81 gs 1100e cafe fighter

[sbasso]

ok re-made the headlight brackets becuase i didnt like the way they turned out the first time. it is amazing how long it takes just to do simple midifications. Also chopped the the drag pipe megaphone to fit. dont know what to do with pipes just yet, get a new set most likely.
Also got my 180 rear tire painted, just wating on other parts and spacers from katman to finish upgrading the rear wheel.
that is all for now.

[sbasso]

OK
Here is a little update with the 81 GS cafe fighter. I have relocated the license plate and tail light bracket to under the seat. Need to wire it.
Does anyone know how to wire a regular filament light and convert it to an LED light? Let me know.
I also got the wheel spacers from Katman to mount my 91 GSXR 180 rear. I haven't bought a new chain yet so i am still unsure if the alignment is correct or not. I will find out here in the near future. It is a tight fit but looks sweet. It took me longer than i thought to get it done so i will finish it up some time later this week.

[bakirkwold]

This might sounds like a weird question but whats the advantage of running a bike with the forks sticking up above the triple clamp? Thanks! And sweet looking bike!

[salty_monk]

Lower front end, speeds the steering up...

[TheCafeKid]

I was hopin as I was reading through this that you were planning to do something with the rear wheel. It's never a good idea to run bias and radial tires together...

[sbasso]

Yep, I now have up to date radial tires front and rear. I lowered the front end which is why the forks stick up like that. Monk is correct, it speeds up the steering by changing the geomtry of the bike. I also raised the rear about an inch with the shocks. It handles great and is steady as a rock but i am sure that is more due to the wieght of the old bikes.

Still ligning up the sprockets and chain and trying to mitigate all other issues that go with that. I will post pictures of completion when i am done. thanks.

[sbasso]

OK
Finally done with the rear wheel install. the 180 barely fits in all the places. The wheel fits easily in the stock swingarm but everything else is a pain in the ass. I finally got all the spaceing worked out and now it is good to go. I am sure the chain will rub some of my shock away and the inside frame rail but hey it all works and has passed the shakedown ride. I just have to get my damn brakes bled correctly.

[Erki]

Looks good man. I think my next build will be a lot like this one.

[quexpress]

Very nice!!!!
Moving the electricals under the seat ... is that simply a "regular sized" AGM battery on its side, or did you need to use a thinner battery?
Thanks!

[promking]

Love your bike keep up the good work, you're making me want to sell my 550 to get something bigger like your bike

[sbasso]

All
thanks for the good words. The bike hasn't been that bad to build. The battery is just the standard size gel on its side. It barely fits and I mean barely. I used the stock battery box and laid it on its side. The bike should be done and I have a 86mother gsxr to start building now.

[CCC-TT]

is that the stock swingarm?

and if so, what were the reasons for not using the katana awing arm?

[7981GS]

OK
Finally done with the rear wheel install. the 180 barely fits in all the places. The wheel fits easily in the stock swingarm but everything else is a pain in the ass.
I finally got all the spaceing worked out and now it is good to go.(??? >) I am sure the chain will rub some of my shock away and the inside frame rail
but hey it all works and has passed the shakedown ride. I just have to get my damn brakes bled correctly.

Doesn't sound like too much fun for the rivets holding the chain together.
Perhaps just spend the $1.00 on another top shock mount spacer instead?

Eric

[The Pelican]

Dude, that's one SWEET ride. Nice work!

[T8erbug]

is that the stock swingarm?

and if so, what were the reasons for not using the katana awing arm?

It's a GS1100 swingarm. It's light, longer, and it's a pretty straight forward swap for most GS's.

Sbasso, what size chain are you using??