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anyone do true rigid conversions??

  • Thread starter Thread starter gunbunny119
  • Start date Start date
G

gunbunny119

Guest
hello,

Looking to have a 78 GS750 converted to rigid for a vintage replica project. I don't want to do a strut rigid, but a true rigid conversion. These are done everywhere for Honda CBs and Yamaha XSs, but nobody is really doing them for zukes.

I've seen some people do conversions, but none that would convert someone else's frame.

That being said, do any of you do this work or know of a shop that they can recommend?

thanks folks,
Vince
gunbunny119
 
Maybe a search thru the forums. I seem to remember something from a few weeks before Christmas with lotsa pix about someone modifying their frame to make it a true rigid. As for me, until I can weld better, with better equipment (no capital right now) I'll stick with my strut replaces shock idea. It looks good and is incredibly strong.
 
I think that the reasons that a lot of people won't do this conversion for somebody else because of legal reasons. GunBunny where are you from.
 
from Kansas City originally, currently in Fort Hood, TX (central TX).

there are a lot of shops that do hardtail conversions on hondas and yammys, but a shortage of people who work with zuke frames. Maybe it's because the layout of the zuke frame is unique and requires a bit more thought/work. I have pics of a zuke rigid I saw online, but that was a all-out old school chopper. I just want a vintage style rigid.
 
Gunbunny, do you be an 0811 or 13B???? When I lived in the Jackson, MS area, there was a custom bike builder that was gonna do a full conversion for me after I rode with the struts for a while and decided whether or not i could still handle the hard tail......cc
 
ccoale said:
Gunbunny, do you be an 0811 or 13B???? When I lived in the Jackson, MS area, there was a custom bike builder that was gonna do a full conversion for me after I rode with the struts for a while and decided whether or not i could still handle the hard tail......cc
Click to expand...

13B all the way. Not that they let us fire howitzers anymore. (Hell, they barely let us shoot 5.56 rounds-we're just smiling, waving target practice I guess.) Now every combat unit is getting infantry assignments. My last trip I was running convoy gun trucks in Western Iraq (Anbar prov.) and this time we get a l100% foot patrol mission. this trip just may be my most exciting one yet. At least during the initial strike I got to throw some arty rounds with 101..none since though.

Since I'm going vintage style I can't sell the rigid short, I have to go full rigid. I'm going to go with a spring seat with a seat shock made out of a mountain bike shock. It should be pretty fun.

I've seen some GSs that have the sportster weld-on hardtail conversion. I'm also seeing a lot of GSs that go to single backbone which I would like to do.
 
gunbunny119 said:
13B all the way. Not that they let us fire howitzers anymore. (Hell, they barely let us shoot 5.56 rounds-we're just smiling, waving target practice I guess.) Now every combat unit is getting infantry assignments. My last trip I was running convoy gun trucks in Western Iraq (Anbar prov.) and this time we get a l100% foot patrol mission. this trip just may be my most exciting one yet. At least during the initial strike I got to throw some arty rounds with 101..none since though.

Since I'm going vintage style I can't sell the rigid short, I have to go full rigid. I'm going to go with a spring seat with a seat shock made out of a mountain bike shock. It should be pretty fun.

I've seen some GSs that have the sportster weld-on hardtail conversion. I'm also seeing a lot of GSs that go to single backbone which I would like to do.
Click to expand...

My father is an amazing chassis man and we're both pretty welders. If you're looking to do something custom and no one else will do it for you then I'm sure we could work something out. I would do it more for fun than anything and think that no matter what you want...it can be done. PM me if you're really interested. I'll shoot you some fun credentials.
 
Man I tried but I just can't find the link I wanted to show you. Basically its just a little do it yourself site on how this guy turned his Honda rigid. Obviously not a zuki but it still has the same fundamentals. Basically what he did was he set the ride height to its optimum.... uhm well to optimum with the swingarm, and them welded the frame tubing to the hole where the axle passes through. He then removed the swingarm and welded the lower tubr of the frame to the axle hole. So basically the rear geometry and ride height were already set. I wouldn't know if the whole vintage aspect would look different from the usual hardtail setup but i think it would atleast give you some ideas to think about on how to do it.

Useless without pics I know, sorry
 
Ive done a few hartail chassis both conversions & full frames, its pretty much where i started with modifying bikes in the early 80's, i'm a bit far away to help with the job i know but am here to give some pointers if needed :-D
 
gunbunny119 said:
from Kansas City originally, currently in Fort Hood, TX (central TX).

there are a lot of shops that do hardtail conversions on hondas and yammys, but a shortage of people who work with zuke frames. Maybe it's because the layout of the zuke frame is unique and requires a bit more thought/work. I have pics of a zuke rigid I saw online, but that was a all-out old school chopper. I just want a vintage style rigid.
Click to expand...

Well...it's just welding. What difference does it make what kind of frame it is?
 
Commodus said:
Well...it's just welding. What difference does it make what kind of frame it is?
Click to expand...

My guess is guys don't want to do a bike they're not familiar with, what with all the lawsuits.

who knows, I've just had a few shops tell me they've never done one so they turn the job down.

If i knew anything about welding, I'd be doing it myself. someday.
 
Ironriot said:
Man I tried but I just can't find the link I wanted to show you. Basically its just a little do it yourself site on how this guy turned his Honda rigid. Obviously not a zuki but it still has the same fundamentals. Basically what he did was he set the ride height to its optimum.... uhm well to optimum with the swingarm, and them welded the frame tubing to the hole where the axle passes through. He then removed the swingarm and welded the lower tubr of the frame to the axle hole. So basically the rear geometry and ride height were already set. I wouldn't know if the whole vintage aspect would look different from the usual hardtail setup but i think it would atleast give you some ideas to think about on how to do it.

Useless without pics I know, sorry
Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense...I can visualize it.

makes me wish I knew how to weld. Customizing bikes without knowing how to weld just doesn't seem right. I plan to take the course at the local CC then look into a basic mig kit someday.
 
m_db04c0777bf1c0e9c35b20df4f208e4e.jpg




This is my 1980 gs550 that is a true rigid. It has been raked and extended.I can email you a bigger pic if interested.
 
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