M
midnightcafe
Guest
Are yout original shocks an eye/eye configuration or eye/clevis? I'm looking for sportster shocks but my '79 750 had eye/clevis shocks on them
Last edited:
-
Required reading for all forum users!!!
Welcome!
Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.A note to new registrants...
All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.A Special Note about Email accounts!
DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.A note to old forum members...
I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.
Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...
-
Returning Visitors
If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.
If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.
Y
yaddy
Guest
Shocks are eye/eye configuration and these are 365mm long if i remember rightly, the 650 katana shocks are slightly longer than the GS650 ones.
Just to clarify:
The 450 tank isn't an idea of mine, and while it suits cafe styled bikes, i have to say that i don't particulary like it. Just my personal opinion but for what it's worth, i think they are too short in the length from front to back. Also, i've seen a pic of one from the underside and i'm pretty certain looking at it that they will not fit the frame without cutting the underside out, re-shaping then welding back together.
Out of the two tanks i have, i will try to make the fibreglass one work, if it doesn't, i've only lost time on it (valuable i know). I can always revert to the stocker if needed, i may run the project along with both tanks in mind as suggested and see which ends up staying on there anyway.
I really want this bike to be a one-off, i was trying to build it in such a way that from first glance, you cannot recognise the bikes genes. That katana tank is instantly recognisable, no matter what paint i ran on it. Not a bad thing i know, just not what i had in mind.
I don't like the front mudguard either, i've been trying to source a chrome one from a 650GL but having no luck over here. I honestly don't see me using the one on there at the minute, unless i take to it with a hacksaw or something and reshape it somewhat. I'd rather get hold of another and let someone have this one, who could use it for what it is.
Cheers for the comments so far, they all help to steer the bike along. It's a first time build for me (i've done resto's before but never custom work), so every comment is invaluable. I wasn't sure of which tank to use earlier in the week but now, i will be trying my hardest to make this fibreglass one work. So thanks to all so far for the comments i needed to help me make a decision.
Edit:
Ohh, and by the way, that tail unit is a genuine old school original, same as the tank. I bought the tail from a guy who was dismantling a kiddies roundabout, it was on a pretend motorbike and i thought i could use it. I got these pics from over at the caferacer forum and this tail is the same as mine, i filled the top of it to hide the indentation as i didn't like it. Wish mine came with a seat-pan though, i had to glass a base myself. It must be as Zooks first said, my raised rear making it look streetfighterish, i'll see what i can do on that in the next week or so.
Just to clarify:
The 450 tank isn't an idea of mine, and while it suits cafe styled bikes, i have to say that i don't particulary like it. Just my personal opinion but for what it's worth, i think they are too short in the length from front to back. Also, i've seen a pic of one from the underside and i'm pretty certain looking at it that they will not fit the frame without cutting the underside out, re-shaping then welding back together.
Out of the two tanks i have, i will try to make the fibreglass one work, if it doesn't, i've only lost time on it (valuable i know). I can always revert to the stocker if needed, i may run the project along with both tanks in mind as suggested and see which ends up staying on there anyway.
I really want this bike to be a one-off, i was trying to build it in such a way that from first glance, you cannot recognise the bikes genes. That katana tank is instantly recognisable, no matter what paint i ran on it. Not a bad thing i know, just not what i had in mind.
I don't like the front mudguard either, i've been trying to source a chrome one from a 650GL but having no luck over here. I honestly don't see me using the one on there at the minute, unless i take to it with a hacksaw or something and reshape it somewhat. I'd rather get hold of another and let someone have this one, who could use it for what it is.
Cheers for the comments so far, they all help to steer the bike along. It's a first time build for me (i've done resto's before but never custom work), so every comment is invaluable. I wasn't sure of which tank to use earlier in the week but now, i will be trying my hardest to make this fibreglass one work. So thanks to all so far for the comments i needed to help me make a decision.
