Hello everyone!
I'm Paul, a radiographer residing in the Netherlands.
I'm actually a car guy (sorry...), done quite a few restorations and track prepped cars.
But it was time for something new!
I wanted to build a café racer with modern day reliability.
It's also my opinion that a café racer should be a parallel twin.
Enter the GS500E!
I picked up a fix 'm upper for €200.
Mechanically sound but cosmetically a bit tatty.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/28/yvydu2yb.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/28/5ase3yha.jpg)
I've already started the strip-down and have started a shopping and to-do list.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/28/duqusa5u.jpg)
I'll keep you posted!
Can't wait to see the progress!
Good luck! I wish I hadnt sold my gs500 cafe, but i couldnt get a damn title :2guns: Ill be watching!
Quick update:
Headlight fairing has received a few coats of flat black paint...
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/30/6eruha7e.jpg)
Got a chin/bug spoiler buried in a box somewhere which will receive the same treatment.
Found this lying around, not sure if I'm going to use it
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/30/u4ugumaj.jpg)
This going to be the handlebar set-up
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/30/dujemy3u.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/30/a4ajute6.jpg)
for the levers you will want a sv clutch perch or a katana one. The gs clutch perch doesn't allow you to use short or long after market adjustable levers unless you pay big money. Just fount this out my self but I have a katana sitting at a buddies garage I am using for parts
Thanks for tip!
They were advertised as a straight swap, but I'll check them as soon as they're in...
yhe issue is there is no notch for the safty switch
Okay... I'll keep my eye out for that! Thanks!
BTW... the mailman has paid a visit today!
0.85 sonic spring kit!
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/5y4yje2y.jpg)
EBC brake pads
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/sajuhy3a.jpg)
Heat wrap
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/ahusuje7.jpg)
And I went down to the local automotive warehouse and picked up a few bits...
Service kit + chain & sprocket set
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/yhe7ubu4.jpg)
Speaks for itself...
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/mate4a4e.jpg)
Carb rebuild set
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/egemenym.jpg)
These I had lying around, they were actually for my old (now deceased) moped. Maybe I could "botch" them to fit the GS?
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/9egyjyzy.jpg)
On the foot pegs I would say go for it they would look sweet.
Got some more bits in today...
New rear brake reservoir
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/03/2everyqy.jpg)
New throttle, clutch & choke cables
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/03/nate8aty.jpg)
And some more heat wrap?!? Must have been drunk when I ordered that...:-X
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/03/y8upu9es.jpg)
last pic is that exhaust wrap?
Yep... I have no idea why I ordered it, because I already have 10m roll with SS ties! :(
To be honest I have no recollection at all of ordering it... haha!
Nice bike!
Really like the café racer style and can't wait to see this one finished.
Succes met de verbouwing!
My wife knows that the trouble begins when all of the parts start showing up at the door! :cry:
Quote from: GS4me on July 08, 2014, 06:15:56 PM
My wife knows that the trouble begins when all of the parts start showing up at the door! :cry:
Amen to that......
Krsa, what's the story with that headlight? I don't know if I've seen one like that.
Quote from: Big Rich on July 08, 2014, 07:24:59 PM
Quote from: GS4me on July 08, 2014, 06:15:56 PM
My wife knows that the trouble begins when all of the parts start showing up at the door! :cry:
Amen to that......
Krsa, what's the story with that headlight? I don't know if I've seen one like that.
My garage is bit of an Aladdin's cave... I keep finding bits & pieces which I forgot I even had! (I still keep finding bits from my Opel Manta A which I sold 5yrs ago! Haha!)
The headlight is an universal LED unit which has roughly the same dimensions as the OEM headlight. I picked it up for a few euros quite a while back with the intent to pass it on to a mate who was modding his bike at the time...
I'm not even sure if I'll be using it, I haven't tested the brightness and light pattern yet.
Do those levers fit? Looking forward to seeing how this turns out
They came in yesterday... hopefully I'll get time next week to trial fit some bits!
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/u4u9umuq.jpg)
Quality seems fair enough... I might take them to work and check under X-Ray for cracks ;):P
Some other bits came in too today
I'm going for a twin horn setup
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/va2e7aba.jpg)
It's not that clear in this pic, but the red is actually a metallic red...
