The Official GS Brat, Tracker, Scrambler thread

[Sebastian24]

That is nice. Is it just me or does the seat sub frame look a bit up-swept? Mine is parallel to the ground, really flat :\
On another note, the bike entered a mild wobble yesterday, scared the crap out of me. (highway riding, about 70 mph), I need to install a steering damper for sure

 

[Guest]

Cheers guys, the 450 is a fun little bike to ride!

The pipe is a one off made by a local exhaust shop here called Tranzac, did a top job. It's also ceramic coated which I find to be awesome... you can touch it without burning yourself just a few minutes after stopping.

 

[BADJACKSON]

That is nice. Is it just me or does the seat sub frame look a bit up-swept? Mine is parallel to the ground, really flat :\
On another note, the bike entered a mild wobble yesterday, scared the crap out of me. (highway riding, about 70 mph), I need to install a steering damper for sure

How does a steering dampener work on a motorbike?

 

[tkent02]

So what's the difference between a Cafe, Bobber and a Brat bike?

Cafe, nothing on it that doesn't make it go, stop or turn, designed to be a race bike on a budget. If it happens to look cool that's just a side effect, the intent was performance and performance only. A few still are, but most modern ones are "cafe style", in other words made to look like an old cafe racer, without any thought for performance at all. Two very distinct types.

Brat, a really good German sausage.

Bobber, the result of a kid with an L, a hacksaw and no supervision.

 

[BADJACKSON]

Good observations on everything except the Brat tkent02. Although German Brats are good, a Brat Style is also a motorbike style that some people like.
I find both definitions of Brat, tasty...

 

[Sebastian24]

How does a steering dampener work on a motorbike?

good question. It basically tightens up the steering.
here's a good video about it.
https://youtu.be/RP-UfUrymY4

 

[Sebastian24]

Cafe, nothing on it that doesn't make it go, stop or turn, designed to be a race bike on a budget. If it happens to look cool that's just a side effect, the intent was performance and performance only. A few still are, but most modern ones are "cafe style", in other words made to look like an old cafe racer, without any thought for performance at all. Two very distinct types.

Brat, a really good German sausage.

Bobber, the result of a kid with an L, a hacksaw and no supervision.

You're right about one thing. People focus on aesthetics more than performance. What's up with people not running front brakes...? I wouldn't ride a bike not even in my neighborhood without fully functional brakes

 

[limeex2]

That is nice. Is it just me or does the seat sub frame look a bit up-swept? Mine is parallel to the ground, really flat :\
On another note, the bike entered a mild wobble yesterday, scared the crap out of me. (highway riding, about 70 mph), I need to install a steering damper for sure

If the bike is going into a wobble @ 70 you need more than a damper.

 

[BADJACKSON]

Interesting video, thanks for posting.

I wouldn't think that for normal riding, many people would need a steering dampened. But what do I know...

 

[tkent02]

The need was a lot more common back before they figured out how to build frames, but any bike can do it if the bearings in steering, swing arm and wheels are loose.

 

[Gorminrider]

Well... dunno if mine's so much "scrambler" as "scrambler inspired"... but here it is when I finished it, only minor changes since then really. Different (smaller) LED tail light, replaced the rear rack with a genuine one, and now running Avon RoadRiders instead of dual sport tyres. It also doesn't look anywhere near that shiny as she's a daily rider and doesn't see much time for washing/polishing.

Nice-O,Pete! ...You're in your own class! but SCRAMBLER! for sure with those handlebars, and shields and tires. But now with new Avons, I guess you are a "Street-Scrambler"? "Road-Scrambler"? "Lane-Scrambler?"...(there's nothing so useful as hyphens)
ps yer front fender is higher from the wheel than mine- was it originally a chrome one?

 

[BADJACKSON]

Here is mine Gs650GT. Still along way to go until it's ready.

Thus far, I think that THIS is my favorite bike on this thread. I would like to see more pics of it!

