Please find enclosed photos of my bike and attached specification sheet. The bike is a Suzuki GS750 fitted with a GS1000 engine and other modifications. (See spec sheet for full details.)

I bought the bike 3 years ago as a standard Italian import 750. After 6 months use I decided to fit the 1000cc engine in the search for more grunt. I was told the engine would drop straight in but had to make up new mounts. At the same time I fitted GS1000 forks (2mm wider) which entailed mating the 1000 triple clamp to the 750 stem, and a 1000 rear wheel for the wider tyre.

I then rode the bike as it was for 6000 miles to bed everything in, and was pleased with the result.

At Christmas 1998 I decided to carry out a quick cosmetic 'tart-up' but this became a 2 year full restoration, as they do! Great attention to detail was paid and any part that was in debatable condition was either replaced or fully refurbished.

As an ex-RAF engine and airframe fitter currently employed as an engineer in the semi- conductor industry I was fortunate to be able to do most of the work myself, except the specialist engine work and the painting. I replaced most of the fasteners with stainless steel and made a new wiring loom myself.

In October 2000 I was ready to start her up after hundreds of hours of work, so there was much joy as you can imagine when she started first press of the button. Since then I have completed running her in despite the floods, although my second bike (a VFR750) has taken over my journey to work for the duration of the salty months.

However this bike is built to be ridden and will be doing the daily 50 mile return trip as soon as the spring arrives. It is great to ride, being particularly grunty as a result of fitting the Wiseco 1085cc piston kit. The handling is fine for a bike of this era and the main weak point (the poor front brake) has been eliminated by the fitment of Harrison Billet calipers - not cheap but worth it.

Top speed is about 140 mph on slightly raised gearing and fuel consumption is about 45 mpg. Incidentally the airbox is a 750 one but the same box was used for the GS1000G Shaftdrive, and as power on my bike is about 5 bhp up on standard I reckon it must flow OK.

Total cost was about £3000 but I didn't do it for a profit. Anyway, if you consider that a new 1200 Bandit would cost over £5000 then I know what I would rather have.

Hope this is of some interest.

Martin Whelan's GS750/1000 --- Specification.

Frame: 1979 GS750, standard.

Engine: GS1000E, Wiseco 1085cc kit, 3 angle valve seats, rebuilt crank, reground cams, Dyna S coils and ignition, Vance and Hines exhaust system, 28mm carbs and GS750 airbox, main jets raised 2 sizes. Homemade engine mounts.

Suspension: GS1000 37mm forks with Progressive Suspension springs mated to GS750 yokes. Telefix fork brace. Koni dial-a-ride shocks.

GS1000 17'' rear wheel. Metzeler ME33/ME99 tyres.

Brakes: Rear standard. Front Harrison Billet 4 pot calipers, GS1000ET master cylinder and discs. Goodridge hoses all round.

Bodywork: GS1000S fairing, Raask rearsets, Giuliari seat, Ducati red paintwork.

Electrics: Homemade wiring loom, GS550 clocks, Bandit indicators, GS750 gear position indicator fitted in place of GS1000 neutral switch, Electrex regulator/rectifier.

Future Plans: JMC swingarm, 18" GSXR wheels.

Thanks to: R D Cox and son (vapour blasting, engine painting), Spares Direct (Genuine Suzuki Parts), Bob Husband (parts,coffee), SEP (engine work), Dianne (allowing me to live in the garage and spend a fortune.)