Thought I'd share some pics of the 1978 GS750 I restored

FastDoc · 02-26-2010, 12:35 PM

This is my Buddy Bike.

I restored it about 4 years ago, and it is stored all year except for the 10 days or so when my buddy Jim from NJ visits each summer and we go for a ride together. Then the bike goes 2,000 miles in 10 days, the oil is changed and back into the barn she goes to wait for next year.

It's not a concours restoration, but a functional one. The bike is 100% reliable and functional, and is a joy to ride, at 41,000 miles so far.

I installed the full period correct Vetter touring gear, full luggage and fairing.

Weldangrind · 02-26-2010, 10:57 PM

Wow! Can I be your buddy too?

That's a nice looking bike. I always liked the Vetter stuff back in the day.

AZ200cc · 02-26-2010, 11:19 PM

That was the last bike my pops ever rode, His was black though. Nice bikes, You did a good job.

SpudRider · 02-27-2010, 12:27 AM

Nice job, Doc.

Spud

MICRider · 03-28-2010, 02:21 PM

Great pics! Bike looks fantastic 8) . I have to ask though, is the fairing a Windjammer? I had an old CB550 custom that someone had installed an almost identical fairing on, but he had spray painted it so I wasn't sure of the make. That was a fantastic fairing, kept all the bugs off me and had a fairly calm pocket of air behind it... My National Cycle Heavy Duty windshield on my Shadow doesn't even come close. Kinda wish I had kept that old CB550, the thing never ever let me down

.

Ooh, and the Wing is gorgeous!

SpudRider · 03-28-2010, 02:57 PM

Doc, have you considered getting some knobby tires, and taking the "Wing" into the sand? 8O

Spud

katoranger · 03-28-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICRider

Great pics! Bike looks fantastic 8) . I have to ask though, is the fairing a Windjammer? I had an old CB550 custom that someone had installed an almost identical fairing on, but he had spray painted it so I wasn't sure of the make. That was a fantastic fairing, kept all the bugs off me and had a fairly calm pocket of air behind it... My National Cycle Heavy Duty windshield on my Shadow doesn't even come close. Kinda wish I had kept that old CB550, the thing never ever let me down

.

Ooh, and the Wing is gorgeous!

That is a Windjammer. Period correct for the bike too. Really popular.

TurboT · 03-28-2010, 04:20 PM

Please remember to always wear a helmet.

Great looking bike(s).

MICRider · 03-28-2010, 05:35 PM

Gotta say too, that is quite the impressive trunk on the Zook! A good road bike

FastDoc · 03-28-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboT

Please remember to always wear a helmet.

Great looking bike(s).

Vaild point. :idea:

FastDoc · 03-28-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICRider

Great pics! Bike looks fantastic 8) . I have to ask though, is the fairing a Windjammer? I had an old CB550 custom that someone had installed an almost identical fairing on, but he had spray painted it so I wasn't sure of the make. That was a fantastic fairing, kept all the bugs off me and had a fairly calm pocket of air behind it... My National Cycle Heavy Duty windshield on my Shadow doesn't even come close. Kinda wish I had kept that old CB550, the thing never ever let me down

.

Ooh, and the Wing is gorgeous!

The CB550 was a fine machine. When I was a kid in the mid 70's my Brother In Law has one, a Super Sport. Blue. He took me for many rides on that bike and I loved it.

To this day, buying and restoring one is on my list of things to do.

The Windjammer is an amazing fairing. It is equalled only by the Gold Wing in terms of wind and weather protection. Much better than almost any other modern fairing.

Craig Vetter was a real pioneer, and based on my small interaction with him, a nice guy too.

That old GS tours GREAT, even with my big buddy on it. The luggage is top notch, and the motorcycle was well made and a pleasure to ride.

This summer we are riding a 1,500 mile loop through Washington and Oregon to see North Cascades NP, Olympic NP, Mt. Ranier NP, and the San Jual Islands (all in Washington). Then down the Washington and Oregon coastlines and then Crater Lake NP, Oregon, and back home alond the Deschutes River.

