not sure if this is the right area, sawsall???

[highpointbuc]

want to cut the back of my bike off, right behind where the shocks mount to the frame. 1st, is that ok, as in will it affect the body structure? and 2nd, will a sawsall cut through that much metal?

thanks,

mike

 

[tkent02]

want to cut the back of my bike off, right behind where the shocks mount to the frame. 1st, is that ok, as in will it affect the body structure? and 2nd, will a sawsall cut through that much metal?

thanks,

mike

A Sawzall will do it just fine.
Hell, a hacksaw will do it just fine, that's why there are so many cut frame pieces of schit for sale.
Any moron can cut a frame.
Why bother?
Scrap steel is worth next to nothing now.
Why ruin the bike?

 

[GQROD]

Make sure you get a blade meant for cutting metal it will take a little while but iit works great, can't tell you how many times people ask me in the neighborhood and it turns out they had a fine tooth WOOD blade in it.

 

[highpointbuc]

cause it's mine to do as i please, tkent02

cause it's mine to do as i please, tkent02

:-ktkento2

you are about the most negative person i have met on here.
every question i ask is met with this same contempt.

it's my bike to do as i please, is it not?

surely you don't think i would be cutting off pieces to sale for scrap?
if so, then i suggest you catch up with the bike's these days and see
the new styles.

 

[Guest]

Are you going to do a cafe jobby ?? We can't do a lot of that stuff down here as you still need to keep the rear mudguard and it's a bit hard to get it all to come together without it looking a bit "unusual".Hack and chop all you like ,as you said,it's your bike.Cheers,Simon.

 

[Larry D]

I'm always on both sides of the fence about chopping one of these GS's up.

If it's within reason and budget to restore it, I think that's what we'd all like to see. These bikes aren't rare by any means. But they are classics. In my mind anyway.

On the other hand, if it's to far gone to work with, chop away. As you said, it's your bike and it's yours to do with as you see fit. And I've seen quite a few GS chops that are fantastic !!

We always like pictures of what folks are building, though.

 

[Tazman001]

to chop, or not to chop

to chop, or not to chop

that is the question. I'm with Bambi's mom on this one "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all."

 

[BigLou]

:-ktkento2

then i suggest you catch up with the bike's these days and see
the new styles.

No offense but if the bike in your profile is the one you are going to chop, thats a crime. Nothing you can chop will make it look modern, its a classic, and you will ruin it.

However, in the end, it is your bike, destroy it if you like.

 

[trippivot]

torch - abrasive disc - hack saw - sawzall

torch - abrasive disc - hack saw - sawzall

YES it will effect the structure!!!

YES a sawzall will cut the steel.

YES your frame will bend/twist under side loading (turning)

YES my bike will be just a little rarer and more valuable!!

YES the value of the "post chopping" bike will be severely diminished

do it!! hell yeah!!

is that positive enough for you?

 

[LarryA_Texas]

GS chopper?

GS chopper?

I'm in with these guys that would not cut it up. I know you didn't ask 'if' but 'how' so the answer has been given. Use a metal blade.

It's a classic. If it is the one in the picture it's in great shape. It's a shame to cut the tail off of it. Find something that's too far gone to restore and cut away. Cut up a Yamaha. Cut anything else before you start chopping on a great classic. Just my opinion.

You might also check out Craig's list ads see what a 'bobber' is going for. I've seen them listed from time to time and they never seem to sell. This one has been listed several times over the past few months. Since the listing is still there, I assume it's still for sale:

sale-940985260@craigslist.org

Their value is seriously lower than factory bikes and the standards seem to be sold much faster. Something to think about.

 

[tkent02]

:-ktkento2

you are about the most negative person i have met on here.
every question i ask is met with this same contempt.

Not negative, you have only asked the same question over and over.

" I know nothing about working with steel, as evidenced by the fact that I don't even know if a Sawzall will get through mild steel, and I know nothing about designing modifcations to a bike's frame, as evidenced by the question about affecting the body structure. So would it be OK for me to cut into this with no idea what it will look or ride like when I am done? "

it's my bike to do as i please, is it not?

