will be for sale! See my albums as an indication of what std I will achieve if you are interested. Any info gratefully recieved! Cheers Al.

[robinm]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=283214127&ed=true

While you are there, have a look at my other listings, I am having a bit of a clean out of GSXR parts.

[Maha]

That exhaust system above Al should be at your place by next week surely?
Close inspection yesterday was greatfully accepted mate, even in its 'I need help' state its still.........gnarly as??....:Punk:
I for one will keep a close eye on the restoration.

[Laava]

Thanks Mark! Won't be quite as fast as the Gpz!

[Mom]

Thanks Mark! Won't be quite as fast as the Gpz!

Twas better than a bunch of flowers really :D

He paid me to say that Mumma Jo :dodge:

[jamessmith]

man those old GSXRs are sexy as. I have an 88 1100 in prety much same colour. Bad shape though... Thinking of making it to a streetfighter or caferacer or whatever you call them. allthough all it needs to make it originally beautiful is fairings....

[98tls]

Nice find,fwiw remember that Suzukis are great when it comes to parts being interchangable between models so if your having trouble sourcing a bit for that specific model you may well find xactly the same things on another.Awhile back i downloaded Ron Ayers parts list to compare part numbers between models but buggered if i can find it or would have given you a link.All the best with it and post up pics eh.

[86GSXR]

Really nice project. Great to see another one being revived :yes: I've got a couple, one I'm going to race very soon and the other, which is in quite good nick I'm just starting to strip down and restore as well. The only real mission will be finding a good front fairing as mine's a bit rough I found this site http://www.extremebikescustoms.com/SUZUKI-FAIRINGS.htm which may be a start. All the best with yours :yes:

[jamessmith]

hey 86gsxr, I emailed the guy at just fairings in hamilton, He quoted me a whole front end (head, the 4 front side panels and a belly pan) for just over $800.
Brand spanker. He has molds (for my 88 GSXR1100J) anyway.
I thought that was pretty reasonable.

[RDjase]

hey 86gsxr, I emailed the guy at just fairings in hamilton, He quoted me a whole front end (head, the 4 front side panels and a belly pan) for just over $800.
Brand spanker. He has molds (for my 88 GSXR1100J) anyway.
I thought that was pretty reasonable.

Are you doing some shopping James? Not a bad price for all that,

Have you got your carb bits?

[robinm]

This is what a mint one looks like.203841203842

[Peter Smith]

hey 86gsxr, I emailed the guy at just fairings in hamilton, He quoted me a whole front end (head, the 4 front side panels and a belly pan) for just over $800.
Brand spanker. He has molds (for my 88 GSXR1100J) anyway.
I thought that was pretty reasonable.

Just Fairings do an awesome job. I bought a set of race fairings and seat for my GSXR1100K.
They were of a very high standard. Recommended.

[86GSXR]

Just checked their website, I didn't know about them but I think my fairing issue is now solved! Cheers guys!

[imdying]

This is what a mint one looks like.Hey there. You can get vinyl cleaner which will bring that manky looking seat up to a really good standard. I'm not sure what the name of the product is, but my father gave me a bottle when I had a scooter with a bright yellow seat way back when. Somebody will be along soon with a suggestion though :)

[Laava]

Right so step 1 was get the bitch running if at all possible and assess the engine. Spent lots of time, had to replace the HT leads and starter brushes to do it. Ran like a haunted shithouse but at least it is a goer. Will replace the cam chain only in the engine although if I have trouble getting gaskets and a top end set is required then I will pull the head and check valves etc.
Step 2 is complete strip down. Then will post up photos. Are the flat slide carbs a pig to re-set? I would like to strip them first to see if there is a good reason the bike ran so bad.
Also turns out to be an 85 model. Frame no GR75A 107298 eng R705 114784 Should the no's match?

[Laava]

Todays effort! Now the fun begins

[Maha]

Ya know ya going to have to sweep all that shit into the corner by the weekend eh?

[Laava]

Ha ha! Done that already!

[EJK]

Mint! How many bags of potatoes do you want for it?

