'80 GS550L to Cafe Racer

[Krunk_Kracker]

The pegs are in the stock location. I'm a big guy at 6'4" so I don't think rearsets will work for me. I've sat on the bike and tried to place my feet where rearsets would be, and I felt much more cramped than I did with the stock pegs.

The bars are much more forward and lower than the originals, but again, I'm a big guy, so that actually makes it more comfortable for me because I can stretch out a little.

I really don't have to lean too much forward. I might try to take a picture tomorrow of me in riding position and post it if you'd like to see if they'd work for ya.

That would be great if you wouldn't mind. The downfall of building a bike on a budget is I can't afford to keep buying parts until I find what I like, so seeing as much info about something before I buy is a great help.

 

[Redneck]

Man the bike looks great. I like the shorty mufflers. They really work well with the bike. Congrats.

Paul

 

[Colorado CJ]

That would be great if you wouldn't mind. The downfall of building a bike on a budget is I can't afford to keep buying parts until I find what I like, so seeing as much info about something before I buy is a great help.

Here it is. No making fun now

 

[Krunk_Kracker]

Thanks!! I appreciate you taking the time to do that for me.

Are they ebay bars? I think I may order them...the drags I want are $17 and you said yours were $27, I think I can do that.

 

[Tim Tom]

The shorty exhaust looks awesome on there. I really like the whole look of this build. It looks like the standard pegs will suit you just fine

 

[Colorado CJ]

The bars are Bikemaster Clubmans. You can get them from pretty much any online bike shop. Here is the link to them at Motorcycle superstore: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/68/4917/ITEM/Bikemaster-Clubman-Handlebar.aspx You can get them from most other places as well.

I ordered mine through my local custom bike shop for the same price and I didn't have to pay shipping.

 

[Colorado CJ]

Thought I'd add this here:

GS 550E Forks/Triples Wanted I need some cheap forks that will fit on a GS 550. I have "L" model forks/triples now and want to switch over the "E" model forks/triples for my build.

Anyone have any? Do just 550 forks fit, or are there other models that will fit?

 

[ptexotik]

just freakin' AWEsome!!!

 

[Colorado CJ]

Thanks everyone. Man I'm getting excited to get this thing done! Can't wait to ride it through the canyons.

 

[Krunk_Kracker]

Thanks everyone. Man I'm getting excited to get this thing done! Can't wait to ride it through the canyons.

I vote that you get a helmet cam for that ride

 

[Flyboy]

You do good work there, it is looking super sweet.
I hope you plan on putting a fork brace onto those forks, otherwise that canyon ride could get real interesting, these bikes had the fork brace incorporated into the front mud gaurd, witout it the forks will walk.
I think a nice polished aluminium fork brace would look killer on it.

 

[Colorado CJ]

Yeah, I'll probably make a fork brace, or use the original fender mount, not sure yet.

Speaking of forks, I just won a set of '82 GS550 katana forks and triple tree for $50.00 shipped on ebay.

These forks look like they are in very good condition. They also have air adjust, so they are a pretty good upgrade compared to the stock.

Those leading axle forks had to go!

 

[Smokinapankake]

Very Cool! Be interesting to see how the new forks fit. As I understand it, the L models had a different offset in the triple clamps, so you couldn't just throw in some different forks. This may be true only for the bigger displacement models; I don't know.
But you got the triples too, so no worries. They should just bolt right in.
While you're in there, be sure to inspect and regrease the head bearings. The get a lot of gunk thrown at them.
Just sayin'...

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Ya know, I been wondering about the leading axel forks... Pro's and Con's that is.
Was there something other than cosmetics that made you wan't to ditch them?
Surely there was a reason for them on our L's originally. Suppose it was a straight line "Cruiser" thing?

 

[Colorado CJ]

Yeah, I believe that the leading axle forks made for a more "stable" ride. Good for cruising in a straight line, but not so good for a sport bike riding alot of twisties (which this bike will be doing mostly).

I do have the triple tree coming, so it should make this bike just like the E model. Except these forks were off of a katana, so they are better dampened and have air adjustablity.

Also, they just look more the part of a race bike compared to the leading axle forks.

 

[Guest]

as far as i know, GS bikes with leading axle forks also had a small increase in the forks (triple tree) angle (to give more of a chopper look) so the leading axle design was introduced to compensate for that increase angle, so drveabillity would not be compromised

 

[Flyboy]

As far as I can figure, the triple clamps have nothing to do with rake, the rake is built into the steering head on the frame.
Have a look at your bottom triple, you will see the shaft is fitted 90 degrees, perpendicular to the actual T, so it make no difference what T you use, a "G", "E", "L" they all the same, the shaft is fitted 90 degrees to the T.

The only way of changing the rake would be to cut the head loose, reposition and weld it all back up again, or more easily, by changing the length of the forks, longer forks would lift the front of the bike, effectivly giving more rake and shorter forks would lower the front end, effectivly giving less rake.
This of course can also be achieved by reposioning the forks higher or lower in the triple clamps, to a point.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Ya see thats exactly what I am talking about... If you were to draw a line from the triple through the center line of the front axel, a leading fork would be more of a rake not less to "compensate for that increase angle" if the chopper look was because of an angel built into the triple trees.
Sorry to hijack, guess I need to start searching the topic. The manual does show two different castor angles for an E and an L.

 

[Flyboy]

Correct, leading edge fork = more rake, hense you want the standard forks on the Cafe Racer to bring that rake back in a bit, but whether you fitted them to the "L" tee's or to the "E" tees, would make no difference in the change of rake, you would be effecting change purely due to moving the axle itself from ahead of the fork to under the fork.................easy peasy see, no mess, no fuss, clear as mud.

 

[Colorado CJ]

On with the project. I started rewiring the bike last night. Everything is mounted to a 3/16" aluminum plate under the tank. Just enough room for everything including a 4-cell LiFE battery (just to the right of the rectifier.

I only got a few wires shortened/connected last night. I'm using very low resistance r/c connectors for most connections.