Absolutely. Just don't ride it on my road when you are finished.

surely you don't think i would be cutting off pieces to sale for scrap?

Might as well scrap it now, the value of what you end up with will be near zero.

if so, then i suggest you catch up with the bike's these days and see
the new styles.

Sorry, I'm a "function over form" kind of guy.
But if I want to ride the latest style, I'll ride my newest bike.
By the way, the reason the styles have changed is as a direct result of the incredible increases in capabilities these modern bikes have, handling, braking, power delivery, all of it. The package looks different now, the form followed the function. Pretty sure whacking the ass end off of a poorly maintained stone-age motorcycle will not quite accomplish the same thing.

P.S., With a hacksaw, the push stroke is the one that cuts.

 

[TitanNeil]

I'll throw my ideas at you, highpointbuc, not my opinion.

IF the bike you are modifying is the one in your profile, you have already done a fair bit of changes to it (paint, pipes, etc) and should be comfortable doing whatever youu want to it. If you want to cafe the seat, have the seat ready first. Don't cut up your nice stock seat (it's too nice, and the wrong shape anyways for a cafe), find an aftermarket one, a crappy (ripped) stock one, or make one yourself. Do this FIRST, so you don't cut the frame in the wrong spot. You will need to repaint the cut area and plug the holes (welded shut or plastic plugs), but it might be a good idea to have a welder put in a cross-brace to keep it all firmed up and avoid any twist that is most likely to happen - 'cuz you'll be riding the sn*t out of it, right?

 

[Skyboy8950]

IMO, I think if you are going for a different, "modern" style, then buy a different bike that matches your tastes. Have you ever seen where people try to make Camero's look like Ferrari's? They look stupid, cheap, and do not act like a Ferrari at all. Or when people make Volkswagen Beetles look like Rolls Royces? Tacky. So, the reason people are "upset" is that most of us appreciate these bikes as they are. That's what makes them great. We appreciate the stylings of the early 80's. True, it is your bike, but it still has the Suzuki name on it, so it will make people sad. I certainly wouldn't want to see someone cut the back end off a Ferrari and turn it into a tricycle.

Hope this clears things up.

 

[spyug]

Speaking from experience I would say leave it alone and enjoy it as it is. I understand the fun and excitement that comes from planning an undertaking a project of this type but the finished product just may not work out at all the way you envisaged. As others have said you may end up with something less useable and worth less than what you have.

Three almost 4 years back now I got really hot to "customize" a Yamaha XS 650 after seeing photos on one of the dedicated XS sites. At first I really wanted to build a cafe racer style and set out with that in mind. It took almost a year to track down a good candidate at a decent (read cheap) price. I got the bike for $500 and felt I could get it done for $1000 total.

I started in on the project over the winter and pulled everything off to a bare frame. With cut-off wheel in hand I didn't hesitate to lop off the rear frame hoop, passenger peg mounts and any other brackets and dead weight like the battery box. I was totally into this project and worked several hours everyday bringing this beauty to life for a spring debut.

Half way into the build, I realized a cafe wouldn't work for me as my back couldn't take the forward bending. Luckily, many XSs are built as "trackers" with upright seating and bars so that was the route I went. Now as a tracker there were some design changes necessary. a different seat, same size wheels front and back etc. I wanted better brakes so added another brake disk and caliper to the front along with stainless steel brake lines all the way around. The front end was a little soft so cartridge emulators went in and a fork brace added. Cost started adding up and soon I was way passed $1000 and closer to $4000....and that without any engine work.

