This is my 1979 GS425 Cafe build. She runs great but looks aren't so pretty. So far I've stripped her of all turn signals and tail. Have put on clubman bars for trial and replaced the stock top half bar clamps with GS500 ones. Plans for project are repaint, new tires, cafe seat and exhaust.
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_5439.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_5440.jpg)
and lube the chain. :)
Nice man! Don't know if you've noticed but I'm totally into the cafe thing.
Quote from: Big Rich on April 29, 2011, 01:33:44 PM
Nice man! Don't know if you've noticed but I'm totally into the cafe thing.
Yes, thanks for the info on the other threads on the wheel size. My goal is to have it look like this but with some flare.
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/gs400cafe.jpg)
Quote from: dohabee on April 29, 2011, 01:19:01 PM
and lube the chain. :)
She is getting the same red chain as her cousin the 500.
Quote from: seamax on April 29, 2011, 01:53:18 PM
My goal is to have it look like this but with some flare.
I like what you're doing, but I'd really like to see some more flare...
(http://media.juiceanalytics.com/images/OfficeSpaceFlair.jpg)
Now that's funny.
But Seamax, I have lists of places to get cafe parts. Assuming you're not addicted to fiberglass fumes and want to make everything yourself. There is a lot of potential in the older GS power plants (all things considered) and it's a good frame to start with.
seamax if that 425 ever expires, it ALMOST looks like a gs500 engine would fit in there. throw some yamaha parts and kawi parts and youd have an honest to GOD yamahonkawazuki, ( its how i came up with my username, my first gs had the collection of parts lol
I dunno about the 500 motor in the 425 frame, but a 425 is rather hard to get in the 500's frame, the head is outward exhaust port type, worse is the rear engine mount on the 425 is very wide ... nothing near the GS proportions.
Apparently a 425 is rather far removed form the 500. The 450 is closer. And I'd agree.
Cool.
Buddha.
well shiite. noticed hte exhaust tubes. head out at angles like hte gr650 :(
progress??? :technical:
Need your opinion on muffler tip mount...
Plan A: Slant Cut Facing Down
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7348.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7349.jpg)
Plan B: Slant Cut Facing Out - GP Style
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7350.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7351.jpg)
For some reason I'm leaning towards B but my wife and freinds say A looks much more clean.
I will also cutoff the bar support for stock muffler that hangs behind the tip so it's more clean.
Actually there is one more option..Stock
Only difference the slant cut tips sound so much better than the de-baffled stock mufflers.
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7352.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7353.jpg)
I like option B, but black instead of chrome.
Quote from: dohabee on October 20, 2011, 04:38:13 PM
I like option B, but black instead of chrome.
Yes it will be black.
Option B here as well. You could try painting the inside of the muffler but it would just end up turning black from the exhaust.
Have you thought of mid way between A & B?
Nice work so far :thumb: :thumb:
Michael
I like either. Looking fabtastic too by the way! You do great work sir!
Is there a guide for repainting? I have zero experience. Maybe even negative. I suck at painting the walls in a house.
Quote from: verboseone on October 27, 2011, 05:19:32 PM
Is there a guide for repainting? I have zero experience. Maybe even negative. I suck at painting the walls in a house.
I sand down the frame and areas I want to paint lightly. Then spray a few coats of primer. Sand lightly down the primer to touch smooth and then paint. I've only painted my bikes flat black so no need to be really meticulously nice.
It you want it to be really nice it will take a lot of time to sand out imperfections after each layer of paint.
some updates
-painted and installed exhaust tips. thanks for the inputs
-trying to determine height of seat on frame so I can create a mount system and then paint
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7498.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7505.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7504.jpg)
while I was working on the 425 I thought I would treat the 500 to some new tips also :)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/motorcycle3/IMG_7509.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/motorcycle3/IMG_7508.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/motorcycle3/IMG_7503.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/motorcycle3/IMG_7501.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/motorcycle3/IMG_7499.jpg)
Special brand of paint?
Type of paint? Spray?
looks great!!
Servus,
please post Pics from the GS with the new Swingarm!
