Description
Additional photos 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: GS1000527900, engine #: GS1000-145043. It came to Iconic as an import from the UK.
The odometer shows 83,085 kilometers (51,626 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs, rebuilt the petcock, make a new fuel line with a filter, and replace the connector pipes and fuel tee, the intake manifolds, the spark plugs, and the petcock vacuum line.
Lalo did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Fuel Tank Internal: Ok
Tire Years – Front/ Rear: 2012
Tire Life -Front: 20; Rear: 15%
Tire Pressure – Front: 28PSI; 36PSI
Brake Life – Front: 80%; Rear: 95%
Hydraulic – Front/Rear: Fail, Excess moisture
Engine Oil – Level: Mid; Quality: Dark
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Parking Light: BULB BURNED OUT
Turn Signals: RR not working
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok; Intermittent front brake
switch
Plate Light: Ok
Killswich: Ok
Horn: NOT WORKING
Battery: 13.14v
Test Ride: NONE TAKEN, BIKE TO BE SOLD AS PROJECT
BIKE CONITION:
**EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM ENGINE BOTTOM-END**
• SUSPECT NOISE DUE TO LOOSE PRIMARY CHAIN COMBINED WITH ENGINE POWER IMBALANCE (COLD CYL#1 @ IDLE).
– Slight seeping from carb bowls
– After sync, #1 cylinder still runs cooler.
– Original Pilot Jets (#15); original Main Jets (#95)
– Front brake switch sticking-on; oxidation at front master
– Horn not working
– Parking light works, but bulb in headlight burned out
*Lithium battery installed
*Original tool bag in trunk
– Oxidation on engine
– Large paint chip on front cowl, left side
– LH frame paint chipping
REPAIRS RECOMMENDED
– Verify and correct cause of noisy engine
– Tires and tubes
– Hydro 2
– Replace Horn
– Forks Rebuild
– Engine oil and filter
– Diagnose and repair RR bulb issue
– Chain Service
– Replace headlight parking-light bulb
– Heavy detail
Modifications:
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires that have aged out.
The sale includes four keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Suzuki is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any GS1000S stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