The build wasn't finished until late fall of the following year and I only managed a few hundred Kms before winter set in again. The following season I had it out one weekend for less than 50 km and the following day I was in total agony and hospital bound with a damaged sciatic nerve in my left buttock. The doctors felt I had mashed my nerve sitting on the plank hard fiberglass seat I had built. I had two episodes of that painful condition that lasted the better part of that year. I couldn't ride the bike as it was and couldn't convert it back as I had chopped off and discarded all the brackets for the original seat. I couldn't ride the bike without fear of reinjuring myself. I bought the GS because of its big comfy seat and i haven't ridden the XS since (2 years now).

The worst part is I have close to $4000 into a bike that I can't use and can't sell for anything near that.

I've turned it into garage art. Real pretty to look at but no good to me for anything else. I truly wish I had kept it stock.

If you really have to do it then by all means go ahead. I just wanted you to know there can be downsides to it that you may not realize as I didn't.

Cheers,
Spyug.

 

[Dave8338]

I shall not throw stones. That being said, and having built several custom street rods, dozens of circle track and drag cars, enough insurance totals to gag a mule, and grew up with a father that "knows his chitt", if you're questioning your ability...don't do it.

At some point, something is going to hit the fan and you're either going to have to work through it and have the tools and tallent to get it done, or pay someone that does know how, the money it takes, to rework someone elses 'work' and fix the mistakes. :-k

I've not seen your bike but it sounds like it's quite nice.

ME...I'm the one that won't even change out the L-bars...cause that ain't how she was built.

 

[GQROD]

To chop or not to chop is a great topic.

I have seen too many gs's and other makes in my area that are chopped to make bobbers and especially cafe bikes. Not all with great success.

The weakness is really the alloy rim design, it's too modern and doesn't go with the old school look. Spokes will always look better.

Too many times it is poorly thought out and poor execution and the bikes just wind up looking like Rat bikes and don't sell.

Cutting up a perfectly good bike won't earn you the respect of experienced riders who appreciate the design and function of the original.

If all you want is something unique then of course it is your bike to do with as you please just don't expect a parade for your choice.

I saw a GS 350 that was in pieces, slightly rusted a real project. Spoke wheels, this bike would make a perfect cafe bike for $300.00, saving a project and doing a good job of it gets expensive. And this is where short cuts are taken and the bikes look worse than if they were left original.

Here is one example http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/960850306.html

And another http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/934977754.html

This doesn't look too bad-http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/960041976.html
Just something to consider.

 

[tone]

As someone who modifies all his bikes reguardless of value age or rarity i'll say ignore anyone elses opinion & just do what you feel comfortable with :-k

To those who think this attitude is wrong i'll say its NOT about resale value & NEVER has been its about the pure joy of creating something thats your own with your own hands & your own skill If you dont understand that then please refrain from attacking someone who does

In answer to the original question ..... YES you can cut the frame behind the shock mounts but not too close i leave a min of one & a half inches behind the mount, you will need to add a brace across between the frame rails in that area to prevent flex, in most cases this will need to be curved for tyre clearance

cheers tone

 

[elevatorman71]

all i know is i love what i have done with my chop job and i am the one riding it so to me thats all that matters and also have had a few compliments to go along with it to!

 

[drhach]

SPYUG makes some very valid points. Cruise ebay, there are tons of guys trying to sell bikes for many thousands of dollars. That's what they spent on them, so that's what they're worth, right?

Another way to look at it might be to understand that you will never, ever sell the bike for what you have in to it. So, that being said, how much do you want to spend on your hobby? Even the guys here with the ultra rare bikes couldn't getr what the rarity of the bikes suggests that it "should" be worth. I seem to remember a number like 600 GS1000S bikes imported in 1979. 30 years later, how many are left? Yet, they aren't fetching 10's of thousands of dollars.

It does suck not being able to change something back. I have a really hard time making irreversible changes. In the end though, do what you want and post lots of pictures.

 

[midnightcafe]

good thread, I was considering cutting the subframe behind the shock mounts on my 79 750L, but I didn't even know what style bike i wanted to emulate. Cafe but no, I want something comfortable(drag bars? superbike bars?) with an upright riding position (rearset conversion).

Anyone have a custom single seat on their bikes without hacking the rear end off?