I really wanted to build my own racer, based on a halfway modern bike. Thanks to all the amazing resources on this forum, I was able to turn it into a great summer science project.
Turned out to be part cafe racer and part streetfighter, so thus the name.
I was much inspired by this bike. http://www.bikebound.com/2016/03/30/suzuki-gs500-cafe-racer/ Thanks Clive and Jay for your pointers!
Much credit goes to Jason Lisica http://www.blackfoxfabrication.com/ in Pacifica, CA for the hard work of fabrication and wiring.
So without further ado...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1366_zpslz9msae2.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1366_zpslz9msae2.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1390%201_zps5ez9edl5.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1390%201_zps5ez9edl5.jpg.html)
Rebuilt front forks with Sonic Springs
Stainless exhaust, clip ons, brake reservoirs all easily sourced off of Ebay
SV650 rear shock, 'cuz a yellow spring just looks cool
CBR900RR rear set
Got rid of the PAIR / air injection system along with the petcock, to avoid any potential sources of vacuum leak
Cleaned and rebuilt the carbs, with a K&N lunchbox air filter. Went with 20/60/147.5 jets
Total beginner's luck, but think I got it spot on. Thanks for the good advice Buddha! Cool...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1393_zpsomtrbhfb.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1393_zpsomtrbhfb.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1391%201_zps0ekz9es6.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1391%201_zps0ekz9es6.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1392_zpsjvg9gjcu.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1392_zpsjvg9gjcu.jpg.html)
Went with 5" LED headlights, originally meant for a Harley I think
Shaved off the ignition core; went with an ignition button mounted to left side of the frame
Trail Tech Vapor gauge, got rid of the top handlebar triple tree
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1389_zpsccfapka5.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1389_zpsccfapka5.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1394_zps8kkxbfxo.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1394_zps8kkxbfxo.jpg.html)
Of course, the hardest part of the project was cutting off the tail subframe and welding up a new one.
Got a tiny lithium battery and tidied up the wiring
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1396_zpstyrosyma.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1396_zpstyrosyma.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1395_zps0ptufnu2.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1395_zps0ptufnu2.jpg.html)
Nice build! :cheers:
That exhaust looks neat!!
And you did a spiffy job cleaning up the wiring/tail section. Not everybody does that !! Very clean 8)
Might be a weird question, But do you have more pictures of your seat? How'd you attach it to the frame there? My seat has me having to think. Which i've never been good at.
dang, looks great. that exhaust is sick!
Quote from: TheGreenWeenie on August 30, 2016, 06:19:25 PM
Might be a weird question, But do you have more pictures of your seat? How'd you attach it to the frame there? My seat has me having to think. Which i've never been good at.
Thanks everyone!
GreenWeenie - hilarious name, BTW - here's the seat I got.
http://4into1.com/the-brisbane-cafe-seat-black/
It comes with plastic hook on the front. If you look at my last picture, there's a metal slat welded up front. The plastic hook catches on that. On the back, remounted the stock seat latch.
Good luck!
super clean looking build :thumb: love it! have fun dude :thumb:
Quote from: iamhiding on September 02, 2016, 08:06:00 AM
super clean looking build :thumb: love it! have fun dude :thumb:
Thanks man!
You did a great super thorough write-up on your own project. This forum is a great place to learn from other builders.
noice. here's my cafe racer. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=67200.0 i've done some minor changes here and there since then.
i'm just curious, how in the world did you get you wiring so tidy? did you cut and re splice them or something? i have my wiring all hidden under the seat too... but mine is just a bunch of wiring all scrunched up together. not as nice and tidy as yours.
also, where do you get those rear sets?
I have to give Jason Lisica credit for the wiring job. Don't think we eliminated any electrical stuff, just anything related to vacuum lines. The rectifier, a fuse box, and the computer harness are tucked underneath the tail metal. Seems like the rectifier likes having some open air flow, given its fins?
