GS 750 Cafe Project I think...

[beergood]

Hey Beaver, what's going on next to your horn in that pic? Is it an oil cooler?

 

[Beaver]

Hey Beaver, what's going on next to your horn in that pic? Is it an oil cooler?

Funny you should ask about that. When I changed the cam cover gasket yesterday I noticed it. I wasn't sure what it was doing there as it didn't fit with my image of a bike of that age. But yes my guess is that it is an oil cooler.

Beaver, If you plan on selling that seat, let me know. I would love to have a seat like that. I even have a stock seat in excellent condition i would be willing to trade if you want to use it for your mods..

I had just assumed that mine was stock

This is the underside, are you certain you still want it? I was also thinking if I kept this one and I made a dedicated cafe seat using the existing hinges then it would just be a question of swapping the seats over when I want to take the misses out...

Before you shell out the cash for clip-ons try clubmans. Personally I think they have a classic look to them, and they are only around $20. You might find that you hate that riding position, and $20 out is much better than $100+.

I've seen people use their existing seat pan to begin a mod. It's a good place to start, I just had too nice a seat to cut up, so I sold it to another member and used the cash to finance future work.

Don't even worry about plug chopping till you get the carbs put back together with the pods and new jets/orings. Then I would start with clean plugs. Or better yet, if you have a compressor, buy a plug cleaner. Mine cost less than $20 and has paid for itself a few times over.

You are right about the bars, I just saw it as a way to clean up the area around the top of the forks. One of the things I love about my bicycle is the lack of any brake levers or cables, it creates beautifully clean lines.

I have ordered clubmans, but when I was working on the bike I just felt like removing everything from round the top of the forks, and once finished I could see I would still be left with the the bars and clamps sitting up there.

Where do I get a plug cleaner from? And what is it?

 

[TheCafeKid]

Beaver: Yeah if you want to swap seats dude, let me know. Im definately interested. That one isnt "stock" someone has done some shaving on it. But it would fit my "superbike" replica 750 very well. SHoot me a PM and we can work something out.

TCK

 

[Dead Boy]

I went the clipon route. After I rode for a year with clubmans as suggested. I love the clipons more than the clubmans, but mine are off of a vintage racebike that was parted out between a few friends and I. They are fully adjustable, so I can pretty much set the bars up to fit me and the way I sit on the bike. The only problem i have now is finding someone to fill my top triple clamp after I shave the original bar clamps. That or have a new top triple made, which probably won't happen because I don't have enough money into this bike to warrant the expense.

 

[TheCafeKid]

I went the clipon route. After I rode for a year with clubmans as suggested. I love the clipons more than the clubmans, but mine are off of a vintage racebike that was parted out between a few friends and I. They are fully adjustable, so I can pretty much set the bars up to fit me and the way I sit on the bike. The only problem i have now is finding someone to fill my top triple clamp after I shave the original bar clamps. That or have a new top triple made, which probably won't happen because I don't have enough money into this bike to warrant the expense.

Out of aluminum block you could pretty easily make some pieces that will simply fill in the bar towers and make them at least look flat. You'd only need some decent size alu bar, and something to cut it with... Wouldnt be too tough at all and it would make them look at least a little cleaner.

 

[Zooks]

I've been checking in on the forum periodically, but not commenting as much. Now that I am back on the bike pretty much daily I will be around more.

And maybe even get around to writing another 'urban assault' thread like you promised me.

 

[Beaver]

Beaver: Yeah if you want to swap seats dude, let me know. Im definately interested. That one isnt "stock" someone has done some shaving on it. But it would fit my "superbike" replica 750 very well. SHoot me a PM and we can work something out.

TCK

The seat is yours. I was sitting looking at the bike today and if I do things like I plan then my seat swapping idea will be just plain ugly. If it is cool with you I would like to get a bit more underway with my replacement seat before I send this one.

 

[beergood]

Spark plug cleaner:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32860

Costs about as much as 4 plugs, and during the 'adjustment' period of my bike I fouled a lot of plugs.

That's a nice looking glimpse of your fixie. I understand what you mean about a clean look. I still haven't grown the nerve to remove the front brake from mine.

 

[TheCafeKid]

The seat is yours. I was sitting looking at the bike today and if I do things like I plan then my seat swapping idea will be just plain ugly. If it is cool with you I would like to get a bit more underway with my replacement seat before I send this one.

SOunds good man! Thanks! You still want this stocker in return? Or you doing a glass pan? If you're doing glass, both BeerGood and I have done glass by hand and either one of us would probably be glad to give you some pointers.. Also, if you are looking to do knee inserts on a tank, or want to get rid of any of that body work, let me know! im always shopping for 77-79 750 stuff, and I have a couple of tanks that you MIGHT be interested in that are hand pounded. They'll need some finishing up, but they turned out pretty good..

TCK

 

[Beaver]

Spark plug cleaner:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32860

Costs about as much as 4 plugs, and during the 'adjustment' period of my bike I fouled a lot of plugs.