Edit:
Ohh, and by the way, that tail unit is a genuine old school original, same as the tank. I bought the tail from a guy who was dismantling a kiddies roundabout, it was on a pretend motorbike and i thought i could use it. I got these pics from over at the caferacer forum and this tail is the same as mine, i filled the top of it to hide the indentation as i didn't like it. Wish mine came with a seat-pan though, i had to glass a base myself. It must be as Zooks first said, my raised rear making it look streetfighterish, i'll see what i can do on that in the next week or so.
Last edited:
Z
Zooks
Guest
.................................Maybe a ''StreetCaf?''
Cafe-fighter sounds better.
I like the looks!
I like the looks!
I once saw a tank fabricated from stainless steel welded together and polished. That made a big impression me.
I like the looks!
I dig your bike and the tank/seat match is great, but that ebay price for a tank is too much! I never shopped for tanks alone, so maybe that price is typical. Cafe projects should keep to a threadbare budget, (in my philosophy) just to force improvisation and creativity.Hey Guys--A 450 Tank is the way to go..its funny because there 1 on Ebay right now and the bidding is up to $275..I just recently bought a 1980 450 for $150--Pic below is the bike kinda put together with the 450 tank, A Ducati style SS Seat I picked up on Ebay for less than $100 shipped--need to make a seat pad but not a big deal...Also I picked up a Pair of Harley Sportster shocks that are like New of Ebay for less than $45.00...Shipped!!! They fit right on and look great-I am looking for a Headlight of a Euro bike that has a spot for the speedo so I can run a nice clean triple tree--Hope I can get somthing---So look out for those deals to save some cash!!!
I once saw a tank fabricated from stainless steel welded together and polished. That made a big impression me.
Y
yaddy
Guest
Cafe-fighter sounds cool, maybe i should rename my thread to "another cafe-fighter", that would be a cool bike genre.
Stainless tank Bill? I bet that was bitc*in, would love something like that, very original and wayyyyy cool. I agree with the "cheap as you can build it" philosophy, it can bring out some novel and interesting ideas to a build.
Stainless tank Bill? I bet that was bitc*in, would love something like that, very original and wayyyyy cool. I agree with the "cheap as you can build it" philosophy, it can bring out some novel and interesting ideas to a build.
O
Old Colt
Guest
Most of the stainless alloys are not real easy working for forming a tank from. but once done I bet it would be a sweet looking tank. Generally it would polish up a bit brighter than an aluminum tank.
I am building up an X6 Hustler and would love to have an original style fuel tank that is 3" longer but the chrome side covers on the tank kind of have me flummoxed. I could form new ones in aluminum but not sure I can make them in stainless.
I am building up an X6 Hustler and would love to have an original style fuel tank that is 3" longer but the chrome side covers on the tank kind of have me flummoxed. I could form new ones in aluminum but not sure I can make them in stainless.
Y
yaddy
Guest
Hey Old Colt,
X6 Hustler, is that one of the old Suzuki's, T20 six or something? My Dad used to have one of those i think, kinda reminded me of an old Honda with the chrome sides on the tank. 2 Strokers weren't they?
X6 Hustler, is that one of the old Suzuki's, T20 six or something? My Dad used to have one of those i think, kinda reminded me of an old Honda with the chrome sides on the tank. 2 Strokers weren't they?
O
Old Colt
Guest
Yes, that is exactly what I am working with. I have had the bike in boxes since the early 70s and I am getting inspired to get it back together. Took awhile but I find the simplicity of it appealing, especially as I just bought a $2800 USD Carbon-Carbon clutch for a customers EVO 8 I am building.
Y
yaddy
Guest
Nice one Dude, i think the "six" stood for 6-speed gearbox didn't it? I asked my Dad about it today, he said it was a "little flyer" with shi*e brakes, lol.
I'd like to see some pics of that Dude, if you have any yet?