The rear sets are from a Honda CBR900RR. Got them for like $90 on Ebay. There's a post on the forum about them. Just need to make some very minor Dremel time to make them fit. One of the mounting holes needs to be ovalized to get the rear brake cylinder to fit.
Quote from: Endopotential on August 31, 2016, 10:52:35 AM
Quote from: TheGreenWeenie on August 30, 2016, 06:19:25 PM
Might be a weird question, But do you have more pictures of your seat? How'd you attach it to the frame there? My seat has me having to think. Which i've never been good at.
Thanks everyone!
GreenWeenie - hilarious name, BTW - here's the seat I got.
http://4into1.com/the-brisbane-cafe-seat-black/
It comes with plastic hook on the front. If you look at my last picture, there's a metal slat welded up front. The plastic hook catches on that. On the back, remounted the stock seat latch.
Good luck!
Much appreciated. I think i like these seats a little better than my fiberglass one. at least those should bolt right on. And i don't have to worry about upholstering anything.
This is a great build! Very original ideas - love the headlights, rearsets, tail and how you cleaned everything up. Your exhaust and seat are :woohoo:
I live in the East Bay and rarely see anyone on a GS in the Bay.
Question, can you post pics of your engine bay? I want to know how you cleaned up the vacuum hoses. Specifically, the PAIR system and CA Evap system.
:cheers:
Absolutely fabulous looking build! I usually am not into the "cafe" style mods to 90s era motorcycles but this one has just exactly the right balance and hangs with any show bike build I have seen.
It's this kind of thing that reaffirms my choice to keep my own GS and not flip it in favor of something newer as I have recently contemplated. Mine will never turn out nearly as nice as yours but I'm pretty stoked to see the kind of potential these bikes have. Kudos man, really.
Quote from: mr72 on October 13, 2016, 05:01:07 AM
Absolutely fabulous looking build! I usually am not into the "cafe" style mods to 90s era motorcycles but this one has just exactly the right balance and hangs with any show bike build I have seen.
Thanks for the support guys! I'm glad there are other folks out there who share the same aesthetics as me.
I spent months cruising around the web looking for "cafe racer" build ideas. When I came across the build by the So-Low guys from England, I knew I found the one!
The top line of the rear subframe comes up at a nice rake, and gives the bike a speedy looking racing stance once all that tail plastic is removed.
Josh - after reading about all the love you've lavished on the carbs on your bike, I'm sure your build will be equally cool. Need pics on that red tank!!! :cheers:
Quote from: Endopotential on October 17, 2016, 07:14:39 PM
Josh - after reading about all the love you've lavished on the carbs on your bike, I'm sure your build will be equally cool. Need pics on that red tank!!! :cheers:
That's funny. I'm repainting them right now! Thanks man, I'll be thrilled if mine turns out 1/4 as nice as yours! It'll be a year before I get all of the seals done and all of the random bits repainted and cleaned and looking nice.... if ever. But the tank and side plastics are going to look nice, that's for sure.
Greeeat mods on the bike, although I have some questions, where did you buy the whole front, lights speedometer and bars. I want to do the same with mine.
I have a gs500f 09 :cool:
I found most of it from good ol' eBay, usually for a pretty good price. Shipping from China to SF, CA is almost as fast as shipping between states.
Here's the exhaust
http://www.ebay.com/itm/51mm-Stainless-Steel-GP-Exhaust-Muffler-W-DB-Killer-Silencer-Motard-Motor-Bike-/231901044383?hash=item35fe611e9f:g:aj0AAOSwGYVXASk1&vxp=mtr
Else 37mm clip ons; Trail Tech Vapor gauge; CBR900RR rearsets ; SV650 rear shock; 5" LED headlights I all found off of eBay.
You'll have to make the headlight mounts yourself. Fairly simple - bending a small plate of aluminum or steel. There are convenient bolt holes under the bottom triple clamp that you can use as anchor points.
Good luck!
Without a rear fender/hugger and no airbox, you're gonna be splattering your carbs and filter with road crap.
