A pic!!

[KiwiGS]

MY point was the bike in question has NONE of those things. Its just a hacked off frame, and a bought plastic tail and some clubman bars... There is NOTHING done to the bike to actually IMPROVE anything. Its, as i stated in my first post, an cosmetic imposter. That was my point.

My point is, so what if all he has done is hack the back off and put a plastic seat on it.
It is his idea of a cafe, and 9 out of 10 people who saw it would know exactly what it was meant to be. But..
As you are the resident cafe expert, I will bow to your superior cafe knowledge....wait I see it now, I mean WTF was the builder thinking building that POS clearly he hasn’t read the cafe builders manual. I bet he is just some wanna be poser who never rides it. Really a plastic seat, rear sets and clubmens what was he thinking?
I don’t know how he can sleep at night knowing that he has a cosmetic imposter and not the real deal....

[gsgeezer]

I actually enjoy seeing pics of different project bikes. Both good and bad!

I figure I can learn from bad examples as much as good, since I have only modded a few, myself. As a kid, I just bought what I could afford or liked and rode them that way.
I usually stripped off sissy bars, highway pegs, etc. and installed handlebars that were lower, but otherwise I just tried to do suspension and brake improvements and then keep the things running.

My old 850 was stock and my current GS1000 was headed to be cut up for a drag bike, before I got it. The guy had more ideas than money, so I bought it unmolested, except for a few, mostly cosmetic mods done by the owner before him.

Some of the examples I see aren't to my liking, but I guess it's better than having them destroyed completed or sitting somewhere rusting away.

[Octain]

No offense taken. My project turned out exactly as I expected it to given the budget I allowed for it. It did what it was supposed to do. It also was a bike that I wouldnt keep around as my ONLY bike as it simply was not good for anything except flicking around in corners. Now, I have other bikes that are nearly as capable, and a HELL of alot more comfortable doing it. So, the cafe's parts became useable for other projects. The motor for another 750 im working on, the fork brace went elsewhere..etc etc. You see, I enjoy working on/building/restoring/rehabbing bikes ALMOST as much as riding them. So, Ive ALWAYS got a project or two going. And, in the end, I rarely keep them. So, you can assume what you wish about what *I* do, or how my project turned out in my mind, whatever, but you'll likely be wrong, and just continue to prove to me what I already suspected. And, Im still not sure where you get im hatefull toward anything thats not stock. Its pretty evident that quite a few of my bikes ARENT that. But, i suppose thats where assumption gets you.

No need to get personal.. We're talking about bikes dude.

Sounds like we have more in common than I thought when it comes to projects. I feel like one has to always have something going on beit bikes, home projects, autos or whatever.(working on a Goped now).
I to did what I wanted with funds allowed. The GS runs great as is and has more than enough power, handles good and I like the way it looks. Much like you its not my primary bike and I did it just for the fun of it. Simple as that.

In hindsight I wish I woulda forked out the extra coin for something more likely a cafe candidate but whats done is done and I enjoy it, and am gonna enjoy it for what it is.
Whatever one may like to call it.

[Octain]

I actually enjoy seeing pics of different project bikes. Both good and bad!

I figure I can learn from bad examples as much as good, since I have only modded a few, myself. As a kid, I just bought what I could afford or liked and rode them that way.
I usually stripped off sissy bars, highway pegs, etc. and installed handlebars that were lower, but otherwise I just tried to do suspension improvements and keep the things running.

My old 850 was stock and my current GS1000 was headed to be cut up for a drag bike, before I got it. The guy had more ideas than money, so I bought it unmolested, except for a few, mostly cosmetic mods done by the owner before him.

Some of the examples I see aren't to my liking, but I guess it's better than having them destroyed completed or sitting somewhere rusting away.

What most do to get these ditch dogs on the road, carbs, brakes, bairings, electical, rust, tires, wheels, etc....
I/we did that, and A LOT more.

[TheCafeKid]

My point is, so what if all he has done is hack the back off and put a plastic seat on it.
It is his idea of a cafe, and 9 out of 10 people who saw it would know exactly what it was meant to be. But..
As you are the resident cafe expert, I will bow to your superior cafe knowledge....wait I see it now, I mean WTF was the builder thinking building that POS clearly he hasn’t read the cafe builders manual. I bet he is just some wanna be poser who never rides it. Really a plastic seat, rear sets and clubmens what was he thinking?
I don’t know how he can sleep at night knowing that he has a cosmetic imposter and not the real deal....

There's some good venom in that reply! Thanks I am far from the resident cafe expert. And, maybe it isnt the way in your part of the world, but here, it makes me angry that the genre has gone the way of the "chopper" and become a sort of status symbol rather than the brilliant works of limited budget that they were ORIGINALLY designed to be. Some serious improvements on design were wrought from what the original cafe junkies used to do with these things. Now, as ive said, theyre just thrown together, most times with no real knowlege or vision, ending up like cookie cutter pieces (much like modern sporty bikes) put together so the owner can be cool like all the other Jones' on the block. So, forgive me if I sound a bit bitter, but its only because I am

[gsgeezer]

What most do to get these ditch dogs on the road, carbs, brakes, bairings, electical, rust, tires, wheels, etc....
I/we did that, and A LOT more.

