Cafe seat build...

[TheCafeKid]

Thanks a bunch man! I am done for the most part. Need to figure out the upholstery issue, not a big deal. I was stuck for a bit on afixing the seat/cowl to the bike itself, I really didnt want to drill into the frame, i dont have welding accessories to do any of that, (nor the talent to do so..hehe) so i was at a bit of a standstill. I had come up with an idea, and went and bought some bolts and bits to do it, and as i was figureing that idea out, another, very very simple one hit me. I ended up mounting it but running long threaded carriage bolts thru the glass with some spread washers, into the stock battery box bosses. They of course are affixed to the frame, so problem solved. I felt like a bit of an idiot for not thinking of it sooner. DOH! At any rate, she's stuck like chuck not going anywhere whilst bolted down. I would LOVE to see some of your pics. At the moment, that whole mod will likely be waiting till either later in the year, or next winter. But indeed i would love to see how you did it, as it may give me quite a few ideas. I have a bit of a problem simply with my frame, as its cut pretty short (right behind the shock tabs) so there isnt any frame back there to speak of. But my plan for the future, as because its a cafe project, its never really done, is to actually have a buddy weld some more frame rails back there the way i want them, and then i will have the necessary support to do just about anything i want.
I do believe that this winter, she will get broken down again, and i will do all the cool things i had planned from the get go, just really felt like i was running out of time to do if i wanted her in any riding shape this year. As i have plans to purchase another GS, I will have something to ride otherwise and be able to take my time and do all those things and not worry about how long it takes.

Anyway
My email is the.godfather44@gmail.com Feel free to send however many, im a very visual learner, moreso hands on, but least of all an audio type. I need to SEE it

And i hope those tuning tips helped out. Im still learning a bit myself on these GSs and especially carbs, but with the help of this site, some of the members i have met, and ALOT of reading and diagrams, i feel pretty comfortable getting around the GS 8v design.

[beno3gz]

yeah my frame is chopped pretty hard core too. but the cradle for the battery is actually mounted to the seat cowl inside where all the foam was originally. but then again if you dont have welding materials then it might be a little more difficult. but still doable. and no problem sending some pics ill take the seat off tomorrow and shoot some pics of it.

[TheCafeKid]

Thanks man! I do appreciate it. It is one of those things i really want to do to clean the lines of the bike up. Other things include stowing all the wiring so that you cant see any or at least VERY little of it, thus opening up the space under the seat where that bat box and what not would have been. Rearsets are on the list too, but i am one who refuses to not be able to use my kickstarter, so untill i come up with a solution for that (likely fabricating my own kicker arm to clear the rearset brake pedal) i will stick with the stock pegs. Eventually i will probably swap out to some 37mm GS forks, and do dual front brakes with the multi pot caliper mod that 8trackmind did with his 1000. And i would like to lighten up the bike a bit by swapping the rear brake set up out for either something a lil more modern, OR fabing a hanger that would allow me to use a front wheel caliper on the back, as they are much smaller, and therefore lighter. Picked up a Tarrozzi fork brace from www.fastfromthepast.com so thats on there.

As you've seen ive already swapped the stock swingarm out for an aluminum swinger off an 1100 (for me i had to drill out the frame to accept the larger pivot, but you could do yours bolt on style) I had to lift the back up a bit to make up for the alu swingers extra length. Have some cheapo MDI 14.5 inch shocks on there now, but have on order a set of Ohlins 14.5 incher piggybacks to replace those, just waiting on the call from the big buy deal. (Got them at about half price as part of a bulk buy) Eventually, when these CS tires wear out, i'll get some nice rubber on there, but these were spankin new when i bought the bike, and im not one to look a gift horse bearing new tires in the mouth, so they'll stay for now. I've beat a couple GS750 tanks for knee indents, and those have turned out quite well. All in all im pretty please with the pre 80 750 as a choice for a cafe project. I eventually would like as the next project to pick up a 1000 to do a superbike replica with. That would be a fun project as well. Id like to see some pics for sure, so send away

[beno3gz]

yeah that sounds like one hell of cafe bike. the fork brace i am really interested in. as for some good rubber do know if anyone makes a tire that is more sortbike and traction oriented than cruiser. because so far i havnt found anyone who makes a pure sport/track tire for the stock width rims. i believe i have 130 rear and i think 90 front, dont quote me on that.

[TheCafeKid]

Your numbers sound about right. Pirelli Sport Demons seem to be a popular choice, but im pretty partial to Avons. Thier RoadRiders are pretty good tires. I dunno bout some super sticky stuff, but i would guess those Sport Demons are pretty close. I dont hit the track, so street sticky is fine by me, and they last a bit longer than some track tires. The fork brace they have many models for, likely find one for your bike. they run about 99 bucks. I, thus far havent found a Tarozzi part i didnt like. Ive used thier adjustable clubman bars, used some rearsets i picked up on a CB cafe i had for a bit, pretty good quality stuff, and cosmeticly nice. Good period pieces.

[beno3gz]

pirelli sounds like a winner to me. never been to a track day either to expensive. i agree the streets are good enough for me.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

If your in the market for tyres that perform in the wet and dry, checkout "Search" for "Pirelli Sport Demons". Some good feedback from GSR riders, helped me make my next tyre selection,cheers.

[81GS550L]

Cafe seat looks great

The seat looks like it's coming along great. I bought a Dunstall seat and I am now trying to replicate it. I used expanding foam to make a mold of it. I can't wait to see more pics.

[Zooks]

By the way, don't ever do the math on how much time you have in to a bike. It's very depressing.

Depends how you look at it. A few years ago I had a really bad run and got very depressed. The time I spend in the workshop is very therapeutic (seriously) and a damn sight cheaper than any therapist.\\/

[beergood]

Most of my free time I ain't wrenching (or some other hobby) I am most likely spending in front of the tube or at a bar. Both are pretty unproductive and one can get pretty expensive.

[halliwood]

love the tail section, I hope to start working on one for my bike soon too, an as for the sport demons, I had those on a 500 once, and loved them.

[TheCafeKid]

Depends how you look at it. A few years ago I had a really bad run and got very depressed. The time I spend in the workshop is very therapeutic (seriously) and a damn sight cheaper than any therapist.\\/

Agreed there Zooks. I went thru a very self destructive time for a bit myself, and found that time completely alone with a project and my thoughts proved to be more therapeutic than that of any time spent talking to a psychoanalyst.

[psyguy]

Agreed there Zooks. I went thru a very self destructive time for a bit myself, and found that time completely alone with a project and my thoughts proved to be more therapeutic than that of any time spent talking to a psychoanalyst.

hm, for how long were you in the analysis?

[TheCafeKid]

Never. I wouldnt pay someone to do something one can do yourself, if you simply ask the questions that people generally refuse to ask themselves.

[tkent02]

Never. I wouldnt pay someone to do something one can do yourself, if you simply ask the questions that people generally refuse to ask themselves.

Do it yourself psychiatry, much easier and ultimately more cost effective than do it yourself dentistry.