Meanwhile:
I'd like to offer my apologies and also take a slice of that there rather large humble pie
So, the tank choice was still nagging at me today, even after i thought i'd made my decision. I got home from work and dragged the bike out onto the street so i could stand back from it and walk around etc, It's the first time i've looked at the bike from more than 4 feet away since i started re-building. I popped both tanks up there again and i have to say:
The fibreglass tank looks well skinny when you walk around the bike, makes it look more like a superdream 250. I sat on the bike for the first time since i've owned it and it didn't get any better, felt more like a CG125 with a weight problem!
Stocker tank looked hard as nails, i have to admit. Makes the bike look bigger and a bit more aggressive. When you sit on it, you have to reach around the tank and it makes you look hard (like smoking does when your thirteen, lol). I even went for the "wife test" and over her brew, she mumbled "the silver one".
So, sorry to change my mind (yet again), but i'm going to try to make the stocker fit the profile of the seat and if not, a different tank will be sourced, or a different seat will be made. This fibreglass one just doesn't do it from more than 4 foot away.
So all those who went with stock, well done chaps. Sorry i doubted you!
It does mean the bike will be swinging away from a cafe bike though, but as long as it looks cool, i don't mind that.
I'd like to see some pics of that Dude, if you have any yet?
Meanwhile:
I'd like to offer my apologies and also take a slice of that there rather large humble pie
So, the tank choice was still nagging at me today, even after i thought i'd made my decision. I got home from work and dragged the bike out onto the street so i could stand back from it and walk around etc, It's the first time i've looked at the bike from more than 4 feet away since i started re-building. I popped both tanks up there again and i have to say:
The fibreglass tank looks well skinny when you walk around the bike, makes it look more like a superdream 250. I sat on the bike for the first time since i've owned it and it didn't get any better, felt more like a CG125 with a weight problem!
Stocker tank looked hard as nails, i have to admit. Makes the bike look bigger and a bit more aggressive. When you sit on it, you have to reach around the tank and it makes you look hard (like smoking does when your thirteen, lol). I even went for the "wife test" and over her brew, she mumbled "the silver one".
So, sorry to change my mind (yet again), but i'm going to try to make the stocker fit the profile of the seat and if not, a different tank will be sourced, or a different seat will be made. This fibreglass one just doesn't do it from more than 4 foot away.
So all those who went with stock, well done chaps. Sorry i doubted you!
It does mean the bike will be swinging away from a cafe bike though, but as long as it looks cool, i don't mind that.
O
Old Colt
Guest
According to Suzuki the X6 was the first production six speed bike. I recall being impressed that the bike would carry the front wheel in third gear. I do not recall the brakes being particularly bad, I do not actually recall any good brakes back then, Car or bikes.
I have no pictures of value yet, the bike is just being mocked up and I have been collecting parts for a few months now. This one will be built with clipons, rearsets and a larger front drum brake from the T500 laced into wider 18" alloy rims. The front end will be a set of shortened and valved GS 550 forks and the rear will ride on a rare set of alloy bodied Konis.
The engine is getting larger cabs and expansion chambers but on the inside it is getting an RD350 crankshaft swapped in so it will live happily well above the original rev limit. This swap has become common in the vintage race circles but less common on street bikes.
I am looking to see how you redirect your project now.
I have no pictures of value yet, the bike is just being mocked up and I have been collecting parts for a few months now. This one will be built with clipons, rearsets and a larger front drum brake from the T500 laced into wider 18" alloy rims. The front end will be a set of shortened and valved GS 550 forks and the rear will ride on a rare set of alloy bodied Konis.
The engine is getting larger cabs and expansion chambers but on the inside it is getting an RD350 crankshaft swapped in so it will live happily well above the original rev limit. This swap has become common in the vintage race circles but less common on street bikes.
I am looking to see how you redirect your project now.
Y
yaddy
Guest
Tank update
Tank update
So then, over the past week or so, i've done a couple of small alterations to the appearance of my bike. I managed to drop the rear end slightly so it's not as "arse happy" now, it still points skywards a little bit but i like the angle it's at now, so that'll do for me.