[Laava]

Oh, you mean "potatoes!" Four.

[2 wheeled worx]

go nuts im not completly sure but this bike could be the gsxr750J if so it has a mint set of cams in it good upgrade for any older gsxr or bandit or kantana. first thing is does it have the flat slides. keep them if they are good try to find a +5 statice ignition advance can find this will make it go better get a k&n filters cone filters and jet to suit 3ohm dyna coils are great investement to for a much better spark and burn depending how far you want to go you can shave the head by .5mm to bump up comps and port and flow head. here is a good website factorypro.com or if you are in christchurch any work or help needed contact me Pat at 2 wheeled worx in christchurch 438 tuam street on 377 4565 or 027 728 4888

[Laava]

Thanks Pat will look into that esp the coils. Cheers Al.

[FruitLooPs]

go nuts im not completly sure but this bike could be the gsxr750J if so it has a mint set of cams in it good upgrade for any older gsxr or bandit or kantana. first thing is does it have the flat slides. keep them if they are good try to find a +5 statice ignition advance can find this will make it go better get a k&n filters cone filters and jet to suit 3ohm dyna coils are great investement to for a much better spark and burn depending how far you want to go you can shave the head by .5mm to bump up comps and port and flow head. here is a good website factorypro.com or if you are in christchurch any work or help needed contact me Pat at 2 wheeled worx in christchurch 438 tuam street on 377 4565 or 027 728 4888

It's a 1st gen with 18" multispoke wheels and frame, so won't be 88 750J, should have the longstroke engine (responds better to mods anyhow I think) and screw cam adjusters. Good advice though, i've got a set of dyna coils for mine but they're massive suckers that are proving to be a prick to fit to mine. Triplezee on trademe sells FP ignition advancer, keep to the high octane if you get one though. :)


Be worth checking that the cams haven't been slighly scored, easy to tell and not too bad to fix. Apparently when they've done high km's with infrequent oil changes the hardening can wear off the cam followers - mine had a minor bit on a couple lobes with ~85,000k on clock. Put new rings in mine at 93 thou and i've just finished running it in, gets pretty light up front WOT which it never used to :D

[Laava]

Right, I have started and am polishing the rim edges and sandblasting/painting the rest, Starting ground up so that will be the wheels first. My god, it has taken me over a year to get going on it! Photos to come in a week or so.

[Mom]

Right, I have started and am polishing the rim.

:gob: :shutup: :shit:

Only a year? Pfft!

[Laava]

Hey, I'm slow, but I'm worth waiting for!
Well that's what my wife tells me!.............hey........hang on a minute!

[Laava]

After a couple of days of knuckle scraping, swearing, dropping shit, sanding wet&dry, abusing, polishing, sandblasting and wearing tips off fingers, we have rim edges polished and the rest blasted ready for a clean and paint. Whew!
Actually, I'm looking forward to getting underway with this, as once the wheels are reattached to the frame, there will be a lot more room in my garage! Plus it will look like brand new.

[Maha]

Tell Moma Jo the plants need watering...:corn:

[Laava]

Nothing better to do on a wet day when I can't work. Frame polished on top rail only ready for blasting and clear coat. Cat giving smug look of approval.
A friend of mine, Shane welded up some holes that some tard had drilled in the top rail and then put poprivets in to close them off! Can't even spot them now, well done him!

[DEATH_INC.]

Pretty sweet. I should get some pics of my mates one he's doing, though we're going the modded route with his.
If you guys are looking at fairings, these guys have a few options if Just Fairings aren't your cup-o-tea
http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/suzuz/GSXR7501986-87.htm

[Mom]

Can't even spot them now, well done him!

Fantastic stuff Al! It is a lovely feeling when a mate helps you out for sure.

That frame is VERY shiney :yes:

[Laava]

It is very shiney and I wish I could polish the rest up like that too but it is a bit too scarred up for that. Looking forward to getting it rolling I can tell you!