Also is there a reason why you had to lose the airbox ? Looks like it had plenty of room to leave it in place.
Looks damn good, even though I am not a fan on perimeter frame -> café conversions.
Cool.
Buddha.
Really clean build. Well done! I like that you fully completed the build. A lot of builds like this won't get the final details, like the longer kick stand.
You should find out what the final curb weight is. Find two bathroom scales or go visit your nearest truck scales.
I'm not a big fan of the "dominator" style dual headlights. But I guess you wanted some of the street fighter look, not just cafe. I would have preferred to see a round headlight, maybe with a mesh guard on it.
I would like to hear more about the PAIR system delete. Nobody on the forum has fully covered it. On my bike I installed the blockoff plates and removed everything attached to the front of the engine, but I have been afraid to touch all the other associated vacuum lines on the back of the carbs. Did you remove all of it and cap off wherever they attach to the carbs? Did you do anything to the throttle position sensor? I remember reading another member who did the PAIR delete also unplugged the TPS.
Quote from: The Buddha on November 02, 2016, 08:59:07 AM
Looks damn good, even though I am not a fan on perimeter frame -> café conversions.
Cool.
Buddha.
Woohoo! Blessings from the Buddha! :bowdown: Now I know I've made it to the big times!!!
I've put on about 1000 miles on the bike since the build completed (though as Biggz noted, is any build ever complete...)
No chainguard and no rear fender, but the innards are still relatively clean. The roads along the SF coast must be better than the mud, snow and salt that others face.
I wanted to maximize the empty space at the rear of the bike, so that's why I got rid of the stock airbox. Just love how the tail hangs out in open space.
Thanks too, to our veteran Bluesmudge. Yeah, I'm a sucker for the bug-eyed look. Every other cafe racer out there has a single headlight, so wanted something different.
About the PAIR - yes, got rid of just about every vacuum line, including the ones to the petcock and the white discs that control the slides on 2004+ bikes. Shiny blockoff plates from member W201028. I left the TPS as is. Curious about advancing the timing as others have done, but after reading about carving up my own pickup plates, decided that was above my tolerance for tinkering. So far so good, fingers crossed, but so far the bike rides awesome.
Couldn't help tweaking it some more.
I made a bare polished steel tank, and got it powder coated clear. I like how it plays off of the stainless exhaust.
Then cobbled up a different seat from a Ducati Monster 695. Kind of balances out the fat gas tank, and continues the top visual line of the bike. Not quite as comfy as the original cafe racer banana seat though.
What do you you guys think? Any votes for one combination of gas tank / seat vs another?
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1493_zps6wbxqlkt.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1493_zps6wbxqlkt.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1496_zpsb3kuwgxw.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1496_zpsb3kuwgxw.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1494_zpski3rzgzn.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1494_zpski3rzgzn.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1497_zpsnufzz6aa.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1497_zpsnufzz6aa.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1495_zpsrrxzylkm.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1495_zpsrrxzylkm.jpg.html)
oooOOOOoooo that tank looks shiiiiiiiinnyyy in the sun :cool:
The seat looks really sporty too... I liked the first one, don't get me wrong but this one looks sharp :D
Love this tank over the stock one! Got any pics of the original seat with the new tank?
This seat speaks to the Fighter, in Cafe Fighter! Either way, I like both seats.
With all of the custom work on your build, have you considered glassing your own seat?
The tank looks fab. Love the stripes.
IMHO the Duc seat doesn't look as good as the other one. But I am the wrong guy to ask since the "cafe" seat look plus chopped/removed mudguard/fender etc. is not really my cosmetic cup of tea so my opinion is probably wrong.
Here you go Biggz!