That's a nice looking glimpse of your fixie. I understand what you mean about a clean look. I still haven't grown the nerve to remove the front brake from mine.

Thanks for the link. I have just ordered a spark plug cleaner. Of course it depends a little on which plugs you are buying but a plug cleaner from the US is cheaper than 2 cheap plugs in Denmark.

A good set of double straps is the key to getting rid of your brake. You need to feel secure in your pedals (if you do need to brake) and double straps are the way to go if you wanna feel in control (or spd of course). They are cracking down on brakeless bikes big time in Europe, but it just isn't the same having the brake, the fun goes out of it.

SOunds good man! Thanks! You still want this stocker in return? Or you doing a glass pan? If you're doing glass, both BeerGood and I have done glass by hand and either one of us would probably be glad to give you some pointers.. Also, if you are looking to do knee inserts on a tank, or want to get rid of any of that body work, let me know! im always shopping for 77-79 750 stuff, and I have a couple of tanks that you MIGHT be interested in that are hand pounded. They'll need some finishing up, but they turned out pretty good..

TCK

I have glassed a bit before so I am not too worried about that, it is more where I am going to do it that I need to solve. I hadn't planned on going the knee insert way to begin with as I love the size of the tank on the GS and it seems a bit of a crime to make it smaller, but now that i think about it it is a little tempting. Can I get back to you on that? I am losing the tail and the side panels (one is cracked) if that is anything you can use?

Is there any specific paint that you would use for fork legs/wheels? It needs to be a canned product as I don't have serious painting facilities.

Cheers

 

[Beaver]

Still waiting for all my parts to come home so I can get started. After I changer the gasket on the cam cover I found that the little rubber plug at the end also leaked Back to Z1... Luckily it isn't enough that it got noticed buy the WOF/MOT guys that checked it today and it passed with flying colours. A weird thing in denmark. I can't quite remember how often, once a year or every 2nd year in NZ you have to get a Warrant Of Fitness(MOT) for your bike/car. In Denmark that only applies to cars. Motorcycles only need to be checked when they change owners. nice.



Went out for a ride with this guy the other day.

He is the one I mentioned under performance mods with the electronic ignition installed. A nice bike, just more modified than I would ever be willing to go. The previous owner, the one that installed the new front and rear end also had a so highly tuned motor in it that it pulled the chassis to the left. When this guy bought it and shortended the tail the license plate was about 1? inches to one side.

The silencing effect of the muffler was negligible, I must admit I left there with exhaust envy. Don't get me wrong, my Marshal has a really nice sound, but this one had a bit more of the bad boy sound I am looking for. Sebring exahusts aren't just something you find lying around. Well he did. When Wrench Monkees were chopping his tail for him he found the can in their rubbish bin and asked discretely that if they weren't using it for anything else then they were welcome to weld it on...

 

[Colin Green]

Still waiting for all my parts to come home so I can get started. After I changer the gasket on the cam cover I found that the little rubber plug at the end also leaked Back to Z1... Luckily it isn't enough that it got noticed buy the WOF/MOT guys that checked it today and it passed with flying colours. A weird thing in denmark. I can't quite remember how often, once a year or every 2nd year in NZ you have to get a Warrant Of Fitness(MOT) for your bike/car. In Denmark that only applies to cars. Motorcycles only need to be checked when they change owners. nice.

Nice bikes. FYI WOF's in NZ are now 6 monthly except for the first two years (which are annual)

 

[beergood]

A nice bike, just more modified than I would ever be willing to go.

Famous last words. I have found that as I check things I would like to do off my list, another magically shows up at the bottom.

 

[TheCafeKid]

Thanks for the link. I have just ordered a spark plug cleaner. Of course it depends a little on which plugs you are buying but a plug cleaner from the US is cheaper than 2 cheap plugs in Denmark.

A good set of double straps is the key to getting rid of your brake. You need to feel secure in your pedals (if you do need to brake) and double straps are the way to go if you wanna feel in control (or spd of course). They are cracking down on brakeless bikes big time in Europe, but it just isn't the same having the brake, the fun goes out of it.



I have glassed a bit before so I am not too worried about that, it is more where I am going to do it that I need to solve. I hadn't planned on going the knee insert way to begin with as I love the size of the tank on the GS and it seems a bit of a crime to make it smaller, but now that i think about it it is a little tempting. Can I get back to you on that? I am losing the tail and the side panels (one is cracked) if that is anything you can use?

Is there any specific paint that you would use for fork legs/wheels? It needs to be a canned product as I don't have serious painting facilities.

Cheers

Sure if youre letting go of the side covers and tail piece id be interested in that too...

On the forks and wheels ive had REAL good success using simply Duracolor ceramic 500* motor paint. I paint just about everything with it (this winter my ES will be getting treated to a full resto and updating, and she will get powdercoat on her black bits, but she doesnt seem to mind the paint at the moment!) But, its all in the prep work my friend. Make sure its clean and grease and oil free before you paint, a couple of light dustings and then two nice smooth wet coats and let it set up for a week. Seriously. Then a couple more wet coats and be done. Sh!ts hard as nails. I like it. It WILL chip if you smack it with something hard. But for standard debris, ive not seen any damage yet.

