Description
1/21/23 Update: To the best of our knowledge, we believe this to be a 1980 model that it is titled as a 1981.
Additional photos of this 1981 Suzuki GS1000S Wes Cooley are available here for your perusal.
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, check out this profile from Motorcyclist magazine. It 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: GS1000534685, Engine #: GS1000152046.
Iconic helped the seller source the bike through a South Africa shipment, though it is originally an Australian model and features the Australian paint livery (different than other countries).
The odometer shows 49,832 kilometers (30,964 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs, adjust the rear brake light, remove a broken exhaust stud, and install the aftermarket exhaust. We also replaced the fairing upper, the headlight connector, the headlight bulb, and the fuel petcock. Yonni and Steve did the work, they note the following in their condition report:
Tire Life – Front/ Rear: 90%
Brake Life – Front/ Rear: 80%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front: Bad; Rear: Good
Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: Bad/Dark
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
As part of their report, they also note that the bike is running VM33 smoothbore carbs and that they’ve replaced the o-rings on the fuel screw and drain bolt. Moreover, they’ve replaced the main jets with 105 (because it was previously from South Africa, it had 94). Finally, they recommend repairing the front brake light as the switch is missing.
Modifications:
Bassani Superbike Exhaust.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Battlax BT45F tires with tire codes 0115 and 0715
The sale includes one key.
The sale also includes a parts manual as well as the stock exhaust.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Suzuki is offered on a clean Arizona title. Have any GS1000S stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
1/21/23 Update: To the best of our knowledge, we believe this to be a 1980 model that it is titled as a 1981.