Yeah, my 1000 wasn't running when I got it, that is probably why it was relatively "unmolested"

When I first got the bike, I just had to rebuild the carbs, replace the starter clutch and then I did the Electrex "stator mod", replaced the fork oil and seals, installed new Metzler tires, install Pingel fuel valve, replace the brake lines and pads. Plug wires, and plugs. Of course oil and filter change, new valve cover and other gaskets, chain and sprockets. New paint, dent removal. (Probably more that I forgot.)

That just brought me up to a "starting point".

In process now; new paint job, graphics, flyscreen, new rear shocks.
Also redoing kerker, powdercoating many parts, then next year straight rate front springs, emulators, etc....

[Octain]

Yeah, my 1000 wasn't running when I got it, that is probably why it was relatively "unmolested"

When I first got the bike, I just had to rebuild the carbs, replace the starter clutch and then I did the Electrex "stator mod", replaced the fork oil and seals, installed new Metzler tires, install Pingel fuel valve, replace the brake lines and pads. Plug wires, and plugs. Of course oil and filter change, new valve cover and other gaskets, chain and sprockets. New paint, dent removal. (Probably more that I forgot.)

That just brought me up to a "starting point".

In process now; new paint job, graphics, flyscreen, new rear shocks.
Also redoing kerker, powdercoating many parts, then next year straight rate front springs, emulators, etc....

I had to rebuild the entire electrical system, R/R, stator, starter relay and pretty much anything that had to do with "wiring" including coils, wires etc. Rebuilt/ rejeted carbs, fork seals, wheels bairings, valves, gaskets, new petcock, new tires, refinished exhaust, shocks.. Rebuilt handlebar wiring. All new fluids in all three holes. Nothing worked like it was supposed to. Ya had to bang on the handlebars with your fist just to get the starter to "catch". and even then it would hardly run.
And like you said, that was just a starting point. Now its more of a ride while I work on it kinda thing. Lucky for me the engine and tranny is good and I didnt have to do anything there, but that was the plan.
The GS is an awesome bike if treated correctly, just awesome!!

[gsgeezer]

Yeah, I know what you mean, I have really enjoyed the GS's and would like to get an 1150.

I was going to sell the 1000 to do that, but I would be really in the hole since it probably isn't worth much. I guess I'll probably keep it and look for an 1150 sometime in the future.

[Octain]

Yeah, I know what you mean, I have really enjoyed the GS's and would like to get an 1150.

I was going to sell the 1000 to do that, but I would be really in the hole since it probably isn't worth much. I guess I'll probably keep it and look for an 1150 sometime in the future.

The 1150 is that goofy 83-84 model thing huh? Im not real crazy about the way those things look. Performance wise though, 1150cc's has gotta be outa control.

I like the 78 or 79(?) 1000 best.

[Colin Green]

The 1150 is that goofy 83-84 model thing huh? Im not real crazy about the way those things look. Performance wise though, 1150cc's has gotta be outa control.

I like the 78 or 79(?) 1000 best.

I like (but not quite love) the GS1100 EF or S? (GSX EF here).

I Just bought a 84 model.....

... which KiwiGs has taken hostage... <eek>.. LOL



I'm torn between restoring him (have even bought the top fairing sans bracket) or modifying him. I'm not sold on the original looks but am struggling to find much in the way of cool mod ideas... help.

Have found a couple of tail mod ideas which have some appeal, particularly the one with the original tail light.. but I'm not sold on the overall look.

I really like what Agemax has done with his 8 valve GS1000 and would love to achieve something similar style wise... i.e. retain a strong identity of the original









Whatchu guys think?

[67fire]

Leave the Yamaha sticker on there and REALLY throw people off!

Anyway, it will look fast, parked.

Eric

[TheCafeKid]

I like (but not quite love) the GS1100 EF or S? (GSX EF here).

I Just bought a 84 model.....

... which KiwiGs has taken hostage... <eek>.. LOL



I'm torn between restoring him (have even bought the top fairing sans bracket) or modifying him. I'm not sold on the original looks but am struggling to find much in the way of cool mod ideas... help.

Have found a couple of tail mod ideas which have some appeal, particularly the one with the original tail light.. but I'm not sold on the overall look.

I really like what Agemax has done with his 8 valve GS1000 and would love to achieve something similar style wise... i.e. retain a strong identity of the original









Whatchu guys think?

I dig it! What is that belly pan off of?? Looks sharp with that set up. Im hoping i can find a decent looking belly pan that will be wide enough to fit around stock exhaust when I restore my ES. I do like the look of them, especially on the ES models, since they have some fairing going already. And they actually make a difference in cooling too..

[Maddog209]

Don't you mean the smell of OCTAIN BURNING.

Why yes I do mean OCTAIN! Thank you, I stand corrected.

[Colin Green]

Leave the Yamaha sticker on there and REALLY throw people off!

Anyway, it will look fast, parked.

Eric

Yeah! I would like it to "look fast" but I also want it to be easily identifiable as a GS 1150

I dig it! What is that belly pan off of?? Looks sharp with that set up. Im hoping i can find a decent looking belly pan that will be wide enough to fit around stock exhaust when I restore my ES. I do like the look of them, especially on the ES models, since they have some fairing going already. And they actually make a difference in cooling too..

Apparently it's off a FJ1100