Then i fibreglassed the rear section of the tank to a shape that was somewhere near to meeting the seat, after that is was copious amounts of filling and sanding to get a smooth finish. I also tried to create some additional lines in the rear of the tank to carry the stock lines through to meet the seat, the pics don't show this up too clear because of the colouring in the filler etc, i hope to get a dusting of black paint on it this week to show up any high (or low) spots and also keep the bare tank from rusting out.
I plan to fit an original cafe tank in the future but for now, the stock will see the project through to completion and who knows, i might just leave it on there, depending on the finished look.
In this pic, i tried to create a flow into the extension from the original part of the tank using the seam along the bottom and the crease on the lower part.
This pic shows the fibreglass hiding under the filler, my plan is to drill and fix "nutserts" into the underside of the tank to allow rubber mounted bolts to secure the tank from underneath. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or whether a simpler "hook" type of thing with a rubber strap (like a battery strap) might be better, just in case the nutserts were to come loose at any point. Any suggestions on this would be gratefully received?
In this one, you can see how close i was with the fibreglass without adding any filler. I'm lucky this wasn't a smidge further out otherwise the fibreglass would have showed through the filler, it actually does in the first pic but it's only the resin thats poked through and will paint just as good.
Tank update
So then, over the past week or so, i've done a couple of small alterations to the appearance of my bike. I managed to drop the rear end slightly so it's not as "arse happy" now, it still points skywards a little bit but i like the angle it's at now, so that'll do for me.
Then i fibreglassed the rear section of the tank to a shape that was somewhere near to meeting the seat, after that is was copious amounts of filling and sanding to get a smooth finish. I also tried to create some additional lines in the rear of the tank to carry the stock lines through to meet the seat, the pics don't show this up too clear because of the colouring in the filler etc, i hope to get a dusting of black paint on it this week to show up any high (or low) spots and also keep the bare tank from rusting out.
I plan to fit an original cafe tank in the future but for now, the stock will see the project through to completion and who knows, i might just leave it on there, depending on the finished look.
In this pic, i tried to create a flow into the extension from the original part of the tank using the seam along the bottom and the crease on the lower part.
This pic shows the fibreglass hiding under the filler, my plan is to drill and fix "nutserts" into the underside of the tank to allow rubber mounted bolts to secure the tank from underneath. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or whether a simpler "hook" type of thing with a rubber strap (like a battery strap) might be better, just in case the nutserts were to come loose at any point. Any suggestions on this would be gratefully received?
In this one, you can see how close i was with the fibreglass without adding any filler. I'm lucky this wasn't a smidge further out otherwise the fibreglass would have showed through the filler, it actually does in the first pic but it's only the resin thats poked through and will paint just as good.
Y
yaddy
Guest
The tank as mounted before adding the extension
This one shows the extended tank with the "lowered" tail section.
This one shows the extended tank with the "lowered" tail section.
O
Old Colt
Guest
That looks good,
I myself like the hook & strap, but I recognize it maybe a bit difficult to bond the hooks on the back of the tank since you have filler over the glass already.
I myself like the hook & strap, but I recognize it maybe a bit difficult to bond the hooks on the back of the tank since you have filler over the glass already.
O
Old Colt
Guest
Do you like that sharp crease on the back corners of the tank? I ask maybe since I clamp on the tank at times when I ride and like softer edges there. This may just be me though.
Y
yaddy
Guest
Hi Old Colt,
The underside is bare glass, other than a spot of filler on the sides, if i went the hook and strap method i would add a layer or three of glass onto what's there now and extend it up into the "tank well" for a proper bond, I'd place some kind of hook/s within these layers.
I would prefer to use nutserts so i can just bolt it down but i do worry that over time, these may come loose and end up rattling about inside the fibreglass void in the tank. The strap may be the best method, did you think this because of the same reasons i am worrying over it, or did you have another reason for choosing the rubber strap method?
