My Suzuki GSX-R 750 a complete history: Texas bound 2004-2009
GSX-R parts ready for moving to Texas, Sept. 2004. A lot of changes happened in 2004 . I raced my 1986 GSX-R 1100 to a third-place finish in the Super Dinosaur class with the AFM. But, more importantly, I went ahead and quit my job and moved back to San Antonio. For many reasons, but it feels great to be back here again. I was extremely burned out after pretty much three-years of solid wrenching and racing. I didn't really want to even think about working on motorcycles for a while.
In the truck getting ready to load onto moving van 2004.
As it turned out, the shop that had my original 750 engine for rebuild folded. I was lucky to get any of my parts returned at all. It took a lot of phone
calls and finally an early morning meeting two days before I left the state. Actually, I got my OLD parts back. I never got any of my brand new
Suzuki parts back (all the parts to rebuild the motor - I didn't realize he didn't include them in the parts bins he returned to me). He
said they were there, but they weren't. I also had a head left at a machine shop out of state that I never recovered. So,
I lost out there too. It really sucked, but what could I do? By the time I realized what had happened, I was already in Texas.
At least I had my original cases and internals. The junkyard motor would have to soldier on.
Bikes and parts in garage Oct. 2004. I was finally "moved in" by Oct. 2004. All my parts and motorcycles were stacked in the garage. It took me two months and a lot of help from my father building shelves, workbenches etc. before I could even think about getting the bikes ready to ride.
After getting the workbenches built and parts organized. One day in the spring of '05 I was really getting tired of my 750 just sitting there. So, I decided it was time to get her going again. Thing was, I had pulled a lot of parts off her to supplement my racebike. Mainly, the 34mm Mikunis. OOPS. Well, I had kinda got her running in August of '04 using a set of 34mm CVs that were in a bucket underwater for about a year. I got the bike running, barely. Just enough to blast her down the street a few times.
Oil pan off.
Before the carbs were to be installed, some more major servicing needed to be done. I wanted to inspect the oil pan and the sump. Once removed, I found a lot of shavings in the pump, and a piece of electrical tape partially blocking the sump screen. Hmmm . . . not good. I cleaned all of the associated parts, including the nice pile of sludge out of the pan.
Swingarm removed for servicing. My Suzuki GSX-R 750, a complete history:
Well, the swingarm had been binding for a while. I remember when Rick's was doing the same thing on his 750 racebike. He went ahead and removed the whole assembly and cleaned/oiled it. I figured it was time to do the same to mine. Since I already had the exhaust off from the oil pan service, removing the swingarm was pretty simple. The arm bearing didn't look all THAT bad once I had it out, but boy, what a HUGE difference once I cleaned and lubed it. Nice and smooth action.
After a quick ride March 2006. Lowers are off. Still tuning carbs at this point.
Next it was time for the carburetors. A friend of mine was selling a jetted set of the with new K&N filters for $200. I snapped them up and we were almost in business. I cleaned them out, and installed them. Well, top-end jetting was OK, but bottom end was not good at all. I pulled the carbs out again, and re-cleaned the pilot jets. Good thing too. There was more dirt than I thought. I did get her running. But she still wasn't quite right. She was functioning, but still frustrating to ride.
At Deal's Gap. Big time fun. In June of 2006, I went ahead and loaded up the bike, trailered up a friends bike, and headed to Tennessee. What a fun roadie. Finally got my 750 out there after hearing so much about it for so long. I just wished the gap was a bit longer as I didn't want the thrills to end. I really enjoyed it, but to be honest, it was kind of a letdown after riding in Colorado and those backroads in Nor-Cal. I was thinking it would be a bit more exciting than it actually was. Regardless we still had a great time.
Mugging for the camera. We were riding fairly slow . . . So, now in 2007, that is where she sits. I have found another engine builder here. He used to work for some AMA teams in the 80s. He has my racebike motor in hand now. I told him the 750 will be next . . . hopefully . . .
Fuel stop on I-35 heading back from the Fort Worth Motorcycle Show November 2007. My Suzuki GSX-R 750, a complete history:
After very little riding from summer 2006 to winter 2007 (she was kept outside under a cover during the most rainy season we have had here in a LONG time), I decided on a whim to head out to the Fort Worth Motorcycle Show in Nov. 2007. There was a lot of clean-up and detailing, but I made sure the bike was as "good to go" as she could be, and then headed out. To my pleasant surprise, the bike made it the 280-miles there and the 280-miles back with no issues. I had a great time and realized that this was my first real "roadie" on this bike the entire time I had owned it . . . and it was a lot of fun! When I got home, I realized the tires were starting to square off . . . and trying to gauge how many miles I was heading vs. how much gas I had left in the tank with no odometer was kinda scary. Well, things would have to change . . .
The original dash installed. In December, I figured it was time to get this bike serviced and setup again . . . including the ORIGINAL dash that I have had in storage since 1995. The mileage was set at 12,970. Now I could gauge a lot of things including service records. Note the speedo "Break-in" sticker.
Another major servicing Dec. 2007. I spent a lot of hours getting the bike back up to par, especially after that Fort Worth run. Carb clean, new headlight relay, new Metzeler MEZ6 tires, new chain, sprockets and a lot of detailing had her ready for the 2008 season. I also added a set of 1988 1100 wheels on the bike. The rear was the original wheel from my 1100 racebike, and the front was from the "burn-bike" once belonging to Craig Hightower. I also added new brake pads, and installed the lowers.
At Bubba's Deck, Greune, TX Sept. 2008. Nice long ride through the TX Hill Country winding up at Bubba's Deck. Did a few smaller rides in 2008, but not a lot until the fall. Note the original windscreen trim re-installed. Are we seeing a pattern here??
At the South Texas Motorcycle Show Spring 2009. Headed out to this after getting free tickets from a television station. Had a great time checking out the new bikes and stuntaz etc. I've been doing many more longer rides and almost getting to touring on this old beast. Actually managed 357-mile day trip in May of 2009.
In Luckenbach, TX. Doing longer rides with Lorie on her Harley. Here I am at Luckenbach, TX under the trees May 2009.
After the last round of tune-ups May, 2009. After another round of tune-ups including repainting the header, changing exhaust manifold gaskets, new plugs, carb clean, oil change, electrical repairs (mainly fixes from the Rodon shifter install from 1989) she is ready to go for the summer. I put over 2,000 miles on her in the spring of 2009. |