New member and my project bike

[JunkKing]

Hey guys, new to the forum.
I'm from the Chicago area and have been a car guy for the most part. I have a lightly modified S2000 I take to the track whenever possible and I drive a wrangler for winter.
That changed last April when I picked up my first motorcycle, a 1980 GS550

It was in fairly poor shape when I got it. All the parts were there but you could tell it was dropped a few times and it barely ran.
I bought it as a intended cafe racer project and that's exactly what I've been doing to it. Over the summer I managed to rebuild the carbs, paint the gas tank and get the new seat and handlebars on. Its still got a long ways to go but its finally starting to take shape as a cafe racer

And here she is right before going into storage.

 

[RichDesmond]

Looks like a nicely done job. Like to see some more photos.
I think you'll find most people on this forum aren't really into that look, so you may get some negative feedback, but don't let that bug you.

 

[bobgroger]

It's not that many of us don't like Cafe bikes. We don't like bikes where the owner chopped off the rear frame and the mufflers and called it good. That looks good, and it was an "L" to start, no harm.... It's your bike, do it like you want.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Welcome to the GSR and nice Cafe Racer!

It's also important to note (besides what BobGroger said) that a personality who can take criticism without getting bent out of shape also helps. And an addage around here (for the most part) is: Loud Pipes don't save lives! Lol

Great job and more pics pleased!


Ed

 

[Jedz123]

WELCOME ABOARD!!!!!

Dude, Great job on the bike, Not over done, tastefully completed!

Curious on what your using for the rear shocks?

Also good to see another RWD brother on this forum!!!

Welcome!

 

[Burque73]

Hey Junkking, welcome!

That is a nice looking cafe bike. The look is growing on me I gotta admit. One of my step son's wants to do a cafe project sometime but that's way down the road. I have no intention of one myself as I like the upright riding position and the functionality of the stock 850's.

I'm not seeing blinkers or even one mirror on the bike in this pic. Was that just a shakedown ride or the completed bike?

 

[Guest]

Welcome to the forum! The bike looks good, more pics, please.

 

[Redman]

Looks like nice paint job, and good craftsmanship.

That some aftermarket muffler....? Or is that what is inside a stock muffler....?

Are some GSR members in Chicago are and some in NW Indiana.

.

 

[ddaniels]

Well done and welcome to the forum! I hope you don't ride it in the rain though, unless you don't mind your back getting soaking wet.

 

[JunkKing]

Thanks for the feedback guys
As far as the bike goes it is nowhere near complete. That last photo I posted is from me excitedly riding it around the block to the gas station right after getting the seat on haha
And as far as negative feedback goes i'm all good with that. Most my buddies are into sport bikes so you can imagine the heat I got when I brought home that beat up thing haha

So here are some additional photos of the build and where it sits now

My two babes at the beginning of the season

Stripped and ready for work. My GS550 next to my buddies GS450 project

Carbs getting a nice soak after disassembly

Tanks stripped and ready for paint

Carbs getting synced up after the rebuild

Tanks sprayed Berlina Black, the exact same color as my Honda

Now the part that'll make some of you cringe

Now for the semi complete pics. Don't judge it too harsh as it still has lots to go

 

[JunkKing]

Hey Junkking, welcome!

That is a nice looking cafe bike. The look is growing on me I gotta admit. One of my step son's wants to do a cafe project sometime but that's way down the road. I have no intention of one myself as I like the upright riding position and the functionality of the stock 850's.

I'm not seeing blinkers or even one mirror on the bike in this pic. Was that just a shakedown ride or the completed bike?

Definitely a shakedown, it didn?t even have a license plate or tail light that ride

WELCOME ABOARD!!!!!

Dude, Great job on the bike, Not over done, tastefully completed!

Curious on what your using for the rear shocks?

Also good to see another RWD brother on this forum!!!

Welcome!

Thanks man, right now it has whatever shocks came on it. They have a reflector on them I can?t stand, probably gonna put some stock ones on.
What do you drive?

It's not that many of us don't like Cafe bikes. We don't like bikes where the owner chopped off the rear frame and the mufflers and called it good. That looks good, and it was an "L" to start, no harm.... It's your bike, do it like you want.

Guilty of the chopped frame until my hoop comes in haha

 

[Jedz123]

Thanks man, right now it has whatever shocks came on it. They have a reflector on them I can’t stand, probably gonna put some stock ones on.
What do you drive?

I was curious for I'm making my GS650L into a cafe runner. I ended up grabbing a set of Emgo short style shocks from a sportster... So I'll have a NICE set of stockers available for cheap to a GSR member if you want em'.
They look like Harley Shocks... But it's great to see your GS and see what Mine (might) look like. I just have the shafty, it will be slightly different.

Are you thinking about running a loop on the frame?

My cage is a 13 Infiniti G37S Coupe:

 

[Wingsconsin]

I often wonder about the cafe craze.
I will admit it is not for me - But I can see where it has merits.
You have done a nice job thus far on the bike - It looks like it will come out nice.
Opinions follow:
For me a ride like that would not be comfortable enough for the style of riding I do.
My rides are typically from FULL to EMPTY on a tank and then refill and do it again.
Unless I am commuting (my GS is for that mostly) which is a 13 mile ride to work and a 50 mile ride home
I do not think I would like this.
But perhaps form follows function ?
Being in Chicago area I suspect your rides are a bit shorter - especially the cafe thing (from place A to place B)
Therefore the ride can be a bit more function driven rather than comfort driven like my bike is with it's windscreen and custom seat and bags & trunk.