I've sat on the bike with the tank offered on there, i don't notice the tank edges as it's fairly skinny at the rear (compared to my 1000 anyway). I have a final pass with stopper to make on the filler and also a bit more shaping before priming up. I'll put some thought into your suggestion here, i can always make the corners more rounded if i need to.
Cheers for the quick reply Dude
The underside is bare glass, other than a spot of filler on the sides, if i went the hook and strap method i would add a layer or three of glass onto what's there now and extend it up into the "tank well" for a proper bond, I'd place some kind of hook/s within these layers.
I would prefer to use nutserts so i can just bolt it down but i do worry that over time, these may come loose and end up rattling about inside the fibreglass void in the tank. The strap may be the best method, did you think this because of the same reasons i am worrying over it, or did you have another reason for choosing the rubber strap method?
I've sat on the bike with the tank offered on there, i don't notice the tank edges as it's fairly skinny at the rear (compared to my 1000 anyway). I have a final pass with stopper to make on the filler and also a bit more shaping before priming up. I'll put some thought into your suggestion here, i can always make the corners more rounded if i need to.
Cheers for the quick reply Dude
B
Bribird
Guest
Hey Yaddy, That looks great!! You have done a great job of blending the tank down to the seat! I cant wait to see the finished project....if it looks good now, it will look great when paint hits it.
M
midnightcafe
Guest
nice tank! what's your budget going to be on the final bike?
R
reddirtrider
Guest
Looks good but - loose the mud flap. 
ray:
ray:
M
midnightcafe
Guest
are you running a 4-1 exhaust? I see your frame still has the tubing for the left side can; did you powdercoat your frame?
Y
yaddy
Guest
Cheers Bribird!
Lol, that's like asking a hooker how many c*cks she's had, she would probably have a good idea but decline from telling,.
Seriously, when i bought the bike it had like, 12 minutes left on egay and after a few jars of giggle juice, i quite naively thought "a pair of ace-bars and a tail unit and it's finished", 11 mins and 200 quid later, i own it but have to drive 100 miles to pick it up. That's when the "budget" flew out the window, the day i picked it up, hahahahahah. Although it ran, that was it, everything i've stripped or looked at has required "repair or replace", so it's a matter of head down and get on with it. It's no show bike, but i do hope it's gonna be a nice tidy ride when it's finished.
It's a good job i aren't building to sell, as with most projects, it will cost me more than the worth of a good standard example.
*Rebuild it to ride it, paint it for profit*
I think i will be using a totally different front mudguard, but if i do keep this one, the mudflap won't be staying, that's a given.
I have a marshall deeptone in pretty much minted condition, i also have one on the way which is "not so good", i'm toying with a 4-2 system with straight through pipes coming up to high level and using the rear footpeg mounts as brackets. Frame is powdercoated yes.
Cheers for the comments so far, much appreciated
Lol, that's like asking a hooker how many c*cks she's had, she would probably have a good idea but decline from telling,
.Seriously, when i bought the bike it had like, 12 minutes left on egay and after a few jars of giggle juice, i quite naively thought "a pair of ace-bars and a tail unit and it's finished", 11 mins and 200 quid later, i own it but have to drive 100 miles to pick it up. That's when the "budget" flew out the window, the day i picked it up, hahahahahah. Although it ran, that was it, everything i've stripped or looked at has required "repair or replace", so it's a matter of head down and get on with it. It's no show bike, but i do hope it's gonna be a nice tidy ride when it's finished.
It's a good job i aren't building to sell, as with most projects, it will cost me more than the worth of a good standard example.
*Rebuild it to ride it, paint it for profit*
I think i will be using a totally different front mudguard, but if i do keep this one, the mudflap won't be staying, that's a given.
I have a marshall deeptone in pretty much minted condition, i also have one on the way which is "not so good", i'm toying with a 4-2 system with straight through pipes coming up to high level and using the rear footpeg mounts as brackets. Frame is powdercoated yes.
Cheers for the comments so far, much appreciated
Similar threads
- schwalbewurger
- Electrical/Ignition