Craig's GS1000 racebike

While most get "back into motorcycling" on a GSX1400 or a BMW, Craig rediscovered his youth kicking some arse on a dinosaur from hell... GS1000 Yoshimura works replica...

I got back into bikes about 4 years ago after 20 years with no bike. I used to production race here in NZ in the 70s. Was middle of the pack and crashed a lot....

So 4 years ago I bought an old GS 1000 (same as I used to race) and restored it. Like most 20yr+ old bikes everything on the bike was shagged, so the quick fix up turned into a bit of a marathon. I went for a few road rides with friends on modern bikes and quickly got into it again, scraping pegs and chewing up exhausts...Found I didn't like it, too many cars, cops etc, so decided to go racing. Did it for a season on the standard motor wheels etc, and got the bug.
Stock GS1000 racer - Sept. 2000
For the next season, the road bike got sold. Bought a wreck, and beefed up the frame a bit, put a Wiseco 1100 kit in the engine, got some hot cams, flowed head and 33mm roundslide carbs, and a locally made exhaust. Put out around 110hp at the rear wheel. Fitted 18" wire wheels with wider alloy rims for that period look. Worked my way up the field and did a lot of racing (and a little crashing).
Purpose built GS 1000 racer during assembly - March 2001
Pukekohe TT - Dec 2001
Pukekohe TT - Dec 2001
Third season was last year. Worked pretty hard over the winter and made replica 300mm Brembo discs. Sold the wire wheels on ebay (a steal at US$500) and bought GSXR750 17" wheels. (legal in the class). Adapted the forks and rear to take 20mm axles, and fitted the 17" rims. (3.5" front, 4.5" rear) I studied the Yoshi GS 1000s of the early 80s, and scaled a lot of dimensions from photos, then cut the frame to bits. I fitted Ohlins piggy backs with adjustable everything, had the front forks re-built in Australia with Racetech springs and emulators fitted. Rear brake was made fully floating. Ohlins damper was fitted up front, and crash covers made for the alternator and ign sides (alternator removed, total loss ignition).
The new rolling chassis
Some of the bodywork installed
A closer look at the Yoshimura works bike-inspired suspension setup
Engine got Keihin CR 35mm carbs, more flowing, bigger exhaust valves, Dyna 2000 ignition, 11.8:1 compression, Yoshi 4-1 exhaust, home made high flow Alloy can, rear sets, STACK electronic tacho. Dynoed it at 138hp at the rear wheel. Weighed in at 180kg no oil or gas. Top speed around 260km/hr at Pukekohe Raceway, Auckland NZ.
Finished bike
First meeting out, one of the 20yr old big ends said "enough" loudly, broke the rod and creamed the engine. (see photos). Totalled the crankcases, pistons, valves, bent a cam, stuffed the crank, gearbox (from debris) etc etc. This happened about 1 month before the bike needed to be ready for a Phillip Island race meeting in Australia.
Ready to race
With the help of Dave Hayes, precision engineering who re-built the head & block, Brett Roberts (assembled the bottom end) and Falicon Cranks (sold me a welded, brand new GS 1000 crank at an excellent price and got it dispatched pronto) we got the bike ready in time with 1 day to spare. Rode it at Phillip Island and got 4th in class overall. I was delighted and what's more the bike handles beautifully, tipping into the ultrafast turn 1 at around 220-240km/hr without a wobble. Excellent!
Looking mean and nostalgic at the same time

Came back to NZ and had a mixed season with a few silly little problems, but won quite a few races, but no silverware due to a few DNFs and turning up to wet meetings with slicks and no wet tyres. This has now been sorted! added some more ground clearance on both sides (casing keep scraping, despite higher than standard clearance).

I am really looking forward to next season with a few minor mods planned, a GS 1000 S fairing to be fitted, and another Phillip Island trip (best racetrack in the world) planned.

I have attached a few photos showing development. Will send some more in a separate email.

Thanks for listening!!