77 750 inspired by Confederate Hellcat???

[kudagra]

I thought you wanted a bike along these lines from the Confederate (now Commemorative) Air force down in Texas...

[TheCafeKid]

I've got the arm. I am trying to get some 17mm ID 20mm OD spacers made so I can dry fit the arm... As for gusseting the frame, I plan to do that for sure. TKC... I'm sure they were no slouch in stock form, but imagine what it would feel like with the same engine moving 100 less lbs. I will be looking to you for some carb help here in the near future if you don't mind. I also have a line on a 01 gsxr 1000 w/ bad motor for wheels, rear sets, complete front end, and brakes. Should be a fun project...

Well, I managed to cut about 60-80lbs off my GS 750 CAFE build.. It made it a little quicker for sure, but it also made it not very comfortable to ride for any real distance. If I had a track to take it to, I would likely have kept it that way, but alas, it was a fun build, then lent its parts to make something more "reasonable"... A SuperBike replica

[atb1998]

ATB, my boss has one of 3 prototype hell cats. S&S destroked 133ci 137hp (at the tire) marzucci forks, marchessini wheels, brembo full floater brakes, carbon fiber tank and fenders. That is by far and away the baddest bike I have ever ridden. Ever since, I have wanted one. BUT the whole money thing comes back into play. He recently sold it to a friend and bought a "Big Dog"... What a step down. Its a nice bike and all, but no confederate.

I also think the confederate hellcat is a SERIOUSLY badass ride. It is the only custom (built by a factory?) i would want to own if i could afford it. Big Dogs are built are built locally and are getting where people who bought them a few yrs. ago at the top of the "chopper" fad can't sell them for even a third of what they paid for them. I'm waiting for the market to really bottom out and buy one to rebuild and de bling. I'll still ride a chopper even after the fad dies down. No way would i have sold a hellcat for a big dog, I just don't get that

[slow_heavy_750]

I had a chance to ride a big dog last week..


My first impressions were yep...they are pretty acurate with the name big dog...what a waste.

[Bad Kaw]

Don't mean to simplify too much here; but it sounds like you want to build a "bobber". Which I guess if you do it to a GS, then that'd be the 1977 Japanese version of the Confederate Hellcat. When you build a bike with those ergos you will "feel" like you are really hauling butt, the handling goes out the window b/c of the afore mentioned ergos and the comfort becomes questionable.
That being said, they make nice blvd cruisers (I hear). And each bike should be a reflection of what the owner sees as a proper motorcycle. Good luck on your build!

-KR

[atb1998]

The confederate hellcat according to "cycle world' and "motorcycle usa" Is a very capable handling cycle with fully adjustable suspension. It has a 50mm marzochi front end. I could see a gs 750 with gsxr swing arm, front forks, swingarm and wheels being a fairly decent handler if you kept the stock rake and wheel base. Couldn't be any worse than a stock gs 750

[Bad Kaw]

One needs to consider the "perspective" from which the author is writing the articles. Reading the Hellcat article with the mental preface of "For a cruiser, this bike handles great!" because if you read those same magazines write ups of HD Road Kings and Honda Gold Wings, they say the same things. They are viewing these bikes from their collective genres and writing from that vantage point.

A motorcycle of traditional 'bobber' ergonomics with pegs slightly forward will never be a 'handler'; but if observed from the bobber 'perspective', perhaps it will be a good handler. Again, perspective. So, if the perspective is from a bobber point-of-view then sure, it might handle just fine.

-KR

[Dreef1999]

Interesting take on building. I've never had the money to finish a peoject when i started it, but never left a project ufinished. If everybody had that same idea, no one would ever restore, customize bikes, cars. We would just go buy new ones or ride ugly peices of junk.

Well... most of the 'custom' builds end up worse than stock IMO. Also if the GS stock is really that ugly than why even choose to build off it?

Start small with things that won't waste your effort. Clean the engine, workthrough all the screws. Thats my opinion.

[fat_sac]

Where is the OP located?

[atb1998]

One needs to consider the "perspective" from which the author is writing the articles. Reading the Hellcat article with the mental preface of "For a cruiser, this bike handles great!" because if you read those same magazines write ups of HD Road Kings and Honda Gold Wings, they say the same things. They are viewing these bikes from their collective genres and writing from that vantage point.

A motorcycle of traditional 'bobber' ergonomics with pegs slightly forward will never be a 'handler'; but if observed from the bobber 'perspective', perhaps it will be a good handler. Again, perspective. So, if the perspective is from a bobber point-of-view then sure, it might handle just fine.

-KR

A confederate hellcat is not really a cruiser per se. It has a race suspension, a 140 rwhp and the seating position is with similar to most 70's and 80's street bikes. It has no forward footpeg option. With the hp and suspension it will actually outrun and outhandle most 70's and early 80's muscle bikes. I have neve rode one, but seen 2 being rode. i would actually say it is more akin to a vrod with better seating and feet ergonomics, the one i rode next to for few miles could sure put the smack down on a very capable rider on a r6 and me on my buell. these were twisty roads, not staightaways. I understand what your saying, but bobber style, does not equate aniquated bobber handling

[Bad Kaw]

Ah, I see. And I concur; I was under the impression that the Hellcat had forward-ish foot-pegs (like a Dyna HD). Couple that with the visual impression that the bike gives a butt-on-the-ground/feet-forward riding stance and you can see the issues the bike would naturally give towards handling.
I have never ridden one, either; for that matter I've never seen one in person. They seem cool enough to me; but money matters to me, so that bike falls off my radar pretty fast.

I see you have an X1 Lightning. Rode a ton of them (worked at Topeka HD/Buell during grad school) and really like those bikes a LOT.

-KR

[77GS750inCincy]

I am aiming for a sportbike seating position. somewhere between midsets and rearsets. The solo saddle will not be low, but lower than stock. I plan to raise the rear of the bike a bit (raising the seat height back to stock) while decreasing rake... This is all in the planning stages right now. I am also accumulating parts as I go...

[Octain]

Well... most of the 'custom' builds end up worse than stock IMO. Also if the GS stock is really that ugly than why even choose to build off it?

They're cheap!!

[Bad Kaw]

They're cheap!!

Also, sounds like you're going to have more of a 'cafe' than a 'bobber'. Pardon the erroneous assumption on my part. Looking forward to watching the bike come together!

[Octain]

Also, sounds like you're going to have more of a 'cafe' than a 'bobber'. Pardon the erroneous assumption on my part. Looking forward to watching the bike come together!

LMAO!
Im not sure what one would call it but you can bet Suzuki aint never made no bike like it.