77 GS400 to Cafe Project

[Englishman]

I was told that a custom bike is not a custom unless welding, cutting and grinding are involved. So this weekend, cutting and grinding was involved on my project. I was cutting the old passenger foot peg brackets down as I will only be using them to hold the pipes and a PO had altered their original shape on one side when the bike had gone down.

So with one cut done, the second and final cut was completed. As the unwanted part hit the ground it was followed by a stream of murky colored water for what seamed like a few seconds (likely only 1 or 2) in that time my mind raced to Oh $#!t what have I done to err, this is not a water cooled machine. Guessing that Suzuki QA had the friday afternoon off when they welded my frame up and there was a water ingess point that had collected rain and wash water over the last 35 years



Unwanted metal + fluid


Mark

[brslk]

I was told that a custom bike is not a custom unless welding, cutting and grinding are involved. So this weekend, cutting and grinding was involved on my project. I was cutting the old passenger foot peg brackets down as I will only be using them to hold the pipes and a PO had altered their original shape on one side when the bike had gone down.

So with one cut done, the second and final cut was completed. As the unwanted part hit the ground it was followed by a stream of murky colored water for what seamed like a few seconds (likely only 1 or 2) in that time my mind raced to Oh $#!t what have I done to err, this is not a water cooled machine. Guessing that Suzuki QA had the friday afternoon off when they welded my frame up and there was a water ingess point that had colled rain and wash water over the last 35 years



Unwanted metal + fluid


Mark

Looks like a hammer and a helmet lock.

[Englishman]

So for the first time since May last year, my 400 is back on its wheels and on new rubber (Avon Roadriders 90/90 front and 100/90 rear both 18"). With the rubber on the rims I can now determine where I can put the seat without the wheel fouling the tail and from there install the battery and an electrics tray. Having put on what I thought were the largest tires I could get on the rims and maintain clearences with forks and the swing arm, I could have gone larger on the back. Glad I did not though as Im not so sure I like the look as it stands now. The tires look somewhat over size or out of proportion. Ive seen it on other cafe's...there just looks like too much rubber...What do you think?





The two above images look OK but its the one below, the one I see when I look at it is where the proportions appear wrong


Perhaps I've been looking at it too long, but with tires on it just does not look right.

Mark

[cowboyup3371]

I think the tires look fine but that rear hump could use some work. Either get rid of the bottom or cut the top down some.

[Charlie G]

I think the tires look fine but that rear hump could use some work. Either get rid of the bottom or cut the top down some.

I agree. Too big.

cg

[pete]

Ok, here's my opinion... take it with a grain of salt...

Tyres are good, tail piece is fine, but the white compared with the finish on the tank in their current state makes the tail look too big and bulky.

You're missing something bulkier up the front to offset the tail, and a bikini fairing along the lines of the Laverda inspiration in your first post would do nicely to fix that

[Englishman]

I think the tires look fine but that rear hump could use some work. Either get rid of the bottom or cut the top down some.

Here's the thing, when I look at the bike, I can't help but think that the tail needs to be larger. Pictures don't seam to capture this.

Ok, here's my opinion... take it with a grain of salt...

Tyres are good, tail piece is fine, but the white compared with the finish on the tank in their current state makes the tail look too big and bulky.

You're missing something bulkier up the front to offset the tail, and a bikini fairing along the lines of the Laverda inspiration in your first post would do nicely to fix that

Pete, I think you are right that the mix of colours don't help any in the perspective looks. I have been trying to get a larger tank, but as they all cost more than the bike, I can't justify it to myself. A fairing may be the link to pull it together.

Thanks for the thoughts guys
Mark

[pete]

$100 too much for you?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/81-Gs-450-Gas-Tank-/260969046630?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cc2f7a266

Local wreckers may be?

But if you were to mock up with your headlight as it is I think you will see a difference, and if you look at your inspiration Laverda photo on your first post, you'll see the size of the tank is about the same as what you have on there now, so I think you'll be right...