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/e9urequd.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/9ebuga5e.jpg)
Self explanatory... ;)
Quote from: krsa2000 on July 11, 2014, 10:06:12 AM
They came in yesterday... hopefully I'll get time next week to trial fit some bits!
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/u4u9umuq.jpg)
Quality seems fair enough... I might take them to work and check under X-Ray for cracks ;):P
you will need a different clutch perch. I used a katana one. Only problem with these levers is the up and down play.
Quote from: MARider on July 11, 2014, 10:50:44 AM
you will need a different clutch perch. I used a katana one. Only problem with these levers is the up and down play.
No prob...
Always in for a bit of tinkering & modding! ;-)
I've got a similar horn to those but just one. I'd love a scott-oiler.
Let me know if those brake levers need any modifying. Could you share the link you bought them from?
Quote from: captain-longstride on July 11, 2014, 12:15:43 PM
I've got a similar horn to those but just one. I'd love a scott-oiler.
Let me know if those brake levers need any modifying. Could you share the link you bought them from?
I got them off eBay:
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/261482146613?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I've noticed that the seller has bumped the price up quite alot!
I paid nowhere the amount currently advertised... (plus I had free shipping)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/ynasaqav.jpg)
I've looked at many a cafe ...
I think 4 cyls make horrible cafe's ... the motor hanging out there line a lump looks stupid.
And a perimeter frame has a long way to go before it will hide itself well enough to be a decent cafe.
Single or twin spine frame makes the easiest ...
A very narrow and well disguised perimeter frame like a MZ skorpion ... tries hard but still fails ...
A wide and visible perimeter frame like the GS or honda hawk have no choice but to uncafe themselves quite rapidly.
Cool.
Buddha.
Had a few minutes spare at work...
No X-Ray evidence for flaws and/or imperfections...
;);D
http://youtu.be/JTQ3dloSJVg
http://youtu.be/ILG062R2big
Quote from: The Buddha on July 11, 2014, 01:40:19 PM
I've looked at many a cafe ...
I think 4 cyls make horrible cafe's ... the motor hanging out there line a lump looks stupid.
And a perimeter frame has a long way to go before it will hide itself well enough to be a decent cafe.
Single or twin spine frame makes the easiest ...
A very narrow and well disguised perimeter frame like a MZ skorpion ... tries hard but still fails ...
A wide and visible perimeter frame like the GS or honda hawk have no choice but to uncafe themselves quite rapidly.
Cool.
Buddha.
I understand your way of thinking and agree on some points.
A GS will seem to lean more towards the streetfighter style when being café-d because of its more contemporary styling.
Café's were inspired by the GP bikes of the era (50's & 60's). Streetfighters are more modern (and stunt driving orientated).
But strictly speaking, a streetfighter & a café racer are basically the same thing. They are both stripped down bikes aiming to improve performance.
Maybe I should call my concoction a street-side café stunt racer...😂
[The café racer is a light and lightly powered motorcycle that has been modified for speed and handling rather than comfort. - wiki]
Nah... it's a Café Racer! ♤
This looks pretty café if you ask me...
(I think everyone knows this bike)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/nypugu4y.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/y6aveqy3.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/me7uty4a.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/te8a9e9u.jpg)
It's not the prettiest nor the tidiest... but that's not the point 😉
Quote from: krsa2000 on July 11, 2014, 05:20:06 PM
Had a few minutes spare at work...
No X-Ray evidence for flaws and/or imperfections...
;);D
http://youtu.be/JTQ3dloSJVg
http://youtu.be/ILG062R2big
Nice are you also working in the NDT?
I'm working as a Level II inspector (UT) in the aerospace industry.
I love that GS500 cafe racer^^
Already mounted the levers? And do they fit?
You can make a GS500 into virtually anything because of how easy the frames on the rear are to modify. Mines sort of a cross-breed between street fighter and cafe.
Quote from: dB-tje on July 12, 2014, 04:54:49 AM
Quote from: krsa2000 on July 11, 2014, 05:20:06 PM
Had a few minutes spare at work...
No X-Ray evidence for flaws and/or imperfections...