Think I'm kinda partial to the Ducati seat for looks. But the cafe banana seat wins for comfort, with its gel pad. And when I'm speeding along at Mach 5, the seat is long enough for me to scooch my butt back to stretch out my long monkey arms and really tuck down low.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1501_zpsatlz5rae.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1501_zpsatlz5rae.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1502_zpsesg6nxzm.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1502_zpsesg6nxzm.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1504_zps3kgyrguz.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1504_zps3kgyrguz.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1505_zpskqbeuogh.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1505_zpskqbeuogh.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/IMG_1506_zpssd8diyoy.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/IMG_1506_zpssd8diyoy.jpg.html)
The sleek look of the Ducati seat does it for me! I think the hump on the cafe seat throws off the lines of the bike.
I like seeing all the changes on your build. For some reason, I feel you're already working on something else...
Is that a real genuine made stainless tank and not a wrapped stock one. If it is , it is stunning. The stock GS tank is pretty good so most will admire but not consider havinh one, but my other bike have a stupidly small tank and a bigger stainless tank would be exactly the thing. Would require a full design though as it is an in tank fuel pump type.
Did you make it ?
BTW a 2007 motor doesn't need the ignition trigger plate carved up much at all. Just the locator screw holes arced 3mm. and you can always just rotate it back if desired.
Thanks Greg. Yup, I did it all myself.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71108.0
But not quite as impressive as it sounds. I just used a stock tank, stripped off the paint. Then a gazillion hours of sanding and polishing, finished off with a clear powder coat. I'm guessing it'd be the same fairly easy process for any other bike with a metal tank.
I'll have to read up on that trigger plate. I think Biggz knows me too well...
But maybe I should stop while I'm ahead, with a bike that runs just fine currently.
Quote from: Endopotential on December 11, 2016, 04:33:13 PM
I'll have to read up on that trigger plate. I think Biggz knows me too well...
But maybe I should stop while I'm ahead, with a bike that runs just fine currently.
I'll keep an eye out on your write up for the trigger plate! :thumb:
The new tank and seat look rad! Seat is really sleek, and really sporty. Much closer to a "cafe fighter" vibe than the old version, I think. Not that it looked bad before (thought it also looked great lol), I just think it looked more like a straight cafe racer deal with the old seat. Now, it definitely looks more like a cross between a streetfighter and a cafe.
polished and lacquered tank, not stainless :icon_lol: i got so confused when i first read stainless but yeah getting a tank made out of stainless would've been totally unique. love the look of the tank, its something I've wanted to do for ages but the swirl marks from the sanding (and as much as i love the unfinished look) make it look relatively unfinished in comparison to the quality of everything else with the build. theres 2 pics where its really shows and to me it just doesn't add up. fox stickers and stripe are a tasteful touch though.
the ducati seat looks sweet, brings a really nice shape to the bike but the gap between the seat and the tank is pretty heinous, i also get that you wouldnt want to go hacking up the seat base to make it work if you weren't 100% on using it and that sometimes theres just no way of cleanly joining two shapes. either way the shape contrasts the tank very well. the cafe seat looks slightly too large in comparison.
when i'm at a point in my build where i actually have time to start caring about how it looks, yours is so close with the ducati seat to where i see mines going, raw/polished/lacquered tank as well, rearsets, similar exhaust. its to the point where its almost painfully going to be an imitation of yours but with a few key differences :icon_lol: been planning it for years haha something to be said about you having good taste and all :thumb:
Hey Endo, what did you use for your triple clamp?
I may have posted this before - but I never tire of repeating myself. And you have got the closest IMHO of any one ever to build a café.
The thing that screams "hammered together in my garage" to me is the lack of airbox and lack of side covers, as well as exposed fasteners and wires.
The gauge cluster is all that yours has wires I can see.
Now on a GS side covers don't bolt/connect to the airbox. You inherently have the advantage of making grommet carriers, and fitting grommets and fitting side covers on from something else suitable or even making your own with heat and form plastics.
Just IMHO.
Yea Duc seat all the way, one other way to make it look like a factory custom is to use parts from other makes and models and form your bike to that and leave those transplanted parts un touched.
Cool.
Buddha.
