Modifying a 1981 GS450 to a bobber/café

[jfsebastian]

Well guys, it´s time for my project thread.
Being without a garage, my kitchen will have to do as there is snow and ice outside. No welding involved, at least not yet.
It will probably be something of a bobber/café style bike.
Now ideas comes constantly, so I don´t really know what the final result will be like. This winter will be sort of a test. This is my fist build, havn´t got the motor running yet, but it´s turning nicely, the electrics seem to work accept the horn.

JF

The first pic will be from the ad I saw and then went and bought the thing.

[jfsebastian]

Cutting some

The frame cut of some inches, right in front of the seat mount.

[jfsebastian]

Some progress

The wheels are painted, front brake has new pads, carbs fixed and cleaned, new battery and + cable (thank you), tank filled the holes from the badges, primed and soon to be painted, rear brake shield polished, the aluminum rod is just to set the ride height, will probably not drive struts but 11" shocks as soon as the budget allows this. Tank will either be painted "the rising sun" Japanese naval flag on both sides or just red with 2 white stripes from front to rear. I DO have a board on the floor for protection...

Comments apart from the nasty ones about chopping up a stock bike?

JF

[slow_heavy_750]

Looks like its coming together rather nicely!


What are your plans for the bars/front end?

[jfsebastian]

I actually don´t know yet. Either higher, like small ape-hangers, flip the ones I have to get an almost clip-on look, or just a straight bar. It all depends on how the bike feels when I get to ride it. Will make another solo seat and see how I sit on the bike. Not to keen on having a numb willie from leaning to much forward. Neither keen on having rear sets. I want to sit up and ride, not lean forward to much. It´s not a speed monster.
Could be something like this;

[Mark M]

Could be something like this;

I hope not.

Put a set of dirt track bars on before the apehangers, they will not pull you forward too far and will not look as outlandish. It would end up looking like a custom Triumph from the 60's with the lower bars. Everything else on your example bike looks good to me.

Mark

[Richharr]

looking good so far man. check out wrench monkies blog.

[jfsebastian]

looking good so far man. check out wrench monkies blog.

Thanks mate
I do, fantastic bikes from my danish neighbors.
Havn´t checked in there since before x-mas, so I better do that right away.
So many good blogs and ideas out there.

[curseboy]

I really like this look, I did something similar to mine. I know it's not a speed demon, but if you want to eventually do some spirited riding, I recommend taking a look at the front fork oil and seals.

I started with drag bars but now i am sporting tapered bars from a gs750 with bar end mirrors.

[jfsebastian]

To make it look like one of these would be nice, but the money that takes...

Will be careful before selecting the bars, ape, track, drag or whatever it will be.
Be sure that you eventually will see as well.
Will do some drilling, inspired be wrenchmonkeys build. Will actuelly go do it know, the bike is 5 yards away
Will post pic here later

[briyenkieth]

that don't look to require to much money to achieve. you'll just have dirty hands for a few months. Pics please !!! Suffering from a severe lack of bike porn here.

[jfsebastian]

that don't look to require to much money to achieve. you'll just have dirty hands for a few months. Pics please !!! Suffering from a severe lack of bike porn here.

If you want bike-porn, look at my photo albums on flickr. Plenty to look at for hours. http://www.flickr.com/photos/31957775@N04/

Or go to my new blog and follow the links:

http://japbobbers.blogspot.com/

JF Sebastian