Description
Additional photos of this Suzuki GS1000 are available here for your perusal.
This description comes directly from the seller of this beautiful GS1000:
“This is based on the GS1000 tuned by Pops Yoshimura winning the 1978 Daytona Superbike race, Suzuka 8 Hours in Japan, and the AMA Superbike national championship in 1979 and 1980 ridden by Wes Cooley. The engine is what Cycle World called at the time “Superbike of the Year” for three consecutive years, effectively a big Katana 1100 motor.”
“I’m the 3rd owner. When I bought it, she was very mild-mannered and pretty much stock. I have completely transformed her into a fire-breathing beast, and the plan was to keep her forever, as a tribute homage to Wes and Pops, and take her out on spirited canyon rides and classic track days at Big Willow, but I recently started racing in AHRMA, and I’m sure you may know, it isn’t cheap when you want to be competitive, so I am forced to thin out the herd once again.”
“There are tons of tasteful upgrades and trick hard-to-find parts on this one. A great opportunity for a collector as they don’t come up often in this condition. Zero issues, start on the button, and runs and rides perfectly. The chassis and bodywork are from a 1978 Suzuki GS1000E and are titled as such, but I bought a later model 82′ GS1100 E parts bike that I used the suspension, wheels, brakes, engine, and carbs to make a factory race replica of what Pops would have used when available at that time.”
“The engine is a GS1100 four-valve cylinder head with a narrow-included valve angle and wedge-shaped squish band combustion chambers — technology first used by Cosworth in its F1 race engines. Suzuki called its version TSCC, or “Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber 1074cc 4-cylinder, twin-cam engine, designed by Italian engineer Vincezo Piatti. I had the engine rebuilt with a big bore piston kit 1168cc (10.25:1 75mm Bore). Valves guides done, Yoshi cams, crank lightened/polished, full head porting. Carbs were rebuilt and are the bigger Mikuni’s with stage 2 jet kit, with custom-made aluminum velocity stacks tuned to Yoshi replica (ceramic-coated) exhaust (sounds bitching, especially on deceleration). It has an APE racing rebuilt clutch pack/springs with a quick access clutch cover. Earl’s Performance Oil cooler, with fittings, and SS lines custom-made mounts. Yoshi-style heatshield to keep the engine heat off the gas going into the carbs. Billet engine mounts to reduce weight and engine flex in the frame. Bullet clutch lever and gear shifter lever. Racing aluminum oil catch can breather. Dyna ignition and coils, high-flow petcock.”
The electrical systems are one of the weak parts on these, especially, as they get up in age, the electrical was redone with a new stator and a modern Shindengen Mosfet R/R, with a modern fuse box and a lithium-ion battery.”
“The suspension has a lighter box-section aluminum swingarm (similar to the Calfab but factory), with a new pair of YSS rear shocks. The front forks are off the 82′ as well, with Showa’s AN-DF (anti-dive), which used pressure from the front brake’s hydraulic system to close damping valves, limiting fork movement. Complete rebuild with new springs, seals, and are air and oil pressured. Replaced steering head bearings at this time. 530 conversion chain and sprockets.”
“Also, it has triple discs with floating calipers and larger pistons, and lighter rotors from the later model with Ferodo pads installed and stainless-steel brake lines front and rear. The front MC has been switch out for a new Nissin radial 19mm (much better brake modulation). It has a forged aluminum fork brace and a Tarozzi rear set. Wheels from the later model GS have been powder coated “gold” magnesium with new All-Balls wheel bearings and side angle stems installed, and the stickiest Avon tires I could find for the front and rear in that size.”
“All the paint was done by Blackheart Racing’s Jim Granger (RC30 Guru) in a Ferrari red with all the re-popped decals and graphics from the original Wes Cooley’s racebike with many coats of clear. The custom racing seat is made from the stock pan (completely functional) with the key.”
Manufactured in April 1978, this example is VIN: GS1000508653, Engine #: GS110X-144398. The seller acquired it eight years ago from a retired Air Force mechanic in Arizona.
During his ownership, the seller has covered roughly 4,000 miles. The odometer shows 38,112 miles. “I never planned to sell it, but racing in AHRMA, I am forced to thin out the herd.”
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
The sale includes one key.
Currently located in Los Angeles, California, this Suzuki is offered on a clean California title with registration current through November 2022.
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