'80 GS550L to Cafe Racer

[Colorado CJ]

I used carpet padding because it is what I had on hand. The Neoprene foam is usually too soft for me and I get real sore real quick. I've found that a firmer seat works better for me. Also, the upholsterer is adding some top foam before she fits the cover, so that will give some cushion with a firmer cushion underneath.

As far as mildew, I live where the average rainfall is about 7 inches per year. Humidity is only around 5%-15% on average, VERY DRY. So I shouldn't have any problems with it.

This is also not my daily ride. It will be for short rides through the mountains and hops around town, not much long rides where I'll be having to contend with rain.

 

[Colorado CJ]

This is a great looking cafe project! Any thoughts on how you are gonna attach the seat to the pan?

There are locater holes in the seat that fit over bolts that hold the tail to the frame.

When I place the seat on the tail, it can't move side to side at all. So, I'm going to use some 3M industrial strength outdoor velcro to hold the seat to the pan.

It doesn't sound too secure, but I've used the industrial velcro over the years in other applications and it holds EXTREMELY well. A couple of feet of the Velcro on the seat will hold it in place very well. It will actually be very hard to remove when and if I need to take the tail off for some reason.

 

[Smokinapankake]

That leading axle fork looks odd to me. Don't know what your options might be there, but it looks strange. Otherwise very nice looking transformation. Really like the seat/tailsection. Also really like hiding the electrics under the tank. Most cafe conversions hide that stuff in the rear.
My opinion is that it needs some sort of rear fender. Not just for weather protection but to visually fill in the space between the rear and the tire.

Just my .02; looking good so far!

 

[Tim Tom]

I've used various 3M super duty double stick tape and velco. You shouldn't have too much on an issue with holding

I like the absence of a rear fender, the lines your bum stop make are really nice.

The other thing that would really set this build off is a set of wire wheels. That would be clutch.

 

[Colorado CJ]

Yeah, I'd like to find a set of forks and triple trees from a regular GS to install. I might look on ebay or here for a cheap set.

As far as the tail, no way will I put a fender on there! That would wreck the lines of the tail. Also, who heard of a cafe racer with a big rear fender?

I'd like also to find a set of GS 1000 wire wheels. On the video I first posted, I think that is what that guy is using.

 

[Smokinapankake]

Maybe not a fender per se, but something. It just looks to my eye like the back wheel sticks too far out or something. Not really sure how to articulate what I'm seeing. Not very helpful, I know.

I've been thinking I'd like to build a cafe but that is way down on my list of priorities right now. Besides, I don't think I could do it justice like you guys are.....

 

[Tim Tom]

So I was looking through the pictures you put up in your flickr albums and I started thinking about some things.

I wonder I you couldn't lower the forks and mount a set of clip ons above the trees. Might look cleaner and make that leading axle not so stand out-ish. Not sure how this would affect handling, but I've seen people do it before.

The other thing I'm wondering about is the exhaust. You gonna re-use the stockers or go for a 4-1 route? If you went 4-1 you could cut off the frame that goes back there to hold the stock mufflers in place, visually & physically lighten the lower rear of the bike.

Just some things I was curious about. I really like this build.

(PS the pictures in your flikr are awesome, looks just like my dog )

 

[Colorado CJ]

I could get a set of clip-ons, but I'd rather spend the money on a proper set of forks/triple trees. I actually like the look/feel of the Clubman bars. They look a little more old school compared to clip-ons to me. I just need to save up enough money to buy a set of decent forks.

As far as the exhaust goes, I'd REALLY like to get some 4-into-1 pipes for this bike. I have a wanted add in the wanted section on this site for a set. But like everything else, I am making this project on a shoestring budget (only spent $25.00 so far!). So, I'm going to just weld a set of shorty's on the stock 4-into-2 pipes for right now and save for a decent 4-into-1 setup.

I'll be cutting those stock exhaust hangers off of the frame right away, I don't like how they look and I want to shave as much weight as possible off of the bike. I already shaved near 80 lbs off of the bike so far!

Thanks about the pictures. A couple of my other hobbies are photography and hiking, so that is what is mostly posted on my flikr account.

Yeah, I like my dog, she's a great dog and is a real sweetheart. Many look at her and think she is mean, but just the opposite. She is also a real scardy-cat, and wouldn't hurt a fly.

 

[toofastforclarkson]

Any update on this one?

 

[Colorado CJ]

Not today, didn't work on the bike. I'll probably be working on it tomorrow though since it will be raining most of the day and I can't work when it is raining (I work outdoors).

 

[Tim Tom]

Any progress on the bike? Curious minds want to know

 

[Flyboy]

Looking good, are you going to cut off the frames on the sides, that carried the rear foot pegs?
Maybe make up a bracket to mount the number plate on the side, low down, off the swing arm, a nice small little plate.
Just a thought.

 

[Colorado CJ]

No updates yet. I had a couple of jobs come in so haven't had any time to work on the bike for a few days.

Flyboy, yeah, I'll be cutting off the tubing that held the mufflers on. I've also seen a couple of examples of some swingarm mounted plates and that will probably be what I'll do.

 

[Colorado CJ]

Well, its been going slow for a little while now. All I have done is cut off the back tubing that supported the pillion pegs and mufflers.

I DID get the seat back from the upholsterers though. It looks great! I also blasted the seatpan in order to start bondo/paint.

Here are a couple of pictures:

 

[Tim Tom]

That seat looks awesome! The whole bike looks great, I love the stance of it, it looks like it's topping the ton standing still. Great work :clap:

 

[Colorado CJ]

That seat looks awesome! The whole bike looks great, I love the stance of it, it looks like it's topping the ton standing still. Great work :clap:

Thanks! Yeah, it's starting to come together nicely.

I'm wondering about the color scheme now. I was going to paint everything black, even the engine (polish the fins though).

Now I'm wondering how burnt orange metallic on all the tin, and black for the frame, engine and fork legs would look.

All black is ok, but it might be TOO plain on the bike.

 

[Tim Tom]

Orange would look good on the tank and tail yeah. I kinda like the silver engine though. I think a black engine in a black frame kinda takes away from the 'look at my engine!' phenomena that accompanies the 4 pot GS's. Just my opinion.
Another option could be silver bodywork with some sort of orange graphics, stripes or numbers or whatever. Something about a silver cafe just looks rights somehow

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Hellayshish good looking cafe'! Really like the unique seat and personally I have always liked clubmans better than clip-ons.

 

[Colorado CJ]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments. Although I've built other things in the past, this is my first bike build. I'll both be glad when it is over (so I can ride it) and sad at the same time. I'll probably have to have a bike to build from now on, its just too much fun. Luckily you can find them on Craigslist pretty cheap!

Well, my shorty mufflers came in today so I welded them up to the headers. I really like the look of the shorty cans, but I may still go with a 4 into 1 in the future since they sound so much better.

Tomorrow I'll sandblast and paint the headers/mufflers with some high temp ceramic header paint. I'll post a couple of pics tomorrow when I'm done with them.

 

[Colorado CJ]

Today I sandblasted and painted the headers/mufflers with some high temp ceramic header paint. They are hanging up in my storage shed drying.





Note: sorry for the mess, this is just a storage shed next to my shop