1980 GS850G Bobber Project, another one!

[mvalenti]

In its delivered state...


Removal to see "the natural lines"


More Removal...


Almost happy with the stance... It needs more rake.. and I cant stand the tank, even in rattlecan flat black..

[Henryinva]

Yer going to have to live with that tank. Only way I found to get around that is cutting out the triple backbone and going to a single backbone or making a tank.

My .02

[mvalenti]

I think I may cut out the backbone. Would be a good opportunity to rake it a lil as well.

[Henryinva]

Well, single backbone opens up your selection of tanks to just about anything. Have fun cuttin the bike up. I do!

[TheCafeKid]

Of you cut the frame to a single backbone you'd better plan it carefully and plan to brace the frame elsewhere. If not that frame will fold like a taco. These frame tubes were not designed to be single backbone setup. The frames already flex in stock form. I'd hate to see what it would do when you cut the shoulders out of it. It's your bike and do what you want with it but I'd suggest some SERIOUS research first.

[Henryinva]

Of you cut the frame to a single backbone you'd better plan it carefully and plan to brace the frame elsewhere. If not that frame will fold like a taco. These frame tubes were not designed to be single backbone setup. The frames already flex in stock form. I'd hate to see what it would do when you cut the shoulders out of it. It's your bike and do what you want with it but I'd suggest some SERIOUS research first.

Yep, going to have to gusset the neck, thicker wall tubing everywhere you cut out something, cause the original is incredably thin. (Junk)

I'll p.m. ya with the info your going to need.

[mvalenti]

Much appreciated! I will be proceeding cautiously, and I am not going to chop without a well orchestrated plan..

-Mark

[mvalenti]

Update.....

well I havnt posted here in some time on my project. no doubt may **** the purists off... but heres how she looks now....




nuff for now....

[Redneck]

Well I will say i like it. My chop on my other frame is going more in the way of Henryinva's avatar. I have read his build on that one and been looking at his many photos. But that one is nice like the lines I am not a fan of flat blacks and pantina look. Just went back and looked. You have not finished the paint yet have ya? I really like the lines though. Can't wait to see if complete. You going to stick with the pan seat or you going to put some cushion on it?

[mvalenti]

Well I will say i like it. My chop on my other frame is going more in the way of Henryinva's avatar. I have read his build on that one and been looking at his many photos. But that one is nice like the lines I am not a fan of flat blacks and pantina look. Just went back and looked. You have not finished the paint yet have ya? I really like the lines though. Can't wait to see if complete. You going to stick with the pan seat or you going to put some cushion on it?

Henry is a great guy with fantastic skills, helped me along the way, and inspired as only Henry can. I wouldnt have it any other way.

Yea, its not finished, last 10% is 90% of the work. I'm not a fan of billet and bling, but not a fan of false patina either. Color scheme will be a hammertone finish silver frame and black satin tank and fender. Debating weather to paint the rims black or leave hot rod red. The seat will have springs and foam padding. Seat pictured is for mock up only.. I'd love to put some forwards on but with the inline 4 being 26" wide at the cases.... well muh feets would be out there.... Not looking to do mental long rides as I have 4 young boys at home. Kick back and forth to work, and to the store from time to time.

-Mark

[Redneck]

Sweet keep us posted. I would really like to see the finished product. I just recently bought a welder and plan on spending all summer practicing in hopes that I will be able to put the hard tail on my frame this fall. I plan on going ahead and rebuilding the engine this summer and getting everything else figured out. I still have to come up with exhaust pipes tank, seat...blah blah blah... right now I have an engine, carbs, frame and wheels. Hopefully, I can scrape together the rest of what I need from two different bike salvage places here in maine and craigslist.

[FreshStart]

check out bobberforum.com, they have some great bobers. dont know if i would have hatdtailed like that. let us know how you did the backbone

[mvalenti]

check out bobberforum.com, they have some great bobers. dont know if i would have hatdtailed like that. let us know how you did the backbone

Been on there also, nice place. I usually hang on chopperhack, or TCU.
Backbone is 1.75" dia .120 wall DOM tube.
All tubing that was replaced was .120 wall, slugged. I am going to TIG it up at work, under the eye of a master welder. At home I'm just tacking in place. Then I will gusset all the usual spots. Here are some pics showing the backbone. On the drive side I will be tagging to the axle as well as I dont trust the 30 yr old shock mount entirely....

[Henryinva]

Havent been around much or doing much since the wife died and stopped in here to see how you were doing on the scoot. I like the look. Id run a cross tube between the two down tubes and then run a tube from the back bone to the cross tube to stiffen her up a bit. Couple neck gussets, be good to go. Looks good dude!

[Dogma]

Havent been around much or doing much since the wife died and stopped in here to see how you were doing on the scoot. I like the look. Id run a cross tube between the two down tubes and then run a tube from the back bone to the cross tube to stiffen her up a bit. Couple neck gussets, be good to go. Looks good dude!

Welcome back. Sorry to hear the bad news. I don't want to think about what that must be like.

So. How's your art project doing?