1980 GS750L total rebuild from ground up to Cafe style

[NickyGS750]

Gearing up to get it all hot tanked probably next week. Still some to do... going to sand and clean up the "mold seams" on everything from it all being cast... just to give it a little cleaner look. And get the rest of the 38 year old gaskets off... slow process of light scraping... if anyone has any better suggestions to get it off im all ears.

 

[NickyGS750]

So i decided to stick some parts in the dishwasher... i figured, why not?! Its 20 years old and we are getting a new one... this thing is crappy so i thought id give it a try. Put a little simple green and baking soda up in it... just to knock off the major grease spots and see if itll soften up the old gaskets... not too bad of a job, it did what i wanted but still getting all these parts hot tanked anyways...

Parts that have been dishwashed 3 time and rinsed twice...

 

[NickyGS750]

Aaaaand another i dont care moment... the spare bathroom hasnt been used in a long time so im borrowing the tub....the girlfriend wont know. Its big enough to soak lots of parts in simple green haha

 

[Jen]

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....


.....


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...

I am SUPER interested in your build. Can we talk about this? Pretty please?

So you just cut off the h-bar mounts and smoothed it with a grinder? Is that okay? Like it isn't going to twist or flex right? Was it very hard? I put clip bars on my bike, and those clamps have made the process a real bitch... plus, it looks dumb. I'd love to grind those clamps off if it's an option.

And- it looks like the exhaust on the black bike is stock, but just bent up and then wrapped. Is that a thing? Do you think they bent it at the header? or just cut and remounted it angled?

Thanks for all the great pics!

 

[jibledso]

Great grinding job! I've considered doing the same to my triple tree but was unsure if it would look good, you've convinced me to stick with the OG! Got any advice on a good job?

 

[NickyGS750]

Great grinding job! I've considered doing the same to my triple tree but was unsure if it would look good, you've convinced me to stick with the OG! Got any advice on a good job?

Thank you! My advice would be to take it slow and grind off a little at a time to keep that curvature. Cutting and flap discs are your best friend on this job. Cheers!

 

[NickyGS750]

Quick message to all who have followed my build: Im not going to get into it too much but about a month and half ago now i was in an accident where a drunk driver hit me head on in my truck. I have been in physical therapy, recovering and healing slowly. Which in turn has put all my projects and work on hold. Im hoping to do some hands on on my project build next month... doing nothing is making me stir crazy, but health is more important. Thank you everyone and look forward to posting up more updates and progress on my build. Cheers everyone!

 

[roeme]

Quick message to all who have followed my build: Im not going to get into it too much but about a month and half ago now i was in an accident where a drunk driver hit me head on in my truck. I have been in physical therapy, recovering and healing slowly. Which in turn has put all my projects and work on hold. Im hoping to do some hands on on my project build next month... doing nothing is making me stir crazy, but health is more important. Thank you everyone and look forward to posting up more updates and progress on my build. Cheers everyone!

Best wishes!

The fact that you're back in here responding bodes well for your recovery.

 

[UKPR1]

Best of luck on your recovery! You've done an awesome job in the relatively short time you've been on the Forum. Hurry back! We can't wait to see what else you have in store!

 

[steve murdoch]

Nicky, must have missed your post on your accident.
Glad to hear you are recovering, albeit slowly.
First ride on your build will seem even better after this hiatus.

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

Hey Nicky, I missed this post also... Hope all is well, and you that have a speedy recovery.

 

[Cory]

Hey nick i have the exat same bike and im doing the same thing to it. Cant wait to see your progress when you get back. Im almost done striping mine to the frame to ship it off to the paint shoo. Im also cutting my fram to attach a hoop with a built in tail light. Jut an fyi i found a bideo where the guy used monster energy drink to clean parts. Works better than brake clean.

 

[PASADENA CAFE]

Hey Nicky. I really enjoyed this thread as I recently picked up the same bike and you have inspired me for sure. Hope you're doing well. Looking forward to more progress pics in the future.

 

[LarsKroghStea]

Best of luck with your recovery! Looking forward to the rest of the build ��