Newb question about a hard tail.

[JUICEBOX]

I picked up an 81 or 82 GS450L for pretty cheap so there is 0 risk in this bobber project. I did a search on here about hard tails for this specific bike and not much came up, everyone has their opinions on saving your back, horrible ride, loss of functionality, but no descriptive knowledge. It is my understanding that I will basically have to build my own for this particular bike since none come pre manufactured. Does anyone have a base line on where to start? Im guess my only option is the TC universal hard tail? Does anyone have any experience with them? I apprecieate any insight and I also apprecieate constructive criticism.

 

[Guest]

I know nothing about hardtail conversions for a GS, I expect what you start with will depend on the look you are going for. What I will suggest before you hack up a perfectly good motorcycle is to make a pair of solid struts from flat bar to replace your shocks and spend a bit of time riding the bike with the struts installed to understand what you are getting into. Yes, hardtails look cool (I personally like the look of a lot of bobbers even if I know they work like sh!t), but they are truly awful to ride farther than around the block. If that doesn't convince you to stick with suspension and you have the fabrication skills to weld it all up straight and safe then go for it and post pictures of the work here.

For those that are interested, the TC Universal Hardtail kit: http://www.tcbroschoppers.com/universal-hardtail-kit.html

For the pieces involved that price doesn't seem unreasonable, you would never be able to source that all for the same price on your own. The tubing is stupid heavy, but that makes welding easier and performance isn't the goal here anyway.

FWIW, expect to take a lot of flak here for chopping a useful bike into a non-functional piece of art. Most here prize performance over artistic expression and will let you know that in no uncertain terms.


Mark

 

[JUICEBOX]

Mark, thank you for that. I figure i will catch flak for chopping it up, everyone has their own taste and preference. I probably wouldnt if i didnt have 4 other bikes sitting in the garage but I am always looking for things to cut and weld on, this will just be the first time i messed with a bike frame. I will take your advise and remove the struts and add on some flat stock to see if that turn me off the hardtail. I have other bikes to ride, this one will soley be for going to bike nights on.

 

[JUICEBOX]

No, I am that Ahole and it does characterize my intentions, for this particular bike. Im open minded and value peoples opinions but at the end of the day its my bike and my money. One bike turned into an art project by a random guy doesnt undermind the guys who are attracted to these bikes as they are originally built. I like all bikes unless you have to pedal them.

 

[roeme]

I ought to make a sticky about open pipes.

These guys ruin any goodwill for the rest of us riders.

I don't care (much) what your bike looks, and wether it is slightly noisier than stock. Running without any muffler at all however...just being an ******* to your fellow man.

 

[JUICEBOX]

Most likely will chop the exhaust, yes. And if i dont like the sound I will do something different. With access to parts and cash anything is possible. I may change the exhaust 10 times, im just saying im open to anything on this bike.

 

[JUICEBOX]

What would your sticky say?

 

[JTGS850GL]

What would your sticky say?

Probably something that wouldn't be allowed on the forum.

Seriously, why would you be begging for information on a forum that, mostly, doesn't agree with your modification methodology. Open pipes are just stupid. If you want a hard tail then just weld up some supports that bolt in as replacements for your shocks. That way someone can undo it later on.

 

[roeme]

What would your sticky say?

Probably something that wouldn't be allowed on the forum.
(...)

No, no, on the contrary. Demonstrating why running open pipes where other humans are present is ...not nice is more effective using proper language. If one resorts to strong words (early), people generally ignore you. And while it is tempting to call inconsiderate plebs exactly that, it helps everyone much more if one can make them realize the consequences of their actions instead, i.e. increasing their empathy.

So any future discussions about this topic can be just cut short by linking to that post.

But right now I have way more pressing matters.

 

[JTGS850GL]

No, no, on the contrary. Demonstrating why running open pipes where other humans are present is ...not nice is more effective using proper language. If one resorts to strong words (early), people generally ignore you. And while it is tempting to call inconsiderate plebs exactly that, it helps everyone much more if one can make them realize the consequences of their actions instead, i.e. increasing their empathy.

So any future discussions about this topic can be just cut short by linking to that post.

But right now I have way more pressing matters.

It was joke.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Hardtails are stupid.

 

[JUICEBOX]

Well frankly I posted on here because it's a forum that pertains to a bike i just picked up, I had no idea it was straight laced slow paced. Just pretend i am not here, im not looking for unwanted attention.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

You asked for criticism. You got it. Open pipes and zero rear suspension are for idiots.

 

[trevor]

You came to a place that it's members love and respect these old GS bikes.....and then you asked for advice on hacking your bike up, making it dangerous to ride and obnoxiously loud....lol....do you get it now?

 

[Nessism]

Mr. Juicebox has been added to my ignore list because he intends to run an open exhaust and I deleted my other posts from this thread. Interestingly, I've got about 20 other people on my ignore list, other guys running open exhausts, only NONE of them post here anymore. Humm, what does that tell you about the GSR? Ah, maybe guys of that sort of mentality just don't get along around here? You decide.

 

[JUICEBOX]

You asked for criticism. You got it. Open pipes and zero rear suspension are for idiots.

Technically i said i apprieciate constuctive criticism, ive been riding for 15 years and have been through dozens of bikes. Mostly track bikes but street and cruiser too. I understand people become partial to their bikes and cannot accept the fact someone would deface their precious machine buuuut i like cutting things up and making them my own, if you do things right it doesnt become unsafe, hence asking around for people with knowledge. I see that i have come to the wrong place for that.

 

[JUICEBOX]

Mr. Juicebox has been added to my ignore list because he intends to run an open exhaust and I deleted my other posts from this thread. Interestingly, I've got about 20 other people on my ignore list, other guys running open exhausts, only NONE of them post here anymore. Humm, what does that tell you about the GSR? Ah, maybe guys of that sort of mentality just don't get along around here? You decide.

lol, are you the forum bouncer? Is someone supposed to care if you ignore them? I dont mind. By the way, at the end of the day its still a zook.

 

[DohcBikes]

Hello.

This is ridiculous.

Wanting the wrong things for a motorcycle does not make you an idiot. A childish and lazy way to address their concerns.

I implore you to strongly consider rethinking the straight pipes. Not neccessarily for noise, I am a hooligan through and through, but for performance. There are plenty of loud bikes and other vehicles out there, a GS450 isnt going to be that loud.

Would you chastize a person for having open pipes on a hot rod?

Lots of people enjoy their hardtails. I strongly recommend considering a frame up build, with a frame that was intentionally engineered to withstand the stresses that a hardtail experiences, especially at LOW speed, which is far more abusive than high speed.

The GS450 is not a good candidate for your intentions. This much is fact. The carbs won't like your approach, the bike is too small to be comfortable chopper, and dude, you can make that bike SSSOOOO MUCH MORE. You can big bore it, cheap. You can upgrade damn near everything to the point where the performance will flattout surprise you.

 

[DohcBikes]

By the way, why the members here would not want to have a membership of diverse tastes and styles is completely beyond me. Many of the vocal members here sure do give the impression that it's either "their way or the highway", which in the hobby and sport of motorcycling has absolutely no residence.

My 70 year old trucker grandpa daily drove a late 70s dodge prospector with a 318 and cherry bombs on it. I don't know how you all were raised, but ain't nothin' wrong with HotRoddin' in my book.

 

[1978GS750E]

I agree DohcBikes! Like you stated, many of the "vocal" members on here give the impression of "their way or the highway". I think some of them should take a lesson on how to ignore a thread that they do not have anything constructive to say. Seems like a few just want to insult other people. Great forum for technical info but IMHO the "off topic" parts are a waste!