Also, some 450 bits on here for sale, not sure if there's an E/S tank in there or not:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=188756

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=188209&highlight=450

[Englishman]

$100 too much for you?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/81-Gs-450-Gas-Tank-/260969046630?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cc2f7a266

Local wreckers may be?

But if you were to mock up with your headlight as it is I think you will see a difference, and if you look at your inspiration Laverda photo on your first post, you'll see the size of the tank is about the same as what you have on there now, so I think you'll

Pete

$100 is actually low for one of these. I use the iPad app for eBay and search everyday under "Suzuki GS450"' 425 & 400. This had not come up in my searches. It's was listed under antiques and did not mention Suzuki. Seller accepted my $85 offer. Thanks for the heads up Pete.

I had been trying to get one of these
http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/270891307476?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%3A80%2Fs ch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570.l2736%2 6_nkw%3D270891307476%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_687wt_94 8

[pete]

Pete

$100 is actually low for one of these. I use the iPad app for eBay and search everyday under "Suzuki GS450"' 425 & 400. This had not come up in my searches. It's was listed under antiques and did not mention Suzuki. Seller accepted my $85 offer. Thanks for the heads up Pete.

I had been trying to get one of these
http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/270891307476?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%3A80%2Fs ch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570.l2736%2 6_nkw%3D270891307476%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_687wt_94 8

Awesome Mark! Glad I was able to help out, just hope it's in good enough shape as I only had a very quick look, but $85 is great!

Looking at that Laverda auction, yeah I can see why one of those is a budget killer...

Going by the one dodgy photo on that auction it looks like cosmetic work only is required although you can't see inside. If the fuel tap from your tank doesn't work they're around the $75 - 80 new from Boulevard Suzuki and if there's any rust inside just use the POR 15 kit and it will clean right up for you and stop it happening again. I've got a couple of thousand km's on mine with the POR 15 kit through it now and having no issues at all.

Edit: Forgot to add I've found that eBay app to be crap. I've used it a few times for curiousity's sake but never turns up the same results as the real deal...

[Englishman]

Awesome Mark! Glad I was able to help out, just hope it's in good enough shape as I only had a very quick look, but $85 is great!

Going by the one dodgy photo on that auction it looks like cosmetic work only is required although you can't see inside. If the fuel tap from your tank doesn't work they're around the $75 - 80 new from Boulevard Suzuki ...

Pete
I won't find out it's true condition until next weekend. Flying closer to you this saturday to Singapore for the week and likely jet lagged the following weekend too. If my 400 petcock won't fit, then likely I will go to a Pingle valve as I prefer their simplicity

Mark

[pete]

Pete
I won't find out it's true condition until next weekend. Flying closer to you this saturday to Singapore for the week and likely jet lagged the following weekend too. If my 400 petcock won't fit, then likely I will go to a Pingle valve as I prefer their simplicity

Mark

Jetsetting hey? Work or pleasure?

My only issue with ones like the Pingles is that knowing me I'd forget to turn it off and end up with fuel in the oil...

[Englishman]

Jetsetting hey? Work or pleasure?

My only issue with ones like the Pingles is that knowing me I'd forget to turn it off and end up with fuel in the oil...

This week is work attending a conference, but Singapore is always a pleasure too. Actually an ant just walked over my iPad screen - looks like I need to do a Bug check in my room

I have never had a bike with the vacuum petcock. All my previous carb fitted bikes had the simple on/off valve from the late 70's until 1999 when I moved to the States. I can't remember if the 70's and 80's GS models in the UK had the vacuum petcock or not and this is my first Suzuki in 30 years of riding. I don't recall anyone raving or cursing them one way or the other.

Mark

[Good Times]

Nice build Englishman. This is going to be a cool bike when you are finished.

[Englishman]

Nice build Englishman. This is going to be a cool bike when you are finished.

Thanks Good Times, I do hope so. I'm just have some doubts at the moment.........like a mid-build crisis

Mark