T8's 750 Cafe Racer Project

Wait, weren't the Gixxers using USD forks by '01? I dunno the models well enough but I thought sure they would be by then?

As for the forks I do believe they still had the RSD forks until 2001 and then they discontinued them.

Sorry, I know it's water under the bridge, but I just don't like wrong data
You are both wrong and right at the same time
The 750 where on USD in 1996 and 1000 never came with RWU/rsd, but the 600 didn't get usd before the 'new' 2004 model.

Nice build, could very well end up with a ubercool bike, just don't loose the spark.

So this is just a teaser.. Still messing with the shaping of the tail and the tank is still not tigged up. Got the clip-ons installed and the front wheel parts are scheduled to be machined this Friday. I will be helping out on the lathe so as soon as we're done I'll be back to install the the triumph brake rotors and 78 wire wheel on the stock GSXR axle. Once that's on the bike will really be taking shape and I'll start the body work.

Love the build!

can't wait to see how that tank comes out.

On your chrome issue you could take the pipes to a fab/powder coating shop and have them media blast them... they would most likely use 180grit aluminum oxide. Chrome is very hard and therefore pretty difficult to remove.

some high build primer and some wet-sanding work should have them ready to paint.

just a thought if you have someone local.

Regards,

Chase

Alright fellas, I know I seem like I have disappeared and the build had come to a halt but that is not the case. Lots of behind the scenes measuring and measuring again has taken place. My main goal of the last month has been how to use a 78 wire wheel on a 2001 GSXR fork. I decided to use as much GSXR as I could to make things the easiest. My design is not complete or final but I decided to design and machine my own hub spacers. These allow me to use GSXR bearings, GSXR axle, GSXR brake calipers, and hopefully GSXR hub bearing spacer. All components are GSXR with the exception of Triumph brake rotors. I decided on these because they were fairly cheap, readily available, they had a 6 bolt pattern, and the outer diameter was 320mm. The only thing that could have been better is if they had 0mm offset like the GSXRs do. Anyhow, I officially have ALL necessary parts to complete the front end as soon as the hub spacers are finalized and machined. I'm SO pumped to get it together. Pics to come soon!

Acquired another new part today from another fellow GSer. Kerker 4-1 exhaust. Anyone know what to do to a chrome pipe to prep it well for paint?? I'm thinking wrap on the headers then black for the pipe. Can I just grind the chrome off? Probably stupid questions but I figure you guys will be nice enough to help me out ha. Thanks

Chrome is insanely difficult from my experience to get rid of. I had painted over the chrome on my front fender and have not had any issues so far from it. I had only used a wire brush and some sand paper to scuff up to surface, then paint. I did use some self etching primer on it first, suggested by another member, might be a good idea for you as well rather than totally removing the chrome. Which can be hazardous to your lungs depending on the avenue you choose to take it off.

Subscribed

Amazing work so far. I am doing something similar (but not nearly as intensive) to my GS750. I am a school teacher and artist, so all things mechanical are far beyond me. YouTube and thegsresources.com are my best friends right now.
I love the way the forks look, and the stretched tank...I won't even think about attempting that one, but it will make an incredible difference in the overall shape of the bike.

Anxious to see how this plays out. Keep up the good work!

Bruce.

Alright guys once again I call upon my fellow GSer's for help. So the good news is I'm back in Utah and have about a week and a half where I have all the time in the world to work on the bike and plenty of dough. Now as you have seen the front end is basically a 2001 GSXR with one exception, the new wire wheels are from a 78' GS750. That ONE exception is making my life tough ha. My questions to you guys are what are the best ways to center a custom wheel (spacers etc)? I am converting the 78' wheel to fit on the stock GSXR axle with just a new set of bearings so I need to come up with a way to keep it centered on the axle. The next and more difficult item are the discs. I need rotors/discs that are 320mm outer diameter. The offset is going to be the difficult part. I DO have AutoCad on my computer and can design my own custom disc to hub spacers to make it so the stock GSXR discs will work on the GS hub but by the time I have my parts machined it will end up costing me a small fortune because of the first time charge machine shops have.. On the plus side the dimensions will be just about perfect and would likely require no shimming. Does anyone know a better way to get brakes that will work on the 78 GS hub and mate with the GSXR stuff?? PICS TO COME SOON. Starting on the front and moving my way to the back. One thing at a time.. This is turning out to be a bigger project than I had planned!

Acquired another new part today from another fellow GSer. Kerker 4-1 exhaust. Anyone know what to do to a chrome pipe to prep it well for paint?? I'm thinking wrap on the headers then black for the pipe. Can I just grind the chrome off? Probably stupid questions but I figure you guys will be nice enough to help me out ha. Thanks

Great build so far! Excited to see it out on the road here in UT when it's finished, subscribed!

AWESOME.
looking forward to this build a lot.

Can't wait to see those spokers on the bike.

This is a cool project.....subscribed..

And an fyi, the only gsxr in '01 to have rsu forks was the 600. ALL other gsxr's had USD from 91 on....The '91,'92, and possibly the '93 600 actually had USD forks too. Then they switched it back to RSU until '03 when they went back to USD again. The '01 1K actually had gold USD's ....
NOT trying to be a prick, just droppin some knowledge on ya .....

Things got put on hold after school got out due to work. Had to make some dough for the project. Now that the money is rolling in again and things are full swing I have started buying up parts to complete the dream! Just acquired a nice set of spokes from a fellow GSer and a set of PSR clip-ons. Both things are on their way. I'll be putting the bike together as soon as I'm back in Utah and should have it done by the end of September so be ready for a bunch of updates!

Alright here are some quick pics I took today of the new fork installed as well as the new swinger. It was a bit dirty when I got it but after a good cleaning she is ready for paint prep. I'm thinking I'll paint the rear swinger black and then the fork ends dark charcoal or black as well.

[boontonmike]

Watching your build. Looks like you got some nice ideas going on. I really like those forks and if I were to do my front end I would go that route. Alot beefier but keep the older look. Watching for more progress.