 

[loud et]

Well I am making good progress on my 850 brat style project. I been taking pics so I will share some here when I get to it. Don't think I'm going to start a build thread in the projects section.....just share some random progress here I suppose.

 

[BADJACKSON]

Well I am making good progress on my 850 brat style project. I been taking pics so I will share some here when I get to it. Don't think I'm going to start a build thread in the projects section.....just share some random progress here I suppose.

I'll be following along. I'm interested in how guys are doing their seats & tail sections. I like the looks of the Brat seats, but I need to be able to ride mine for a bit of distance.

 

[loud et]

I'll be following along. I'm interested in how guys are doing their seats & tail sections. I like the looks of the Brat seats, but I need to be able to ride mine for a bit of distance.

Yeah I hear ya. I made a typical tail hoop, welded on, smoothed and painted it all up. There is no way in hell I am having a seat that is 1" thick.
I am going to hand make my seat, find the appropriate multi layer padding and sew my my own cover. Leather I think.
I plan on a seat that is 2-3 " thick. It'll be relatively flat. It may have an upward sweep at the back end. All to be determined.

 

[Guest]

Nice-O,Pete! ...You're in your own class! but SCRAMBLER! for sure with those handlebars, and shields and tires. But now with new Avons, I guess you are a "Street-Scrambler"? "Road-Scrambler"? "Lane-Scrambler?"...(there's nothing so useful as hyphens)
ps yer front fender is higher from the wheel than mine- was it originally a chrome one?

Cheers mate! Yeah I guess it's a street scrambler now? Aside from a little light gravel occasionally if a ride takes us over some it's tarmac only and the Avons give great confidence in the twisties.

That front guard/fender is actually an eBay special dirt bike guard trimmed to size and mounted with a hand made brace/mount using the stock mounts on the forks. The brace/mount is made from 2.5mm thick aluminium and so far seems to work well, no front end wobbles that I've noticed. Top speed I know I've hit is just over 140kph and no issues... not that I do that often...

 

[Sebastian24]

If the bike is going into a wobble @ 70 you need more than a damper.

Interesting video, thanks for posting.

I wouldn't think that for normal riding, many people would need a steering dampened. But what do I know...

The need was a lot more common back before they figured out how to build frames, but any bike can do it if the bearings in steering, swing arm and wheels are loose.

You know, that's what I'm thinking as well. but I haven't been able to find the culprit. I checked for loose steering bearings, or wheels out of alignment, and so on, and it all looks good to me. I should note that it happened right after acceleration.
This is what I'm thinking maybe you guys can point me in the right direction.
1. Forks - I feel like they are a bit soft, but idk what they're supposed to feel like (compared to the 05 gsxr, these feel like bicycle ones)
2. Tires - the bike itself feels a little "shaky". It's like it doesn't want to thread straight, and wiggles with all asphalt imperfections. I have the shinko dual sport tires on there, albeit brand new pretty much
3. Carbs - Could a misfire upset the balance of the bike?

 

[Big T]

Yes, an imbalance between the front and rear suspension can cause wobbles. Did you measure your fork springs, and/or replace them? What shocks are you running?

Also, too large of a tire for your wheel can cause issues. I'm guessing that the Shinkos are several sizes larger than stock

Carbs = no wobbles

 

[Gorminrider]

Sebastion, just an added thought but if that's a plastic fender cut ,did you keep the OEM fork brace that goes under it?

 

[Sebastian24]

Yes, an imbalance between the front and rear suspension can cause wobbles. Did you measure your fork springs, and/or replace them? What shocks are you running?

Also, too large of a tire for your wheel can cause issues. I'm guessing that the Shinkos are several sizes larger than stock

Carbs = no wobbles

I will have to measure the forks and shocks, but from my understanding, it's all stock components.

Sebastion, just an added thought but if that's a plastic fender cut ,did you keep the OEM fork brace that goes under it?

It's a metal one. You think the angle of it is catching some air at speed?