1981 Suzuki GS1100E (GSX1100) - Part 1 - Buying a Classic 1980s Superbike - My Next Project!

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  • Опубліковано 20 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 81

  • @craigg4246
    @craigg4246 Рік тому +8

    I was the sales manager of a Suzuki dealership in this era, I bought a couple of these in 1981. One to street ride, and one to race. I put an 1170CC big bore kit in the race one, with Yoshimura cams, exhaust and keihin 31mm racing carbs. That bike was insanely fast, and I hole shotted Spencer, Cooley and Lawson when they came to Seattle. Even though I was up a tooth on the counter sprocket, it would power wheelie in 3rd, and hit 175 on radar at Seattle. What an engine Suzuki made! Can’t wait to watch what you do with it!

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому

      Fantastic Craig! With a bit of $$$ and tuning these bikes are still great performers. I know people who still drag-race these. I bought this bike from a road-racer - he currently races Ninja 400s. Though this one was never a racebike, it does have some nice bits and upgrades on it. I'll go over what I find as I go through the bike in the project update videos. Cheers!

  • @JohnDoesGarage
    @JohnDoesGarage Рік тому +5

    I have one exactly like that. Mine has more miles, but looks to be in similar condition. They only made that model in 80 and 81. I wanted one so bad I could taste it. I was riding a 1978 GS1000E at the time but couldn't swing a deal on the 1100. Forty two years later I finally found the one that got away and now it's mine. Great find.

  • @bigmanmoto9897
    @bigmanmoto9897 Рік тому +2

    Very nice. It will be a great project.

  • @timkis64
    @timkis64 Рік тому +4

    you seem to have excellent luck finding old bikes in decent shape.

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому +1

      Thanks, I have been blessed! Cheers!

    • @spaceflight1019
      @spaceflight1019 Рік тому +1

      I would normally ask how you do it, but I do the same thing with vintage CB and ham radios. It's a curse and a blessing at the same time!
      Remember, he who dies with the most toys wins!

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому

      @@spaceflight1019 By being willing to sell bikes and reinvest in different bikes, I've been able to own and experience many different motorcycles over the years. Cheers!

  • @mgonzales56
    @mgonzales56 11 місяців тому +1

    Back in 81, I bought a Honda CB750F, and my friend bought the GS1100E. I regretted not getting an 1100E myself for many years. My friend eventually parked it in his dad's garage for 33 years. Last year, he finally sold it to me, and I had an old Suzuki mechanic work on it, and now it is working great. It is in mint condition, and I ride it every day. Love my GS.

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  11 місяців тому +1

      Right on! I missed out on a beautiful red 1980 GS1100E many years ago. Like you, I was glad to get a second chance at one. Cheers!

  • @BiGDeE3
    @BiGDeE3 Рік тому +2

    nice find man . Looking forward to the project .

  • @blairrawls4858
    @blairrawls4858 Рік тому +2

    Jon, wow, always amazed at the bikes you find. Another cool old Suzuki in your garage. I look forward to your restoration.

  • @andrewnewman6510
    @andrewnewman6510 Рік тому +1

    Another great bike.
    I can’t wait to see this one get restored.

  • @leviefrauim1425
    @leviefrauim1425 Рік тому +1

    Another fantastic looking old ride. Great barn find!

  • @henryhawk978
    @henryhawk978 Рік тому +1

    Look forward to the future videos on this bike Jon. RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

  • @rogermcadams8806
    @rogermcadams8806 Рік тому +1

    Yes! Up to snuff because it's been 'rescued'. Happy bike!!!😃 It's wagging it's tail Jon not windy......

  • @texasj49
    @texasj49 Рік тому +2

    I'm excited for this one, Jon. I currently own a 1980 GS1000e in the same color. The blue just really pops for me.

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому

      Right on! The blue is growing on me. I'm working on it already... I rode it once so far. 🙂 It's good to be happy after a test ride. Cheers!