;);D
http://youtu.be/JTQ3dloSJVg
http://youtu.be/ILG062R2big
Nice are you also working in the NDT?
I'm working as a Level II inspector (UT) in the aerospace industry.
I love that GS500 cafe racer^^
Already mounted the levers? And do they fit?
Nah... I'm just a humble X-Ray tech (hospital based). But I am the key-user for the Philips X-Ray units and have a few more "privileges" then my colleagues. ;)
I haven't gotten round to (test) fitting the levers yet... I'm on night shift at the moment and have split my awake time between the fixing up the baby room, a friend's car and the wife! Haha!
Quote from: captain-longstride on July 12, 2014, 06:35:15 AM
You can make a GS500 into virtually anything because of how easy the frames on the rear are to modify. Mines sort of a cross-breed between street fighter and cafe.
I think mine will probably end up being something between a café & a fighter aswell... but I'm going to try and give it a old school vibe!
ummm i just bought the same lever set as well.....im doing my research to see which perch will fit.
How does OP's gs500 come together so far? Does the levers fit?? :mad:
Hi I feel like I have said this multiple times in this thread but a 1st gen sv650 or early katana clutch perch is needed. A lot of the adds on the ebay for these levers say for gs500 but if you read the fine print it says universal fit and may need to be customized to fit your application. I have them on my bike and picked up a clutch perch for 7 bucks with free shipping. Just look for one that doesn't already have a lever and you can pick one up for a few bucks.
Quote from: MARider on July 15, 2014, 11:04:24 AM
Hi I feel like I have said this multiple times in this thread but a 1st gen sv650 or early katana clutch perch is needed. A lot of the adds on the ebay for these levers say for gs500 but if you read the fine print it says universal fit and may need to be customized to fit your application. I have them on my bike and picked up a clutch perch for 7 bucks with free shipping. Just look for one that doesn't already have a lever and you can pick one up for a few bucks.
Thanks man! I knw ill need a perch but Im not sure if its the older sv650 or the newer one.
Ill do my shopping now :icon_mrgreen:
I would try for a katana one..cheaper. there is no benefit to an sv650 clutch perch. Also some people say you need a different clutch cable as it will be at a different angle. I have had no issues whatsoever. I really need to get pictures up.
I went to the local suzuki dealer to check out the first gen sv650 perch.
It doesnt seem to fit the clutch lever i had. The displacement of the pivot is different than the sv650 lever.
Do you have some picture of this lever fitting with a katana perch?
Shall we make a new/separate topic regarding this subject?
Or should I change the title and start a new one for my build?
;)
Sorry, so did you mock up that headlight??
Quote from: krsa2000 on July 16, 2014, 03:39:19 AM
Shall we make a new/separate topic regarding this subject?
Or should I change the title and start a new one for my build?
;)
Sorry for hijacking the thread :dunno_white:
Quote from: MARider on July 16, 2014, 06:33:57 AM
Sorry, so did you mock up that headlight??
Haven't gotten round to it yet... :(
Im interested to see it. I like it, its a cool new school take on the old round headlight.
Been mucking around with the LED headlight and front fairing... I haven't got anything worth showing at the moment...
At the same time a few new bits have been delivered:
Colour coded Wezmoto brake line kit(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/ede8uve4.jpg)
License plate relocation kit(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/anumubyd.jpg)
And an el cheapo knock off sportster fender(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/uga5ete8.jpg)
Originally ordered for the rear but might order an extra one to modify for the front.
Can't wait to see these parts on the bike!
I can't wait either! :)
Looking good. I'm also working on a GS500 that i was going to cafe, but decided I'm going more for a hybrid tourer/fighter... let me explain.. it already had a rear hugger, SV650 rear shock conversion done by the previous owner.. i have since got some later crankcases and oil pan/sump plate for the oil cooler. am going to rebuild the motor as reliability is paramount for this build. I'm fitting some decent aftermarket twin headlamps and brackets, cree running lights, engine bars, flyscreen, renthal style bars with top yoke from a US market GS with built in risers instead of the clip on style we got in europe. other mods I'm doing are a belly pan. rear rack, and having my seat done for comfort with memory foam and a new handmade cover. and hard luggage if i can find suitable side panniers. everything will be powder coated that i can.. and the tank/plastics resprayed. and finally some progressive springs and heavier oil.
