GS450 Mega Build

Those dual projector lamps look excellent. Did you photoshop the blue tint? Otherwise get some tint wrap from Lamin-x. Have you thought of a vintage motocross handlebar? They have cross bars that have a mean, aggressive look about them:


BTW, thank you for building a serious GS450! It's resreshing to see someone stepping out of the traditional viewpoint with such an underappreciated model!

Side and top view of the mess. It works though!





And sometime in the off season.....

would love to get a set of wheels for the 650 shaftie Im gonna start.

Pete,

I had the same thoughts. I may move it down. The ends are open to airflow however. I'll have to see if get's too warm.

Scott

[pete]

Good stuff Scott, thanks for the pic's.

My only thinking with that is will the heatsink get enough airflow mounted like that? I was thinking of mounting upside down below the pan rather than on top like that... just a thought anyways.

Pics

Side and top view of the mess. It works though!





And sometime in the off season.....

Sure thing.

I'll get some pics up to later today. I just made a small tray that fits between the frame rails. Its a bit crowded in there right now. I am going to shorten up the harness when I get some time.

I do plan on cutting up the seat pan and going with either a small cafe seat, or a flat seat like you mentioned. I'd really like to have a nice small sealed compartment also. Be neat to see what you come up with.

[pete]

Hey Scott, I'm digging that empty space. Can you post some pic's of how you got the electrics mounted?

I'm aiming for the same empty space on mine, but then i want to fill it with a weather proof secure storage compartment. My plan is a flat seat, no duck tail, and reuse the lock from the seat/duck tail on the storage compartment, and I need to move the electrics to do this.

Are you changing your seat pan at all? I initially thought a L or T pan would suit nicely, but I don't believe I can get one here in Aus, and closer looks at pic's around the place show the L and T frames appear to be a little shorter in the rear than the E frame. So, I'm not sure what to do about that just yet, but don't want to cut the frame.

I wasn't planning on using yours. Just wondering. Can't wait to see the rear end

You'll see....

Got parts coming for the rear end next week! Not going to be using the side covers, but alas they don't fit your model.

Scott

Nice! So what you got planned with all that extra space? Are you gonna use the sidecovers?

Hidden Electrics Tray

Got done with hiding all the components under the seat. Looks pretty damn good. Easy project too.



Scott

Battery? We don't need no stinking (visible) battery!

I love how small the 4LBS battery is, makes it soooo much easier to get out of the way.

I would say, check to see if the battery will fit in the rear cowl behind the seat latch. That's where I have mine hidden. Fits great, and it's completely hidden. Mind you, I have a custom rear fender going on, so you may need to make some *ahem* modifications, to your bike to make it fit.
I am sure you could handle it though.

As far as the mini-projector lights go, I love the compact-ness of them, and I went through the same situation on my build. I ended up going with 4" dual lights because the small projectors were too limiting with the pattern of light they put out.

At night they didn't light up enough of the road. Like you, I had them mounted 90 degrees over on their side, which made the internal reflector make them project a vertical line of light instead of the horizontal line best suited for illuminating the roadway and shoulders in front of you. I rotated, then removed the internal reflectors to try and remedy this, which yielded an almost unusable light pattern.

As long as the ones you have on there are bright enough for you, and spread the light well enough for you to be safe when riding, I would say go for it and use them since they do look killer.

All in all, outstanding work, keep us updated!

Yeah

I hear ya. Those few lathes that are fully tooled are way expensive. Hard to justify for casual use. Been working hard on the bike, though not much to see. made up a new set of risers and welded them on. Bike looks great, and is so much more comfortable. I also mounted up my new battery. Running the Parts Unlimited battery YTX-4LBS. It is at least half the size of the stocker. Now, where can I hide this thing......

[Charlie G]

Thanks guys. The clipons look fantastic but are already giving me second thoughts. I spend about 5 minutes sitting on the bike and my back and neck were sore. I think I am going to put them up for sale and mount some risers to the GSXR tree. I like riding upright anyway! Got the lights fully wired up today, and working pretty nicely. Surprisingly, the birds nest of wires inside the headlight bucket neatly tucked into the slot in front of the coils.

Now, just awaiting those damn spacers......... I hate farming out work. I almost went out and bought a damn lathe just to make my own. I have been shopping around for a small bench lathe lately. Don't tell the wife!

Scott

Scotty,

I don't know to much about metal lathes, but their probally like wood lathes, in that the lathe is the smallest part of the expense. I bought a used wood for $400.00. Great deal. The tools for starting were $250.00. I wanted a 4 jaw chuck, $300.00. Then I needed new tail piece and drill chuck $150.00. Special water cooled grinder, $250.00. Bandsaw, $350.00. I could still spend more money and I probally have made less that $200.00 from the bowls I've turned, not that was the point of buying it. I admit it, I'm a tool junkie.

A far as the clip on go. Think unless you adjust the peg and seat as well, that you might find in uncomfortbale beyond 100 miles.

cg

Hum...

Thanks guys. The clipons look fantastic but are already giving me second thoughts. I spend about 5 minutes sitting on the bike and my back and neck were sore. I think I am going to put them up for sale and mount some risers to the GSXR tree. I like riding upright anyway! Got the lights fully wired up today, and working pretty nicely. Surprisingly, the birds nest of wires inside the headlight bucket neatly tucked into the slot in front of the coils.

Now, just awaiting those damn spacers......... I hate farming out work. I almost went out and bought a damn lathe just to make my own. I have been shopping around for a small bench lathe lately. Don't tell the wife!

Scott