Modern Front End on my 450L

[danielg]

I'm very seriously considering an '09 CBR 600RR front end on my '80 GS450L cafe project. I'm fairly sure it will fit with very minimal modifications, but wanted to post here and get some other people's thoughts on this before I pull the trigger.

If interested, what I'm doing is taking this 450 and wanting to build a cafe bike, but not so interested in sticking with tradition. I want to modernize parts where possible and hopefully end up with a very rideable machine that I can take to the track for fun and/or the twisty backroads on the weekend. I'm putting a mono-shock in the rear from an R1 and thinking this CBR front end will be a descent match. I fully realize that this suspension set up will likely out-perform the motor and maybe the frame as well, but I'd rather that than the opposite.

thanks for any thoughts!

[AJ]

While the thought is kind of cool, you're going to end up with an expensive cafe project that won't perform anywhere near what you could have bought for the same money. That's just the realist in me speaking, because I am considering doing something similar to my GS1100e, but realizing I could have bought a late '90's GSXR for the money the mods I want will cost.

[pete]

There is/was a guy on here Billy T that put a modern front end on his 450, and another guy Scottychop who did the same and put a mono shock on the rear.

I can't find Billy T's thread at the moment, but here's Scottychop's:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=163012&highlight=Mega+build

[danielg]

Thanks Pete... I'll try to check those out. AJay; you're right. I fully realize that I'll drop enough money into this project by the time it's done that I could have bought an older sportbike. I'm OK with that! Granted, I do want a really rideable machine when I'm done, but what I'm looking forward to, at least as much, is the whole process of building it. I have 3 other bikes, so I'm in no rush to get this one finished and I just want to really enjoy the whole process and have an intimate knowledge of it inside and out when I do finally sit on her and take a ride.

[ChicagoBob]

if you are looking for better suspension, try cartridge emulators and a fork brace. For better brakes, rebuild the MC and caliper, upgrade pads, add braided brake line, and drill the disk. A nice winter project, and looks more GS than a late-model upgrade.