[Laava]

Been a bit slow as it happens. I got the rims painted an polished and put a paint compatible clear coat over the polised edge and onto the flat of the rim and ..........it fuckin ate the new paint! I had left it for 2 weeks to allow plenty of time but it was always going to fail, contrary to the brochure it came with.
So, back to the sandblaster and now it is painted and polished only with no clear coat. Also have new tyres on now as well.
And while I was waiting for paint to dry I polished more of the frame which I will be clear coating.

[Mom]

Wow they look great Al. Mama Jo still love you?

[blackdog]

Looking forward to seeing it done. Even with the wavey rotor.

This wass my 'J' on Sunday..

[Laava]

Wow they look great Al. Mama Jo still love you?

Yes she does! Bit less after I tried passing back to her the cowshit that was splattered all over my left boot on sun arvo!


Looking forward to seeing it done. Even with the wavey rotor.

This wass my 'J' on Sunday..

Yeah the wavy rotor was my only option, I could'nt find a new or useable stock one.

[blackdog]

Yeah the wavy rotor was my only option, I could'nt find a new or useable stock one.

The D5 in the garage would make you dribble. Still has it's original paint and drives every weekend.

I love the Buick too.

[blackdog]

updates please.

[Mom]

updates please.

I subscribe to this thread, I was thinking the slacker had done something else to the beast he showed me on the back of his ute a while ago, you teased me :lol:

[FruitLooPs]

Lookin good mate! If you were still looking for glass re-pro fairings, according to all the oilcooled gixxers guys the best around are "National Fiberglass" small outfit in Ohio, USA - far superior stuff to the airtech second only to the OEM plastic.

I'm just putting the finishing touches on mine after a DIY repaint (not my plan originally, the 'painter' bailed on me! :( )

was yellow with chopped rear fairings when I got it a few years back

240603

but the Feb earthquake stoved in the tank :weep:

240604

So repaint with a new tank (kindly donated too! :2thumbsup ) went with the jubilee edition scheme due to decal + paint cost (glad too since the painter buggered off, one colour was hard enough haha)

240605

Highly recommend RDDecals.com if you need decals. :) Anyhow enough of me, show us progress that polishing looks super nice, bit of upkeep though?

[Laava]

Cool! Thanks everyone but I have to confess I have done no more since last post. Am thinking of painting most stuff black and just clearcoating the frame and swingarm. And maybe more polish on forklegs and sidecovers.

[Mom]

And maybe more polish on forklegs and sidecovers.

Perhaps installing some blue LED's on a friends bandit? :love:

[Laava]

Sure hon......do you have them?

[Mom]

Sure hon......do you have them?

No...

I need help LOL

[Laava]

This is where I am going wrong!
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zlax5L8BVGc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[blackdog]

I couldn't pm this to ya Al for some reason, so posting on here so you get it.

[Laava]

Nice thanks Blackdog!
Hope to get some progress this weekend as I have been very busy doing other stuff.

[ducatilover]

This is where I am going wrong!
src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zlax5L8BVGc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

That is superbly cool!!!!!

[blackdog]

Nice thanks Blackdog!
Hope to get some progress this weekend as I have been very busy doing other stuff.

Can relate.

Priorities and projects being reshuffled at this end too.

[kiwifruit]

This is where I am going wrong!
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zlax5L8BVGc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Brilliant!!

[Laava]

Finally I have finished the frame and wished I had gone down the track of getting it anodised as per original. Prob would have cost a fortune! Has all new bearings every where and lots of polished surfaces which will require upkeep. Next stop is the front end and rear shock and linkages.
This will be the first and last time that this bike, or any bike, will be allowed on the table!

[Mom]

This will be the first and last time that this bike, or any bike, will be allowed on the table!

it must be love :shit:

Nice work that man.

[Laava]

Heh! Thanks Anne, got the girl to even hold the front wheel for me! Guess I always need a guiding hand eh?

[Mom]

Heh! Thanks Anne, got the girl to even hold the front wheel for me! Guess I always need a guiding hand eh?

:Punk: Your gal is very yummy! Did she know it was the front wheel? :dodge: :chase:

[Laava]

No, I told her there would be chicken strips in it for her!

