750 cafe project

[UncleMike]

I have similar ones on my GSXR 1000 front end that I got from eBay: http://i2.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/d2/71/5b_1_b.JPG

For a GS front end, try these: http://motors.search.ebay.com/?from=...light+brackets

You're a wonderful person. Thank you.

[beergood]

Me either, apparently. Kickstarter, meant to say.

Hah! I'm glad it wasn't just me. Misunderstandings are what the net is all about.

Anyway, this should illustrate my point a little better:



And here is why most solutions, including rearsets, will present some problems. Also, the arc in this picture is a very rough approximation. It is truly a little larger than I diagrammed.



The radius of the kicker travel will get in the way. Some would say that I can live without the kickstart, but I would rather not. So keeping it and moving the pegs back becomes a two part problem. I can try shortening it, or installing a funky shaped one with a hoop in it. I'm just mulling over my options before deciding on a course.

[80GS1000]

How much of that kicklever radius do you need to get the engine running? Do you have to rotate the kicklever all the way to the bottom?

Seems like you might be able to make an offset kicklever lever or bend your existing lever so that the end of the lever would be moved out a few inches, which would allow enough clearance for rearsets to be installed.

[beergood]

I feels like the last two-thirds are where you get the real starting action. Also, when you are kicking it, it would be hard to stop short of the full turn. Try to stop swinging a baseball bat halfway and you get the idea.

I think I can safely shorten it by about 2 to 4 inches, which is where I am leaning now, but I have a couple other things on my plate, so I am taking my time thinking about it.

[Dink]

Why not male sure any rearsets you fit have a folding peg??

Dink

[beergood]

The foot peg may fold, but the brake lever generally doesn't.

[Dink]

Brake pedals arent that long(wide?) and motocross bikes do have folding rear brake pedals.

Dink

[beergood]

Brake pedals arent that long(wide?) and motocross bikes do have folding rear brake pedals.

Dink

Thanks for the tip, I never thought about motocross parts. I've got a handful of things that I am wanting to work on over the next few months. The biggest issue with rearsets is finding a way to do it without spending a ridiculous amount of cash. For perspective, I spent $600 on the bike, and am looking to spend about that much this year in improvements. New rearsets that I have found have all been about half that much.

I figure if I don't rush into a solution, then something serendipitous will present itself over time.

[beergood]

Well, it didn't take long. I like the black and yellow, but now I am thinking about painting it dark red with white striping.

I see a lot of black bikes, and perhaps a little color isn't such a bad thing.

[beergood]

Alright, went with a new color scheme:






I am also going to slightly change the design of the seat, and chop and paint the front fender, amongst other things.

I hope this isn't going to be a long winter. I don't want to have to paint this again.

[bhppy101]

Looks great in red!

I would have done the side covers in black so it doesnt take your eyes away from the straight lines between the tank and the seat cowl.

But anyhow....it looks great!

[beergood]

I would have done the side covers in black so it doesnt take your eyes away from the straight lines between the tank and the seat cowl.

I'm still not sure what I am going to do about the side covers. There is only a thin coat of red on the one to test the look (and if you look at the pics, there is only one on the bike). I might do it two toned (red/silver, like the tank), all silver, or black.

On a more radical note, there is plenty of room under the rear ducktail. If I go to pod filters I am thinking about relocating the electricals under there (with proper venting) and getting a smaller battery. Then I will forego side covers entirely.

Thanks for the feedback.

[pozzi]

i love that seat shape!

got to make me one of my own.

[beergood]

Alrighty, a little more progress:






Added some logos and stuff, a few layers of clear coat and chopped a couple inches off both ends of the front fender. Also rebuilt the seat.

Tried out a Dremel polishing wheel on a couple of little rusty bolts and stuff. Worked like butter. A little here and there and I should have everything polished by spring.

Next up: removing the front fork assembly, getting rid of the dorky reflector, painting the caliper, and polishing everything else up.

[tkent02]

Gets better every time I see it....

I would vote for the black sidecovers too I think.