It's been a while since I've tweaked the bike. Decided to change out my SV650 shock for an R6. What an amazing difference! Such a smoother ride, with the availability of compression and rebound damping.
Buddha rolls his eyes at my lack of an airbox, but sure does make swapping out shocks a whole lot easier :D
Still it turned out to be a more difficult project than I imagined.
At least for me, it was necessary to place the rear wheels on a stand, and also jack up the engine block to fiddle all the links in place. This makes for a very tippy setup. I didn't trust my front stand, so relied on my trick of hanging the front end from the rafters. This saved the bike from tipping over at least a couple times.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/Mobile%20Uploads/E9E6816B-7036-4FF7-B2F0-10DDC854D485_zpsjmya18yc.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/Mobile%20Uploads/E9E6816B-7036-4FF7-B2F0-10DDC854D485_zpsjmya18yc.jpg.html)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-04/44F2B095-0CDD-42C8-8770-51D6B20994CE_zpsyvdtxigm.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-04/44F2B095-0CDD-42C8-8770-51D6B20994CE_zpsyvdtxigm.jpg.html)
I also needed to grind out a few mm from the front of the swingarm. The angle grinder didn't fit well in the tight recess, so this tool worked much better. Action shot!
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-04/F6DE6E28-A770-402A-874E-576592F97B5A_zpslwlw04l7.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-04/F6DE6E28-A770-402A-874E-576592F97B5A_zpslwlw04l7.jpg.html)
New shiny bits!!! :woohoo:
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-04/45D767C6-394A-473C-AE41-5B7E61567FDB_zpsgr8orxzq.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-04/45D767C6-394A-473C-AE41-5B7E61567FDB_zpsgr8orxzq.jpg.html)
Then for a test ride down the coast. It's the best thing I've done for the bike since nailing the carb jetting.
I'd highly recommend it for all of you out there. 2006+ R6 shocks are only $50 or so on eBay these days.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/Mobile%20Uploads/AA398E53-B79A-42DC-B9F7-2B38B291645C_zpspbnekndj.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/Mobile%20Uploads/AA398E53-B79A-42DC-B9F7-2B38B291645C_zpspbnekndj.jpg.html)
bad azz,...! Love your work!
Thanks man!
In case anyone else is interested, the R6 shock conversion is pretty much a drop in. There's more details on other threads, but just make sure you get an '06-08 with the clevis type linkage on the bottom end, and with all the bolts and spacers intact. The R6 uses a wider bolt than the stock GS.
The SV650 shock that I previously had raised the rear end, so I lengthened my kickstand to match. The R6 drops it back to stock height, and went back to the stock kickstand.
It's a fairly straightforward conversion, though it does take some fiddling to get all the bolt holes to line up. I don't have the centerstand on mine, so I had to use a small jack to raise up the engine block to take the weight off the rear end. It also helps to have some sturdy drift punches to tap the bolts out, and also to lever things back in place. You'll also likely need to grind out 2-3mm off the front of the swingarm to allow clearance for the fatter spring coils. Just make sure to primer that area over - definitely don't want that place to get weak from rusting out!
Totally worth all the work though. It's one of the best upgrades I've done to the bike.
Can you show under the seat? I am interested to see how you hid the wiring and where the battery is located. Great looking bike.
Check out the first page, first post... 'bout half way through it there are pics of under the seat and battery... very nice!!
Thanks ShowBizWolf, I am not sure how I overlooked those pictures. Very well done
I see you are back to the Ducati seat.
Can you give me some details on that seat? How did you attach it?
I may seriously consider finding one for my GS.
Hey Josh, here you go.
Yes I've decided to stick with the Ducati seat for now. Its lines complement that of the bike's gas tank better, and gives it a bit of a sleeker look. There are several models of the Ducati Monster out there, each with different looking seats so beware...
