Suzuki GS450 --- Cafe Build

[FreshStart]

Thanks but my mind is made up. Very hard to let this bike go but I must...

Here is the 1983 GS1100E I'm looking at. It's complete, titled, comes with one grenaded engine, and one good engine with extra pistons and cylinders.

Then here is the CB400.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2402145652.html

Which one do I pick?

If your trying to build another cafe then get the cb... but if you want to build some testicular fortitude go for the 1100.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

If your trying to build another cafe then get the cb... but if you want to build some testicular fortitude go for the 1100.

Exactly. CB's are much easier to build and work on.

If I get the 1100E, I plan on keeping it stock. No hacksaw .

 

[FreshStart]

Id go with the 1100e myself but then again look at my bike.... bigger is better

 

[Flyboy]

Methinks you have hit one to many roadblocks in this rebuild, and the fustration as gotten enough, that I understand.
But, you running away from the problems again, by your own admission, you love ths bike, and rightly so, you put a lot of loving into it.
Then you said, yourself, you don't want a project bike, you just want to ride, understood, but now you want to go buy a bike that does not even have a motor in it????????????? WTF dude??
You don't seriously believe it is going to be a case of slapping the motor in, tighting up a few mountings, hooking up a few cables and pipes and you ready to roll, do you???
Come on, you been around here long enough to know that is not going to happen, there are going to be a bunch of issues to sort out once the motor is in, you know that.
I say, park the bike for a week or so, sleep on it, let the frustration work itself out and let your head clear and look at it in a different frame of mind, objectivly.
Think about it, what are you going to tell the new owner????
The bike is great, just a spark issue, sort that and she is good to go.........now what makes it "just a spark issue" for the new owner and not for you, trying to tell me it is something you can't sort out? I don't buy it, sorry, I see you running from your problems again.
Do as I said, leave it for a week or so, clear your head and then tackle it with renewed vigour.
Even make up a whole new wiring harness if you must, damn, its only a 450, how hard can it be?
You have a wiring diagram and a bunch of people here to walk with you through it...................lets see you make this happen boy, I'll put money on you if no one else will.

 

[FreshStart]

ill bet on it aswell

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

You're making me feel like I'm an idiot... No hard feelings but I know where you're coming from. Let me explain myself.

OK. There is no ****ing title for the GS450. I got screwed over from the DOL for my 3 year title thingy. I know that I can do a title process for around $200 but then I'd still have to deal with the GS450's spark issue. Yes, I could make my own wiring harness but it's getting harder and harder to find an igniter. Pete is doing the HEI igniter too but hasn't quite solved it yet. The tires are crap and pretty old. Chain is about to fall apart (o-rings are piling up under the sprocket cover). So new tires, title process, chain, igniter, new wiring harness: around $400-$600. Believe me, I would keep the bike if I had the title. I thought I had the title sorted out which is why I proceeded with all the work I did but nooo.... ****ers gonna screw me over.

As for the new owner of the bike, I was honest with him. He understands what needs to be done. He knows that there is no title. He knows it all. I did ask that if he's gonna sell the bike that I'd be first to know.

Now about the 1100E. Clean and clear title in his name, ready to be transferred. It is complete, everything is there. Freshly painted parts although I'm not really digging it. Comes with two motors. One is grenaded and one is running. Kerker 4-1 exhaust. Brand new tires, chain, SS brake lines, etc. as of 7 months ago. This bike was well cared for.

Some info here on the 1100E here.
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=169316

The 1100E was running as of like a few months ago and was a daily rider. The current owner's previous owner let his friend ride the bike then his friend blew the motor because he didn't know how to ride. But he has a running engine from a GSR member that is ready to be swapped in. I understand that some problems will need to be sorted out. But it's not too big of a project that should only take a few weeks to do. Rebuild the carbs, check valves, and check all the other stuff too. I know the procedure.

Not like I'm gonna go crazy if I don't ride a bike. I don't mind a project and the 1100E isn't too much. Besides, the guy literally lives 6 mins away from me. That is so cool!

The big bike bug has gotten me too. Been doing a few track days on some of my friend's newer sport bikes. I will say that the feeling is intoxicating...

 

[FreshStart]

Get that 1100 man. Id love to see you on a real bike not a scooter

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Get that 1100 man. Id love to see you on a real bike not a scooter

Just know this... I will forever love the smaller bikes as it's my preference. I am moving up to a bigger bike for now but later on in the future, I will get another small bike to build another cafe. Most likely a CB...

Can't wait to get my hands on the 1100. SHould be this Monday....

 

[Flyboy]

Alrighty then, no intention to make anyone feel like an idiot, you can troll all my posts here, and you will not find a bad word about anyone, not from me, I don't roll that way.
Good luck with it, will be keenly watching for the thread........give it heck.

 

[Tim Tom]

Well? Did you buy the big boy? I wanna see it!

 

[Krunk_Kracker]

I feel so disappointed, lol. I liked this 450


I don't really understand your logic at all, but it's your thing.

Let's see the 1100!

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Well? Did you buy the big boy? I wanna see it!

I feel so disappointed, lol. I liked this 450


I don't really understand your logic at all, but it's your thing.

Let's see the 1100!

I liked it too. But it has problems and I can't legally ride it it anymore.

I checked out the 1100 today. Took a few pictures but not much. I'm at school right now so I can't upload it. Just wait later today! I think I'll put it in "GS Motorcycle Discussion."

 

[Krunk_Kracker]

I liked it too. But it has problems and I can't legally ride it it anymore.

I checked out the 1100 today. Took a few pictures but not much. I'm at school right now so I can't upload it. Just wait later today! I think I'll put it in "GS Motorcycle Discussion."

I really wish I was closer to you, I'd take it off your hands in a heartbeat.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

I really wish I was closer to you, I'd take it off your hands in a heartbeat.

I wish you were too. People keep flaking out .

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Last week on May 25, I presented my bike with a Powerpoint. I passed.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Congratulations

 

[Guest]

Well done FC.

 

[Tim Tom]

Nice job man! I know all about the stress of presenting your work to a panel of critics. I've been doing it for 4 years now in architecture school. Nothing worse than busting your chops for months, including many days with no sleep, and having the panel not like your work. :evil:

But a pass is a good thing for sure! Congratulations! I know its kind of a sour ending to the 450 but trust me better things will come down the line. Use all your knowledge that you discovered and apply it to that 1100 (hopefully ).

High school is a time to learn and figure out what you want to do, I'd say working on bikes has a lot to do with your future. You should be proud of what you've done. WAY more than many kids ever did in my high school.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Thanks guys! I was a nervous wreck when I presented it and I had that really nervous feeling when I showed them the bike. They said, "Let's hear it run." Well... It didn't. But they knew I worked hard on this and they saw videos of it running the week before so I passed.

Anyways, the GS450 has been sold for $550 to another guy my age. Pretty cool! They're going to pick it up later today. And I will make him join here and continue the build.

And I will pick up the GS1100E this Friday. So excited!

 

[Guest]

Hope to see the new owner on here soon!

Congrats again on passing the assessment, I hate exams and I still need to do them every now and then for industry certification, and I still get that really nervous feeling every time like a school boy