GSX1400 Owners .org

General => Introductions => Topic started by: RCDesigns on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 10:08 AM

Title: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 10:08 AM
Hello, I first tried to join this forum many years ago, but could not get the site to operate for me. Anyhow I am back again now for another try.
I have been passionate about the Gsx14 since the 2001 model was released. I purchased one back then and have a 2008 Special Edition now. The attraction was the vast contrast to what I was also passionate about! Racing 250 GP 2-Strokes.
The 14's huge tractable torque, comfort and challenging handling was very exciting while having scope for advancement in standard trim. That led to a bit of an obsession with the Gsx14. I have combined both of these motorcycle attributes to come up with what I have now.
I have joined this forum to see what drives others to this brilliant sturdy motorcycle from Suzuki.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Eric GSX1400K3 on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 10:13 AM
Welcome mate, been a whole since I was last in the 'Gong, nice part of the country, even nicer now with a cool 1400 running around.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Kiwifruit on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 10:58 AM
G'day and welcome. Nice looking bike you have there.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Stevel3 on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 12:27 PM
Welcome mate, very nice bike I like it a lot. 👌
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 04:00 PM
Hi RCDesigns, welcome to the forum.  A very special personalised machine you've created, well done. Looks great.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: grog on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 04:21 PM
Welcome Mate. Must be proud of that one, youve put some work into it.  :onya:
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Irish in Oz on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 05:06 PM
Bet that's been up and down the Macquarie Pass and Jamberoo a few times.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: GSXKING on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 05:17 PM
G'day RC & welcome to the nuthouse 👍👍
Yours is probably one of the nicest customisation jobs I've seen 🥇🥇

I still have my 2001 model 🧐 I've owned from new 🙏
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Notty on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 06:19 PM
welcome  :)
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Batkwaka on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 07:51 PM
That's an interesting Cafe Racer style seat & ducktail, very nice and I wish you a happy obsession.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 08:01 PM
Thanks all you guys for your warm welcome and praise. And yes "Irish in Oz", it has been up and down the Pass and Jamberoo a couple of times. Just had a brilliant ride up the Oxley and through Thunderbolts way which was just awesome on the 14.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: grog on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 08:20 PM
Motor mods Mate?
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Mick_J on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 08:38 PM
Welcome to the forum RCDesigns.  :onya:  I like that very much, I usually hate fairings on bikes but that is a nice job, just covers the clocks and no more, lovely
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Irish in Oz on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 09:19 PM
Quote from: RCDesigns on Thursday, 26 January  2023, 08:01 PM
Thanks all you guys for your warm welcome and praise. And yes "Irish in Oz", it has been up and down the Pass and Jamberoo a couple of times. Just had a brilliant ride up the Oxley and through Thunderbolts way which was just awesome on the 14.
You will have to catch up with Snapey, done the south coast with him quite a few times, also Oxley and Thunderbolts, I am from Central Coast so in between the two.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Snapey on Thursday, 26 January 2023, 11:23 PM
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Thursday, 26 January  2023, 09:19 PM

You will have to catch up with Snapey, done the south coast with him quite a few times, also Oxley and Thunderbolts, I am from Central Coast so in between the two.

My SE hardly gets out of the garage now Jeff. The only time I head to Wollongong now is to chase snapper off Bellambi or visit the grangkids at Bulli.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Blubber on Friday, 27 January 2023, 03:21 AM
Welcome from the other end of the globe : the Netherlands  :boogie:
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: seth on Friday, 27 January 2023, 04:07 AM
 :welcome1:
To all things 1402 from Scotland
:cheers:
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: urbanus on Friday, 27 January 2023, 04:34 AM
Welcome from France, which is near the Netherlands (love your bitterbollen !!) - that bike is absolutely the dogs Bol&%cks, Its bostin :boogie:
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Irish in Oz on Friday, 27 January 2023, 09:16 AM
@Snapey
So when I get back are we going for a bike ride or a fishing trip.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Snapey on Friday, 27 January 2023, 01:32 PM
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Friday, 27 January  2023, 09:16 AM
@Snapey
So when I get back are we going for a bike ride or a fishing trip.

Maybe just a drive in the 7.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: T 24 on Friday, 27 January 2023, 04:31 PM
Welcome RCD  :cheers:
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Friday, 27 January 2023, 10:46 PM
@grog,

The engine is relatively standard!
* Stage 1 Yoshimura cam.
* Yoshimura header system with modded can.
* Pipercross air filter.
* RCD/GSG Oil Cooler system.
* EJK ignition system.
* Huge weight reduction.

Most of the work has been done on suspension and chassis alignment. Oh! and bodywork.
Will send more pics.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Friday, 27 January 2023, 10:49 PM
Pics
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Friday, 27 January 2023, 10:50 PM
Pics
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Milts on Monday, 30 January 2023, 07:00 AM
 
Welcome @RCDesigns your title couldn't be further from the truth.