Mine looks like this one that came off of a 2011-13 Evo http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ducati-Monster-1100-EVO-11-13-796-696-Front-Rider-Seat-Saddle-SCRATCH-59510971A-/302172191441?hash=item465addbad1:g:3asAAOSwnHZYWZ~l&vxp=mtr
It's not the most bombproof modification, but it's worked fine for the past several hundred miles. At the front, I had to trim down the plastic flanges to allow them to hook underneath the gas tank. The middle section had a big bulge that prevented it from sitting flat, so I also cut that area out.
As for the seat "striker" plate, I just bolted it in with a wood spacer below it to get the alignment correct. That plate BTW has proved to be annoying hard to find by itself... I'm talking about the "striker" piece that is attached to the bottom of the stock seat, not the catch that's mounted to the frame. Anyone out there got an extra for sale?
Josh, I also read about your issues with the Katana shock. I'd highly recommend the R6 shock - all the rebound and compression adjustments are awesome, and it also keeps the bike at stock height. About $50 on eBay
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/A14D8C1A-79DB-4AC9-8293-106B36C059F7_zpsavu1vnhz.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/A14D8C1A-79DB-4AC9-8293-106B36C059F7_zpsavu1vnhz.jpg.html)
Thanks a ton for that information. The seat pictures and description are super helpful.
What year models of R6 shock fit?
Anyone, if you are after a seat of a similar shape the VTR250Honda seat should be easier to find ( depending which country you are in) and a lot cheaper. You wouldn't feel as reticent in cutting and modding it. Prbably more comfy as well.
(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p248/gregjet/VTR250/A%20original%20-%20Copy.jpg) (http://s130.photobucket.com/user/gregjet/media/VTR250/A%20original%20-%20Copy.jpg.html)
Awesome bike man! That tank looks amazing :thumb:
Thanks, folks!
I think R6 shocks from 2006-2008 will work. Just make sure there is a clevis on the bottom end. There are several good threads here on the topic, with more details and pics.
The VTR250 seat may be a decent substitute, but it's got quite the curve in the middle. The Ducati is just so much sexier and sleeker... and its base is relatively flat so that it will be easier to fabricate a subframe that's compatible.
Comfort wise, if you slip a 5-8mm gel pad underneath any seat it'll be plenty comfortable. Pretty simple mod even for this newbie - you just pry the staples to peel off the cover material, slip in the gel pad, and get a staple gun to tack it down again.
Quote from: Endopotential on May 18, 2017, 10:23:59 PM
I think R6 shocks from 2006-2008 will work. Just make sure there is a clevis on the bottom end. imple mod even for this newbie - you just pry the staples to peel off the cover material, slip in the gel pad, and get a staple gun to tack it down again.
Thanks for that info. The R6 shock looks pretty fab. I'll get on the hunt for one. In the mean time it looks like with only a spring compressor you can easily swap the spring from one shock to the other, so I might try to put the GS spring on the Kat shock (if the diameter fits) and see how that does. If all else fails I always have the GS shock to fall back on.
I'm pretty good with modifying the existing seat. It's on my list to redo all of the foam on that seat and reuse the cover because it's not the seat I don't like, it's just not comfortable due to the shape/angle. If the ride height helps with the angle I might not need to do anything at all. Basically I need the part I sit on to be much more level. It's sloping towards the front of the bike even when loaded. I really do think this contributes to my discomfort on the bike, and it's my own doing, swapping the shock.
Here's the shock I got. It came with some extra linkage bits and dogbones, which are not necessary. Just make sure yours comes with the nuts and bolts for both ends, along with the associated spacers.
Looking at the bottom end, also make sure it has the clevis type design. The R6 is much easier to install compared to the SV650 shock, as that one requires you to drill in new mounting holes on the clevis.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Endopotential/r6%20shock_zpsbjzoo84t.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Endopotential/media/r6%20shock_zpsbjzoo84t.jpg.html)
Nice looking bike, and the duc seat is a solid choice. Any link/info on those rearsets? Also, are those lower frame sliders, or some type of forward aux peg?
As a merchant mariner, I'd caution you against supporting Sea Shepherd. :cheers:
Thanks SuziQ!
