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Inspiration for Cafe racer builders - 1978 GS550

  • Thread starter Thread starter monkeystew0
  • Start date Start date
M

monkeystew0

Guest
I've been watching with interest the amount of members building Cafe racer style GS's. Thought I would add the details of my latest project as inspiration ........ Some of you might even like it!!

Built as a low budget "project E-bay", from anything I could find on that wonderful shopping site.

Plenty more pictures available but here is a taster:

Full spec as follows:

1978 GS550
Fibreglass single seat unit
Yoshimura 4:1 Exhaust system
Ramair foam filters (rejetted carbs)
Clip-on handlebars
Bar end mirror
Aftermarket mini Tacho/ Speedo
Warning lights set into original bolt holes on cut down top yoke
Monza flip fuel filler cap on modified tank
Monkey bike ignition barrel mounted on tank
Bare metal tank painted in clear coat only
Mini indicators
Screw in Oil temp gauge

Probably more stuff to mention too.

Next job is remove centre stand and pillion pegs and make some custom brackets to mount Tarozzi rear set pegs (just need to work out how to clear the Kick starter....!!)

Hope it gives some of you other Cafe racer builders some ideas and inspiration.....
 
That thing gives me a stirring feeling in my loins. :)

SWEEEEET!!!!!
 
Bigger pics, please!!! Love the metal tank look!

Suggestion: maybe trim the front fender a bit?
 
me too

me too

I am also building a 550 cafe. Mine will be all flat black with white details. How much was the 4-1 exhaust?
 
I was thinking of changing the front fender for a fibreglass one but not found one I like yet. Bit worried that it will be more flexable then the steel one so will then be looking for a fork brace to hold the front end together......

Needs to be shorter though, I agree.

No idea on the price of the pipe as I was lucky enough that it was on the bike when i bought it (whole bike cost ?400, 3 years ago). I've never seen another for sale but i reckon if you could find one it wouldn't be cheap.

Hopefully there is another picture attached here to showing the tank and clock mods.......:

I'll add a few more soon to.....Glad your liking it!!
 
That tank is just too cool. And I love how you've done the idiot lights!
 
It's an easy mod to do if your happy with clip on bars instead of clubmans or tubular bars

Cut the bar lugs off with a grinder and drill out to suit lamps.......

Work in progress shot :
 
The suggestion of chopping the front fender got me thinking about other areas that could be trimmed down.

Does this chain guard look too big to you?? I think it could loose the curved section on the end..........??

Anyone trimmed the chassis rails off where the pillion peg mounts? I'm thinking of loosing the centre stand so don't need the frame rail as a stop.

Might look neater without.......??
 
monkeystew0 said:
The suggestion of chopping the front fender got me thinking about other areas that could be trimmed down.

Does this chain guard look too big to you?? I think it could loose the curved section on the end..........??

Anyone trimmed the chassis rails off where the pillion peg mounts? I'm thinking of loosing the centre stand so don't need the frame rail as a stop.

Might look neater without.......??
Click to expand...

I dunno about the chain guard. Looks pretty good how it is IMHO. Hard to say, though.

You sure you want to eliminate the center stand? I think I'd really miss mine!
 
Later models had plastic front fenders. Why don't you get one of them and experiment? They use the same mounting holes and are the same basic shape as the steel ones.

The first time you want to work on the bike (and get it standing up straight) you will curse the lack of the centre stand (IMHO)
 
I shall have to keep my eyes peeled for a later plastic fender then... Do you know if GS750/850/1000 will fit? They all started with 19" wheels yes?

The whole thinking of removing the stand was the Hot Rod thing of not wanting to carry weight around. If it doesn't make it go or stop better its surplus to requirements!!

To be honest its the only bike ive ever owned with a centre stand and i'm used to not having one. Apart from lubing the chain it it never gets used.... maybe i'll leave it be for a while yet
 
In Australia the later models became things like GSX and GSXR etc. (not sure about the rest of the world).
I have a plastic fender off a GSXR 750 (about an '85 model) in my shed. It has exactly the same mounting holes as the early models. The forks are fundamentally the same I believe.
I am planning on trimming it down and trying it on my '76 750 Cafe project.

This is the model it's off - http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/suzuki_gsx-r_750_1985.php or http://www.suzukicycles.org/GSX-R-series/GSX-R750_a.shtml
 
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Changing a rear flat tyre without a centre stand is a PITA. Particularly if it's on the side of the freeway and you have limited tools.
 
I've decided to keep my centerstand because I hear that our bkies don' oil themselves properly upon start up/ warm up unless they're standing up straight.
... or were that my V4? :?

'm also having no luck putting it up on the bike jack lift cause the exhaust is in the way.

And that tank is the Holy Grail!
 
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Looks like i'm keeping the centre stand for practical reasons then.....

Might have tracked down a plastic front fender too so thats coming along next.

Took some new pics last night in the sunshine too:

FWIW: If your planning to remove the airbox its pretty easy to re-use your battery box by turning it through 90degrees.

Mine has the starter solenoid mounted on two studs under the airfilters and a copule of brackets and tabs cut off and welded back in (especially for the rubber battery strap clips)

Looks neat and tidies the whole area up to give that "see through the frame " look.
 
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