I'm in the twin club?.

[tkent02]

Anyone have an engine opened up that could check something on the transmission for me?

Or even better, anyone have a spare 450 engine they don't want?

 

[Flyboy]

What is that I smell........................
A nice light twin.............screaming for a wee HP increase................it couldn't be................could it?......................nah.....................or maybe it is...........................a stylish little cafe?

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[tkent02]

What is that I smell........................
A nice light twin.............screaming for a wee HP increase................it couldn't be................could it?......................nah.....................or maybe it is...........................a stylish little cafe?

Who knows? Could happen. I do have a Sawzall and a license to use it. And a new 50 year old welder. And a hammer. And some paint.

But I would have to buy a 450L to do that. Can't cut a real motorcyce with a soul and everything. That would be so wrong.
Alas, I have no such plans. The second 550 was going to be a bit of a cafe something or other. Not in the stylish cafe way of today, but more of a low budget speedster like the originals. Cut everything off that doesn't make it go, stop, or corner.

This one, probably more of a stock looking bike that blows away the bigger stuff. Yeah, that 500 motor would work.

But for now just want an engine to throw in it. See how I like it.

I have still never ridden a Suzuki twin since the T500 was new.

 

[tkent02]

Ok, another question. The 450 has a 100/90-18 on the front, and a 110/90-18 on the back. That seems really odd to me.

Needs tires before riding it too much, which sizes will let the bike handle the best?

 

[Guest]

Tom, I have first hand experience to tell you those sizes will be ok and rideable, but she'll have some weird tip in feelings with the front that wide being pinched onto that tiny rim. In addition, you will kill the centre of the rear tyre quick smart.

I had those sizes in Sport Demons (narrowest front they have) and thought they were great at first until I kept going through rears in 5500km's.

Then I put the Avons on in a 90/90-18 front and a 100/90-18 rear and am running 32psi front/rear. They are superb! The tip in is so much better... it is consistent all the way over and they grip all the way. You know how good the RoadRiders are so I don't need to sell them to you

Apparently Avon says the correct rear is a 4.00-18 but I didn't know that at the time... however I'm having no issues at all with the 100/90-18 on there.

I've only got nearly 1200km's on them so far though, haven't done any big day rides since getting them on yet but will be rectifying that next Sunday.

 

[tkent02]

I found in the manual 3.00x18 front and 3.50x18 rear was the original correct size, does Avon make them that small?
I'm not finding the small sizes in any of the sticky performance tires.
Shinko's 30 smallest front is 100 width, I know going fat makes the bigger bikes handle like trucks, don't want to go there with this one.

Have found smaller in dual sport type tires, Shinko 244 etc.

Don't want to go there either.

 

[Guest]

Yeah they're the stock sizes alright but the Avons don't come in those... the 90/90-18 seems to be the closest you can get to the 3.00-18 and same with the 100/90-18 for the 3.50-18... Their 4.00-18 is the only other option there.

I'm using this for reference:

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/roadrider

Seems they have no tyre really recommended for our 1.60" front rim!

 

[tkent02]

OK, I guess 90/90-18 and 100/90-18 Roadriders will be it.

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Yup, indeed! And no worries at all, I know you'll enjoy 'em

 

[tkent02]

If I find an engine fir it. There's one on Craig's for $200, but it's a long drive, the guy hasn't been forthcoming with much information. I fit was closer, or if it was $100, or if he wanted to sell it more...

 

[bccap]

Bought the Kat by email. Told him what I'd be willing to pay if I was satisfied with the condition. Haggled a bit on line and I drove over. Turned out to be a really nice guy. He came down and did the transfer with me and then drove the bike to my place in the rain as I had my car.....Make him an offer that makes it worth the drive....

 

[Guest]

Common swap is to use a GS500 cylinder block with tensioner, gs500 pistons, Gs450 head. and what ever combination of gaskets work.

The 500 gaskets are thin metal and the 450 are fiber but twice the thickness.
The 500 pistons are designed a little different but they can fit in the 450 head.
This stuff is in the wiki in my sig.

There are some upgrades to the transmission in the later years (83 +) That solved gear wear problems.

You could just use a 500 entire gear train.

The main difference between the 450 and 500 base is the shift drum. Its backwards. Meaning 1 up 5 down. But on the gs500 the shifter is facing backwards so it works out to 1 down 5 up. Your just rotating the shaft backwards.

Does that E have the same style shifter or is it backwards ?
Either way just use your shift drum and it will work.

Here's the thing. Everything you will get from a gs500 engine will be the most upgraded parts you can get to put in there.


There are two manuals on cliff's site. one by haines, the other by clymer.

But get a gs500 manual and you'll see some better information.

Welcome to the club

 

[tkent02]

Yes I might or probably will do an upgraded engine over the winter, but just want to get it running for now. I'd much rather just pop a working engine in it than waste riding time in the summer putting the engine together.

 

[tkent02]

.....Make him an offer that makes it worth the drive....

Well I offered him $100 for the motor or $200 for the whole thing, it's a bobber but it's probably got some good forks or brakes or something.

He came back with $200 for the motor or $300 for the whole thing, not too bad if I knew the engine was good but I don't. And it's 100 miles away.

And he's not talking much. The ad doesn't even mention if the engine runs, so he probably doesn't know. Or mybe he does!

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/mcy/4426733956.html

 

[bccap]

Well I offered him $100 for the motor or $200 for the whole thing, it's a bobber but it's probably got some good forks or brakes or something.

He came back with $200 for the motor or $300 for the whole thing, not too bad if I knew the engine was good but I don't. And it's 100 miles away.

And he's not talking much. The ad doesn't even mention if the engine runs, so he probably doesn't know. Or mybe he does!

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/mcy/4426733956.html

What the Hell. You took a shot. Beats driving out there....

 

[tkent02]

What the Hell. You took a shot. Beats driving out there....

One thing good about this ridiculous bobber craze, there will be more parts bikes!

There will be another?.

Soon I hope.

 

[GSX1000E]

The $100 that you offered for all of what little is left, was VERY generous. Let the fool trip over the damn thing for a few months and he will be begging you to take it.

 

[tkent02]

Update, the brake fluid is changed, the old stuff was still clear, the brake works fine. Rear brake, well, no fluid at all. How nice. Might do the single twin pot Kawasaki front brake mod, as I have all the parts for it less the Blackbird disc, but I want to see how well the stock brakes work first. Intake boots are fine, but the O rings are square and petrified. Just dinking around with it, waiting for my still unknown new engine to make itself known.

Who's got an engine for me????

 

[Guest]

I don't have any issues with the stock front brake Tom, seems to pull me up just fine, although I did go with an aftermarket master cylinder from Mikes XS.

It has a slightly smaller bore diameter than stock and it feels much better.

Stock was a little wooden, but this one gives me much better feel... comes a bit closer to the 'bar but is definitely better than the stock IMHO.

Can't help on the engine I'm afraid...

 

[Gorminrider]

Hey, Congratulations on the 450E! I'm going to be interested in how you like it.Too bad about the gearbox.

Alternatives for tires? I have it written down that the tires on My GSX400E are DURO tubeless 110/90/18 (rear)(I put a tube in) and Shinko Tourmaster 3.00"x18 (front)
They seem fine

someone here (GSPOWER?)found Shinko 244(cheap dualsports) that fit.