That is one stunning looking bike, superb graphics and an arse end to match Kylie's  :)

Well done 10/10 from me  :onya: 
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Monday, 30 January 2023, 09:04 AM
Thanks Milts,
I will swap for Kylie :smitten:
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Snapey on Monday, 30 January 2023, 05:00 PM
There's a lot of work gone in to that one but nothing beats stock as far as I'm concerned.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: VladTepes on Monday, 30 January 2023, 09:07 PM
G'day  :)'
Where did the weight savings com into it given youve bolted ion additional bodywork?
Entirely curious  :onya:

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/gallery/0/1-290517235220.png)
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Monday, 30 January 2023, 10:01 PM
@Snapey,
I have to agree with stock. I was a big fan of production racing. It created an equal playing field for all and we were all in the same boat. Besides that I would love to purchase a stock standard 08' Special Edition, just to have that Concorse standard of a model.
The reason I have done this is a personal desire to combine the brilliant standard 14 and a splash of racing attributes. I built it for me, and my desire. Besides I had great fun in doing so.

@VladTepes,
From the tank back is all rebuilt. The whole subframe, undertail, std rear body panels, grab rails, foot peg brackets, seat all gone. Under the 0.9 thick ss shaped tail is nothing but a thin piece of fibreglass undertail with carbon hugger.
95% of all external bolts are titanium. Headers and exhaust trimmed. Lighter oil cooler, controls, handlebars, blinkers, headlight and surround, a lot of trimming etc, etc.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Snapey on Monday, 30 January 2023, 10:27 PM
Quote from: RCDesigns on Monday, 30 January  2023, 10:01 PM

Besides that I would love to purchase a stock standard 08' Special Edition, just to have that Concorse standard of a model.
The reason I have done this is a personal desire to combine the brilliant standard 14 and a splash of racing attributes. I built it for me, and my desire. Besides I had great fun in doing so.


I doubt you'd find a better SE than mine & seeing it doesn't get ridden I've decided to sell. Everything is stock except heated grips & what I thought Suzuki should have done with the special edition ... K2 twin exhaust.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Irish in Oz on Monday, 30 January 2023, 11:47 PM
@Snapey
has it got a mainstand, that swing arm looks modified all those changes devalue that machine greatly.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Snapey on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 05:35 AM
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Monday, 30 January  2023, 11:47 PM
@Snapey
has it got a mainstand, that swing arm looks modified all those changes devalue that machine greatly.

So what are you saying Jeffrey ... lose the twin system & replace them it the OEM single system & centre stand? Maybe a good idea as I could flog the twin exhaust & LH muffler mount separately.

There again I could move the bike in to the lounge room & look at it all day.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 08:09 AM
@Snapey,

What are you asking for the SE?
How many k's and owners?
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Snapey on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 08:32 AM
Quote from: RCDesigns on Tuesday, 31 January  2023, 08:09 AM
@Snapey,

What are you asking for the SE?
How many k's and owners?

$12,000 with 3 weeks rego or $12,650 with 12 months. 63,00kms & 2nd owner.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 08:41 AM
Ooohw! Tempting! It looks very tidy and well looked after. I would pay that price but was after one with less k's.
I still only have 19k on mine.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Johno on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 01:46 PM
I don't really understand the fascination people have with very low mileage. Serving and presentation are far more important. I consider under 100 is on these machines low. 19ks is not even properly run in. Storage and proper regular servicing would be my priorities. I had mine from 45k to about 65k and there was no difference in performance. The bike had no known history but no signs of abuse or neglect. I would expect a properly maintained 1400 should be good for well in excess of 300k. It's the small bits that will need attention by then.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Hooli on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 06:54 PM
Well said. my 14 was up to 168k miles when stolen, it ran as well as ever & felt like it'd do the same again. Barely anything replacing except consumables and minor outlying bits like stators either.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: RCDesigns on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 09:12 PM
@ Johno and Hooli,

The great thing about the Gsx14 is its 1980's build and quality reinforcement! It's what we all classify as "Bullet Proof" yeah! "The solid reliable build".
I totally agree with your response on mileage with the 14. The big question though is unknown. How have the K's been spent.
You say 19k is barely run in for this motorcycle. I would have to generally agree. How it has been run in is most important though!
We always had a way to "run" bikes in! You can be too soft and you can be too hard too soon. Rough or smooth. It always made a big difference to the character of a particular engine. No two bikes are the same!
Sure! A 14 with 100k can be a good reliable bike that goes well and is well worth purchasing. In this case I am after an SE that I probably will never find. A stock standard collector, which has low k's for this very reason.
I did find one once with 6k on it. It sold within 20 minutes of listing.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: Hooli on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 10:13 PM
Keep looking, I've seen a FE (we didn't get the SE over here) with something daft like 4k miles on it in a shop last year.

Oddly it was an early FE, a K6.
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 01 February 2023, 04:33 AM
Sounds like you want Barmys' GSX, that went to a collector as well. Any pic's Dave?  :whistling:  . . . 
Title: Re: Hello from Wollongong Australia
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 01 February 2023, 06:29 PM
Dont think Barmys was real stock Col. So much polish mustve been heavier.  :hat: