Hey Everyone-
I've been looking for a cafe project for the past couple years. Two weeks ago I found it- 1981 GS1100E. The bike is 99% complete, missing the left side cover panel. Pretty much stock except for the Vance and Hines 4 into 1 exhaust. I picked it up for $500. It only has 20,000 original miles. The seller had no paperwork or plate, but it ran so I rolled the dice. Before paying for it I ran a VIN search and it came up clean. After bringing her home I went to the DMV and registered it for $100. The registration still isn't complete. I have to do a VIN verification but I live next to a cop so that's no problem.
Since buying it I've spent about $200 on parts. So far I've purchased the following: shop manuel, clubman bars, grips, bar end mirrors, round headlight, blinkers, cafe seat, shock boots, rear foot pegs, pipe wrap, spray paint, throttle and clutch cables, oil filter, spark plugs, air filters, tail light, and license plate bracket. I still need tires, brake pads, and a battery. I just stripped all the paint off the tank. I replaced the spark plugs and did an oil change. I'm having Race Tech rebuild the front shocks. Next up is repainting the tank and front fender. This weekend I'm going to pick up some aluminum to make new side panels. Then I'll cut the rear end and add a hoop.
I plan to rattle can the tank and fender grey. I'll paint the rims gold. Everything else will remain black. I'm going to wrap the pipes. I would also like to change the guages and dash. The wiring needs to be cleaned up. Finally, the carbs need to be cleaned and synchronized. Down the road I would like to change the front foot pegs and brake/clutch pedals. I also want to remove the black paint on the engine head.
I have another bike, a 2009 Harley Softail Deluxe. It's super clean: black and chrome, ape hangers, fishtail exhaust, air bag suspention. It's so clean, it's a pain in the ass. I hate keeping it that way. It takes a lot of work to keel it shiny. This is the main reason I bought the GS. I wanted a bike that I didn't have to worry about so much. I was also interested in a different riding style. However, I lack throttle control so a crotch rocket was out of the question.
I'll keep y'all posted on my progress. Project TacoCart is off and running!!!
taco
I've been looking for a cafe project for the past couple years. Two weeks ago I found it- 1981 GS1100E. The bike is 99% complete, missing the left side cover panel. Pretty much stock except for the Vance and Hines 4 into 1 exhaust. I picked it up for $500. It only has 20,000 original miles. The seller had no paperwork or plate, but it ran so I rolled the dice. Before paying for it I ran a VIN search and it came up clean. After bringing her home I went to the DMV and registered it for $100. The registration still isn't complete. I have to do a VIN verification but I live next to a cop so that's no problem.
Since buying it I've spent about $200 on parts. So far I've purchased the following: shop manuel, clubman bars, grips, bar end mirrors, round headlight, blinkers, cafe seat, shock boots, rear foot pegs, pipe wrap, spray paint, throttle and clutch cables, oil filter, spark plugs, air filters, tail light, and license plate bracket. I still need tires, brake pads, and a battery. I just stripped all the paint off the tank. I replaced the spark plugs and did an oil change. I'm having Race Tech rebuild the front shocks. Next up is repainting the tank and front fender. This weekend I'm going to pick up some aluminum to make new side panels. Then I'll cut the rear end and add a hoop.
I plan to rattle can the tank and fender grey. I'll paint the rims gold. Everything else will remain black. I'm going to wrap the pipes. I would also like to change the guages and dash. The wiring needs to be cleaned up. Finally, the carbs need to be cleaned and synchronized. Down the road I would like to change the front foot pegs and brake/clutch pedals. I also want to remove the black paint on the engine head.
I have another bike, a 2009 Harley Softail Deluxe. It's super clean: black and chrome, ape hangers, fishtail exhaust, air bag suspention. It's so clean, it's a pain in the ass. I hate keeping it that way. It takes a lot of work to keel it shiny. This is the main reason I bought the GS. I wanted a bike that I didn't have to worry about so much. I was also interested in a different riding style. However, I lack throttle control so a crotch rocket was out of the question.
I'll keep y'all posted on my progress. Project TacoCart is off and running!!!
taco
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