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77 gs550 cafe racer
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supergrafx
77 gs550 cafe racer
I just got this modified gs550 as my first bike. While waiting for tags and insurance I dented the gas tank by taking a fall while riding it in my back yard atop grass. I guess that wasn't a good idea. I love the feel of the clip-ons. However my turning and counter-steering seem to be very limited due to the gs550 fat ass tank. I would like to perhaps get a custom made tank that is much thinner and perhaps has clip-on reliefs hollowed out of the tank. Does anyone on here know where I can get custom gs tanks. All I have seen are ones for honda cb750s and yamaha xs650s. I've seen a few pics of cafe racer gs bikes on here and would like a tank like the few I've seen.... Also a pic of the damage to the tank is below as well.....
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Go Mifune
Nice bike, what did you pay for her? Some of the cafe afficionados on this forum might have answers for you regarding parts you need.
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Tarbash 27
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supergrafx
Originally posted by Go Mifune View PostNice bike, what did you pay for her? Some of the cafe afficionados on this forum might have answers for you regarding parts you need.
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supergrafx
Originally posted by Tarbash 27 View PostWhy not adjust those bars a bit foward so they clear the tank?
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TheCafeKid
Wow...1700 for a 550 is pretty steep. But, it does look pretty clean. If you want a cafe style tank, you really have only three options. Buy a 'glass one, which isnt exactly safe. Buy an alloy one, which will cost you what you paid for the bike, or beat that one by hand. Ive done it, not tough. Just have to know what you want ahead of time.
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supergrafx
Originally posted by TheCafeKid View PostWow...1700 for a 550 is pretty steep. But, it does look pretty clean. If you want a cafe style tank, you really have only three options. Buy a 'glass one, which isnt exactly safe. Buy an alloy one, which will cost you what you paid for the bike, or beat that one by hand. Ive done it, not tough. Just have to know what you want ahead of time.
Unfortunately, the site says it is only for the yamaha sr400. I've done web searches throughout the day, and I can find no one that makes the alloy tanks or even glass tanks for the GS. Between the two, I would prefer alloy, as fiberglass is ok for my surfboard or the seat of the bike, but I wouldn't want it as a gas tank for sure. BTW, the third option, beating the tank, what does that entail? Do you have to weld or partially use glass with the existing shell? It would be nice to use the existing stock tank and mod that since it is metal if it could turn out nice and save me cash at the same time.
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Loose Seal
Cool bike!
I wouldn't be too anxious to adjust anything until you get it on the street and really get a feel for it. Taking it for a spin in your backyard isn't a very accurate test.
What tail section is that?
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TheCafeKid
Alloy tanks are custom made from FEW companies, and all are over seas. After exchange, and alloy tank similar to the one in that picture will cost you about 1600 bucks. Yeah. Not kidding. The seat is likely a 'glass from either Steve "Carpy" Carpenters design based on the Dunstall body sets, or from AirTech. Either way, pretty easy to come by, and not super expensive. There are 'glass tanks available to fit just about any frame, as most of them use straps to hold it on anyway, not the stock mounts. You simply have to know the width and length you'll want/need, and the tunnel depth needed. A few from AirTech will fit my 77 750cafe, but i dont want 'glass either. I beat my own tanks with a peen hammer and a deadblow, then used bondo to smooth it out.
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Nick
I plan on cafeing my bike this winter. I dont have to worry about banging it up because it's shaped how I want it already. Nice find though
ps- that seat doesnt look comfy
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supergrafx
Originally posted by Loose Seal View PostCool bike!
I wouldn't be too anxious to adjust anything until you get it on the street and really get a feel for it. Taking it for a spin in your backyard isn't a very accurate test.
What tail section is that?
Originally posted by TheCafeKid View PostAlloy tanks are custom made from FEW companies, and all are over seas. After exchange, and alloy tank similar to the one in that picture will cost you about 1600 bucks. Yeah. Not kidding. The seat is likely a 'glass from either Steve "Carpy" Carpenters design based on the Dunstall body sets, or from AirTech. Either way, pretty easy to come by, and not super expensive. There are 'glass tanks available to fit just about any frame, as most of them use straps to hold it on anyway, not the stock mounts. You simply have to know the width and length you'll want/need, and the tunnel depth needed. A few from AirTech will fit my 77 750cafe, but i dont want 'glass either. I beat my own tanks with a peen hammer and a deadblow, then used bondo to smooth it out.
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TheCafeKid
Indeed. Make sure you can ride it as well as it looks I would be happy to give you pointers on how to beat that tank, its not difficult, and it truely is fun. The beauty of cafe's is the art behind them, as well as making them lighter and faster than they were from stock.
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supergrafx
Originally posted by Nick View PostI plan on cafeing my bike this winter. I dont have to worry about banging it up because it's shaped how I want it already. Nice find though
ps- that seat doesnt look comfy
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TheCafeKid
Not supposed to be comfy...sheesh Its a CAFE RACER. You think those guys gave a rats ass about how comfy it was ?? Noooo it just needed to go as fast as it possibly could without killing them. Comfort was not a hot comodity. Look at clubmans. They ARENT comfy. They arent bad, but not something im gonna want to put 500 miles on in a couple of days.
Id be in traction. These bikes are for flicking. and thats about all they are good for.
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supergrafx
Originally posted by TheCafeKid View PostIndeed. Make sure you can ride it as well as it looks I would be happy to give you pointers on how to beat that tank, its not difficult, and it truely is fun. The beauty of cafe's is the art behind them, as well as making them lighter and faster than they were from stock.
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