1978 GS400 to Cafe

[Flak Jacket]

The day i bought the bike. Bought of a friend. Hadn't been started since 2008.



After draining gas, adding fresh gas, oil in the cylinders, and it starts on the kick starter.



Wiring is a mess but works.

[Flak Jacket]

Started buying parts



Little motivation, watching that CL350/360 in the movie made me have to buy something similar



More wiring issues plus a busted head light bucket.

[Flak Jacket]

Can't get mad at my friend because he never touched the bike. All this is from the prev owner.



Removed some misc crap and figured out why the center stand didn't work.



Front tire on with new bearings and tube.

[Flak Jacket]

Push pull cables were jacked up. Converted to single pull.





Carbs rebuild and cleaned. Installed 124 mains. I hope this is big enough. If not jets are free from a friend that owns a dirtbike shop.

[Flak Jacket]

Made some washers for the gas tank mount. FREE!



Biggest purchase other than tires.



Looking like a total mess. Added clip ons and removed all the tach and speedo crap. New headlight and bucket.

[Flak Jacket]

Go all Malibu's Most Wanted with the visor?



Made a quick mount for the tail light. I will remake this from steel and weld it to the bike later. Aluminum is what i had.

[Flak Jacket]

Score! Oil changed and ready to ride!



Quick battery and electronic tuck. I replaced all that nasty wiring with new.



I actually rode the bike to work today.

[Flak Jacket]

I will be making a mount system for the electronics, seat and taillights. I am in the process of gathering all the parts needed for a custom 2into1 exhaust with a carbon pitbike can. I have a muffler from an old project, it is the perfect 1.875" diameter needed for the 400.

Please comment!

I heard a GS850G front rotor will fit this bike?

I also need to do something about the front suspension. It is leaking and very soft.

[Guest]

Mate she's lookin' good!

[musicman]

Looks good

[Erki]

nice work. bike looks good.

[Tim Tom]

Good looking project.

As far as the forks go look into replacing the springs, oil, and seals. Be sure to upgrade to progressive springs, they can be had new for about $60 and will improve the fork's performance. It's not terribly expensive or difficult to overhaul the forks, and it makes a big difference.

PS It looks so much better without those silly flames...

[Good Times]

Fastest rebuild ever. Bought the bike today, rebuilt it and rode it to work!

Nice work on the bike. You will get a lot of enjoyment from it!

[cowboyup3371]

Wow. Fantastic build.

[Englishman]

Nice work and moving quickly. +1 on the fork springs and maybe rear shocks too.