[imdying]

Yeah the wavy rotor was my only option, I could'nt find a new or useable stock one.http://metalgear.com.au/display.php?cPath=2444
http://metalgear.com.au/display.php?cPath=2446


Any help?

[blackdog]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/robbenf/misc/old_skool-motivational.jpg

[Laava]

Todays effort, installing swingarm and steering head all with new bearings and seals.
Repainted the shock as it seems in really good order. The frame has a praying mantis look at the mo. Spent loads of time also sandblasting and painting parts ready to go back on. Rear wheel is a couple days away but forks will need to be attacked next to get the front wheel on.

[DEATH_INC.]

Looking good, I love the black highlights in the frame :niceone:

[FruitLooPs]

Looking really nice, although those shocks being un-rebuildable and 20+ years old and even in their day they were known as the bikes weak point from overheating, it's probably not going to give a terribly good ride.

There are a few decent alternative options available though, depending on how faithful you're trying to keep the bike I guess. I've got an OEM ~05 R1 shock in mine and it helped quite a lot, requires really minimal modifications to fit (shave lower shock eyelet ~2mm, cut and spacer battery-box).

[ducatilover]

That swinger looks great :rockon:

[Laava]

Thanks guys for your comments. Have to say that I am a bit disappointed at how my expensive clear coat turned out but the main parts that will be seen are the best bits. Am going to polish the forks as well as I love a bit of brasso action!

[Laava]

Progress report
Forks were too stone chipped to make it worthwhile polishing so they got painted instead.
Next job is tart up the engine for re-insertion!

[Laava]

Motor in! Now we're cookin!

[Laava]

Haha, it has taken me more than a month to put the exhaust, oil cooler and fairing bracket on! Lucky I don't do this for a living!
I am that slow that I am already having to do maintenance on the front end!

[FruitLooPs]

Looking good Laava, slow and steady, are those yosh headers natively for that bike or modded to fit, don't look like any of the usual suspects like duplex (they're pretty sexy though!).

[FilthyLuka]

Good work, I'm currently rebuilding a 750F model. 771 wiseco kit and some other go-fast goodies ^_^ You can bolt in the front end from most of the early GSXR series (including upside-downies from a gsxr1100) if you're planning on modding. Also the 17" wheels from an 88 will bolt straight in, opens up your wheel options a bit more :) You kinda need to cut down the sidestand after that mod or it stands a bit too straight and becomes prone to falling over :facepalm:

[Maha]

Haha, it has taken me more than a month to put the exhaust, oil cooler and fairing bracket on! Lucky I don't do this for a living!
I am that slow that I am already having to do maintenance on the front end!

Whats it been now?...18 months?...
I was at Crosbys house last weekend..you would love his garage floor...full of rebuilds..maybe nine of?
Some on stands, some waiting in line, some under cover...just beautiful :cry:

[Laava]

Been even slower than usual but after a big backward step and a few sideways ones, I am making progress again! Hopefully by the end of next week I will be looking at fitting the wiring loom back on!
Am very undecided about the final paint scheme as I do not like all the dumb acronym stickers even tho they make the bike original. Am thinking about just a basic pearl/metallic white or silver/white.

[blackdog]

Been even slower than usual ...

Thats lookin' the nuts!

[Mom]

Far Canal AL! :sunny:

That is nothing like the pile of shit I looked at a while ago. I really admire what you do.

[Laava]

Thank you guys, and Jo is enjoying a bit of peace and quiet too!
It is much more enjoyable when it is nearer the end! Am considering a ST1300 streetfighter concept next!

[Laava]

Thinking I may go for the matt black look with SS fixings. The lower fairing will not go back on with this exhaust system so I will have to fabricate some brackets and stays. There is alot of tidying up to do on the fairings but the tank is mint apart from needing a tank slosh.

[Laava]

Tank slosh done and custom taillight nearly finished.

[Laava]

It's alive!!!!
Running but not perfectly.
Spent loads of time today setting up, fettling and just generally pissing about.
Am off to the paint shop tommorrow with all my panel work plus I made pie!

