GS1000 streetfighter idea w/ picture

Heh I like that line "like those very smart engineers intended".

Oh and yes the blue and white is stunning and would be very nice on that bike.

I think blue/white Yoshimura wins in terms of paintjobs - it looks the business and honors this bike's racing past too. What do you think?

Well, after reviewing a couple of photos, I decided that the design of the lower shock mount needed to be revisited, so we tore out the old design and fabbed up a new one.

Most importantly, the way I had the linkage and shock mounted didn't allow for sufficient travel in the linkage, which resulted in the swingarm trying to tear the tabs out of the frame without transmitting that force into the shock. Plus, I didn't like how much force was going to be exerted on two unbraced tabs that were welded only at two relatively small points, so that needed to be addressed.

This is the linkage and shock from a stock GSXR, note the position of the dogbone bolt relative to the shock bolt.



Now look how I had mine mounted.




Big, possibly disastrous difference.

So we fixed it. New frame crossmember tacked onto the centerstand crossmember, and two fat tabs made from 1/2" square tubing, welded in solid to a piece of rectangular tubing.



and then tack welded to the frame to be further braced, painted and prettied up next time



The suspension now works and is mounted in the way that those very smart Suzuki mechanical engineers intended.

i would go 80's blue race colors, we have enough red ones around
keep up the good work.

As someone who painted his red before going through all the other pics on this site, I agree.

I think I am going blue/white or blue/silver on my next one.

Other than that, I find this one of the most interesting threads going. Good work.

WOW, I'm away for a couple of days, and look what happens. Nice work man. Its turning out very well.

[first timer]

i would go 80's blue race colors, we have enough red ones around
keep up the good work.

Another angle:

SCHWING!

Thanks for the kudos guys.

I agree, the stock ruby red doesn't look that good with the gold forks. The two "finalists" for paint choices are either red/white Yoshimura replica, or blue/white Yoshi rep - can't decide. The black front fender will need to match whatever color the bike winds up being.

I love the way the '81 Yoshi GS1000 racebike was painted, thinking along these lines:

http://homepage3.nifty.com/utaka/favorite/img/GS1000S.jpg

but then again Wes Cooley's GS1000 looked great too:

http://www.oldskoolsuzuki.info/patrick/projects/knarf_gs1000/clink/

The bike is starting to get that stripped down streetfighter/racebike look that I was after. It's also light as hell right now from stripping off anything that's not absolutely necessary, I'm guessing somewhere between 430-460 pounds with a tank of gas and oil filled up. The newer suspension components are much lighter than their stock counterparts. Will have to get out the scale and measure weight and weight distribution.

The difference in rolling resistance and ride smoothness between the old Pirelli bias ply tires and these new Michelin radials is unbelievable, even when just pushing the bike around in the driveway.

The battery and electrical board will be out of view when the bike's seen from the side. I may hollow out a section of the rear part of the seat to stuff the Odyssey battery in. Since the R/R and other electrical goodies need airflow, the electrical board will be hidden between the stock shock mount gussets.

Detail on the upper shock mount. It's rectangular steel tubing, using a 90s GSXR 750 upper shock mount. 10.9 grade bolts used throughout. Everything was measured and designed with a digital caliper to 0.1 mm tolerances.



4 10.9 grade nuts were welded on the back for strength.



Todd hard at work with the grinder.



The ends of the rectangular tube were then flare cut, and "caps" made of thin steel plate were welded and blended onto the ends of the tube to create the illusion of a solid piece of steel. Then the top shock mount assembly was tack welded to the frame and the top shock mount bolted up. The ends were intentionally left long so a nice fat bead can be laid on both sides of the box to attach it to the frame. X shaped bracing above this shock mount will help dissipate the torsion created by the shock mount. The ends of the box will be blended into the frame so it looks like it was always there, giving it that "factory" look.

One more pic - the steering stabilizer bracket and GSXR rearset brake pedal bracket are done too.

I love the bare bones look right now. Hide as much of the electrics as you can. It looks great in general as well. AWESOME

Kewl!!

Mine is now a roller as well - will post pics one of these days...\\/

Still lots to do though, and it's getting warmer.. I want to ride!

The "I want to ride" factor is getting more pronounced in my thoughts around my project as well. I'm getting a runner that I can sell easily as soon as mine is done.

Kewl!!

Mine is now a roller as well - will post pics one of these days...\\/

Still lots to do though, and it's getting warmer.. I want to ride!

Lookin' good!

WRT the paint colors mentioned earlier: IMHO the gold forks don't go so well with the red paint. I'm thinking blue would jive better but I dunno...?

One more pic - the steering stabilizer bracket and GSXR rearset brake pedal bracket are done too.

Wow. I'm not generally a fan of monoshocked bikes, but that looks really really good.