1981 GS450 resto-mod fighter/cafe/whatever...

[Guest]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqGoJ9cv1Qc

Hadn't even gotten the can attached when I shot it.

Still unsure I like it how it is, prolly going to end up making it turn up, just about the same angle as the pass peg when it's folded up. As it is now, I think the potential for it to hit the ground is pretty good. Not too severe of a lean to make that happen.

I was just going to say the same thing actually

It looks to me that the mid pipe needs to be extended by maybe 2 inches underneath the engine there which may allow that to bend up a little to follow the line of the frame, and will then allow the can to be bent up along the line of the passenger peg as you say. Make sense? Just my 2 cents anyway...

 

[Billy T.]

yeah, that makes sense... I was thinking I would just put a small bend right where the muffler attaches. It has to stay where its at till that part or it will hit the brake pedal pivot. Hard to tell from that shot, but it runs right under it.

 

[Guest]

Aaaah I get ya, yeah that makes it a tad difficult, but a bend where you say should do the job nicely I would think.

 

[Billy T.]

Took some steps forward, then big step back...

Wasn't enjoying the ride with the clip-ons, so I put the stock front end back on till I can work out my front wheel and bar clamps on the GSXR front... Gotta admit, I'm really liking it just like this:

I may end up saving the GSXR front for another project. Got the exhaust sorted too.

Then, literally the next day, part of the restrictor I had in my filter, so I could ride till I got my new mains, got sucked into the engine.

Head and jugs are off right now, and nothing looks too worse for wear. You can tell something banged around in there, but the valves appear to be straight and the ringlands are 100%. Waiting on a couple of gaskets then it is going back together. If the engine doesn't pull through this, then I'll be looking at either a 500 or GR650 swap. No sense putting another 450 in there Gotta find a bright side to a screw up that I can't blame on anyone but myself. Live and learn, I suppose...

 

[Tim Tom]

The bike looks nice. Bummer about that bit being sucked in the engine though.

If you didn't like the ride with the clip on's you could always mount the risers from the stock triple to the GSXR triple. Then you could run whatever type handlebars you like and still have the beefy forks. There was a great 450 build on here a while back that did that, the result was very cool.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=163012&page=11

Post 146 has a decent picture of the risers on the GSXR top tree.

 

[Guest]

Mate the pipe looks great now, and I gotta say that front end is perfect. Looking at it now in comparison, the USD one is too bulky IMHO...

I hope the engine's ok after that, would be nice to see it finished still with the 450 in it, not enough 450 builds around

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

I may end up saving the GSXR front for another project.

If you end up not saving it for another project, I want it .

The bike looks great! Keep it up.

 

[Billy T.]

Thanks fellas! Gaskets should be here today or tomorrow, then fingers crossed

 

[Billy T.]

If you end up not saving it for another project, I want it .

This is a possibility also... shipping will suck, though...

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

This is a possibility also... shipping will suck, though...

I've shipped a GS450 front end before. It was everything except the handlebars. I had to do it in 2 boxes; One for the rim and one for the complete front end. Cost me around $80 to ship both in separate boxes via UPS. I also let them package it up for me which cost an extra $20.

 

[Billy T.]

I've got 400 in it(not including the 100 bucks worth of gas I spent to go pick it up ). Tire is good, pads are brand new and I just replaced the seals and dust caps. The only thing I would suggest it needs is a drain and fill on the oil. I only put about 330ml per side to make it work better for a lighter bike. 487ml is spec. It also has a small bend on the front wheel, which I never felt while riding.

So 400 plus ship and I would put some serious thought into it.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

I've got 400 in it(not including the 100 bucks worth of gas I spent to go pick it up ). Tire is good, pads are brand new and I just replaced the seals and dust caps. The only thing I would suggest it needs is a drain and fill on the oil. I only put about 330ml per side to make it work better for a lighter bike. 487ml is spec. It also has a small bend on the front wheel, which I never felt while riding.

So 400 plus ship and I would put some serious thought into it.

That's a deal. I need to round up some money first .

 

[Billy T.]

cool. Hit me up via pm when you are ready for it. It's not going anywhere.

 

[Billy T.]

Engine seems to have survived. Still waiting on the valve cover gasket so I just let it run for a few seconds. No rattles knocks or other funny noises. Only time will tell if it stays together. I am pretty optimistic at this point.

 

[Guest]

Excellent, that's a good start

 

[Billy T.]

20 miles on the rebuild with no issues.

Riding it to work tomorrow, 40 miles round trip ray:

ha ha.

 

[Guest]

Mate that's good news indeed!

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

AWESOME! Good luck to you

 

[Midwest FZ Rider]

This is a pretty cool build you have going here, I am working on something similar with my GS 425L something for urban assault purposes. I particularly like the exhaust. I assume you had to lose the center stand for that?

 

[Billy T.]

Nope, center stand still works. Only real downside to it is that oil drains on to it during changes. It isn't right under the drain, but close. I guess I could lean the bike a little to the right and it would be a non issue.