Weasel's 1978 GS750 cafe racer project

[tkent02]

Powdercoating is cheap on new and clean parts, shipping and a good six pack or two. I can do a mean gloss black. Looks like it's a little late for that.

 

[Weasel]

Yeah I messed around for a month trying to find some. Too bad you didn't see this earlier. Oh well, there's plenty of brushed aluminum left on the bike to tie the spokes into. As said, I'm pretty happy with how the wheels turned out.

 

[Weasel]

Final disassembly and frame goes to powder coat this week.

Had quite a few stubborn bolts but nothing a little heat can't fix.

Was surprised to find the rear motor mount bolt bent...

And the mystery was solved quickly, there was no bolt in the front motor mount. In fact, there were several motor mount bolts missing. And this thing had been ridden that way, the front chain sprocket cover was loaded with grease & road grime. Scary the things POs can do to bikes. I'm pretty sure that "extra" motor I got was the original.

 

[Weasel]

The stands have to come off and some clean up is in order but otherwise the frame is ready for powder coat.

 

[steve murdoch]

Missing motor mount bolts should have made for an "interesting" ride.
The original Flexi-Flyer.

 

[Weasel]

Missing motor mount bolts should have made for an "interesting" ride.
The original Flexi-Flyer.

Ha ha! No question!

I got the helmet lock & seat hinge tabs cut off, ground down and filed clean last night before bed. I also cut the ends of the frame that would stick out beyond my seat pan. I took the frame outside and hit it with some degreaser and left it overnight. Looks like I still need a quick power wash to get the stubborn grease and road grime off the bottom of the frame before heading to the powder coaters.

 

[Weasel]

What a turnaround & what a difference! Time to start reassembly. Should all start to come together now for anyone out there still following along. Some parts are beyond service or repair so I need to start shopping & getting parts flowing in again.

 

[Guest]

Looking great! Did you just go with a full gloss black on the frame? I had my swingarm done in 60% gloss, so I plan on doing that with the frame as well. I kind of wish I went full gloss though, it looks nice.

 

[Weasel]

Thanks. Yes, regular gloss black on the frame, swingarm & stands. Engine covers & a few other parts got matte/flat.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Looking good!


Ed

 

[Zagg]

Been awhile man... What's the latest?

 

[Chuck78]

Well hopefully he's been busy riding it!

I have been wondering the same thing myself lately, figured as always happens to me, life got busy and everything else got in the way. This is going to be a great-looking bike though.

 

[Weasel]

Sorry guys, this is a winter project and it went on the back burner to the farm and house chores in the spring and summer. Should be resuming work after the Christmas season. Got tons of stuff powder coated and stock piled some new parts. Lots of assembly ahead.

 

[Weasel]

Santa brought some much needed bits. Got a fork damper valve set to upgrade the suspension. Waiting on a few o-rings & oil seal stoppers then I can get the forks reassembled. I'll be putting new bearings in the front wheel and getting that completely reassembled and ready today. Not happy about winter being here but it's nice to have time to get back to my winter project LOL.

 

[Weasel]

Got the new front wheel bearings in and the rest of the bits on to complete the front wheel. Going cross eyed polishing all these bolts. Looking forward to getting the front end all together once I get the rest of the fork o-rings & tires.

 

[Weasel]

Chuck I ended up going with the Progressive 412 shocks. Got a heck of a deal, couldn't pass them up for $184.99 & free shipping. Hoping to get my tires next week. Should have a rolling chassis soon.

 

[Zagg]

Still following! Lookin' great!

 

[Weasel]

Thanks Zagg. I'm not crazy about winter but it does give me a few months of free time on the schedule. No reason I shouldn't have her ready for spring this year.

 

[Weasel]

Had to send the Progressive shocks back. They sent me the wrong ones. The dealer I dealt with was unable to figure out which ones to exchange so I just got my money back. I've been in touch with Hagon and they have a set for me for $219.00.

 

[Weasel]

I got the forks sorted, rebuilt and put back on the bike. I added the damper valve set and replaced the top springs. Looking forward to seeing how they handle.