GS650E Brat style build

[Joe]

Been trolling the forums for a bit of info lately and thought I'd finally post up my project.

I'm from Melbourne Australia and I bought the bike earlier this year running and registered, but started the strip down immediately with the intention of building a low budget brat style bike.

It's my first bike build and after spending a heap of time on it, it's sat idle for quite a few months as I simply haven't had the time to work on it.
Now that the warm weather's here I need to get on it again and hopefully finish it by mid summer.

The pictures tell the story, but so far I've:
- removed original fairings
- stripped unnecessary brackets off the bike
- modded the frame
- mounted a new rear guard
- built a new battery box and electrical tray to hide under the seat
- rewired bike from tank backwards to suit new electrical component layout
- new fibreglass seat pan
- sewn a new seat cover (although haven't fitted it yet)

The day I got it



Bike stripped of fairings


Frame cut



New frame hoop welded and new guard fitted



Handlebars flipped


Battery box


How it sits at the moment (seat cover not yet stretched and fitted)



So the to do list reads as follows:
- Fit seat cover
- Source 4 into 2 exhaust manifold, purchase reverse cone mufflers x2
- Put a new seal kit through motor
- Strip down and paint/powdercoat (have to choose colours first)


Cheers
Joe

[tkent02]

Damn fine machine you had there. A rare one, too. Way to go.

[7981GS]

Damn fine machine you had there. A rare one, too. Way to go.

I agree!




Couldn't find any CB450's eh?


Daniel

[simon kuether]

G'day there Joe .
I've got two of them ( '82's , both pigs) that I want to build one good one from (probably closer to stock than what you're doing) . I just don't seem to be able to find the time to get into it either .
Looks like the wet is well and truly here so maybe I'll be able to get on with it soon .

Cheers , Simon .

[hillsy]

Couldn't find any CB450's eh?

If you could find a CB450 in Australia you would be able to buy 3 GS's for the same money. They are rare and collectable over here, unlike the GS's (unfortunately).

'Tis true

I rode a 650 chain drive that was a customers bike we had in the shop (some years ago now). They are a sweet package.

And I like what you doing here Joe

[pete]

If you could find a CB450 in Australia you would be able to buy 3 GS's for the same money. They are rare and collectable over here, unlike the GS's (unfortunately).

'Tis true

I rode a 650 chain drive that was a customers bike we had in the shop (some years ago now). They are a sweet package.

And I like what you doing here Joe

Only 3 GS'? They must be mint 1000S'

[hillsy]

Only 3 GS'? They must be mint 1000S'

I was trying to talk up the GS's a bit, Pete

[pete]

Haha nice... I was tryin' to make the Honda owners look like fools

[fnkvn]

Joe - nice work! The bike is shaping up nice. I like the lines the bike is taking. Keep us posted.

[knowyourenemy66]

Looks good Joe--keep doing it your way!

[Joe]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I know it's not everybody's cup of tea.
Yes I could've bought a CB750, XS650 of any of the other "typical" cafe racer bikes, but the GS650 being a newer generation bike with rear disc, twin front discs, elec ignition and electric start whilst still carrying the classic lines i was after, will make for a safer bike to ride.

The way I look at it, I'm breathing new life into the old girl, who I found tucked away in a small town, not getting ridden or cared for.

[Joe]

Oh, and the fairings are available for anybody interested. I must add they're very heavy though