I like those levers you are going to fit.. i have looked up the seller on ebay and i noticed they do brake master cylinder, and clutch perch with the levers.. I'm gonna wait to see how you get on with fitting them before i pull the trigger on a set of the levers or the complete set up. And hey Holland aint far from Scotland either! in fact one of my first trips on my project when done will be to Holland, Germany and Belgium.
Quote from: Cerberus73 on August 06, 2014, 08:36:52 AM
I like those levers you are going to fit.. i have looked up the seller on ebay and i noticed they do brake master cylinder, and clutch perch with the levers.. I'm gonna wait to see how you get on with fitting them before i pull the trigger on a set of the levers or the complete set up.
One of the lads here (wakey86) has them on his bike...(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/07/7ezu9a4e.jpg)
I bit the bullet and ordered a set as well.(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/07/y7uzu3um.jpg)
Saves piss-arseing around with ill fitting perches from other bikes!
Quote from: Cerberus73 on August 06, 2014, 08:36:52 AMAnd hey Holland aint far from Scotland either! in fact one of my first trips on my project when done will be to Holland, Germany and Belgium.
When you make your road trip, make a detour down to the south of holland (limburg) there's plenty of twisty's in the "highlands" of holland...
Great for bikers!
Let us know how the Master cylinder goes with the GS calliper. whether it feels nice and progressive, or wooden as hell. I'm more inclined to go for the flip up longer style lever set. and will fit braided hoses. my one worry was the front brake light switch.. whether that set includes one as its a vital part of the UK MOT test.
Sounds like a great place to have a run down to.. should be on the way south from Rotterdam to Belgium? i do fancy going through the Ardennes into south western Germany, and from there to Bavaria, and back over to Holland and back into the UK. a couple of 1000 mile run.
According to wakey the oem banjo fits the cylinder.
And there is a brake light switch:(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/07/qe3a3a6a.jpg)
Quote from: krsa2000 on August 06, 2014, 09:34:07 PM
According to wakey the oem banjo fits the cylinder.
And there is a brake light switch:(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/07/qe3a3a6a.jpg)
Any chance on a link? I already have adjustable levers but like the master and clutch perch being all one cohesive look.
Here's the link from wakey's thread:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Universal-Aluminum-clutch-Brake-levers-Fluid-Reservoir-Cap-CNC-Motorcycle-/171218003089?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27dd636491&vxp=mtr
I ordered them through a different seller but he has apparantly run out:
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/371061687324?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Thank you. cant wait to see your bike all together.
I just ordered me a set of those levers and the master cylinder set, did some haggling using the make offer option on ebay, Got them for $60 in the end. (about £36 Sterling) so its worth haggling the price down. Just gotta wait till they show up to see what kind of quality they are. i know i will replace the fasteners with Stainless, and the spring clips with Stainless jubilee clips.. and the hose for braided... yeah I'm picky! after all its your life at stake with these.
This is what i got:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/With-Fluid-Reservoir-22mm-Front-Brake-Master-Cylinder-Cable-Clutch-Perch-levers-/251421116074
I also bought some renthal bars, Twistgrips and a set of Mirrors.. only need to measure up for braided hoses and clean up and paint the callipers to complete that part of my bike.. its all slowly coming together.
Quote from: Cerberus73 on August 09, 2014, 04:58:04 AM
I just ordered me a set of those levers and the master cylinder set, did some haggling using the make offer option on ebay, Got them for $60 in the end. (about £36 Sterling) so its worth haggling the price down. Just gotta wait till they show up to see what kind of quality they are. i know i will replace the fasteners with Stainless, and the spring clips with Stainless jubilee clips.. and the hose for braided... yeah I'm picky! after all its your life at stake with these.
This is what i got:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/With-Fluid-Reservoir-22mm-Front-Brake-Master-Cylinder-Cable-Clutch-Perch-levers-/251421116074
I also bought some renthal bars, Twistgrips and a set of Mirrors.. only need to measure up for braided hoses and clean up and paint the callipers to complete that part of my bike.. its all slowly coming together.
Nice one! ;)
Any pics of the finished product?