'80 GS550L to Cafe Racer

[Colorado CJ]

I'm not sure that I'm going to use a fork brace. These are '82 Katana forks and they are much stiffer and better dampening than the stock forks. I've already rode the bike up in the mountains a few times, pushing it pretty hard (~50 m.p.h. around 30 m.p.h. curves) and I don't feel any fork flex or vagueness.

[Redneck]

I was wondering how your little battery is holding up? Can you put the battery tender on it? How would you jump start your bike if you had to or charge it if the battery tender does not work? I really like the idea of that battery and I have the luxury of a kickstart for back up, but was very curious about the charging and possible jumpstarting of your battery. MY wife may kill me if I go and spend the money on rewiring the bike to put everything up under the gas tank but man that is so cool.

Paul

[Colorado CJ]

The battery has been working out great! The starter turns over very fast and there is no dimming of the headlight at idle like the stock battery did.

It would be a little difficult to jump the bike as it is right now since I have everything pretty much tucked under the tank and there is a plate that doesn't give you enough room to get your fingers up to the connector.

I could just make a small jump wire that stays connected and has a cap for when it isn't used, might be a smart idea. I could use that to jump or charge the battery without having to take the tank off.

[psyguy]

I'll be breaking it down shortly for sandblasting, paint and polish.

wow, there's that happening as well! looking forward to the updates

[crazy5]

I'm getting errors on the pics from flickr... Are they still available? I'd love to be able to see how the build progressed. Thanks!

[ChicagoBob]

I've got a Tarozzi fork brace on my '78 550. Very nice, and fits over the stock fender, but I'm selling it to trade up to another GS. See my "for sale" post.