My Series 3 Restoration

[GS1000S MAN]

This is what it is like with the new filter on.

[GS1000S MAN]

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PARAS.

I had to put one on tonight. Also got Pro Comp ES9000 Shocks.
But I cant put them on till the axle is painted and fitted.

I got Rocky Mountain shocks because they seemed to have more technical data spec than the rest, which seems to me that they must test them a bit more than the others.
When I asked for advise on what springs to get, everybody slagged off the ones that they did not have. So I decided to take no notice and make my own mind up.
They look very well made, but the proof in the pudding is in the eating, so when I have finished this Land Rover of mine and it looks nice and new, I will take it off road, get it covered in mud and filth and tell you all how they perform.

[Big Sandy]

Things are looking smart! That spin on filter is a good idea, Thats got to be better than lying underneath with oil diddling down your arm! Might have to look into one myself, its not the taking it off, its the putting it back on again. Having said that, the SIII one seems easier than the SIIa did !

The paras look good too, I put new springs on the front of ours last year, standard ones though, sadly not enough cash spare to go all round with parabolics. Had to do it though, found a hole just to big for the spring to handle, and had to take the gas torch to the top leaf before being able to go any further ( couldn't turn the steering wheel!) I look forward to hearing how they work for you.

Big Sandy

[GS1000S MAN]

I have just got in from the garage. Been out ther for 3 hours tonight. I only went out there to give the place a tidy up as I have to service the brother-in-laws Peugeot scooter tomorrow and I got a bit carried away and ended up cleaning all the crap off of the front axle and diff. I could not believe what came off it. The amount of mud that was on the diff and axle, half filled a 2 gallon bucket. The thing looks much smaller now and I can pick the whole thing up with one hand and hold it above my head.
If you believe that you will believe anything!
When I cut the old u-bolts off that held my old STD springs to the axle, I could not believe what poor condition my leaf springs were in. They rattle around in my hands as if they were about to fall apart. I think it was the weight of the vehicle that was keeping them in place?
I was thinking of putting a post up, asking if anybody wanted them for nothing, but I could not give these away. It just shows ya, they looked great on the vehicle.
Well you will get another pic in the next few days, so keep your eyes open.
All the best GAZ

[Newsreader]

Know what you mean, you just couldn't resist it could you?! Can be quite frightening what you discover once you can have a a real look at everything...

[GS1000S MAN]

So far I have put the new parabolic springs on and noticed straight away that the axle moves with ease, when I pull and push up and down the axle. Where as before the axle would have not budged an inch. But the ease of movement soon dissapeared, when I fitted the new Pro Comp ES9000 Gas Shocks.
It is definitely a 2 person job fitting the shocks. Because they are gas filled, they keep expanding and try to push the bottom bushes apart, while at the same time you have to push the bushes together really hard to fit the 2 large washers, then poke the split pin through.
Well I got the neighbour and he held an open end spanner on the washers at the bottom, leaving room to fit the split pin, then I got a large socket and a g-clamp, then cramped up the 2 washers onto the rubber bushes at the bottom, until the hole for the split pin appeared. Then in went the pin with a bit of relief.
So I now have the main part of the axle cleaned and painted, shocks on and springs on.
The other thing I did was to strip off all the insulation tape from the engine harness, as I hate insulation tape, it gets warm then soft and taky, then the dirt gets stuck to it. Once off and cleaned with solvent, I could see all of the faults with it and this is just a small bit of loom. I repaired the loom using a soldering iron and heat shrink, then wrapped the loom with wiring loom tape, which is not sticky at all, so at the end if the loom you put heat shrink and shrink it over the end to stop the tape from unwrapping itself.
Well I am not going to bore you anymore so here is a picture of it so far.
Bye for now!

[Yorkie V8]

Coming on nicely, almost be shame to get it dirty. it`ll wash off easy though eh.

[Newsreader]

looking very good

Not boring at all, I'm learning I'm learning...

[GS1000S MAN]

I have not been in the garage for a while as I have been sorting out the workshop and kids play house at the end of me garden.
It won't be long now and I will be back in the garage.
Next on the agender is to fit the brake servo, clutch master and heater matrix and blower.
That will be the next pic boys and girls.
From Gaz.

[Julian]

Come on GS1000 man, I'm getting into this now.
I never ever intend to do a restoration by the way but I'm eagerly awaiting the next episode of yours!

[GS1000S MAN]

Well I am getting my new workshop on Monday and erecting it on Tuesday, once finished I can clear out the garage properly and carry on with the restoration.
Recently I have bead bleasted and re-painted the chassis to bulkhead supports, which also the steering box bolts to and fitted them to the vehicle. Now the bulkhead is nice and rigid.
The steering box felt very grindy, so I stripped it and found that once upon a time, the bearing that is situated in the top of the steering column, must have broken up and all of the contents had made there way down the shaft and into the box over the years. So I have removed all of the foreign objects and given it a good clean out. A real messy job as the thick ep90 was filthy and smelly.
It is amazing how simple the steering box is, what I can't understand is that the Haynes restoration manual does not cover this item as it says it is not a part that can be covered in their manual. All that is in the steering box is a worm gear that has a set of roller balls enclosed in a housing , that follow the worm gear when you turn the steering wheel and in turn move the drop link backwards and forwards.
As long as the bearing surfaces are good then all you need to do is replace the balls with new items and probably re-shim up the freeplay. You will more than likely find that as the box is old and slightly worn, that all you will have to do after fitting new balls is just remove one or two of the old shims and this will take up and wear in the housing. There is 4 shims on my box and I recone after fitting the new balls I will not need them all, but i will find out soon.
Next week you should be in for another photo boys and girls!

all the best Gaz.

[gaz]

Cracking read Gary Wish I had some of those get up and go pills you seem to have. You must have a patient ol' lady too. After a rebuild like that, your a brave man to throw it back in the mud. As a matter of interest, what year and model is the GS? I've got a Hinkley Trident 900 just now. Its that good a bike that I kept it and sold the Harley in November. Anyway, back to your project. Keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to the next update. cheers Gaz.

[GS1000S MAN]

Hello Gaz,
The GS I have is a 1980 GS1000s, I would have thought you would have known that seeing that I call myself it.
I have had it now for 15 years and it has done 53k miles and still looks brand new. In fact it looks newer than new as I had loads of bits re-chromed and all of the bolts were re-cadmium plated.
It is red and white. I will post a pic for you when I get it out of its winter wrappers and polish it up again. I have looked for a pic on one of my cds, but I cannot find one photo of it.
My workshop for the back garden turned up yesterday, so today I was putting it up in the bloody rain as per usual. have you ever tried felting a roof, whilst at the same time having to squeegy the rain off of the roof. Its no fun!
Well this weekend I will be able to get my garage sorted out again and the restoration will be back in action.
So keep your eyes peeled on this thread everybody.
All the best Gaz.

[Yorkie V8]

Hmmm I prefer the red and white to the blue and white GS1000S. Glad to hear you`re making good progress on the workshop mate.

[gaz]

I knew you had a GS, just wasn't sure which model. thought it might have been a 78, black ones. I remember them and the CBX's racing Shirlaws black and gold Ducati's at Knockhill early 80's. The guy up the street here sold a red/white one last year.Nice bike with stainless fasteners throughout.
looking forward to the next update.