  • @YogiMoto108
    @YogiMoto108 Рік тому +2

    Greetings from England. As a longtime Suzuki fan I am really looking forward to seeing this project progress.

  • @karlvanboxel561
    @karlvanboxel561 Рік тому +2

    Very popular superbike down here in NZ and Aus they won most production races till the cb1100r came out great solid engines I had one in my McIntosh framed gsx1100 Bathurst replica

  • @juanmcmahon7765
    @juanmcmahon7765 Рік тому +1

    Nice start? This bike is a gem! Love this GS/GSX Suzukis. Great bikes!

  • @Frank-hw9kk
    @Frank-hw9kk 7 місяців тому +1

    I had a gs750e in that color and it was my first bike always wanted the 1100 and I love the color

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  7 місяців тому

      The GS1100E and GS750E were almost identical except engine displacement. It makes the 1100 very entertaining 🙂!

  • @straightchad8059
    @straightchad8059 Рік тому +3

    Bike looks ‘healthy ' enough to be a satisfying project , all the best 👍

  • @ricardoberterame5950
    @ricardoberterame5950 Рік тому +1

    Hola Jon. Muy buena compra. Acá por mi pagos siempre se digo que GS1100E ERA EL SANTO GRIAL!! me gustaría verla con un escape YOSHIMURA.😊😊SALUDOS RICARDO

  • @DocJonesGarage
    @DocJonesGarage Рік тому +1

    You found another good one Jon!

  • @RobsRidesPA
    @RobsRidesPA Рік тому +1

    Excellent Find.

  • @joehooyen725
    @joehooyen725 Рік тому +2

    I had the same bike in Red & here in the land down under it was a GSX 1100. Mine after about a 2 years from new had charging problems very often as I recall. Yours Jon looks in great original condition & I love the blue ,very striking!

  • @1vincej1
    @1vincej1 Рік тому +5

    Another nice find Jon. You are the master of good finds! I remember the Cycle World comparison with the GS1100E and the CBX. Suzuki beat out the CBX by a small margin. Suzuki handled better. It was little quicker in the quarter mile too. They are nice bikes.

  • @BobtheYob-up9sv
    @BobtheYob-up9sv Рік тому +1

    Got this exact bike had it 25years, love all the bikes you've shared. Hope the exhaust is still ok, original shocks won't be too brilliant, brake overhaul, check for good free wheelin, a good mixture across all four, get the sump off and check, nice low mileage though,, very original, looks complete and in good order..a great find, hope your fuel tank is good inside, valve clearances might be worth a look..easy peasy tappets, carbs go horribly out of balance as the mileage goes up, leaky master cylinders, chain is 630. Fork oil n fluids will prob be old and fork springs sag with time, good luck with them bleed nipples ,all the best

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому

      Right on, thanks, Bob! I'll go over those points in future videos. I've already started working on this project, so stay tuned. Cheers!

  • @michaelpullen6812
    @michaelpullen6812 Рік тому +2

    Another awesome machine, that is a GREAT project! Looking forward to the updates and your upgrades….a Delkevic is a must! 😊

  • @kalaharimine
    @kalaharimine Рік тому +1

    Nice find, always wanted one back in the day. Got a CB900F instead.

  • @barrymackenzie2547
    @barrymackenzie2547 Рік тому +1

    Hi, We don't see any good barn finds like that in New Zealand. I was 17 at the time these came out, I was working at a Suzuki shop. I brought mine in January 1980, I think one of the 1st shipments to arrive in the country. Mine had a 19L tank, after that they came out with a 24L tank. At our motorcycle club sprint weekend I did an 11.4 sec 1/4 mile, It was well balanced and an easy bike to ride slow or fast.

  • @stevefletcher2334
    @stevefletcher2334 Рік тому +1

    found your channel today..subscribed!

  • @Mannix2023
    @Mannix2023 Рік тому +1

    Very nice survivor bike since you know how to fix them you will have fun , and yes this model 80,81 they were known to be stator problem bikes but good luck

  • @philcarrigan8523
    @philcarrigan8523 Рік тому +1

    Nice find Jon. The low mileage is especially attractive. I had the same model in black with red striping. It too was a rescue . Some one had pulled the air box off and mud wasps got into the carbs. Needed a carb clean and some rejetting and ran perfectly after that. Still miss that bike! Enjoy that classic Suzuki!!

  • @saikumarkhan
    @saikumarkhan 4 місяці тому +1

    i like all old Japanese motorcycles 👍👍🇯🇵🇯🇵🏍️🏍️

  • @flexjay87
    @flexjay87 Рік тому +2

    First year for the TSCC ? I love the color !

  • @cjc_0167
    @cjc_0167 Рік тому +1

    What a beautiful beast! Jon, Are the square cylinder head covers only on the TSCC (twin swirl combustion chamber) engines? Thanks.

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому +1

      Yes, the 16-valve TSCC bikes have rectangular valve cover end caps. The 8-valve motors have round end caps. This holds true for 750, 1000 (Katana only), and 1100 Suzuki GS motors. All 16-valve TSCC bikes got the GSX designation outside the US.

  • @Frank-hw9kk
    @Frank-hw9kk 7 місяців тому +1

    That is my dream motorcycle maybe just out of curiosity what what do they go for these days I'm not asking you to put a price on this particular bike just in general

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  7 місяців тому +1

      The prices are all over the board on the classic motorcycles in general. If you look at NADA motorcycle values, the range can swing from $1200-$8900 depending on mileage and condition.

    • @Frank-hw9kk
      @Frank-hw9kk 7 місяців тому

      Thanks for the reply I had so much fun on my 750 and then the next video I see is the 83 GS 1100 also had one of those great bikes

  • @josephcivita1450
    @josephcivita1450 8 днів тому +1

    Replace the stator and regulator with new ones from Rick's.

  • @spaceflight1019
    @spaceflight1019 Рік тому +1

    It doesn't need a pipe; it needs a National Cycle Plexifairing and some saddlebags and it's ready for some 500 mile days.

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому +1

      I have multiple Plexifarings lying around if you're interested. I just can't enjoy looking at a bike with the windshield on it. I know they're functional, though. Cheers!

    • @spaceflight1019
      @spaceflight1019 Рік тому +1

      @@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 My Sportster has a Harley Super Sport detachable windshield that I bought when the bike was new. Since I have always used my motorcycle for field service, I learned early on that not only did it keep the wind and debris from impacting my chest it helped to extend the riding season.
      Working in heavy industry and power generation I have a safety first attitude, and in order for road debris to get to my eyes it has to get through the windshield, the visor of my full-face helmet, and the safety glasses I wear inside the helmet. But that's just me. My KZ650, Z1, and GS850G all wore Plexifairings, and the most memorable "save" was when a Styrofoam cooler blew out of the bed of a pickup truck and impacted the 850's Plexifairing at 60 mph.

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому +1

      @spaceflight1019 You're correct about the fairing adding a layer of protection and extending the riding season. The Harley detachable windshields are well engineered and, by far, my favorite plexiglass shields. I love the quick release. Off on warm days and shorter rides, back on for trips and colder weather. Cheers!

  • @johnniemi8012
    @johnniemi8012 Рік тому +1

    How much?

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому +1

      The purchase price is just the first installment price-wise. What matters is how much you have in it when you sell it and how much you get for it. The running total has just started. Cheers!

  • @markr.1984
    @markr.1984 Рік тому +1

    I owned a 1981 exactly like that, even same color. Not sure what other colors they came in that year but maybe some were black? I never had a problem with the electrics one mine. The hand grips on your aren't original.

    • @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
      @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538  Рік тому

      Right on! There are several non-stock parts on this GS. I'll discuss some of these as I go through the bike. Cheers!

  • @aamirmalik9053
    @aamirmalik9053 Рік тому +2

    Beautiful❤❤Beautiful❤❤Beautiful❤❤Beautiful❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