[98tls]

That is outstanding,congrats fella thats a real credit to ya,makes me want to rip my old TL to bits and start again.Great work and looking forward to more pics...

[Laava]

Picked up from painters still wet this morning. Was going to wait till tomorrow but................
Tank and fairings same colour but still lounging around on floor at this stage

[Mom]

She is starting to look real purty young Laava.

[GSF]

Awesome work man! An old oil-boiling slabside GSXR is a dream bike for me, there's something ridiculously sexy about old '80s 750cc four cylinder sports bikes.

I would love to do a project like this in the future when I have some more spanner-turning experience and some actual space to work in.

[actungbaby]

Nice mate i remember reading about this model is it 87 model love the paint job in revs magizine frazer doing the review

wonder if he still around .

i rekon orginal always best well looks wise and weight usualy make them fater and worse looking after a time




Really nice project. Great to see another one being revived :yes: I've got a couple, one I'm going to race very soon and the other, which is in quite good nick I'm just starting to strip down and restore as well. The only real mission will be finding a good front fairing as mine's a bit rough I found this site http://www.extremebikescustoms.com/SUZUKI-FAIRINGS.htm which may be a start. All the best with yours :yes:

[Laava]

She is starting to look real purty young Laava.

Thanks hon! I am quite pleased with how it is coming along, just need to get it to idle proper like!


Awesome work man! An old oil-boiling slabside GSXR is a dream bike for me, there's something ridiculously sexy about old '80s 750cc four cylinder sports bikes.

I would love to do a project like this in the future when I have some more spanner-turning experience and some actual space to work in.

Thanks and yeah, I tend to like them all tho and to be honest, when everything has to be rebuilt, the end result should be what you have intended in your head. I started out thinking street fighter but couldn't bring myself to change it given it's heritage and future value.


Nice mate i remember reading about this model is it 87 model love the paint job in revs magizine frazer doing the review

wonder if he still around .

i rekon orginal always best well looks wise and weight usualy make them fater and worse looking after a time

Thanks mate, this is an 85 model and jap domestic I think so it is nearly 27 yrs old. I am going to go easy on the graphics but will wait till fairing is on.
Can't wait to go for a ride!

[rok-the-boat]

Will post a couple of pics of my 85. It is showing its age a bit. a friend painted the fairing black and did a good job. I'm thinking of doing the whole thing black once the rego runs out - winter.

For now, can't stop riding the thing. I have ridden all kinds of bikes but this one is just so much fun. Just can't figure it out.

[Fast Eddie]

Picked up from painters still wet this morning. Was going to wait till tomorrow but................
Tank and fairings same colour but still lounging around on floor at this stage

thats mint, i like what you've done with the rear red light. all round looks tight, good job, good attention to detail

[Maha]

Yeah looking mint there Al...:niceone:

[Laava]

Thanks guys, yes I am chuffed!

[blackdog]

Don't forget a pic in the oil boiler thread when ya finished. Can't wait to see it.

[Laava]

It lives!! Has some kind of starvation issue not helped by me putting an inline filter as well as the tank filter and the individual filters in the needle valves. Will post pics soon as my camera charges up!

[Fast Eddie]

piiiics !!

[blackdog]

:wait: :corn:

[blackdog]

It lives!! Has some kind of starvation issue not helped by me putting an inline filter as well as the tank filter and the individual filters in the needle valves. Will post pics soon as my camera charges up!

You are keeping us in suspenders!

[Laava]

You can take your suspenders off now BD!
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/140968-The-old-Suzy-oiler-thread?p=1130312922#post1130312922

[blackdog]

You can take your suspenders off now BD!
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/140968-The-old-Suzy-oiler-thread?p=1130312922#post1130312922

It is boodiful! I'll post some pics of mine in the next couple of weeks when I get the plastics back from the painters.

[Mom]

You are keeping us in suspenders!

He is a prick like that :yes:

Laava, you have out done yourself once again.

[Laava]

Thank you for your kind comments. Am itching to do a new one but am putting it off temporarily!