Cafe anyone?

[xmishx]

Baelzbub,

I didn't notice the 2nd page until after I posted that last message. Your bike looks really nice. I had that fairing on a 75 BMW R75/6 and it actually works well. I may have to get one as well. My big goal is to find a seat cowl to really bring the look together. Thanks for sharing.

[KGB]

This is a "Superbike" seat I have for my 1000S.
I have pictures and measurements if you want/need them.
Another member on here is trying to recreat the seat.



And another shot

[baelzbub]

xmishx,
Thanks for the compliment, the fairing itself is really nice, the rest of the bike needs some TLC to bring it back to it's former glory.

I was very excited to get the fairing on. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for a title service to supply me with a title, so I only ride it around the block - glad to hear that it should be functional as well, I was surprised at how big it actually is. Wind protection and good looks (IMO) is a good combo in my book.
\\/

Like you, I plan to continue the cafe look. I'm going to fab my own solo seat and rear cowl. I've got some slight fabrication skills, a welder, hammers & dollys - hopefully I'll be able to create what I've sketched out.
[-o<

KGB,
That's a really nice seat - I have the same style in mind, but only the front will be padded & separate from the rear cowl. I'm going to try to make it big enough to house the electronics and hopefully have some room for some storage.

This site is an excellent resource! I'm glad I found it!
:-D

[hunter58]

Hey it looks good and you answered a question I had. Will the fairing work with my stock turn signals and by the looks of your pictures it will!

Also, nice Javelin in the background. Is that someones restoration project?

[baelzbub]

Yep - the turnsignals clear nicely - unfortunately (for me), I don't think the smaller turn signals that I wanted to install will be long enough to clear the fairing.

Yep, that's my '71 Javelin.
She's been a project for the last 3 years... I was all gung-ho with that project and moving along nicely until I bought my first bike. Bikes feed my need for speed much, MUCH better than any car ever has. I've gone 11.90's in the Javelin, but only 13.0's on my old KZ1000 (sold) and I get more of a rush on the bike!

http://amcforum.net/images/Thing

[witttom]

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]

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.....

My GS750 Cafe Project is moving along. Mounted clubmans and a cafe fairing yesterday. Mounted a fork brace last week.



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.

[hunter58]

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.

Did you remember to grease the handle bar under the throttle?

[kilroy]

Please check out pics of my GS1100L.I like the square windshield.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/maxmillion_111/albums/

[8trackmind]

My take on the early 80's transition from cafe racers, to superbikes.
Since mine is a 550, it's a superslow superbike.

[germanicus]

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?

[germanicus]

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.

[QuaiChangKane]

Don't stop at the clubman's and fairing - there are many things left....



Like one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cafe-seat-Yamaha-Honda-Kawasaki-Suzuki-XS-CB-KZ-GS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQihZ006QQitemZ160021771323QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Bobbing the front fender, relocating the electrics and removing the side panels, shaving a bunch of weight off, and upgrading your suspension/brakes....



-Q!

[angus chapman]

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

[Billyboy]

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

8Track. What kind of 1/4 fairing is that!? I want one.