1980 GS750L total rebuild from ground up to Cafe style

[NickyGS750]

Hey guys! Finally id like to share some progress on my current build. A 1980 GS750L i am doing from the ground up to be a cafe style bike. I have been tearing it down for 2 weeks off and on taking it completly apart and im currently cleaning and preping for paint/powder coating.
Plans for engine are to do oversized pistons so i believe it would be a 816cc. I cut the rear section off of frame and im preparing to weld a curved cafe style rear on. Shaved forks (no more front fender), shaved rear stand, rear peg brackets and other minimal stuff i wont need on the frame.
Will do custom wiring harness, brackets, gauges and so forth.
Lots to mention but all in all will still maintain that original GS750 look. Im sure some things will change along the way but here are a few pics to get this thread started....

The bike is completely disassembled and organized. Cleaning each part one by one, wont be a spec of grime or grease on her.

Bringing her home from the garage sale, $200.

Over looking her a bit more before taking her into the shop

Tearing down little by little.

Almost there, didnt have a proper stand at the time... but this worked.

Engine tear down, at same time orginizing the shop to accommodate this build.

Shaved the forks. No more front fender.

Shaving the frame...

Shaved the upper tripple tree, no need for handle bar bracket.

AND This is how i want her to look, with minimal changes. We'll see...

 

[sam000lee]

Can't see any of the pictures due to photobucket

 

[NickyGS750]

can't see any of the pictures due to photobucket

fixed all pictures, sorry guys!

 

[nvr2old]

You'll probably meet with a bit of resistance from members here who cringe at cutting up a bike and..oh, wait a minute..it's an L model...never mind. Cafe' away. I'll look forward to your progress.

 

[NickyGS750]

You'll probably meet with a bit of resistance from members here who cringe at cutting up a bike and..oh, wait a minute..it's an L model...never mind. Cafe' away. I'll look forward to your progress.

I kinda knew that coming into the forum...hey atleast im not cutting it up into a bobber haha

Whats all this hate on the L models??? i keep seeing it everywhere...

 

[Jen]

I have a 450L that I'm doing similar stuff to. Funny that so many Zuki folks are resistant to modding the bikes, whereas with a lot of these models they were BUILT to be modified!
Are you grinding the bracket off the top of the triple tree? I am short and need to lower my bike (and am trying to get a level beltline) so I was trying to figure that one out myself.

 

[NickyGS750]

I have a 450L that I'm doing similar stuff to. Funny that so many Zuki folks are resistant to modding the bikes, whereas with a lot of these models they were BUILT to be modified!
Are you grinding the bracket off the top of the triple tree? I am short and need to lower my bike (and am trying to get a level beltline) so I was trying to figure that one out myself.

True, but i get it to a point... "keep the bike original... a classic and so on" i respect that alot but yes older bikes now a days are mod'd and its the way it is. The point i feel is you should rebuild a bike that reflects you and what works for you. I think the GS family should be stoked that another GS is going to hit the road again after years of neglect. Just my take. I love this forum tho, lots of inspiration and info.
Anyhow, yes i grinded and sanded the handle bar bracket off the upper tripple tree, i wasnt going to need it since ill be installing fork bars.

 

[nvr2old]

Whats all this hate on the L models??? i keep seeing it everywhere...[/QUOTE

Please don't take the teasing seriously. L models, mechanically, are every bit as good as their counterparts. The cruiser styling is what most people find fault with. The higher bars, lower stepped seat, strange tank angle, 16" rear wheel..that sort of thing. To see one as a caf? bike, to me is a more then welcome mod. Heck, my S model is highly modified, and it's been accepted by ardent stock freaks. It's all in how it's done. Do your bike. Follow your passion and I'll look forward to the direction you select.

 

[NickyGS750]

Whats all this hate on the L models??? i keep seeing it everywhere...[/QUOTE

Please don't take the teasing seriously. L models, mechanically, are every bit as good as their counterparts. The cruiser styling is what most people find fault with. The higher bars, lower stepped seat, strange tank angle, 16" rear wheel..that sort of thing. To see one as a caf? bike, to me is a more then welcome mod. Heck, my S model is highly modified, and it's been accepted by ardent stock freaks. It's all in how it's done. Do your bike. Follow your passion and I'll look forward to the direction you select.

