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Thread: Vlad's GSX1400 "Back in Black"

  1. #1
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
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    Vlad's GSX1400 "Back in Black"

    Well, I figured it's well past time to start a thread documenting my GSX1400 ownership.....

    After many years without bikes, followed by a divorce (not a coincidence) I decided it was well past time to get back in the saddle. There wasn't a day went by when I hadn't wanted to get back on a bike, now I finally could.

    While I had always wanted a Moto Guzzi - price was an issue as well as a requirement for a good reliable bike I could ride daily and enjoy both commuting and on weekends.

    After much research it came down to a classic style muscle bike - either the GSX1400 or XJR1300. Sense prevailed.

    I was fortunate that at that that time Bov (from the GSX1400 forum) was selling his beautiful black K7. (A decision he probably regretted at some point afterward)

    At the time it had around 67,000 kms on the clock, 1 owner from new with a full service history and rego.













    To view the full gallery click Here


    I was very fortunate in that the bike had a good range of mods which Bov had taken the financial hit for. Thanks Bov!

    They included:

    Full Carbon Akrapovic exhaust system
    Power Commander PCIII

    K&N Air Filter
    GI Pro Gear Indicator
    Ignition Advancer
    Mini Led Indicators
    Stainless Org oil cooler cover
    Custom Seat (John Moorehouse)
    Michelin PR2's (new)
    Iridium plugs
    Braided Front, Rear & Clutch Lines
    Progressive Front Springs
    Givi Box & Rack


    To say I was very happy to complete that purchase is an understatement !


    So after a gap of some 20 years, I was "Back in Black" !
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  2. #2
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
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    6 September 2013

    Three weeks previously the 1400 (my only running bike) went in for a service and they found the sprocket carrier had failed or at least was that close to failing it was dangerous.

    Given the bike was discontinued there were apparently no spares in Australia. Of course.

    So they said they'd get one from Japan....

    Three weeks later... and today I find out that Suzuki Japan have advised they won't be able to ship one until 15 September. FFS !!!!!
    So it'll be ANOTHER 2 -3 weeks before I get the damn thing back
    Withdrawal symptoms well and truly kicked in !

    20 September 2013

    I got a call, the part had arrived the previous day and the bike is now ready to go.

    I was $985 poorer. (Full service, labour, fluids, sprocket carrier, sprockets, chain)
    Oh and that price is after a discount.

    That's a ****load of money and I'll know better next time to come on the gsx1400.org first !!!!!!
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  3. #3
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
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    26 May 2014

    Had a little off last week - hit the back of a ute on the highway
    Saw it in time to wash off about 99% of my speed but just not QUITE enough.
    Low speed impact and dropped it on the RHS.

    The good news - I'm uninjured.

    The care had a slightly damaged number plate and some paint transfer to my front guard.

    My front guard didn't even break but I'm not sure if I might not have hit his tow bar on the way through.

    The handlebars are bent (perfect excuse for a straighter set of bars maybe renthals), the bracket holding the front brake M/C is broken (zip tied that for now). My crash knobs and case sliders saved any more serious damage to the side. A few aesthetic scratches to the carbon akro can - nothing a new sticker wouldn't fix.

    I managed to ride it home - carefully. Bars bent made it a little interesting.
    There was no real vibration noticeable even at speed (100kmh was fine, with care and about 2 miles following distance...). Under braking however it was really odd and jerky which leads me to believe that perhaps the rim is damaged (nothing visible) or the forks are..... (Bloody hope not though).

    Certainly there would be at least some alignment issues......


    I subsequently went through all the insurance palaver...

    5 June 2014

    GOOD NEWS !!!!

    Just got a call from QBE and they are going to fix my bike. (I'll be in the hole the $500 excess)

    I was astounded though when they said that the repair quote is $3,285.30 !
    As far as I can tell all that is damaged is
    1. The R&G case sliders
    2. The bracket holding the front brake M/C.
    3. The handlebars.

    There may have been more, of course, but QGE won't give me a copy of the quote. I'll have to ask the repairers if they can enlighten me as I am interested.

    I was thinking of Renthal bars instead of the standard Suzuki, but they will only put it back "as was" - with genuine Suzuki bars. Apparently not interested in saving money which would keep us both happy ?!

    The not so good news is that they have quoted a repair time of 4 weeks !
    Apparently they may have to source parts from Japan and Suzuki takes 3-4 weeks to send them.

    So that will be a total of 6 weeks without the bike....... what a prospect !


    Some time later.....

    Bike back on the road (the right way up) and as good as its ever been
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  4. #4
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
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    21 January 2015

    Had a wee bit of drama. Had ridden the bike to work at Centrelink Goodna (well, I was working there that day!)

    As I exited the car park, I heard a bit of a noise as I crossed a steel speed bump in the car park then suddenly the rear was skating all over the place. My initial thought was catastrophic rear tyre failure.... until I looked back and saw a HUGE trail of oil.... I managed to turn the bike around and ride it to the McDonalds' car park (just across the street) where I parked it and where it enthusiastically continued to pour oil on the ground a rate substantially faster than my Land Rover ever has! At least the large sump capacity meant there was still plenty of oil in it so at least there won't be any engine damage......

    As it transpires I had managed to destroy the sump. I think it was a 1/10,000 chance - the sump plug must have contacted one the the bolts which holds the speed bump to the driveway... causing this:







    Anyway I figure that even with the $150 tow (cash) I should get out of it as DIY for less than or approx. same as an insurance excess, but without having to claim and see my premium rise......



    It wouldn't be so bad except that I managed to rip the rear end out of my Defender on the weekend..... no wonder the missus is unhappy.


    Had been really busy with all sorts of other **** going on but having purchased the parts at a good price from Springwood Suzuki I finally got around to fixing it myself!
    Before:






    After:






    Certainly a big sense of satisfaction having done it myself and learned a few things along the way.
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  5. #5
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
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    17 March 2015

    First time back on the road since the sump fix....

    Got about 10 metres down the road... whoa that's skaty.... better check tyre pressures next servo. 100 metres down the road - cough cough splutter, Oh **** fuel. Pulled into to servo and fuelled up. FULL tank required. Hmm, checked tyre pressures. They were at 26/24 jeepers.... so I fixed that to 36/38. As I rode off it was still a bit hesitant when on and off the throttle - fuel starvation I guess - but this soon settled down. Took it for a decent run - seems to be going good now. Finally !
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  6. #6
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
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    There are a few niggling things which do need sorting.

    The adjusters on the rear shocks are buggered and I just can't get it set up right, so I'm going to get those rebuilt.

    I have ordered a set of Renthal 758 bars which I'll fill with silicone so hopefully get my wrists a bit straighter (and less sore) and remove the vibe I've been experiencing from the bars.


    I'll get some bar end mirrors to replace the wing mirrors at the same time. For some reason the mirrors I currently have are just the right height to hit 4WD mirrors when I am filtering.

    Getting a set of SR Racing adjustable shorty levers, so my 'normal length' SR racing adjustable levers will be available for sale soon if anyone is chasing them here is Australia.

    The brakes have been ****ting me for a while so I paid a visit to Metal Gear and got a set of discs and pads for front and rear - walked out $600 lighter (got a slight deal which essentially equalled free rear pads).

    I also need some new tyres. Not sure how many kilometres we can normally expect from a set of Michelin PR2's but they were new when I bought the bike from Bov at 67,000 kms and it's just ticked over the 89,000 km mark so that's probably a good run. Some PR4's will be replacing them.
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  7. #7
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
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    Last edited by p38arover; 10th March 2020 at 01:02 PM.
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  8. #8
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
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    Last edited by p38arover; 10th March 2020 at 01:01 PM.
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  9. #9
    Tombie Guest
    Awwesome Vlad... Great write up....

    They're a nice bit of kit - be careful

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    About time you did those brakes!

    When you getting the new rubber?

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