Yes, I was thinking the same thing…You might have to have one made
What Have I Done? 1979 900GTS for Restoration...
- Thread starter general_piffle
- Start date
So, here are some better 'before' pics now the bike has arrived. It's almost complete, tired, but I believe it will be possible to bring it back to its former glory - albeit in black and gold 
So, as I knew from first seeing the bike it will be a full strip down and refurb. Stainless exhausts, anything with chrome will need re-chroming, Hagon shocks, new paint, new cables, loom, many parts powder coated...
Looks a good solid base for a restoration, good find
I agree will look grand finished in black gold pinstriping
I hope to be able to restore/refurbish everything on the bike. Except for the following:
Rims I’ll swap to alloy (a valuable saving in unsprung weight, also re-chroming originals will probably cost just as much).
Tank badges I have replacements.
Shocks I’ll swap to Hagen.
Seat cover I’ve sourced through Tony O’Connor of Eldorado.
New (old style) Lucas indicators, without those horrible reflectors.
New rubbers everywhere.
The engine looks like it’s never been opened up, no marked-up fasteners, no damaged fins.
I think a steam clean, LOTS of re-chroming, investigation of the engine and why the gear lever isn’t engaging. New loom I reckon. Plus, LOTS of paint and powder coat. Several things rebuilt such as forks, calipers, carbs, and we could be close!
Certainly looks like a great project!
Could be wrong, but thought bevel’s from that era had a lead seal between the two crankcase halves which if still present would confirm the crankcase hasn’t been split. Certainly worth a look.
Also, regarding the centre stand grab handle, obviously a useful thing to have, but a quick look at 860/900 GTS’s on the internet that have been sold at auction, many of them are missing the grab handle, which seems an odd bit to be missing from so many bikes, just wondering if it was fitted to every model.
Could be wrong, but thought bevel’s from that era had a lead seal between the two crankcase halves which if still present would confirm the crankcase hasn’t been split. Certainly worth a look.
Also, regarding the centre stand grab handle, obviously a useful thing to have, but a quick look at 860/900 GTS’s on the internet that have been sold at auction, many of them are missing the grab handle, which seems an odd bit to be missing from so many bikes, just wondering if it was fitted to every model.
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Hmmm, good point. Maybe not all had it? Perhaps @Vacant Possession might know?
Also, mine doesn’t have a side stand. I’ve secure one from the US but from pictures many seem to not have a side stand. Perhaps this was also ‘a thing’ from standard.
Interesting. I’ve never heard of them, how would it work?
Hi looks like a good project, I'm just about finished mine, had the engine totally rebuilt but it had been sitting with a head removed and a damaged bevel gear, not painting or powder coating anything keeping it as original as I can. I've recently moved to Czech but have found a guy in Austria with lots of stuff used and NOS, if you need anything let me know I can try him for you or you will find him on Kleinanzeigen search under bevel ignition, does not list what he has just message him.
I will get shot down but I do not think they came with side stands mines does not have one and I cant see how I could fit one, all the reference books I have mostly only show a centre stand.
I will get shot down but I do not think they came with side stands mines does not have one and I cant see how I could fit one, all the reference books I have mostly only show a centre stand.