1983 GS 650G Full Size Caf? Project

[Mop Bucket]

Nice paint job! I'm diggin the white (my 650 is lol). Can't wait to see it all together.

Thanks, have any pictures? Sounds like an interesting build, single seated and all.

I purchased a few more things for the build, retro turn signals, White retro grips and some accent lights. I went shopping instead of sanding. Since i am supposed to wait 7 days after painting. I cant wait to finish. Still have some electrical and seat to do. Oh, I keep looking at my not so sparkly other parts and the urge to tear down the bike and paint is growing. Don't know if I have the will power to stop.

 

[AF_Bill]

My pics are in this section. Check out "Broken Promise" and it shows a few pics of my progress. I haven't done anything lately because of deployments and my other project/currently running bike.

 

[spyug]

Nice job. Well conceived and executed and I too am looking forward to seeing the finished product.

On that note, I also think you need to tear her down and clean, polish and paint the engine, forks, wheels and frame. It would be a shame to hang all the nice new 'tins" on the dingy frame.

When I do a build, I start with the frame and engine and work "outward". The bodywork is the last to get done. Admittedly its a lot more work but the end result looks a lot more complete to me.

Good luck with the rest of the build whatever you decide to do.

Cheers,
spyug

 

[Mop Bucket]

On that note, I also think you need to tear her down and clean, polish and paint the engine, forks, wheels and frame. It would be a shame to hang all the nice new 'tins" on the dingy frame.

When I do a build, I start with the frame and engine and work "outward". The bodywork is the last to get done. Admittedly its a lot more work but the end result looks a lot more complete to me.

Good luck with the rest of the build whatever you decide to do.

Cheers,
spyug

You know wrenching is addictive?! Thanks, you just added a couple more months to the build. I totally agree that it needs to be stripped down and every time I look at the speedo and battery box and a few other places my hands shake. I was going to wait until this or next winter or when I retire to paint and polish. Just like I was going to wait until winter to paint. :lol: Now...

 

[Mop Bucket]

Finished the paint! They are ok for my first attempt. I learned a lot and I think next time it will go a lot faster and look a bit better. I had to post on paint since I sanded and started buffing and it looked like crap. Here is the thread Here. Now it is decent and semi glossy. Almost done with the tins and seat. Still trying to find marine grade leather for the tail and maybe foam.

Still have to finish the following seat, eletrical, complete tear down and paint and polish parts

 

[Guest]

Thats looking VERY good!

May I suggest though a shortened rear mudgard would give it a more sporty look... imho...

 

[Mop Bucket]

Thats looking VERY good!

May I suggest though a shortened rear mudgard would give it a more sporty look... imho...

You may I have pulled the fender and does look better. I am hoping to use the bike for a daily commuter and the fender will go along way in keeping me dry, not that it rains much in the desert. Plus it will keep the bike legal in 49 states. Don't think in Califorina any bike is legal now days.

I am taking a break for awhile. The bike isn't running right after putting it back together so time to regroup and do other things.

 

[Guest]

Mate it looks great! I had my concerns that the tail piece would be too big, but now it's painted and together it flows real well.

The only thing is what psyguy already said and what you're looking at which is that rear guard...

 

[Erki]

Looks awesome. great work.

 

[Guest]

the fender will go along way in keeping me dry

i would think that given the width of the rear cowl and the reg plate, that piece of plastic mudguard wouldnt improve the rain protection that much?

as for being legal, if you were to cut it right under the bottom of the reg plate would that work? it does over here where i live

 

[Mop Bucket]

i would think that given the width of the rear cowl and the reg plate, that piece of plastic mudguard wouldnt improve the rain protection that much?

as for being legal, if you were to cut it right under the bottom of the reg plate would that work? it does over here where i live

The only thing is what psyguy already said and what you're looking at which is that rear guard...