 

[Beaver]

Famous last words. I have found that as I check things I would like to do off my list, another magically shows up at the bottom.

I hear you there. You are talking to the man that spent two hours on ebay last night looking for Ninja calipers so he could do a Salty Monk brake upgrade, when in fact I am quite happy with my brakes as they are. But a new swing arm and forks aren't in my league. I think I would rather try to make a newer bike(chassis) look older than go in the other direction, too much ****ing around.

Sure if youre letting go of the side covers and tail piece id be interested in that too...

On the forks and wheels ive had REAL good success using simply Duracolor ceramic 500* motor paint. I paint just about everything with it (this winter my ES will be getting treated to a full resto and updating, and she will get powdercoat on her black bits, but she doesnt seem to mind the paint at the moment!) But, its all in the prep work my friend. Make sure its clean and grease and oil free before you paint, a couple of light dustings and then two nice smooth wet coats and let it set up for a week. Seriously. Then a couple more wet coats and be done. Sh!ts hard as nails. I like it. It WILL chip if you smack it with something hard. But for standard debris, ive not seen any damage yet.

Great! I had kind of decided something similar. If I use the same paint for my pipes, wheels, engine, etc. then it will also have the added bonus of being exactly the same colour. When painting the engine, aside from having it out of the frame, do you need to split it up or can you just leave it whole? I am guessing it is the first but you never know take shortcuts where you can find them...

You are welcome to all those miscellaneous parts. I have decided that I will take you up on your tank offer. I like the custom handmade aspect of it. The 'finishing' that you described, is that with a hammer or pollyfilla?

My thermal wrap for the headers came in the post today. My friend with the other GSer found that instead of buying it through a MC shop in Copenhagen for 500kr ($94) you can find the same stuff sold for industrial use in Germany for 10 Euros plus shipping ($10) Nice, I love tips like that...

 

[DMorris]

I like that modded up special except for the ground clearance. It looks like a junkyard dog and I imagine its just as noisy. I just don't like the idea of getting hi-centered on a coin left in the street.....

 

[TheCafeKid]

I hear you there. You are talking to the man that spent two hours on ebay last night looking for Ninja calipers so he could do a Salty Monk brake upgrade, when in fact I am quite happy with my brakes as they are. But a new swing arm and forks aren't in my league. I think I would rather try to make a newer bike(chassis) look older than go in the other direction, too much ****ing around.



Great! I had kind of decided something similar. If I use the same paint for my pipes, wheels, engine, etc. then it will also have the added bonus of being exactly the same colour. When painting the engine, aside from having it out of the frame, do you need to split it up or can you just leave it whole? I am guessing it is the first but you never know take shortcuts where you can find them...

You are welcome to all those miscellaneous parts. I have decided that I will take you up on your tank offer. I like the custom handmade aspect of it. The 'finishing' that you described, is that with a hammer or pollyfilla?

My thermal wrap for the headers came in the post today. My friend with the other GSer found that instead of buying it through a MC shop in Copenhagen for 500kr ($94) you can find the same stuff sold for industrial use in Germany for 10 Euros plus shipping ($10) Nice, I love tips like that...

the hammer work is done, and alot of the body filler work is done, you'll just need to touch it up. I will shoot some pics of em, you can take your pick. They both have a lil surface rust inside, but nothing horrid. If it bugs you (never bothered me cause they dont peel) you can take it to a radiator shop to get it cleaned out. I did this on a tank once, and i see everyone using all these methods for cleaning them out...yet the shop had it lookin really good in about an hour, and didnt beat my brains in on the cost. Why dont more people do this??

Anyway, Like I said, I will get some pics. If ya like the tanks, so be it, if not no big deal, I have others too.

 

[Beaver]

Has anyone had any luck using closed cell foam(sleeping mat) for custom seats? The idea being a low dense seat. I am worried about it being a little too hard...

 

[yaddy]

I ran it on an RSV mille about 3 years back, it falls apart underneath you, kinda rubs into little balls and tears off. Lasted about 4 track days, but easy to replace. I suppose it all depends on how you move about on the bike, my RSV was a track tool so it probably put up with a few weeks worth of road riding? Unless you ride on the road like you do on the track that is..........

Comfort wasn't an issue as you move about a fair bit too, i'll bet it might be a different story on the road though?

 

[Beaver]

I ran it on an RSV mille about 3 years back, it falls apart underneath you, kinda rubs into little balls and tears off. Lasted about 4 track days, but easy to replace. I suppose it all depends on how you move about on the bike, my RSV was a track tool so it probably put up with a few weeks worth of road riding? Unless you ride on the road like you do on the track that is..........

Comfort wasn't an issue as you move about a fair bit too, i'll bet it might be a different story on the road though?

Was yours covered? I wasn't expecting it to fall apart, I was mostly concerned about it being too hard. It should have the advantage of being water resistant too.