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85 GS550L Bobber

  • Thread starter Thread starter CPT America
  • Start date Start date
CPT, I just noticed the new rider pegs. VERY slick! You got any close up pics of how ya mounted them??
 
CPT, I just noticed the new rider pegs. VERY slick! You got any close up pics of how ya mounted them??
Thanks! Not yet, but I'll get some soon. I actually originally just shimmed both sides of the peg with washers but the mounting tabs aren't as long as the stock ones so the pegs were rotating a little past the point where they should lock. I ended up using a cutoff wheel and chopping the mounting tabs off the stock pegs, then sectioning out the underside to allow them to slide over the Avon pegs mounting tab. I used a light coat of gorilla glue to set them in place then pinned them together. once I get them all cleaned up and get some satin black paint thrown on them I'll snap pics of the pegs up close and mounted.

On another note, I started painting the rear wheel last night, and painted the brake light housing as well. Oh........and my West Eagle seat came in so I got the hairpin springs mounted to it and fabbed a custom front mount, then set new mounting points on the cross brace to accept the seat. Other than that I mounted an LED "2nd brakelight" on the underside of the fender, and installed the Drag Specialties mini speedo. All I have left to do is finish the wheel, and hook up the electrics for the speedo light and extra brake light. Pics are coming....here's teh seat and springs for now....
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Nice! BTW, what ya doin with the old seat and springs?
Thanks! I don't have any plans for the seat and springs yet. I'll also have the tank for sale in a couple more weeks once I get the 3.1 gallon replacement. You looking for some bobber parts?
 
Okay so the rear wheel is painted, West Eagle seat and new hairpin springs installed and the mini speedo is on...:-k
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Unfortunately I haven't been able to solve the front brake issue since the caliper I picked up won't line up on the forks properly, so I'm about to grab a rotor, entire front brake assembly w/master cylinder, and a fork/triple setup for an 81 GS550L off the bay. I'll be into everything including the wheel for under $200 and the nice thing is no bearing conversion needed since the bearings are the same for the 81 and 85!:pray:
 
That bike is looking sick man.. really digging it. I am however curious about how well you sit on it. looks like the legs would be a little cramped. got any pics of you on it or someone prettier.. wink wink...
 
That bike is looking sick man.. really digging it. I am however curious about how well you sit on it. looks like the legs would be a little cramped. got any pics of you on it or someone prettier.. wink wink...

Hahaha, no pics of me or anyone prettier sitting on it, but I'll see what I can do over the weekend so you can get an idea. It honestly isn't too bad, but then again I'm 5'8". I will say there's virtually no pressure/pain in your knees as the seat supports pretty much all your weight. I'm in love with the West Eagle seat, it's a drastic improvement over the one that was on there, and that rear lip does wonders for keeping me from sliding into the fender on takeoffs!!:D
 
Looking badass CPT! Got the part# and link for that speedo? What is the ratio for our bikes?
 
Looking badass CPT! Got the part# and link for that speedo? What is the ratio for our bikes?

Thanks Castle. I think our bikes speedo ratio is 1:4. Unfortunately I don't have the part # for the speedo. It's a Drag Specialties mini analog speedometer. They're plentiful on eBay, you'll just need to get one from someone who knows the ratio.
 
Redneck, it is actually better to ride a rigid with you legs under versus splayed out front. Your legs take the road shock versus your back.The way his is set up is similar to mine. No back or knee problems at all. My ass just gets sore on long rides from my small seat, or my big ass. whichever
 
52mm pods:
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new Metz MU 90-16 wide white wall:
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.....and I got the front brake issue resolved and now have a working front brake. Next step is to attempt to locate the front brake light switch wiring in the factory wiring harness so I don't have to tap the rear brake to get the brake light as I'm applying the front brake. I'll be prepping/painting the lower fork legs satin black in the next couple weeks, and getting a new headlight assembly in satin black too. More pics to follow.
 
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Too bad ya don't have a white wall front tire. But DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!! If i were to cut my frame and hardtail it, mine would look very similar and white. Great job.
 
Too bad ya don't have a white wall front tire. But DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!! If i were to cut my frame and hardtail it, mine would look very similar and white. Great job.
Thanks!

I'm contemplating trying to drop a new motor/tranny setup in it after this riding season. I keep leaning toward picking up a bandit 600 motor/tranny and electrics and sticking it in there. I need to get ahold of someone with a bandit so I can get some measurements and look at the mounting point in relationship to my frame and also try and see how much of a PITA it'll be to get the sprockets lined up. I was about a half second away from buying an 05 Gixxer 600 motor and "figuring out" how to make it work, but decided I didn't want to just rush out and buy a motor until I'm sure it's worth doing. Although a gixxer 600 motor would be a lot of fun and probably catch a few folks off guard stoplight to stoplight.:dancing:
 
That would be really cool man. My dad actually has a complete 550L motor and trans (complete, outta the frame) he might sell if you're interested. I believe its out of a 78.
 
About the pods, did you just clamp them to the boots?

Can I ask what brand pods?
 
About the pods, did you just clamp them to the boots?

Can I ask what brand pods?
They're the EMGO 52mm pods. I picked up 2 muffler pipe reducers from Autozone 2.5"-2" then cut off the excess. I trimmed the inside of my factory boots to smooth it out, then used an adhesive and muffler clamp to lock the reducer in place in the boot. After that I just slipped the pods on the reducers and clamped them in place. I am having issues now with starting it because the pods flow freely, but I've found if i wrap a shop towel around one pod to crank it then it's fine. I was just reading about trying to stuff some filter foam on the inside of the pod to add some restriction to it. I'll eaither try that or I'll pick up a set of K&N filter wraps and use it on the outside of the pods. I need to look at the vent hose situation too to see if I need to remove/reroute them as well. I wish K&N made a stage 3 jet kit for my bike.
 
I wish K&N made a stage 3 jet kit for my bike.

They do. I have an 85 L as well. K&N makes a stage 3 kit for the 83-85 GS550e, which is the identical TSCC 574cc engine and siamesed carbs as the GS550L. The reason they don't have it listed for the L is because the airbox, jetting, and exhaust is different on the stock L. This would make a difference in the stage 1 kit. However, stage 3 replaces jets and assumes pods + free flowing exhaust, which puts us on the same page as the GS550E AFAICT.
 
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They do. I have an 85 L as well. K&N makes a stage 3 kit for the 83-85 GS550e, which is the identical TSCC 574cc engine and siamesed carbs as the GS550L. The reason they don't have it listed for the L is because the airbox, jetting, and exhaust is different on the stock L. This would make a difference in the stage 1 kit. However, stage 3 replaces jets and assumes pods + free flowing exhaust, which puts us on the same page as the GS550E AFAICT.

I was meaning DynoJet.:-# But I have a feeling that's what you're referring to. That rocks then! Off to source that kit. Thanks!:dancing: $125.99 on DJ's website. Looks like I know where part of my paycheck on the 15th is going.

The pods were pretty easy and cheap to do. I think all total I have less than $25 in them.
 
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