Quote from: verboseone on October 28, 2011, 05:17:08 AM
Special brand of paint?
Type of paint? Spray?
I don't think it matters as long as you use the same brand primer, paint and clear. I had bubbling before when I switch brands.
I use cheap walmart krylon but no clear since I want to keep the flat look, although they make a flat clear, and it easy to touch up without the clear. On the wheels I use clear because otherwise it chips easily from debris.
For the anodized red I used Dupli-Color Red Metalcast. This stuff is amazing. Make sure you get the primer though. The sell them at autoparts stores.
Quote from: Jim Knopf on October 28, 2011, 07:36:19 AM
Servus,
please post Pics from the GS with the new Swingarm!
Jim,
Swingarm is still in the box. :( Been riding the 500 until now since Buddha has my carbs. Will put it on this winter when the 425 is ridable. I need one bike to ride while I work on the other. :)
check your pm.
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7505.jpg)
For some reason this particular seat bugs me. Maybe it's the lines. I would like to ride 2 up on this bike. Anyone have any other seat recommendations that might look little better for 2 up riding?
Quote from: seamax on October 28, 2011, 07:42:03 AM
Quote from: verboseone on October 28, 2011, 05:17:08 AM
Special brand of paint?
Type of paint? Spray?
I don't think it matters as long as you use the same brand primer, paint and clear. I had bubbling before when I mix brands.
I use cheap walmart krylon but no clear since I want to keep the flat look, although they make a flat clear, and it easy to touch up without the clear. On the wheels I use clear because otherwise it chips easily from debris.
For the anodized red I used Dupli-Color Red Metalcast. This stuff is amazing. Make sure you get the primer though. The sell them at autoparts stores.
Got my seat mounts installed. Seat and headlight bucket is getting painted and then tail lights will be put on.
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7587.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7585.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7584.jpg)
Some finished pics. I rode her for about a week but since changing to pod filters and free flow exhaust the carbs were acting up. So the carbs are now with Buddha and in the meantime I'm trying to figure how to raise my shocks a couple of inches. I'm also working on extending the kickstand.
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7888.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7887.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/IMG_7886.jpg)
Looking good man! You've probably heard this before, but why no fork brace? Even the stock fender provides lots of support.
Quote from: Big Rich on January 22, 2012, 02:50:56 PM
Looking good man! You've probably heard this before, but why no fork brace? Even the stock fender provides lots of support.
Thanks Rich. I like the look without the fender but I understand the need for the brace. I still have the fender so I think I will shorten it as much as I can and put it back on.
yes def. a sweet ride! :thumb:
its what inspired me to paint more then just my frame tank and plastics.
tho mine didnt come out as good as this one mesh's.
Quote from: Tombstones81 on January 22, 2012, 05:08:02 PM
yes def. a sweet ride! :thumb:
its what inspired me to paint more then just my frame tank and plastics.
tho mine didnt come out as good as this one mesh's.
I think the key is to not go overboard with the secondary color. I wanted the bike primary flat black but it was tough restraining myself from pulling off bits and pieces to paint red. But the nice thing about rattle can flat black is that it is easy touch up and I can also paint the red parts back to black easily.
thats what i thought but it just becomes a pain in the ass, and i didnt want to leave it with all the scuffs so now when i do my build in the winter im going with a white pearl with black as a secondary color. but it looks nice hard to tell in the pics that it a spray can.
Quote from: seamax on April 29, 2011, 01:53:18 PM
Quote from: Big Rich on April 29, 2011, 01:33:44 PM
Nice man! Don't know if you've noticed but I'm totally into the cafe thing.
Yes, thanks for the info on the other threads on the wheel size. My goal is to have it look like this but with some flare.
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh115/seamax206/cafe%20build/gs400cafe.jpg)
I love the seat on that thing. It doesnt look as unconfortable as other cafe racers which most seem to have a board for a seat.
Thanks. I bought that specific seat so I could ride 2 up comfortable. Can't wait to take her out aqgain when I get the carbs back from Buddha.
I usually don't like the heavy color contrast scheme's, but may i say you have the touch sir!! :bowdown:
This is one sexy beast.