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    GSX250 build

    OK the title isn't exciting...but this is in response to several people saying I should document one of my builds, so here it is.

    The aim - a GSX250 powered racebike built to NZ pre 82 rules - as interpreted in the South Island...which means a bit more latitude.
    We are allowed frames which are appropriate to the period rather than insisting on exact replicas...The South has always been big on specials lol.

    Why ? Well locally it would get two class rides per meeting at least. A local club runs a 150 2T & 250 4T class with a limit of 2 cylinders. Given what i plan, it won't be the slowest pre 82 out there...And we run on some pretty tight tracks too.

    Right - recipe. i have a GSX250 motor which on stripping seems in pretty good nick. The cams are away at Kelford in ChCh to have a standard GSXR750 profile put on. With the GSXR springs and an appropriately ported head, there's going to be some power there.. I also have a part set of Mikuni 29mm smoothbores which i cut up into a pair many years ago. i'll respace them for the 250 and that's that sorted.
    I'll remove the balance shaft - plug the oil galleries too. Not irreversible if it proves necessary to put it back. Alternator is coming off too - total loss battery powered ignition. Starting by powered rollers - or find a young pusher lol...

    Frame and running gear. Scratchbuilt frame - quasi Harris...but twin shock to comply with our rules. Chinese piggyback shocks already sourced...cheap. GS450 33mm fork legs in home made yokes to get the required offset. Wheels - scored here, Motard style wires 17 x 2.5 and 17 X 3.5 - RS125 sizes so probably used RS slicks. I've ordered a TZ250 G/H seat - high wedge with deep sides, and a Gilera Saturno front fairing - narrow but with deep sides again. i don't expect those before Xmas from our local glass guy...Brakes, have a line on a pair of Brembo 05 calipers - the small twin pots. i'll run a single 300mm front disc and a small rear. The small Brembos will be OK for both ends. Scored a GSXR750 tacho too...

    What may surprise some is the amount of scratch building I'm prepared to do - i have the time but not the $$....

    Progress so far - frame is probably half done. mild steel, bronze welded. For the technically minded, manganese bronze,no inline fluxer - those cost $$...i have a bender but there's not a lot of bent tubes in this.

    Pic is frame and motor in the jig. Sequence was front and lower rear engine mounts ( front was a pain ) then locate the shock tops, tubes to lower crossmember, then top frame tubes steering head to where the top of the swingarm gusset comes...then fill in the gaps lol.
    There will ultimately be a rear seat loop once I have a seat....

    #2
    More progress - frame out of jig, difficult access welds finished. Swingarm gussets made and welded in. Top rear motor mounts made and welded in.

    Next move is back into the jig to pilot drill the swingarm pivot holes and weld in the characteristic Harris steering head crossbracing.
    Then out of the jig, holesaw the swingarm pivot holes, back into the jig and put the swingarm pivot bushes into the frame...

    Next week the swingarm.....

    Comment


      #3
      Interesting project Greg...............wouldn't Tig welding have saved more weight? In these smaller classes. power to weight is king, along with great handling.
      :) The road to hell is paved with good intentions......................................

      GS 850GN JE 894 10.5-1 pistons, Barnett Clutch, C-W 4-1, B-B MPD Ignition, Progressive suspension, Sport Demons. Sold
      GS 850GT JE 1023 11-1 pistons. Sold
      GS1150ES3 stock, V&H 4-1. Sold
      GS1100GD, future resto project. Sold

      http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/P1000001.jpg
      http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/P1000581.jpg

      Comment


        #4
        Maybe...but TIG introduces more distortion too. I like the lower temps of bronze welding. My eyes have never changed fast enough to be good at electric welding and at my age they're never going to...

        I'm aiming for around the 100kg mark with oil and battery - a couple of my 350 Aermacchis have come in just under this so it's achievable.

        With the relatively soft tube i use, a large fillet in manganese bronze gives me a structure which doesn't crack easily. Better tube and Nickel bronze would be nice but price up T45 or 4130 here in NZ....

        Scored a TZ seat at the weekend and discussed the front fairing today with the 'glass guy. Honda NSR250 sitting there in stock so that will do.

        Bought the alloy plate for the triple clamps - and a sheet of 16g soft as I plan to make a tank too

        I'll put up some more pics tomorrow.

        Comment


          #5
          Very keen to follow this Greg!

          I don't have the welding or fabricating skills that you do but I'm very interested in seeing how it's done.

          The little bits I did for my 450 gave me great satisfaction and I'm keen to extend that further in the future on other projects, so watching what others can do is always an interesting educational experience for me.

          Are you plannning on a dyno run once she's all done and tuned? I'd be curious to see what the power curve is like compared to my 450... I reckon that little GSX250 engine could put out some decent top end HP with what you're doing... my stock (apart from intake and exhaust) 450 came out at a about 32HP at about 6K RPM.
          1982 GS450E - The Wee Beastie
          1984 GSX750S Katana 7/11 - Kit Kat - BOTM May 2020

          sigpic

          450 Refresh thread: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...-GS450-Refresh

          Katana 7/11 thread: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...84-Katana-7-11

          Comment


            #6
            Thanks Pete - the skills are all acquired by years of just doing it...

            Yep, I hope to put it on a local dyno more used to seeing bucket racers...I'd like to see over 40 at the wheel. Not unreasonable i think.

            slight holdup in proceedings - a GS1000ST motor to finish....

            Comment


              #7
              Starting to look like an 'Arris...

              Comment


                #8
                Other side

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                  #9
                  Frame looks sweet Greg, Looks much better in the flesh than the photos.
                  Looking forward to seeing it progress (and on the track).

                  You reckon it'll be done for the Methven Street Races?

                  Cheers
                  Dave

                  Comment


                    #10
                    You volunteering to ride it Dave ?

                    It might be ridable by Methven at Easter if i don't keep getting interrupted by people wanting motors built.....just joking....

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Hey mR T that frame is a work of art mate..

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                        #12
                        Thank you for sharing this.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          This looks interesting. I think I'll stay tuned. Good luck.

                          cg
                          sigpic
                          83 GS1100g
                          2006 Triumph Sprint ST 1050

                          Ohhhh!........Torque sweet Temptress.........always whispering.... a murmuring Siren

                          Comment


                            #14
                            How do you get the engine in and out? It looks like your bracing along the sides is non-removable. Can you remove the valve cover while the engine is still in the bike? Looks cool though.
                            Last edited by Sci85; 12-17-2013, 01:29 PM.
                            1982 GS550M Rebuilt Winter '12 - 550 to 673cc engine conversion.
                            1989 Kawasaki ZX-7 Ninja
                            2016 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by GregT View Post
                              You volunteering to ride it Dave ?

                              It might be ridable by Methven at Easter if i don't keep getting interrupted by people wanting motors built.....just joking....
                              Love to Greg but I suspect my my 6ft 100kg mid pack orangutan carcass would mess up the obvious potential of the bike

                              Promise I'll only ask you to fix my engine one more time .....

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