1981 GS450E Rebuild

[pete]

coming together nicely Pete

Cheers Agemax Wish it was happening faster but there's only so much time and so many $$$...

[pete]

Actually I forgot to add that I sat on it today in pretty much what is my normal riding position, and the exhaust tucks in really neatly between my ankle and calf, so the heat shield not going that far forward may not be an issue at all, although right hand corners could change that...

[Ricko19]

Hi Pete,

looking fantastic mate! I love the pics with the carbs, and the tank, seat etc in place - it really does look awesome!

I still really love the colour of the tank too - I really think it suits the bike and would look great with the other panels in place - you have to go those white stripes too of course!

Really glad the Tranzac guys came through for you - I love my system and they haven't lost their touch - it looks horn!

By the way, your 'start date' of 13 July has been and gone mate - where's the video

[Flyboy]

That is looking super sweet, so when are you putting the blue down, c'mon, get on with it lad.
And where is the pic of you sitting on it, making reving noises...we know you do.

[pete]

Hi Pete,

looking fantastic mate! I love the pics with the carbs, and the tank, seat etc in place - it really does look awesome!

I still really love the colour of the tank too - I really think it suits the bike and would look great with the other panels in place - you have to go those white stripes too of course!

Really glad the Tranzac guys came through for you - I love my system and they haven't lost their touch - it looks horn!

By the way, your 'start date' of 13 July has been and gone mate - where's the video

Cheers Rick! The maroon is definitely sticking in my mind at the moment, not sure if it's because it's the best colour or if it's just because it's there... either way it's definitely looking "right" as is, however the stripes need to be done, as do the knee dents and rubber knee pads. The real question is will that carry through to the front and rear mudguards without spoiling it? Side covers won't be going back on (left one will melt if it did), but I'm not sure what I'm doing there yet... leaving it open or putting a storage area in there... undecided.

Yeah I'm really stoked with what the Tranzac guys can do, seems it may be a one man show these days. I didn't talk to any other exhaust shop, just went straight there. I have heard too many good things about them to even think of going anywhere else, and I don't care if I could've got it cheaper or anything like that, their reputation is too good.

My start date was... yeah... wrong haha... try 13th August

That is looking super sweet, so when are you putting the blue down, c'mon, get on with it lad.
And where is the pic of you sitting on it, making reving noises...we know you do.

Hahaha mate there's so much more to do yet it ain't funny, although the list is definitely getting smaller! Still haven't decided on colour yet, and as I said above in reply to Rick, the maroon that's on there now is still looking good to me... I do wish I could make my mind up though...

As to sitting on it making noises... well... I'm not going to admit it in a public forum such as this

[pete]

I didn't get long on it tonight, but I did get a couple of small things done.

Got the front caliper bracket on and torqued up (looks slightly better in person, flash makes it look terrible):



Then I realised the other day while assembly the caliper that I hadn't checked the width of the brake disc, so got the micrometer out tonight:



Smidge under 4.5mm... bugger... means I need a new disc as well as new brake pads.

Found this place which is just up the road, front brake disc for $139.00 and organic pads for less than $15.50, not bad... wonder if they're any good though?

http://www.metalgear.com.au/

Got the brake and clutch levers on again and thought I'd pop the standard mirrors on to see how they look, but unfortunately the brake side now has a different thread, so could only get the clutch side on:



Sticking with the stalk style would suit the period for sure, but I'll have to track down what type thread I need for the brake side and try to get stalk mirrors that match with different threads.

Alternatively, I could do some old school style bar ends like what's on the 450S models...

[Agemax]

forget the wing mirrors Pete, dont suit your style of bike, especially bar end mirrors

[pete]

Yeah was thinking the same actually... looking at the Honda CL's, Triumph Scramblers etc., they all have stalk mirrors... will figure that one out, same style, different threads... I'm sure there's a way!

Off to Mikes XS site to see if I can see what thread they use...

[Agemax]

try one of these lol

[pete]

Hahahhaaha that's classic, I'm sure that'll be hugely effective!

Maybe I could build a heads up display with a camera stuck to the back of the helmet... haha

[Agemax]

your wish is my command haha

http://motorcityspeedworks.blogspot.com/2010/11/reevu-msx1-rear-view-mirror-helmet.html

[pete]

Awww man... just read on the Mikes XS site that all Yamaha brake side mirror threads are left hand threads... so that means I either need to buy one of his adaptors there which will let me use a conventional right hand thread mirror or I'll need to find some Yamaha style stalk mirrors that have the proper left/right thread on them... another item added to the list...

[Agemax]

Awww man... just read on the Mikes XS site that all Yamaha brake side mirror threads are left hand threads... so that means I either need to buy one of his adaptors there which will let me use a conventional right hand thread mirror or I'll need to find some Yamaha style stalk mirrors that have the proper left/right thread on them... another item added to the list...

drill the thread out and fit a normal thread helicoil.

[pete]

your wish is my command haha
http://motorcityspeedworks.blogspot....or-helmet.html

Hahahaha that's awesome! Doesn't even need a battery

Something tells me the Dept of Transport won't consider it a suitable replacement for a pair of mirrors though...

[pete]

drill the thread out and fit a normal thread helicoil.

That's doable... I have helicoils here but not sure on that size... but definitely doable.