I will think about it, I still have some stuff to do and the seat to finish. I remove the fender I can think of a slick way to mount the plate. Might also go for a different tail light, although the one I got I like the look.

I have been contemplating cutting the rear cover off and re-welding it to get better lines. I mocked up the pieces before I put the rubber feet on the bottom of the seat. I put them on to weld and it changed the look slightly. Also thinking about adding a Suzuki logo to the side of the tank. Something like this:

A few other things I might do is paint the head light bucket and pegs and buy another seat pan for two up riding. Quick release pegs would be nice...

 

[Mop Bucket]

Did some more cosmetic enhancements as I waited for carb dips to finish. Been working on the running issues and almost have them fixed. Seems to be running fine but cylinder #2 I am not sure if it is firing correctly. Added grips and new turn signals up front with pics to come.

Anyways, the speedo/tach and indicator lights had a bad paint job on them so I started sanding them down for paint. Can't decide if I will paint them white or not. I painted the head light bucket and love it. Thinking of these different combos

#1
Dummy lights white/gold strip
Tach/Speedo black

#2
Dummy lights/Tach/speedo white with gold strip over dummy lights

#3
All back except the rims around speedo/tach white

#4
All black

 

[spyug]

I like it just the way it is. Very nice work...well done! Now commence to cleaning up the frame and engine!

Actually ride and enjoy for now. Maybe clean it up over the winter.

Cheers,
spyug

 

[Mop Bucket]

I like it just the way it is. Very nice work...well done! Now commence to cleaning up the frame and engine!

Actually ride and enjoy for now. Maybe clean it up over the winter.

Cheers,
spyug

Can leave it in an OK state... so here is some of what I have been doing while waiting on the carbs and paint.

The bike after cutting the supports so the lines of the tank, seat and tail line up. Re-welding the tail to the seat burned the paint.

Chopped the fender, before

After

Painted the bucket, attempt #1

Taped the speedo and Tach for painting

Should have some more pictures later. Fabbed up another license plate holder for the cut fender and it is waiting for paint. I am still working on wiring for bonus accent brake lights and bling lights under the fenders and tank.

 

[Mop Bucket]

I got most of the electrical done. The rear fender has the extra brake lights and bling lights attached. Attached some more lights to the frame. I also added license plate light bolts to the number placards. The front fender was rusted out pretty bad underneath so I am still working on clean up before I can add the bling lights. Should be soon.

I also need to do one more cut on the rear fender to clean it up a little. My wife sanded down all the parts I am planning to paint so that was a big help. Hoping to paint in the morning... in 3 hours... but I am tired... and might sleep, instead...

Decided on black and white accent. If I did all white it would be too much. The accent should give it a retro feel.

 

[Mop Bucket]

Pictures from last night and this morning.

Paint before

After, sorry blurry

Tear down for lights and paint

Extra under tail section break lights. I am hoping it will give the back section a nice red glow when stopping at night.

This is the extra lighting that will be under each fender and the gas tank. Have the rear fender and gas tank finished. Still need a bit of cleaning to do on the front fender.

And the dirty fender before cleaning. I used a wire brush and rust remover and it is still perty bad. I will need to get the roto zip sander out for the rest. I am thinking of painting under the fender to protect from rust. Not sure if that will help anything.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Circus bike?

Circus bike?

Looking good, until those under fender circus lights showed up.

Too silly for me.

Bill

 

[Mop Bucket]

Here is the finished license plate bracket. The running/turn/brake light mounts to the top, then the license plate, and then I will be putting a reflector at the bottom.

 

[Mop Bucket]

Here are the results after cutting and reattaching the rear tail piece. I had the piece covered but the slag got under the towel. I also added some metal to the seat pan so the lines were straight and there would be something to mount the seat cover on. You can also see on the far left where the heat traveled up the mounting bracket when I welded it back to the seat. I was teetering on repainting and this pushed me over the edge.

Here is gold added to the bucket

 

[Guest]

white/gold looks stunning