Please Note: This is part of the Ienatsch Collection.
PLACEHOLDER: COLD START/REV VIDEO
In 1978, Yoshimura had the incredibly talented Wes Cooley campaigning a Kawasaki KZ1000, but they weren’t winning races. Once they switched to the Suzuki GS1000, however, their luck began to change – Cooley proceeded to win both the ’79 and ’80 AMA Superbike Championships. All the while this was happening, Suzuki decided to release a Euro-only sport version of the GS1000.
Once American dealers got a peek, they started clamoring for them, too. Enter the Suzuki GS1000S, of which only 500 were imported to the states in ’79. Though it was never officially given the name by Suzuki, riders around the country were eager to call it the Wes Cooley Replica.
The 997cc inline four cylinder produced 90 horsepower, which was good enough to propel the 524-pound bike to a top speed of nearly 130mph. For more on the bike that changed many American minds about Suzuki’s sporting credentials, Motorcyclist magazine makes reference to a 1979 issue of Cycle Guide – the GS1000S “demands recognition as the finest all-around ride motorcycling has to offer.”
This example is VIN: GS1000530545, Engine #: GS1000-147902. The seller (our buddy Nick Ienatsch) purchased it forty years ago from a private party in Detroit, Michigan.
During his ownership, the seller has covered 7,000 miles. The odometer shows 12,313 miles.
“This is the second 1000S I’ve owned. The first I bought new in 1980 from State Sports Suzuki in Salt Lake City. That bike transported me all over the west, and out to Wisconsin twice to visit grandparents. Then I sold it to Mitch Boehm (because I bought a 1000 Katana…and was then working at State Sports) and he totaled it coming down Little Cottonwood Canyon in SLC! I was right behind him on the Kat. That was in ’84-ish. I started at Motorcyclist magazine a short time later, actually met Wes Cooley, and found this 1000S in Michigan around 1986. Flew out, rode it back to California…and what was neat: this bike’s VIN number is just one digit away from my original’s. This bike was on the cover of Motorcyclist with me on it, riding next to Mitch on a then-new Yamaha 1000. I rode it on the weekends, left it stock, then had it in my house on display.”
“Last year I got it running with the help of a carburetor rebuilder. It’s jetted for about 6000 feet elevation and runs strong, but is still a bit cold-blooded on the choke. The fuel tank was repainted buy Jim Granger, one of the big-time bike painters back in the day. I extended the shocks a bit with the help of some machined spacers, mostly for looks. There are some scratches in the front of the fairing, a little dent in the back of the metal front fender. I put a switch in the headlight wiring. Included is a valve-adjustment shim set given to me by Art Friedman, the Editor of Motorcyclist magazine. Also a hard-to-find OEM petcock, four new-and-rare intake manifolds, a few owner’s manuals that include the 1000S supplements, plus some other little items that should go with the bike. This thing was da bomb when it came out. Actual rearset footpegs! Superbike bar! Café fairing! Racing cred! And thanks to Iconic it will find the right owner to continue its wonderful life.”
Maintenance:
“Valve adj., carb rebuild, oil/filter/spark plug changes, new tires, fork seals.” Nick notes that the bike has been jetted for an elevation of 6,000 feet.
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection and clean/adjust/lube the chain. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Good
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Good
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Cleaned, Lubed, Adjusted
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: N/A
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 4012
Tire Date Code Rear: 2110
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90%
Tire Press. Front: 23PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 22PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.3V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.3V
Running Condition: Running Poorly
Test Ride Completed: No
Test Ride Distance: Incomplete
Notes:
-Bike is able to stay running without choke but is running poorly, going to need service and adjustment bike is tuned for 6000ft
Repair Recommendations:
-Rebuild Carburetor Assembly, Retune for current altitude, & Drain Fuel tank
-Tires
Modifications:
Fabbed some blocks to slightly raise rear ride height.
Headlight cut-out switch.
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Avon Roadrider tires with date codes of 4012 and 2110.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“Some scratches on the front of the fairing….front fender has a dent in the back half…some white on the bottom edge of the fuel tank has flaked.”
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Suzuki is offered on a clean Tennessee title. Have any GS1000S Wes Cooley stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
