'80 GS550L to Cafe Racer

[wkraner]

I have a '80 550 that i turned into a bobber/rat bike. i have pod filters and open exhaust. i went up 4 sizes on the main jets (105s), 2 sizes on the pilots (45s), and shimmed the needles. It runs great with that. im not nearly as high of an elevation as you though (only like 1,500).

[Colorado CJ]

I appreciate all the help guys. I think I got the jetting sorted. I used a set of number drills and kept going up until I thought it was right. I ended up going to a #55 drill, or a Minuki 118 jet size. I also adjusted each pilot screw to about 4.5 turns out and lifted the needles a little.

I can now loft the front wheel through the first three gear changes! So much more power than it had in it's stock configuration. It just keeps pulling to red line. There really are no flat spots, but at 7,000 r.p.m., there is a noticeable horsepower boost, feels like someone kicks you in the pants.

I have my LiFe battery installed and everything is working like it should. I still need to find a tail light (think I might go with flush mount LED's) and fabricate up a license mount. Once that is done, I'll ride it around for a couple of days before breaking it all down.

[Colorado CJ]

Here's another video with the pods and LiFe battery installed. This is after the rejet and tune up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9ewwQcJKdE

[Colorado CJ]

I just received my LED brake light today, so now everything is wired up and mounted in the proper places. I still don't have the Katana forks yet, but for now, I'll ride the bike as is to see if I need to change anything before breaking it down.

Here's a shot of the LiFE battery mounted. It sure is small compared to the stock battery. It only takes 50 amps to crank over the bike, so this battery is plenty powerful at 140 amps max. Cranks over the bike faster than the original battery.

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Maybe I missed it but where did you get that battery? Got a link?

[Colorado CJ]

I bought it from a supplier for one of my companies (r/c manufacturing). They sell direct to the public also. Much cheaper than the purpose built bike batteries and use the exact same LiFE cells.

Here's a link: http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...2&pid=C2126947

[Flaming Chainsaws]

I bought it from a supplier for one of my companies (r/c manufacturing). They sell direct to the public also. Much cheaper than the purpose built bike batteries and use the exact same LiFE cells.

Here's a link: http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...2&pid=C2126947

Thanks for the link!

I wonder if a battery from an airsoft gun would work lol.

[fullmetalone]

i love how clean your bike looks. what all did you use to eliminate the electronics?

[Walter]

good job with conversion,Very clean looking

[Darin Jordan]

FUN project!

[tkent02]

Really starting to like it, nice work on the whole thing. Are you set up for forks now?

[Colorado CJ]

Yeah, I posted over in the Wanted thread that I found a set for $30.00 shipped. I found a set of '82 Katana forks that should be here any day now.

I really appreciate the offer though, I just couldn't pass on this deal.

[Colorado CJ]

Here's a couple of pictures of the bike. I have the LED above the license plate. It is a Hyperlites S16 LED and is extremely bright, even in daylight. It strobes for 5 seconds, then stays fully lit when I apply the brakes.

I shot some rattle can paint on the seat pan so that I could ride it around for a while to see if I need to change anything before breaking it all down. (sandblasted steel rusts instantly if it gets wet).





Here's a picture of the LED running light on. It is MUCH brighter and more red in person, my camera didn't like to pick up on the red light for some reason.

[ChicagoBob]

Great job on the bike. It's a GS classic, and a great re-imagining of the L profile and use of the space left by raising that peanut tank.

Don't forget to turn the petcock to "run."

[Krunk_Kracker]

I was looking at that same LED kit for my bike. How did you mount it?

I'm mounting my license plant horizontally to the lower shock mount and thought these brake lights would work well.