The rearsets are from a CBR900RR, or the equivalent off of eBay. Install is fairly straightforward. If I remember correctly, I had to drill out / ovalize one of the holes on the brake side to make it fit.
Yes those are intended to serve as slider pegs. Thankfully have not had to put them to the test. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71139.msg854587#msg854587
Nothing personal and way off topic from motorcycling, but what's wrong with Sea Shepherd and saving the whales? I know their methods are not entirely legal, but neither are those of the Japanese whaling fleet, or clubbing dolphins in a bay... The international community doesn't have to nerve to do much about it. Fight fire with fire!
Ah cool. I have a set of factory 900RR rears in my box of misc, but those looked to me like the ebay mega adjustable ones from China. Did you make an adapter to move them at all? How far back and up can you go from factory with those?
Cool sliders, thanks for the link! Glad you haven't tested, but hope they work if ever needed.
Yes, way off topic; I am a huge fan of charismatic mega-fauna, and am generally against whaling/sealing/shark finning/rhino tusking/etc/etc, and support proactive action v. reactive. I guess Animal Planet is doing their best to shed light on what is fundamentally a good cause but, as a Merchant Mariner, I take issue with wildly ramming ships at sea, thus endangering the lives of both the other ship's crew, and Watson's own. Legal issues aside, it's a duck move. He should go back to blowing up ships at anchor, but I guess the television ratings aren't as high.
SuziQ, if you just happen to have CBR900 rearsets lying around, you must have one heck of a nice junk box!
Attachment was directly to the frame, no adapter plate needed. If I remember correctly, the hole that needed to be ovalized was the one that fits the lower screw of the rear brake cylinder.
The one I got had a bunch of potential adjustment options, but the rate limiting step was interference with my funky exhaust.
On the clutch side though, you need to fashion some sort of adapter for the shifting spline, or get a linkage from a GSXR. I've got a picture of that on the first page of my build.
Yeah likewise I'm using the linkage from a 900rr as well for shifter linkage, but the stock 900 rearsets actually drop the position down instead of up, so I'll be milling adapters or just cannibalize the 900 sets and make something new. Thanks for the info!
Endo, I'm thinking about getting the R6 shock when I upgrade my springs and get some new fork parts. I read where (above) you need the nuts and bolts for both top and bottom. After a scroll through eBay, I found a fair amount of these shocks for a good price but they are missing the bottom bolt and nut.
I thought well hey I'll just go on motosport and find the parts diagram and see how expensive a new OEM bolt and nut would be. Can't be that much!
But I was having trouble figuring out which bolt and nut I'd end up needing to order... because they aren't shown on the shock's diagram. :bs:
Do you think you could help me out at all? As in, what is different about the lower mounting bolt from the GS's? And if you have a spare moment, could you look at the diagram and is there any way you'd be able to tell what bolt it is? Since it's not on the shock's diagram, I'm guessing it's on this one somewhere:
http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-parts/yamaha/2006/yzf_r6/rear-arm
Thanks so much !!
Hey Showbiz! Happy to help, as much as I can...
So that triangular piece is the anchor of the rear suspension. The front hole bolts to the frame; the middle one to the dogbones; leaving the rear hole for the shock.
If I recall correctly, the R6 uses the same external diameter for the shim/spacer #8 on the diagram, but bolt #35 from the R6 is thicker than the GS's. So sleeve #7 is what accommodates the difference in size.
Same issue with the top of the shock.
I was swapping out from an SV650 shock, so not sure if those bolts would have worked. Nor how the stock GS bolts would mate with the R6 swap.
I suppose you can always email the sellers on eBay to see if they can scrounge up the missing bolts to complete the package.
Else I just looked, and there are complete units for $70-90. If you're patient, sometimes $50 :D
Good luck, you'll love it!
Ooooh, this helps a bunch!
