Help me make a decision! '76 GS750

[93Bandit]

Hi guys. Not sure if this is the right section, but...

If you've been following my posts, I've started a long term Cafe Racer project. The bike I'm planning on building is an 81 GS850G. It's complete and needs a full tear down and ground up rebuild. It has a front fairing, saddle bags and a trunk. It would take a lot of work and money to restore it properly which is why I decided to turn it into a Cafe Racer. I really wanted a cruiser which is why I bought it, and it fits the bill for that, but like I said, it's in rough shape.

Enter the '76 GS750... I think technically it's a '77 but it only has one front disc brake which I read means it's an early '77 which some consider to be a '76. Anyways, it's also in rough shape, carbs are in pieces, it's missing the seat and probably a few other parts. Not too big of a deal to me considering many of those parts would be removed or replaced with Cafe style parts anyways. It has many advantages over my 850G as far as becoming a Cafe Racer, in my mind. It's chain drive which means I can change the gearing (a major advantage over the 850 IMO), wire spoke wheels which I like better than the cast start wheels, kick start, VM carbs to ease tuning etc...

Anyways, since I want a cruiser and a Cafe Racer, I'm thinking I can have both if I can get the 750 for cheap. I kind of feel bad chopping up my 850G since it's complete. The 750 is missing a lot and quite honestly, I think even though I'd be chopping it into a Cafe Racer, the bike would still be rescued. I'm sure it won't get any better treatment if I don't buy it.

Anyways, what do you guys think? Any disadvantages to the 750 vs the 850? Any major issues with 750's that would make it not worth investing time/money into?

As always, thanks for the help guys!

[jsandidge]

I'm not really a fan of cafe racers, but.... I think the 750 would be a much better candidate for your project.

[Rob S.]

I'm not a fan of shafts, so...cruise on the 850, race on the 750.

[1978GS750E]

As bad as it pains me to see a bike cut up, I agree that the 750 is the better candidate, all things being equal.

On a side note....how many café racers do you encounter while out riding? I very rarely run into one on the road...…..and have never seen two together at the same time! Maybe the thrill is in using the Sawzall!

[93Bandit]

As bad as it pains me to see a bike cut up, I agree that the 750 is the better candidate, all things being equal.

On a side note....how many café racers do you encounter while out riding? I very rarely run into one on the road...…..and have never seen two together at the same time! Maybe the thrill is in using the Sawzall!

I've encountered a handful on my few rides this year so far. I agree though, definitely not as often as other bikes. I don't plan on doing a hack job (although it appears most on here think any Cafe Racer is a hack job...) I'm going to take my time and do it right.

I'll see what kind of deal I can strike up with this guy. If the price is right and what's left of the bike is rebuild-able, I might have a change of plans in the works.

[93Bandit]

I got approval from my wife to purchase the 750, although she doesn't think I need it which I agree. I don't need it, but whats wrong with having another bike???

I'll see if I can work something out with the seller. If I bring it home I'll post pictures. Stay tuned...

[93Bandit]

Seller didn't accept my offer and sold the 750. So I'm back to working on my 850.

[steve murdoch]

Unfortunate but at least you know swmbo is/was in a "generous" mood.

[93Bandit]

Unfortunate but at least you know swmbo is/was in a "generous" mood.

Swmbo??? I don't understand your comment...

[Brendan W]

She Who Must Be Obeyed
Bit of an old cliche

[93Bandit]

Ah yes lol. Very true. I found a GS450 near by for a low price as well, but I don't think I want a twin. They sound like a mower.

[Rob S.]

...I don't plan on doing a hack job (although it appears most on here think any Cafe Racer is a hack job...) I'm going to take my time and do it right.

In my day, you installed a 4-into-1, maybe 'pods' (they weren't called that back then), lowered the bars (maybe clip-ons) with black "Grab On" grips, and voilà, you had a 'cafe racer'. Though it was really something new unto itself. If it was 900 or 1000cc we called them Super Bikes. Even if it was a Honda 750/4, it qualified.

A Cafe Racer was something less. It was about style and nostalgia. Even if it was a Triumph Trident or Norton 850, it still couldn't keep up with a Jap in-line four. I can't remember seeing rear-sets on cafes.

And now, as Jerry sang, "Wierd trip-sters, real cool chick-sters, ev-'ry-one's do-ing the rag."

Gentlemen, start your Sawzalls!

[Danb4563]

Single front brake was available on the first generation 750 for all years, a bike with dual front brakes was a gs750e. As far as the 76/77 thing goes, there were a few 76s, but the line up didn't officially start till 77. The 76s were demo models, I don't know if they were ever available for sale. 750 vs 850 as a project? 750 all the way. Not only does the chain drive allow you to change the sprocket combo, it also allows you to change th wheels and use an 1100e aluminum swingarm. They are also substantially easier to move around if not under power. The 850 has a beefier front end, but fork options for the 750 are endless. Aside from that, both have bulletproof motors and both are solid bikes.

[dorkburger]

Cafe doesnt automatically mean hack job, but there are far too many examples of horrible, unsafe, ugly cafe attempts. Do it right and all will be good. That said, the 750 would be the better choice to cafe. The 850 is one of the heaviest GS bikes, which is exactly the opposite of the cafe mission.

[TxGSrider]

I think the "café" thing has gotten out of hand and means so many things to everyone.
Personally, if I was going to build something like a Café bike, it would be based on twin cylinder bike. It fits the sound and feel of the era of that style of bike.