Your opinions may vary but well done none-the-less

 

[Jedz123]

I often wonder about the cafe craze.
I will admit it is not for me - But I can see where it has merits.
You have done a nice job thus far on the bike - It looks like it will come out nice.
Opinions follow:
For me a ride like that would not be comfortable enough for the style of riding I do.
My rides are typically from FULL to EMPTY on a tank and then refill and do it again.
Unless I am commuting (my GS is for that mostly) which is a 13 mile ride to work and a 50 mile ride home
I do not think I would like this.
But perhaps form follows function ?
Being in Chicago area I suspect your rides are a bit shorter - especially the cafe thing (from place A to place B)
Therefore the ride can be a bit more function driven rather than comfort driven like my bike is with it's windscreen and custom seat and bags & trunk.

Your opinions may vary but well done none-the-less

That's why your primary is Wing Carl!

It's fun having little bike to crouch over and BLAST from point A to point B with just you satchel for storage and a open face helmet, good time!

Good for 100 miles or so a day, on gorgeous weather only though.

 

[roeme]

I love the attention to detail.

That includes the Papst in the chopping pictures. You cheeky little bastard.

 

[JunkKing]

Looks like nice paint job, and good craftsmanship.

That some aftermarket muffler....? Or is that what is inside a stock muffler....?

Are some GSR members in Chicago are and some in NW Indiana.

.

Some random ass mufflers that seem to have been welded on by a blind man
They’re going in the trash for a nice 4 to 1 soon

Well done and welcome to the forum! I hope you don't ride it in the rain though, unless you don't mind your back getting soaking wet.

Yeah not really a ride in the rain type of man, I usually just take it out on nicer occasions, although I still may fit a small fender before I finish the bike

I was curious for I'm making my GS650L into a cafe runner. I ended up grabbing a set of Emgo short style shocks from a sportster... So I'll have a NICE set of stockers available for cheap to a GSR member if you want em'.
They look like Harley Shocks... But it's great to see your GS and see what Mine (might) look like. I just have the shafty, it will be slightly different.

Are you thinking about running a loop on the frame?

**** I may have to take you up on that offer with the shocks, I don’t really like the generic ebay ones. And my rear hoop actually came in today!
Also that’s a nice G, I always liked those

I often wonder about the cafe craze.
I will admit it is not for me - But I can see where it has merits.
You have done a nice job thus far on the bike - It looks like it will come out nice.
Opinions follow:
For me a ride like that would not be comfortable enough for the style of riding I do.
My rides are typically from FULL to EMPTY on a tank and then refill and do it again.
Unless I am commuting (my GS is for that mostly) which is a 13 mile ride to work and a 50 mile ride home

I do not think I would like this.
But perhaps form follows function ?
Being in Chicago area I suspect your rides are a bit shorter - especially the cafe thing (from place A to place B)
Therefore the ride can be a bit more function driven rather than comfort driven like my bike is with it's windscreen and custom seat and bags & trunk.

Your opinions may vary but well done none-the-less

When I take my bike out it’s purely to enjoy a cruise on a nice day, so I don’t see the need for saddle bags or anything like that.
And comfort was not a big concern of mine with this build; my dad has a Sportster I can pull out if I ever want to do longer cruises. That being said this bike is still much more comfortable and fun to ride than expected, it’s still a lot better than most of my buddies sport bikes.
It’s about just having a fun bike that you built yourself to just take out on weekends and have a blast on

I love the attention to detail.

That includes the Papst in the chopping pictures. You cheeky little bastard.

Hahaha that seems to be an ongoing theme in my garage at this point

 

[Jedz123]

Sportster, long cruise... Wrong crowd to play that card!
lolol.

I also have. 550 4-1 exhaust... Not perfect but exhaust wrap it or paint it should work. Cheap there too...

I like what your doing, like your ideas, like what you think.

It's guys like you that will help keep the GS heritage not only alive but make the line excitable again. The 550 is a great foundation to a true cafe racer. Small 4 cylinder bikes are bad A$$ in their own right!

Thanks so much for you share!
.
Best!

 

[JunkKing]

Sportster, long cruise... Wrong crowd to play that card!
lolol.

I also have. 550 4-1 exhaust... Not perfect but exhaust wrap it or paint it should work. Cheap there too...

I like what your doing, like your ideas, like what you think.

It's guys like you that will help keep the GS heritage not only alive but make the line excitable again. The 550 is a great foundation to a true cafe racer. Small 4 cylinder bikes are bad A$$ in their own right!

Thanks so much for you share!
.
Best!

No way, very interested in that exhaust
Could you send me over some pictures

 

[Jedz123]

Here's my thread:
http://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...0-Vance-and-Hines-solid-system-4-1&highlight=

Let me know. I think the trickiest part is going to ship it.