Ok so, normally I go and search and find things on my own but I'm gonna be totally honest... work has been busier lately and I'm dead tired... so I'm just gonna ask ya.
Do I need the triangular piece for the install?
And so I'd need #8, #35 and #7?
Thank you so much for your patience. I seriously can't brain today to save my life and I'm just now starting my shift!! I need a vacation :dead:
No, for the triangular piece you just use the existing one on the GS which is roughly the same configuration as the R6's.
I think #7, 8 , and 35 would be a good place to start, but please don't take my word for it. It would probably end up being cheaper and more certain if you got them all with the shock in the first place, rather than sourcing those bits from a Yamaha dealer or elsewhere.
I'm not as tired today and I've had time to process this haha
Thank you so much. I believe I understand now!!
Quote from: Endopotential on May 07, 2017, 10:59:44 AM
T
Man, I really like to know about these pegs... I am searching for one at EBAY, however I do not know what are the most compatible set.
I am betting on the SV650, but if you can help w/ this would be super!
Thnaks
For those who wanted details on the rearset modification:
Look up "CBR900RR" rearsets on eBay, brand new ones go for about $85.
Then look up "GS500 shift lever" to get that splined bit. You'll need to tinker on this to get the shift rod to connect.
Basically cut off about 2 inches of material, then drill and tap a hole so you can put a bolt through the Heim joint of the shift rod.
Then you can set it up as regular or GP shifting as you desire.
All good things must come to an end....
I'm putting this up for sale and would love to have her go to a fellow GS Twin member.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=72997.0
Sorry to hear you're selling it! It's a beautiful bike! May I ask how you went about mounting the trailtech vapor? It's so clean looking
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The bike lives to fight another day!
I ended up keeping the bike around, and tuned it up for the track.
My first time at a race course, Thunderhill above Sacramento, CA. By far one of the most thrilling things I've ever tried!
The old GS actually did OK. Was light and nimble, and with the suspension changes I made it rode just fine. Acceleration out of corners didn't keep up with fuel injected bikes. But I also appreciated that horsepower isn't everything. Young ladies on Yamaha R3's were kicking all our butts.
Can't get the link to post. If anyone is good at this, please help me out!
I swear I can wrench better than I can code
<img src="https://photos.app.goo.gl/AHb8BwHpy5wEESdt7" />
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cRqlO4e-iy_hAkD53txXSeTPN9LHgJKs9S1M5LewG2oayYU5iMdZ8ILGhKX0hM99XxDeg1ToJWGtzb3fExrcFkkEcnhCmGEtuZrnUIkkDmlkPFm_GyvgS0Iyyqi0aRxUbF1u3GJiXA=w1322-h881-no)
sweet
Nice! Looks like a great time.
The GS500 is a cornering machine and that's where it really counts! Anyone can twist a throttle on a fast bike with traction control.
Yamaha made a great bike with those R3s. Almost as much HP as the GS500 with less weight and better brakes.
That is awesome! I'm glad you decided to keep your GS.
Sweet pic!!!
@CBR - thanks for helping to post that picture. So what was I supposed to type to get that link to work?
@Bluesmudge - my very first bike was an R3, when I was first starting to learn to ride. It was very light indeed. But the engine didn't seem to have much power unless you cranked it past 10k RPM, at which point it sounded like it was ready to detonate. I like the sound of our engines much better.
I changed over to stainless brake lines and EBC HH pads on my GS, and it's worked pretty well for me. Or at least I didn't go nearly fast enough on the track where hard braking was an issue ;)
Well, bittersweet closure to this story.
I decided to clean out the garage and posted this bike up on CL.
Wasn't sure what demand would be, as this bike was such an unusual creation.
Within 48 hours, a 19yo kid just snapped it up for his first bike.
Have truly enjoyed the company of all you wonderful folks over the years.
Almost everything I learned about motorcycle tuning and mechanics, I learned from you all :cheers:
I'll still pop in here every now and then just for old time's sake.
Happy riding out there, and stay safe! Especially in these crazy times.