Seeking ideas for makeove of a 1983 GS750T

[PeteLx]

Hello,
I am a new rider (49 yrs old) and have finally bought a bike after years of wanting one. Anyways, as it turns out I recently bought a 1983 Suzuki GS750T. I have a few questions and would be grateful if someone could help me out.
Is it possible to lower the bike? Lower the profile? is this difficult?
I read that there is a suspension adjuster...where is this, how does it work?
Can I put a wider rear tire on it? If possible, are there any positives in doing so, or negatives?
What kind of metal cleaners can I use to shine her up (for the aluminum and chrome etc)?
How often should I change the oil? What kind of oil should I use?
Can anyone direct me to a good site for maintenance info for this old girl?
Any ideas for a makeover? would be greatly appreciated...
thanking in advance for any help...
Pete

[Johnj]

1) Yes. It's as easy as putting shorter shocks on it (Or lowering blocks on it).
2) Your rear shocks should be adjustable for preload. At the bottom of the shocks there is a thing you can turn for the three positions.
3) You MAY be able to put a wider tire on there...but I'd advise against it. A wide tire may interfere with your chain or swingarm.
4) I've used Brasso back in the day. Now I don't worry about how shiny my bike is.
5) I change my oil every 5000 miles. I use Shell Rotella 15w40.
6) There are enough knowledgeable people here to help you out. I'd suggest you get a service manual for your bike.
7) Can you paint?

[PeteLx]

thanks. appreciate it.
in your view, being simply a small Suzuki...i'm not sure what i can get away with in modifying it.
the only thing classic with this bike is it's age (the one good thing about it is that I only have to pay $100 for plates
just how far can i go...how far can one one go, in modifying a gs750t? is it worth it?
or should just leave it as it is and call it my first bike

[dean owens]

i'll start with your last question.

is it worth it? or should just leave it as it is and call it my first bike?

i have a cx500 rust bucket in my back yard that doesn't run. i maybe could get $100.00 for it right now. so it's not worth modding. but that's not going to stop me. i'm planning on turning it into a cafe racer. it'll probably take a year of doing stuff here and there. but i'm doing it. not sure it's worth it, but it'll be fun.

you're the only one that can answer "is it worth it?". do you like modding? when you LOOK at your bike do you SEE another bike screaming to come out and play? if it's your only bike, are you ok riding it in it's various states from current to dream? and how would you want to mod it? are we talking a paint job? maybe a cafe racer or a bobber? or simply a new seat and a different set of bars? as i said, only you can answer that question.

in your view, being simply a small Suzuki...i'm not sure what i can get away with in modifying it.
the only thing classic with this bike is it's age (the one good thing about it is that I only have to pay $100 for plates
just how far can i go...how far can one one go, in modifying a gs750t?

how far? how much time, money and imagination do you have? here are the two stock cx500's that were made. first a deluxe and then the custom.



now here is a copper someone made from one.


here are some bobbers people have made using the cx500





here are a few cafe racers people have made with the cx500







now for something completely different




how much money, time and imagination do you have? is it worth it? totally up to you.

[PeteLx]

wow! those are fantastic! love them. thxz!!!
Happen to know where I could find some photos of some gs750t bikes that have been modified to bobbers or coppers by any chance? do you happen to have a dollar figure this could run me up into?

[dean owens]

i don't. i simply googled and looked for some images i knew were out there. some of those cafe's are my inspiration for my build. i'd say to start googling, imagining, drawing, researching and writing down how much stuff will cost. and some cost is dependent on what skills you have. can you weld, paint etc.? or are you going to have to pay someone to do it all? you might be able to find a gs750 specific forum and see what ideas some of those guys have. i'm on the forum, as well as an fz6 specific forum (what i ride daily) and a cx forum. all have their purpose.

i can tell you the guy with the black and orange bobber that has a white smilie face on the side of the tank didn't spend much money at all. he got a cx deluxe for cheap. found a cx custom tank for cheap, made his own seat and struts. he bought new bars, a rear fender, longer cables and spray paint.

again, up to your imagination, time and money. sorry i can't be more help then that. i do think the gs750 offers a pretty good starting platform though. and it seems to be a decent bike from the quick reading i did on it. good luck.

[PeteLx]

thank you Dean. I really appreciate the info and advice. like I said I am so very new to this and do really look forward to learning more. i haven't much experience in any area perse be it welding, painting or mechanics in any way but have a buddy or two that are and may be able get some help and learn along the way. one thing is for sure...i am going to begin by making some very easy changes (that I can do myself to the bike, get it back to basics so to speak by removing the back rest (much to my girlfriends dismay) and the windshield for starters.
thx again. btw your cx really has a nice look to the engine and those pics are simply awesome. good luck with your build.

[Johnj]

Time & Money

[belac46]

I am the proud owner of an 83 gs705t myself. I wont post pictures because she still needs a little tlc, but i have seen people do some pretty radical stuff with this bike. I ride mine on long trips fairly often. I rode it from athens ga to key west florida recently, so i wouldnt want to turn her into a hardtail. But, check out this guys gs650. Hes kept the shocks & given it an intense streetfighter look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXbMFPLoMj8