1982 GS450TX Cafe

[JRD350]

I bought this from Craigslist while I was in Iraq this past year for sum of $600. I've done enough research and figured that a two cylinder would make for a good Cafe. It has 14,000 on the ticker, and definitely needs to be stripped down and gone through thoroughly. I'll post a lot of photos as I go along. Previous rebuild was a'75 RD350. Learned much from that project, most notably that any project done right, is a true money pit...

 

[Guest]

and a time eater.....but thats a great starter for a cafe...check out the GS450TX Bike O' the month from last april....I'd LOVE to have something like this in the shed... GS450TXCafe by Briggham Landis, on Flickr

good luck with it....you'll be one happy camper once its done..

P-

 

[Mosquito13]

Post up a before and after of the rd. Yeah , too many people get into it and think they can recoup their investment. Just sold a 1 of 200 made 1974 Norton John Player 850 for $6500. Prepped for racing when new with all the safety wiring of bolts and all. Even got one of the Norton designers/engineers to write me a letter on the bikes prep at the factory. Figured it would have been worth a lot more...Couldn't ride it as my knee forbad starting it. So let it go. Picked up the GS as a replacement.
Got a bunch of 350 and 400 RD's . Where you going with this? Bubble fairing? Check out the harley sportster boat tail seat. Got one on my on again off again RD400 cafe project. Great piece of glass.

 

[JRD350]

Here's the RD350 After rebuild.

 

[JRD350]

Wow! That's a sharp looking machine. I can only imagine the work that went into it. That front fender is really cool. Is there a build thread on it?

 

[JRD350]

Here's the RD350 before rebuild. 41 years of use. 13,000 miles on the ticker. Replaced every seal on it. Great winter project.

 

[JRD350]

This is the GS450 that I'm working on now. It runs well. Plan is to strip it down to bare metal and powder coat the following:

Frame
Swing Arm
Center stand
Kick Stand
Fork Lowers
Both Rims and Hubs

I will add a hoop for the rear.
Send Rims to Buchanan's for re-lace
Both rims will be 17" (I bought an extra 17" rear which will convert using existing front hub.
Replacing all bearings.
Replacing fork seals
Cleaning up all aluminum bits

Two critical things I do when starting these builds. 1. Take a ton of photos that include proper routing of cables. 2. Get a crap ton of zip-lock backs and properly catalog the parts.

I have both Clymer and Suzuki Service Manual, and of course, the great support of this awesome forum.

 

[JRD350]

If someone can provide me some instruction on posting photos in-line, I'd be very grateful. I have plenty to share. Thanks.

 

[Nessism]

Load photos on Flickr or similar and then cut and paste the IMG code into your post here.

That RD is a sweetie! Very nice.

What part of Cleveland are you in?

 

[JRD350]

Thanks Nessism! I'm out west in Avon.

 

[Nessism]

I worked in Avon Lake from '94-'02 and lived in SW Lorain, near Amherst. Loved it there and miss the area.

For a bike like you got there a dirt bike oriented theme w/rattlecan restore may be more appropriate. You are going to be upside down fast doing a full on restoration on a 450. Something to consider anyway...

 

[JRD350]

I'm not getting the upload code. So, I'll post updates as best I can. I have everything stripped down and the hoop is on and the frame with ancillary parts, sand blasted. I sent the rims to be stripped to nickel so that they can be powder coated. Here's a shot of the frame:

 

[JRD350]

I worked in Avon Lake from '94-'02 and lived in SW Lorain, near Amherst. Loved it there and miss the area.

For a bike like you got there a dirt bike oriented theme w/rattlecan restore may be more appropriate. You are going to be upside down fast doing a full on restoration on a 450. Something to consider anyway...

Amherst is a fine location. I've lived overseas for 13 years (military) and enjoy where I'm at very much. Switzerland was the best.

I expect to spend a fair bit of cash to make it a quality build. I'm not rich, nor poor, but have the means to make it a fun project. I'm no expert at this, but can't stand sitting on my ass and watching the boob tube with my free time. I do it for me.

 

[JRD350]

Ok. I sent the frame out for powder coating. This gave me some time to get the engine cleaned up and rattle canned. Picked up some fresh bolts. Also got rims powder coated and shipped off to Buchanan's for respoke. OK

 

[JRD350]

Here's a pic of the hubs and rims.

 

[JRD350]

So it's beginning to take shape.

 

[JRD350]

I mounted some mini gauges that I picked up from DCC. Had to modify their bracket, but it worked out nice. I'm also routing the harness to make sure everything lines up properly.

 

[alke46]

View attachment 52337

Here's the RD350 After rebuild.

Now that is a thing of beauty. You do nice work, I'm envious.

 

[JRD350]

Now that is a thing of beauty. You do nice work, I'm envious.

Thanks Larry. It's a real hoot to ride.

 

[JRD350]

Here's some perspective of how it will look: