New to Suziki- GS450L Cafe racer project

[Jen]

Here is my gs450L that I got yesterday. I'd like to do some modifications to turn it into a mild cafe racer. I had a little CB125, but I was really wanting something highway capable- I think this will be perfect! I can barely tippy-toe on it so lowering is project #1. I've ordered shorter shocks and a lower profile seat, and I will work on the bars swap this weekend.
Next up will be both fenders and the front fork. I know I can drop the triple tree onto the fork a bit, which will help, but not sure if that is going to be enough, especially considering how high the front end already is. What is the next option?


very very stock- big dorky seat and fenders and tall bars

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

You're going to get suggestions and flaming on this subject. Keep the skin thick and go from there. Good luck. It looks nice (for an L) in its current state. See how the seat fits you when you get it. If you are going to change anything, try not to butcher things such as exhaust and fenders. Find fenders on eBay that you like that you can then alter.

 

[sam000lee]

Hey Jen - Cool project! I'm partial to the GS450's so it's nice to see another one. There's a link to my always ongoing GS450 project in my signature. I'm curious what seat you'll be using.

I was in KC over the summer and have a bunch of friends over there. Does Blind Tiger mean anything to you?

 

[solarae]

My daily ride is a 2003 Suzuki SV650. Best thing I ever did was lower it against all advice. Welcome

 

[Sasquatch]

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Jen]

You're going to get suggestions and flaming on this subject. Keep the skin thick and go from there. Good luck. It looks nice (for an L) in its current state. See how the seat fits you when you get it. If you are going to change anything, try not to butcher things such as exhaust and fenders. Find fenders on eBay that you like that you can then alter.

Any particular reason? Or just a desire to keep the tin original?
I lowered the front end an inch this weekend, and got the bars swapped out for some trackers. Also cleaned up the electrical a little. So the starting is more consistent (loose connections and unnecessary add-ons).



The seat I got is just a standard banana style seat. Coming on a slow boat from china though...
As far as the fenders and stuff like that... everything I'm taking off is getting set aside. I wasn't planning on doing anything irrevocable.

 

[tarheel]

Welcome fellow GS450L'er! Looks like a good start so far, have fun with it!

 

[solarae]

Just remember, if you lower the front without lowering the back, you decrease the rake. That is the angle that the front forks are at. Decreasing the rake makes the bike turn quicker. Increasing it makes it more stable (to a point). You might wind up with "twitchy" steering if you don't lower the back as well. Also lowering the front gives you less fork travel. It's a good idea to put a zip tie around the fork upper just above the dust seal of the lower. Ride and see where the zip tie gets pushed up to. What's left over is the room you have to play with without bottoming out.
Good luck with your project!

 

[hillsy]

Don't remove the front fender - it acts as a fork brace for the front. You can cut it down, but don't take it off completely unless you replace it with a fork brace. Those forks are skinny enough already and need all the help they can get.

 

[Jen]

Hey Jen - Cool project! I'm partial to the GS450's so it's nice to see another one. There's a link to my always ongoing GS450 project in my signature. I'm curious what seat you'll be using.

I was in KC over the summer and have a bunch of friends over there. Does Blind Tiger mean anything to you?

Okay- the seat was a bust-I'm still going to use it, but I'll have to fabricate a different set of brackets in order to do so. Also- Going to cut and weld on a new rear hoop, and new tabs. So start one project and find 2 more...

I read through your project and really like it! Where did you get the bag that sits where the side covers go? I'm wanting to get something like that- my curbside cover is gone and the streetside is not original anyway.

Not familiar with Blind Tiger... have heard about it but not gone. Did you like it?

On another note- I got shorter rear shocks for the bike and in working on installing them discovered that most of the threads are stripped off one of the lower posts Womp Womp. So she's up on the centerstand while I figure out the course of action.


Re the zip tie- good idea! It barely budged. LOL I only weigh 130lb. It moved if I really jump up and down, or if I aim for a pot hole, but just to cruise around it's not moving a lot.

 

[Jen]

Don't remove the front fender - it acts as a fork brace for the front. You can cut it down, but don't take it off completely unless you replace it with a fork brace. Those forks are skinny enough already and need all the help they can get.

Would anyone like to buy all my nice chrome bits I'm taking off, or trade for their less nice chrome bits so I can cut them and paint them without guilt?

 

[tarheel]

Would anyone like to buy all my nice chrome bits I'm taking off, or trade for their less nice chrome bits so I can cut them and paint them without guilt?

I'll trade my slightly dented front fender for yours if you want? Mine's an 82 450L

 

[Jen]

I'll trade my slightly dented front fender for yours if you want? Mine's an 82 450L

Where are you? I'm in Kansas City.

 

[tarheel]

Where are you? I'm in Kansas City.

I'm in Durham, NC so we'd have to figure out some kind of shipping arrangement. PM me if you're interested!

 

[solarae]

I'm using you as a guinea pig to see if I can post a pic properly and to show what I did with my GS250T which is pretty much the same as your 450 except for the displacement. You are on the right track to find less than perfect fenders for chopping. Mine were very rusty which when attacked with a flap disc sander and a stationary belt sander, sand down for painting easier than intact chrome.
20180203_152512 by Edy Smith, on Flickr

 

[Jen]

So, I just went for it. There was a sizeable dent I popped back out pretty easily. And I decided I wanted to maintain that nice edge that the stock fender has on it's terminating end so I did my cutting from the front edge. My dad is fabricating bullets for the ends of the frame rails that will accept the rear turn signals.

 

[steve murdoch]

Lopping off the front end of the fender is an easy solution but it turned out well.
I like the look of the rolled edge.

 

[solarae]

Looking good!

 

[Abelgum]

Thumbs up!

 

[glib]

I'm using you as a guinea pig to see if I can post a pic properly and to show what I did with my GS250T which is pretty much the same as your 450 except for the displacement. You are on the right track to find less than perfect fenders for chopping. Mine were very rusty which when attacked with a flap disc sander and a stationary belt sander, sand down for painting easier than intact chrome.
20180203_152512 by Edy Smith, on Flickr

The shorty fenders are so much nicer than a total delete. Sharp bike.