New Member, New to the GS World, Custom Build

[dandypop]

Hello everyone, I'd like to introduce myself and my bike. My name is Zak and I like to build stuff, especially custom building and doing things a little differently.

I'm new to the Suzuki world, and somehow I've fallen in love. I was gifted a 1983 850G that had been sitting in a barn for five years, and out in the weather before that. Last anyone knew, it had run on only three cylinders, and when I took possession, it had been partially disassembled (mostly handlebar controls, carbs, and a bunch of electrical stuff). The person who gave it to me said I could have it if I built a cafe racer out of it. I know that's a controversial move, but to each his own. I'd be happy to appease the vintage/stock crowd by selling or gifting any of the parts I don't need that have any life left in them.

Due to the nature of the build, I've gone completely custom on the wiring, not reusing the loom at all. Eventually, I'll even have my own custom circuit board, similar to a Motogadget m.unit in this baby, but I'm going to have it all wired, working, and running before I do that.

Oh, I was a sonar tech in the Navy, so I know my way around electronics, though I've had to dig deep into my memory to find the knowledge.

I'll do a full build post when I get it on the road, but for now, I'll tell you that I took it all the way down to the frame, rebuilt forks, brakes, etc., and all new lights, switches, etc. I'm nearly done with the custom tank paint and hand-fabbed rear cowl. There are a lot of things I'd do differently if I started over, but I'm happy with it so far. Here's a shot of how it's going, I'm neck deep in rewiring and will probably reach out to the forum for advice on things I am not understanding, but hopefully I'll also be able to share some knowledge. There are nights when I don't sleep, or wake up and just ponder and think about the project and what I can do to solve an issue or make it better. The paint scheme went through a lot of revisions, and I probably spent ten hours just thinking about what I wanted to do.

Anyway, I hope I'm not offending anyone with my custom build. At least it's a Suzuki, and I'm already thinking about my next project.

 

[Burque73]

Hey Zak.
Welcome aboard!

That's interesting, the 850 was given to you if you WOULD do the cafe project. Often it's the other way around with a plea not to.

I really like the '83 850G and have been through a dozen or so states so far on mine. Doesn't sound like you intend to put in long days on that one. Have fun, and good luck with your project.

 

[rphillips]

Yep, like he said WELCOME.... Also like you said, to each his own... nothing wrong with custom building and doing things different, just a different idea from trying to keep all orig. Looks like quite a bit already done, when was this started? Have you addressed the eng. only running on 3 cyl.? On these old bikes a big % of the time it'll be a carb problem.

 

[Rob S.]

The person who gave it to me said I could have it if I built a cafe racer out of it.

Cause they took such good care of it.

 

[dandypop]

Cause they took such good care of it.

It's true. It was a pass-around bike for guys whose bikes were in the shop. Nobody cared about it. I picked it up in early January and hope to have it roadworthy in July. I have to learn how to do upholstery and make a custom seat. Not some lazy flat pad, but something that actually feels decent while riding.

I didn't learn about the 3 cyl issue until the engine was out, so I'll have to mostly address it when I try to fire it up. The PO did rebuild the carbs, and he's pretty thorough and precise in general, but you all know how far you can trust other people's carb rebuilds ...

We'll see how comfortable/uncomfortable it'll be. I'm a glutton for punishment, so don't be surprised if I take it on some long rides and just suffer. I might relocate the foot controls to be a little easier with the forward lean I'll have, but I'll look at that after it's roadworthy.

Thanks for the welcome, I sure appreciate it!

Zak