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Cafe anyone?

  • Thread starter Thread starter germanicus
  • Start date Start date
78 GS750 Cafe Project

78 GS750 Cafe Project

New member here... well, I guess I am. I thought that I had joined a couple years ago when I owned a GS450L briefly, but perhaps my inactivity got me the boot. ;)

Anyway... I recently picked up a 1978 Suzuki GS750E with the sole intention of doing a mild cafe conversion. Starting out, I want to go with a cafe fairing and clubman bars. That's easy enough to do, but I'm a little concerned with getting the right clubmans. Most of them I see on eBay are 5.5" to 6.0" center mounting. I'd like to know if that provides a wide enough "U" to avoid clearance issues. I've had a close look and am just not real sure. Any advice?

I'd also like to change out the chain and sprockets and go with a lower gearing. My understanding is that stock gearing is 15/41. I've not taken the time to count mine, but I'm betting it is stock (feels like it's geared high to me, but I think that was the original intent with these bikes new). I've discovered that the chain is a 630, and obviously not a lot of choices out there. However, I see several suppliers providing 630-to-530 sprocket conversions, which is nice. So, I'm thinking I'd like to go with a 530 conversion using a 14T and 42T spockets. Anyone got any advice, tips, corrections on this?

Lastly (well, at least for now), I'd like to go with some modern day rubber (or closer to it that is). I've had some experience with the Avon Venom-X and Super-Venom's on other older bikes and I like the way those performed, but I'm looking for other options. I want a set of tires that will perform well, but not a track tire. I also want to keep the cost down (the Avons seem to be a bit pricey). Looking for advice.....
 
witttom said:
New member here... well, I guess I am. I thought that I had joined a couple years ago when I owned a GS450L briefly, but perhaps my inactivity got me the boot. ;)

Anyway... I recently picked up a 1978 Suzuki GS750E with the sole intention of doing a mild cafe conversion. Starting out, I want to go with a cafe fairing and clubman bars. That's easy enough to do, but I'm a little concerned with getting the right clubmans. Most of them I see on eBay are 5.5" to 6.0" center mounting. I'd like to know if that provides a wide enough "U" to avoid clearance issues. I've had a close look and am just not real sure. Any advice?

I'd also like to change out the chain and sprockets and go with a lower gearing. My understanding is that stock gearing is 15/41. I've not taken the time to count mine, but I'm betting it is stock (feels like it's geared high to me, but I think that was the original intent with these bikes new). I've discovered that the chain is a 630, and obviously not a lot of choices out there. However, I see several suppliers providing 630-to-530 sprocket conversions, which is nice. So, I'm thinking I'd like to go with a 530 conversion using a 14T and 42T spockets. Anyone got any advice, tips, corrections on this?

Lastly (well, at least for now), I'd like to go with some modern day rubber (or closer to it that is). I've had some experience with the Avon Venom-X and Super-Venom's on other older bikes and I like the way those performed, but I'm looking for other options. I want a set of tires that will perform well, but not a track tire. I also want to keep the cost down (the Avons seem to be a bit pricey). Looking for advice.....
Click to expand...
My GS750 Cafe Project is moving along. Mounted clubmans and a cafe fairing yesterday. Mounted a fork brace last week.

949100_1268-med.JPG


Unfortunately, I had to lose the stock turn signals (I had hoped to keep those) due to interference with the controls. I rerouted virtually all the cables. I'm still struggling with the throttle control. It doesn't want to snap back, so I'm thinking I'm must have too tight of a bend somewhere, but I just dunno. I think (think) I did a pretty good job of running the cables, so I'm not sure what my real problem is.

Still need to mount my tires, sprockets, and chain. I went with Bridgestone Spitfire S-11 tires, and a 14/42 sprocket combo 530 chain conversion.
 
witttom said:
I rerouted virtually all the cables. I'm still struggling with the throttle control. It doesn't want to snap back, so I'm thinking I'm must have too tight of a bend somewhere, but I just dunno. I think (think) I did a pretty good job of running the cables, so I'm not sure what my real problem is.
Click to expand...

Did you remember to grease the handle bar under the throttle?
 
DSCN1068.jpg

My take on the early 80's transition from cafe racers, to superbikes.
Since mine is a 550, it's a superslow superbike. :lol:
 
Ok, finally I got a cafe fairing, without mounting instructions of course.
I assume the two brackets should be attached to the headlight bracket?
Also, I have low handlebars and the master cylinder gets in the way. Do I have to get clubmans? Saw the fairing?
What would be the easiest solution?
 
Well, I got the fairing installed. More involved than I had hoped for but not that hard to do. I'll take it for a spin and I'll upload a pic.
 
me too!

me too!

hey witttom -

i've also recently purchased a 78 750e for the exact same purpose. i'd love to swap stories and photos. mine has a kawa Z1 tank and ducktail fitted (although new cafe seat to go on). also an 850 big bore kit. i've got the clubmans and bar end mirrors ready to go on once i get the vintage style grips i ordered off ebay. already replaced indicators and shocks. i'm planning: matt black paint with pinstriping, new headers and reverse cone muffler, cafe seat, modified guards, braided lines, small speedo and tacho etc. i'll get some photos of what she looks like now and put them up.
i haven't been able to find too many gs750's that have had the cafe treatment so its great to see someone else doing it.

cheers
gus
 
Baelzebub. I'm not positive, but I think you're clubmans are on upside down.:confused: Am I wrong?

8Track. What kind of 1/4 fairing is that!? I want one.
 
Yep, you're wrong.

The clubmans are supposed to throw you into a very forward seating position. Cafe RACER style, with much forward lean. About the only way to get lower is to install clip-ons.
:)
I've seen them installed upside down, but I don't understand why anyone would want them that way, as that way would put the handlebars up HIGHER than stock... not very "racery".

Check out Carpy's Cafe site:
http://www.cb750cafe.com/
 
Maybe its the pic, and we're talking about the same thing. The center of clubmans should be like:
_____
/.........\

not

\_____/.

Correct?

It looks like you've gottem like pic 2
 
Last edited:
I decided that after I get my 550e (just a few weeks away \\:D/ :grin: ) I'm basically going to copy 8track's 550, same paintjob even, but with that ebay fairing mentioned in here. I'm going to paint the bike the same blue myself, following the painting guide on the site, but I'm going to use decals for the stripes. Anyone have any suggestions for some good places to look that you've dealt with?
 
DieMonkeys said:
I decided that after I get my 550e (just a few weeks away \\:D/ :grin: ) I'm basically going to copy 8track's 550, same paintjob even, but with that ebay fairing mentioned in here. I'm going to paint the bike the same blue myself, following the painting guide on the site, but I'm going to use decals for the stripes. Anyone have any suggestions for some good places to look that you've dealt with?
Click to expand...

I'm flattered. :oops:
Btw, my fairing is the same as the one on ebay. Thats where I bought it.
 
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