Life is GOOD.

FastDoc · 03-28-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Doc, have you considered getting some knobby tires, and taking the "Wing" into the sand? 8O

Spud

I was leaning more towards snow machine tracks.

TurboT · 03-28-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboT

Please remember to always wear a helmet.

Great looking bike(s).

Vaild point. :idea:

I knew you'd appreciate what lead me to the post. 8)

Cal25 · 03-29-2010, 09:28 AM

I had a 1979 GS 750L and a buddies father in law had the same 78 model in the pics except blue and no luggage. I rode the 78 once and really noticed the brakes up front being much less effective than mine. (Mine had double disks up front. Still dont know if that was normal or if other bike needed some work.

I had alot of fun on that bike and never had a lick of a problem out of it, but for some reason I really dont miss it at all.

FastDoc · 03-29-2010, 11:17 AM

Valid point about the brakes. The front brake is adequate but no more. I've debated adding a second disk but it is true that if you pull the lever hard, there is enough force to squeal the front tire. So, they have the power, but the effort is high. :?

This is one of the few things I've decided to say that good is good enough and leave it alone. :P

02-26-2010, 12:35 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Thought I'd share some pics of the 1978 GS750 I restored This is my Buddy Bike. I restored it about 4 years ago, and it is stored all year except for the 10 days or so when my buddy Jim from NJ visits each summer and we go for a ride together. Then the bike goes 2,000 miles in 10 days, the oil is changed and back into the barn she goes to wait for next year. It's not a concours restoration, but a functional one. The bike is 100% reliable and functional, and is a joy to ride, at 41,000 miles so far. I installed the full period correct Vetter touring gear, full luggage and fairing. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-26-2010, 10:57 PM	#2
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Wow! Can I be your buddy too? That's a nice looking bike. I always liked the Vetter stuff back in the day. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

02-26-2010, 11:19 PM	#3
AZ200cc Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Show Low Arizona Posts: 2,889	That was the last bike my pops ever rode, His was black though. Nice bikes, You did a good job. __________________ <br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90
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02-27-2010, 12:27 AM	#4
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Nice job, Doc. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

03-28-2010, 02:57 PM	#6
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Doc, have you considered getting some knobby tires, and taking the "Wing" into the sand? 8O Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

03-28-2010, 02:21 PM	#5
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Great pics! Bike looks fantastic 8) . I have to ask though, is the fairing a Windjammer? I had an old CB550 custom that someone had installed an almost identical fairing on, but he had spray painted it so I wasn't sure of the make. That was a fantastic fairing, kept all the bugs off me and had a fairly calm pocket of air behind it... My National Cycle Heavy Duty windshield on my Shadow doesn't even come close. Kinda wish I had kept that old CB550, the thing never ever let me down . Ooh, and the Wing is gorgeous!
	0

03-28-2010, 04:20 PM	#8
TurboT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada Posts: 2,185	Please remember to always wear a helmet. Great looking bike(s).
	0

03-28-2010, 05:35 PM	#9
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Gotta say too, that is quite the impressive trunk on the Zook! A good road bike
	0

03-29-2010, 09:28 AM	#14
Cal25 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx. Posts: 1,585	I had a 1979 GS 750L and a buddies father in law had the same 78 model in the pics except blue and no luggage. I rode the 78 once and really noticed the brakes up front being much less effective than mine. (Mine had double disks up front. Still dont know if that was normal or if other bike needed some work. I had alot of fun on that bike and never had a lick of a problem out of it, but for some reason I really dont miss it at all.
	0

03-29-2010, 11:17 AM	#15
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Valid point about the brakes. The front brake is adequate but no more. I've debated adding a second disk but it is true that if you pull the lever hard, there is enough force to squeal the front tire. So, they have the power, but the effort is high. :? This is one of the few things I've decided to say that good is good enough and leave it alone. :P __________________ Happy to serve.
	0