1987 GSX-R 750
After first oil-change and new tires. Aug 2002.
My Suzuki GSX-R 750, a complete history:
After a few miles, and being parked all day, some new oil leaks surfaced, but all-in-all she ran much better than expected. I replaced some gaskets, and started dialing in the suspension. I cranked down on the preload and increased the compression and damping. This really helped a LOT! I also increased the front end damping to "4" on the indicators. The damping normally sucks, but it made a big enough difference to help minimize "pogo-ing" around corners. The front end is next on the list for upgrade/rebuild.
Carbon fiber tach bracket and repositioned starter button.
Well, that is the story up to this point. It is funny when I first got her, people would gather around and awe at the bike because she was
"built to the hilt" and a GSXR to boot. For those who don't know, or remember, back then, sportbikes were not nearly as prominent nor accepted in motorcycling society. They were ungodly expensive for the times, and you just didn't see them around. Standards and cruisers were the norm. My, how times have changed!
Aug. 9, 2002 - New Tires (Metzeler MEZ4's), 1,000 mile oil change
Oct. 8, 2002 - New levers, new rubber fairing spacers, new tank mount rubber
Dec. 22, 2002 - '86 1100 front caliper and rotor conversion, new front pads
Dec. 23, 2002 - New chain, new front/rear sprockets, '86 1100 rear wheel conversion, new rear rotor, new rear brake pads, new MEZ4 160/60 rear tire
Feb. 8, 2003 - Rebuilt forks w/Race Tech Emulators and correct weight springs
Feb. 8, 2003 - Ohlins Rear Shock
After a very successful 2002 street riding season, I felt that several improvements were in order. I had put roughly 3,000 very HARD miles on her, and there was also a serious amount of maintenance that needed to be done. Many of the parts that were on the bike initially should have been replaced, including the chain and the rear sprocket. I had to see if the engine would hold up though before sinking a lot of serious dough into the bike. During Christmas break of 2002, I decided it was the time for action, and several improvements were made at this time. During October, I picked up an old '86 1100 parts bike sans engine from my good buddy Mike Kertscher at MSK Racing. The purpose of this frame, plastic and parts was to provide conversion material and spare parts for my 750 during the off-season. I started with an old trick my racing friends in the 80's used. You can bolt up stock rotors and calipers from an '86 or '87 1100 directly to a first generation 750 to give a bit more grip and feel. The stock '87 750 rotors are 300mm, and the 1100's 310mm. Not a big change, but there is a decent amount of difference when they are bolted up. It is a completely "bolt-on" conversion. No drilling, measuring or machining! 
The 1100 calipers before cleaning. They were pretty bad! 
The 1100 calipers after cleaning, and with new pads installed. I hand polished all of the parts before assembly. Luckily, the seals were still good, so a rebuild was not in order. 
Stock rotors and calipers. My rotors were severely GLAZED, and stopping power was not nearly as good as it could have been. 
The 1100 rotors and calipers bolted on. They look REAL NICE!!!! The short but quick ride after the installation confirmed that this is a cheap and decent upgrade. After the brake conversion, I proceeded with the next step. Replacing the stock 750 3.5" rear wheel with an 1100 4" rear wheel. I added a fresh Metzeler MEZ4 and a new rear rotor from my parts bin. I also added new brake pads, and bled the rear line. During the wheel swap, I also replaced the chain and sprockets. I upped the rear sprocket from 42 to 46 teeth. I figured this would help keep my revs up out of corners up a bit, and help my corner exit acceleration as well. I had done a mod like this before, and it was very useful in tight, twisty corners. I still have that dang flat spot between 4 and 6,000 RPM, so this is a most welcome addition!
New rear rotor, 1100 wheel and MEZ4 tire. 
Fresh RK XSO 530-114 chain, and new sprockets. On a quick tire scrub-in ride, the combined changes were readliy apparent. She ran smoother, and rolled into the corners with less effort due to the wider wheel. I was able to easily keep the revs up in the corners, and exit quickly. Some very nice and much needed work. Up next, the TOTAL suspension upgrade! |