How much weight can you realistically drop?

[Clumzi]

I'm toying with the idea of building a larger cc cafe and was wondering how much weight you can realistically drop from a 1000 or 1100. 571lbs is a lot of bike to get from side to side. The weight of a 1000/1100 is, as has been pointed out to me, not exactly ideal for what most people build cafes for. However, if you pull everything extraneous off (like many folks do when building a cafe... ie [although it's a 550] - http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Uk_SrRK_t1.../gs_550036.jpg), how much weight could you realistically expect to drop? No fenders, pods/4-1, really just engine, frame, one clock, single fiberglass seat and what has to be there... how much weight are you really loosing?

Just curious. Anybody actually ever weigh a bike before and after? Maybe another question to get a better handle on this is what does the engine from a 750 weigh versus an 1100? Whats the additional frame weight?

[TheCafeKid]

I'm toying with the idea of building a larger cc cafe and was wondering how much weight you can realistically drop from a 1000 or 1100. 571lbs is a lot of bike to get from side to side. The weight of a 1000/1100 is, as has been pointed out to me, not exactly ideal for what most people build cafes for. However, if you pull everything extraneous off (like many folks do when building a cafe... ie [although it's a 550] - http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Uk_SrRK_t1.../gs_550036.jpg), how much weight could you realistically expect to drop? No fenders, pods/4-1, really just engine, frame, one clock, single fiberglass seat and what has to be there... how much weight are you really loosing?

Just curious. Anybody actually ever weigh a bike before and after? Maybe another question to get a better handle on this is what does the engine from a 750 weigh versus an 1100? Whats the additional frame weight?

I cut about 80lbs off my Cafe 750. It was down to about 400 even. DEFINITELY noticeable... A 1000 motor is lighter than a 750 motor. Id guess an 1100 motor would be a little heavier, but not by much..

[Hammered]

I cut about 80lbs off my Cafe 750. It was down to about 400 even. DEFINITELY noticeable... A 1000 motor is lighter than a 750 motor. Id guess an 1100 motor would be a little heavier, but not by much..

A 1000 is lighter than the 750? I may need to look for a 1000 for the next build. Now to just get the current one back on track.

[cplcrawlerUSMC]

A 1000 motor is lighter than a 750 motor. Id guess an 1100 motor would be a little heavier, but not by much..

Are you serious that a 1000 is lighter than a 750 or was that a typo? Thats amazing if so, I would have never thought it. I have a 78 GS1000 all hacked up and I was curious myself how much weight my bike lost.

[TheCafeKid]

A 1000 is lighter than the 750? I may need to look for a 1000 for the next build. Now to just get the current one back on track.

Yup, Its a bit smaller case wise, and no kicker lever and gear business to add weight...

[Hammered]

Yup, Its a bit smaller case wise, and no kicker lever and gear business to add weight...

Wonder how it matches up to a electo start only 750. My 1982 is a bit wider than Id like for my build. Damn TCK, no I have to save up more pennies for something else shiny.

[doctorgonzo]

Just dropping stock exhaust and going 4 into 1 is a noticeable difference in handling, probably sheds 20 or 30 pounds.

[kingofvenus]

Newer GSX/GSXR style cast wheels are much lighter than the GS stock ones.

[Tarbash 27]

A gs1000 motor is only about 8 pounds lighter than a 750. But a gs1000 frame is heavier than a 750 frame, swingarm and forks too.

[TheCafeKid]

A gs1000 motor is only about 8 pounds lighter than a 750. But a gs1000 frame is heavier than a 750 frame, swingarm and forks too.

8poumds when your cutting weight is a good bit. Swapping to an aluminum swinger saves you about seven pounds Etc et.

[tkent02]

I thought it was 15 lbs lighter.
Kickstarter is gone and the 1000 has a lighter crankshaft too.

[sschering]

Wheels would be a big place to shave weight..

a set of GSXR wheels should be close to 10lbs less than the stock rims.
That's all unsprung rotating weight.

[Clumzi]

Wow. I'm looking at specs here that say the 1100 is 571lbs and the 750 is not much lighter. So, a cb 750, a much ballyhooed cafe platform, is 517 lbs. If you can strip the kind of weight off of one of the big suckers you are talking about, at least into the 400lbs range, that sounds like something that is pure balls and can be pretty easily tugged back and forth in the twisties.

I'm liking the idea of a big cc cafe more and more. I found a running 1000g last year for $500... time to keep my eyes peeled again. -nick

[will61310]

I would think the "G" to be a little heavy. You can find an"C" model - they have chain and sprockets vs. the shaft on the G. Also only 1 front brake,and spoked aluminum rims. My guess is maybe the lightest GS 1000

[tkent02]

My guess is maybe the lightest GS 1000

But a 750 with a 1000 engine is lighter yet.
Ditch the pipes, some spoked alloy wheels, it's pretty light by 1979 standards.