Oh, teasing is fine with me. Jus was a legit question. Ya the seat is something else, definitely not a good fit for the bike. The 16inch wheel tho is a little weird but good looking in a sense to have a thicker tire (to me anyways haha)

Im working on the gas tank today, its going to start snowing here soon so ill be cranking up the heaters in the shop and start stripping the paint and going to start electrolysis cleaning inside. Pics up later in the day.

 

[limeex2]

Any GS saved from being melted down is a good project. Welcome to the forum. You mentioned a big bore kit? I believe there is a 4v big bore kit in the want ads. My SL125 and my Gold Wing are the only bikes I haven't modded

 

[NickyGS750]

Any GS saved from being melted down is a good project. Welcome to the forum. You mentioned a big bore kit? I believe there is a 4v big bore kit in the want ads. My SL125 and my Gold Wing are the only bikes I haven't modded

Thank you and i fully agree!
I did happen to see that BB kit but im pretty sure it is sold. I showed up a month too late.

 

[NickyGS750]

Turns out i have some mix and match parts on the bike from PO(s) there isnt a 16inch wheel like the 'L's had... this is a 19 and front is a 20.
Happy about that!

 

[NickyGS750]

Today was a good day, snowing outside so decided to work on the tank. Got it all stripped and began to do electrolysis on the inside to clean up rust while it sits for about a day or so.

Smothered the tank with aircraft paint stripper.

Stripping mid way. I really do dig the original paint and strips. Gloss black with gold and blue.

Minimal rust on the outside. I gotta take off those emblem brackets and then fill em up.

Coated the tank with a thin layer of oil to prevent anyother rust spots. Also marked all dents with an X. There isnt as many dents as i was expecting.

Starting off the electrolysis. Bent a mild steel rod and placed wood around it to prevent it from touching the inside of the tank. A spray paint can cap fits perfectly on the gas tank hole.

And it starts. A mixture of baking soda and water. Connect a battery charger, hot wire to steel rod in the tank and negative wire to the tank.

Lots going on inside that tank. Bubbling over with rust/grime water.

Can really see all the nasty rust slug coming out and building up on the rag... this is only 20 mins so far.

 

[Guest]

You have 18" and 19" wheels. Look at the tire size on the sidewalls. Looks like your getting off to a fast start. What are you using as a photo host?

 

[NickyGS750]

You have 18" and 19" wheels. Look at the tire size on the sidewalls. Looks like your getting off to a fast start. What are you using as a photo host?

Well yes 18, 19 wheels.... still surprised they arnt the L stock wheels haha

I am using Imgur.com... use the app to upload them and the website to get the link to put them here... the BBcode to copy and paste

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

Looking like a great start... I'm curious to see how this progresses.

 

[roeme]

Yeah you're moving fast! Clearly not your first rodeo.

10 amps on the electrolysis, correct?

Looking forward to your process to clean up the wheels.

 

[NickyGS750]

Yeah you're moving fast! Clearly not your first rodeo.

10 amps on the electrolysis, correct?

Looking forward to your process to clean up the wheels.

I am, once i get started on on a project its hard for me to stop haha

Yes 10amp, wasnt too much rust inside the tank, thought about a 20amp but then thatd just be over kill. Definitely want it to be a slower process. Will be changing out the water here soon and give it another go. Will have a picture of the rod. I really should have taken a before picture of the inside of the tank, but slipped my mind.

Pretty much every painted part will get stripped (like the whells) and then a quick soda blast to ruff'n up for powder coat. Everything will be a Satin Black.

 

[Guest]

Interesting build. Not a big fan of the ?L? models and am curious to see how it turns out.


How does electrolysis compare to using Metal Rescue?

 

[NickyGS750]

Interesting build. Not a big fan of the “L” models and am curious to see how it turns out.


How does electrolysis compare to using Metal Rescue?

To me the results are pretty equal and get the job done, however metal rescue brings out the shine more of metal. Cost is definitely way different. For electrolysis i spent $6 for baking soda (i already had everything else) and it takes time (24-48 hours).
Metal rescue youd have to buy enough to fill up the tank ($25 for a gallon) the 'L' tank holds 4.8 gallons so $125 right there give or take. And you have to apply heat to whatever you are soaking for it to really work. Just different factors in that way but it all just boils down to the doers preference.