750 cafe project

[mortation]

After some grinding/preparing/painting

Front half of frame done, engine is beginning to get scrubbed

So you did this with the engine still in the frame? Thats what I would like to do as well for now. What paint did you use and how well did it hold up?

 

[beergood]

Indeed I did.

I used Duplo-Color's gloss black ceramic engine paint. I have used it on frames (one motorcycle, various bikes) in the past. I can't speak for the durability of this job, since I have yet to take it out (lot of snow, cold weather), but it has proven to be pretty strong on my other projects.

Originally I was toying with doing the frame a different color (red with black tins, I may still do that somewhere down the road), but taking the engine out wasn't really in the cards this winter. So I figured it would be easier to go over the existing black, clean it up in the places that required it, and give it another coat of black.

I thoroughly wrapped the engine, removed a couple of the mounts, and painted. Simple as that. Since the frame was already black I didn't worry about 100% coverage. I just concentrated on the visible and/or damaged parts.

I little over spray did get on the engine, but I planned for that, and saved polishing the engine till I was done painting. The over spray came off easily.

All in all, I am very happy with the results. I still have to do the rear half and swingarm. I am waiting for it to get about 40F and I will start on that, then finish polishing the engine.

 

[shoggoth80]

This has to be the coolest Suzuki GS I have ever seen. Very nice.

 

[beergood]

Yet another piece of the puzzle.

Yet another piece of the puzzle.

This has to be the coolest Suzuki GS I have ever seen. Very nice.

Thanks. I'm trying.

So, I did a little drunken ebaying Wednesday, which can prove dangerous. Luckily, I got out without spending a ton of money I don't have. I did end up getting some gators.

Gonna get some ring clamps to replace those zip ties.

Some SS brake lines would finish off the front end quite nicely.

 

[beergood]

When I read this, the first thing I think is "I gotta take a saw to this".

 

[Tarbash 27]

shouldnt those fork gators be a bit less scrunched up?

 

[beergood]

They are pretty close to the relaxed length, but you are right. It stands out a lot more in the photo. I put them on and tied them down when I had the front jacked up, like an idiot. When I lowered the bike, the forks compressed, of course. Oh well.

I intend to adjust just them when I replace the zip ties, I think they just need to slide down the legs about 1/2 inch. It was getting cold and dark and I didn't feel like monkeying with them anymore today.

 

[Tarbash 27]

Oh yeah, dont hack up your xhaust, people will pay a good amount for a stock exhaust, probably enough that will almost pay for a 4-1.

 

[courier11sec]

When I read this, the first thing I think is "I gotta take a saw to this".

If I build an exhaust for my bike, I'll cut that out and weld it on the new one like a contingency tag.

 

[mortation]

If I build an exhaust for my bike, I'll cut that out and weld it on the new one like a contingency tag.

Hey ... But what if I WANT excessive noise??

 

[beergood]

Oh yeah, dont hack up your xhaust, people will pay a good amount for a stock exhaust, probably enough that will almost pay for a 4-1.

I would rather find a good home for this exhaust, but I am not having a ton of luck finding a reasonably priced 4-1.

The exhaust is the last item on my to-do list, so I still have plenty of time.

 

[mortation]

I would rather find a good home for this exhaust, but I am not having a ton of luck finding a reasonably priced 4-1.

The exhaust is the last item on my to-do list, so I still have plenty of time.

On eSlay they have some nice ones for a GS850 for $299.99. Dont know if they are compatible with your bike though.

 

[beergood]

$300 is more than I am looking to spend (The bike only cost me $600). There is a swap meet here next weekend. I am going to try and find something there.

Shortened the gators and put some ring clamps on it. Looks way better.

I was thinking about taking apart the rear tonight, but I am still struggling with a hang over. I think I might just resign myself to the couch for the rest of the evening.

My roommate is going on vacation next week. So I think that will be a great time to turn every surface in the house into a work area. I think first I will convert my coffee table into a carb rebuilding center and my laundry room into a spray booth.

 

[UncleMike]

Gorgeous, man. Every step of the way.

 

[solo suzuki]

my my! looks better everytime i check out this thread \\/

my 2cents: paint the front fender same color as the bike
paint wheels black, sit back 'n let the snow melt...

 

[beergood]

I am struggling with painting the front fender. I am still on the fence about it, but since it only takes about 5 minuted to get it off, I am in no hurry. I have a bunch of painting planned for next week, so maybe it will happen then.

As for the wheels, I have a couple different ideas, I'm not sure where I am going to go with those yet. I'd love a pair of spoked wheels.

 

[solo suzuki]

I am struggling with painting the front fender. I am still on the fence about it, but since it only takes about 5 minuted to get it off, I am in no hurry. I have a bunch of painting planned for next week, so maybe it will happen then.

As for the wheels, I have a couple different ideas, I'm not sure where I am going to go with those yet. I'd love a pair of spoked wheels.

i'm sure whatever you decide will be good, you've proven that already.
it's your ride and so far...real good! :-D
this was my 750 back in '88:

 

[beergood]

I like the paint on that 750.

I visited your site a couple days ago, that's a sweet pair of rides. I wouldn't want to be faced with the difficult decision of which to ride on any given day.

 

[Bopi]

Say BG,

I like the look on your 78 as I have the same year and feel a certain kinship that we with the even older bikes endure. Amazing the difference.
While I managed to get thru some of the 26 pages of thread I needed to ask how the ceramic paint worked out. I originally rattle canned mine but the first time I dripped gas on the finish, it melted. I had to start from scratch. I'm going to have a friend shoot mine with standard automotive paint (and hardener) but I've got alot of loose ends that I'll have to do myself with a can.

Now I've got a choice of using Epoxy appliance paint (which also states on the can for indoor applications) and the engine ceramic paint which states that it is gas and oil resistant.

Does the ceramic paint pass the scratch test and would you reccomend it over the Appliance paint. Which is harder.

 

[Bopi]

one other thing, I noticed you put your gaiters on after alot of the other work was done. Did that require a fork disassembly, or did you slip them on from the top down. I'm considering putting a pair on and don't know if I've got to tear down the front end to do it.