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Anyone Turn an "L" Model into a Cafe Racer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Colorado CJ
  • Start date Start date
C

Colorado CJ

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Welll, I have a couple of other bikes to ride now, so it is time to rebuild my '80 GS 550L and turn it into something else. At first I wanted to just build a bobber, but after looking at so many cafe racers, I now want to build a cafe racer.

My only real problem is that it is an "L" model, so the front forks and head angle is different than regular model GS550's.

Has anyone else built an "L" model into a cafe racer? Would it still work to turn an "L" model into one?

I have my heart set on a cafe bike after seeing a GREAT example on youtube. He built his out of a '79 gs550.

Any help would be appreciated!
 
Colorado CJ said:
Welll, I have a couple of other bikes to ride now, so it is time to rebuild my '80 GS 550L and turn it into something else. At first I wanted to just build a bobber, but after looking at so many cafe racers, I now want to build a cafe racer.

My only real problem is that it is an "L" model, so the front forks and head angle is different than regular model GS550's.

Has anyone else built an "L" model into a cafe racer? Would it still work to turn an "L" model into one?

I have my heart set on a cafe bike after seeing a GREAT example on youtube. He built his out of a '79 gs550.

Any help would be appreciated!
Click to expand...


Flaming Chainsaws appears to be doing the same thing to a 450L
same sort fo style maybe his pictorial can help.
 
Why not? My nephew is building one from a Virago 900 for pete's sake.

Besides...

An "L" doesn't feel pain when you cut it up.
 
Yeah, I'm going ahead with it. I wish I could find a gs550 fork set for cheap, although the head angle would still be wrong.

I just about have all the bike apart now. I'll pull the motor tomorrow and start in on grinding all the unnecessary tabs off of the frame.

I should be able to blast/paint the frame and wheels at the beginning of the week.
 
Colorado CJ said:
Welll, I have a couple of other bikes to ride now, so it is time to rebuild my '80 GS 550L and turn it into something else. At first I wanted to just build a bobber, but after looking at so many cafe racers, I now want to build a cafe racer.

Has anyone else built an "L" model into a cafe racer? Would it still work to turn an "L" model into one?
Click to expand...
You Kidding? one of the nicest cafe's on this whole site used to be an L.
check it.
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=156005
 
Here is a pic of my 550L just before I tore it apart for paint. Started as an 80 550L. Now has 550E fork tubes in the L triples, GT380 tank, hand made seat/tail section, and 1000 wheels.
gs550pics009.jpg
 
Just remember, if you change the L forks, get the triple clamps that go with the 'new' forks.

The L forks have the leading axle (what's wrong with using them for a cafe?), but the triple clamps are set up to keep the fork geometry correct. Simply changing the fork tubes will move the axle farther back, adding to "trail", which will stabilize the bike a bit, but make it much harder to steer. Using the proper clamps will offset that and keep the same handling.

.
 
What's the advantage to E forks over L forks? Length? Spring rate? I wouldn't mind dual front brakes...that'd be nice.
 
rangerdanger said:
What's the advantage to E forks over L forks? Length? Spring rate? I wouldn't mind dual front brakes...that'd be nice.
Click to expand...
All I know is that E forks are shorter in length compared to an L. Also, the L's have the leading axle.

Here's my 1980 Suzuki GS450L.
dscn2830s.jpg


All I really did was ditch the unnecessary parts, switch to a 1979 Suzuki GS400 gas tank, got a cafe seat, and painted the rims. Got more plans coming up.
 
Yeah, that bike was my inspiration! Mine won't end up being quite as "clean" as his as I didn't go for the larger tank and seatpan, but I still like the way mine is turning out. Here's an updated picture. I'm riding it around at the moment to see if I need to change anything before the breakdown/paint.

5720109569_593f5fe4cd_b.jpg
 
Hell as soon as Im back up and moving freely from my run in with a deer, the 650 I was on is getting a Cafe/fighter treatment.
 
I think I'll paint the tank, seat pan, frame and wheels gloss black. I want to make a shadow racing stripe or a real subdued racing stripe in silver. Other than that, I want to polish up the motor and rear shocks.

I'll sandblast everything before painting.

Do you have any ideas that you think would look better? I'm not totally set on the black paint and would like some other ideas.
 
Lots more work to do

Lots more work to do

This is an 82 550L.Bike was given to me for a landscaping job I did. Hadn't run and sat since 94. Got it runnin. Lots of winter work left to do, but this is where I'm at. Hoppin santa brings me a welder for Xmas
 
I beg your pardon, but I'd like to get a little clarification from the opposite direction...

So the L forks are longer than the E forks?

Is there an actual "frame based" rake difference between the L and the E?

What about the triple trees?

The reason I ask is that I'd like to increase the rake on my 1100E. Had even considered going 21" up front to change the overall angle (although it wouldn't change the actual rake angle mind you).
 
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