81 GS1100 Cafe Build

[Dino308gt4]

I picked up an GS1100 for a song on CL. The bike was not running when I got it. No spark, valve timing off and a bunch of other stuff. I got it all sorted out and it runs.

I ripped out the wiring and wired up a minimal harness for ignition, lights and charging.

I put one of my large seats on and it fits great. I have a bit of work left with rearsets, clubmans, headlight and a few little details. I hope to have it on the road in two weeks.

[GateKeeper]

Very nice....

[spyug]

Welcome aboard and very well done sir but may I give you some advice about your seat?

Cafe seats may be cool but they can give you serious medical issues as happened to me. Even with some good foam padding these seats are rock hard and have no "give " like a stock seat. While you may have good suspension, the shock of a bump is going to transmit directly to your lower spine and may injure same ( compressing disks).

Even worse, the hardness of the pan can compress the sciatic nerve branch that you have in the buttocks of either leg. A compression of that nerve will bring on a pain that only morphine or some other opiate can kill. You can damage the nerves in the leg all the way down to the feet. The first time it happened to me I was in agony for weeks, couldn't walk or sit and was prevented from riding or doing much of anything for 6 months or more. It happened again a year or so later and I lost another 6 months of proper mobility, lost strength in my left leg and feeling in my small toes. Getting on 6 years later, my leg is barely 90% back to normal. This accident was the reason I got my 750 in the first place, for its big comfy "whale" of a seat.

Cool is fun but not if you can't use it. Put a good fairly firm pad down and try and not ride for more than an hour or two at a time as continued sitting will cause you trouble believe me.

Ride safely and enjoy.

Spyug

[Dino308gt4]

Good advice on the seat! I'll make sure to get a thick pad on there.

[spyug]

One of the best "firm" foams are the close celled units they sell as "kneeler pads" in the DYI stores. I believe I got mine in Princess Auto ( like Harbour Freight) Black in colour , about 2" thick. Spongy but firm.

I used one to make a pad for my 650 Street Tracker to sell it after I injured myself. If I'd of had that before , I likely would have been fine, or at least less injured.

I'm glad you are going to take steps as, trust me, you wouldn't want to wish that nerve pain on your worst enemy.

Let us know when you make the inaugral ride. How about a vid?

cheers,
Spyug

[sbasso]

81 GS 1100 cafe

Glad to see someone else doing an 81 GS 1100 cafe build. I am as well. Take a look at what i got and it looks a lot like yours. I have a complete 95 GSXR 750 USD front end in my garage and will install here in a few days. I have a few other changes, but i like what you have done. pictures are at the site below. I still can't figure out how to post pics in the body of the write up.

http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/2328039/

[brslk]

One of the best "firm" foams are the close celled units they sell as "kneeler pads" in the DYI stores. I believe I got mine in Princess Auto ( like Harbour Freight) Black in colour , about 2" thick. Spongy but firm.

I used one to make a pad for my 650 Street Tracker to sell it after I injured myself. If I'd of had that before , I likely would have been fine, or at least less injured.

I'm glad you are going to take steps as, trust me, you wouldn't want to wish that nerve pain on your worst enemy.

Let us know when you make the inaugral ride. How about a vid?

cheers,
Spyug

Thanks for the tip Spyug. I was going to ask you what type of foam would be best after reading about you injury.

Bruce.

[Erki]

wicked bike.