I personally like the second image, the light brown one. However a hump may look good as well. One like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hump-Universal-Cafe-Racer-Seat-Vintage-Saddle-for-Honda-CB-GB-XL-Yamaha-SR-XJ-GS/231976657885?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

I'll have a look at a fibreglass shroud as a later step I think, something like the ones on the triumph thruxtons

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They all look awesome so that makes it tough for me to choose but I'm gonna go with 89gS500_Kirk on this one... I like the second pic as well

I was adamant that I wouldn't build another cafe racer.. but you guys are right about the removable rear hump.. damn it! 

I think I'm leaning towards the red with the rear hump, as it's a little different!

I'm also looking at a hex stitched seat which could be quirky, adding a modern touch to a classic style.

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I like the red, as it matches with the shock spring. Rear hump is also cool, might be nice to have. And if you don't like it, you can always just remove it lol.

I really like the hex stitching and that red seat looks good with the hump. However if you are set on a certain style you can always add the hump on later or remove it, that's the fun part. The bike is looking awesome keep up the great work.

The exhaust turned up today! Can't wait to get this thing running now!

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One other thing I'd like to mention: your photoshop skills are pretty good. Adding in the reflection on the rear hump is a nice touch, makes the concept look more real.

I had the same dilemma on my build, trying to figure out how to get that cafe racer seat look right.

Fashioning a proper seat cowl was tougher than I could manage.  Finally went with the Ducati seat.

I'm sure that whatever you end up choosing, it'll be awesome.   

Though nothing is permanent... mine is set up so I can swap out seats depending on what mood I'm in 

Thanks qcbaker, it was a quick 10 minute job on my lunch break, its great what you pick up living with automotive designers at uni!

I fibreglassed up a seat unit before on my previous CB200 build, but it is a long winded process to do it right! ive been looking at buying a seat hump from the states, but it wont be a perfect fit out the box and would need some glass work to get it right.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cafe-Racer-Removable-Seat-Cowl-Hump-CB550-CB750-CB350-Brat-Style-Yamaha-Honda-/222530397796?var=&hash=item33cfd86664:m:mgP_0w0oEKbjnQp83FZx9tA

I think I might make a buck up and do some getto vaccum forming at home! 

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-good%2C-cheap%2C-upgradeable-sheet-plastic-vacu/

Caution with that eBay item.  I bought something like that and was very much disappointed.

Took forever to ship over, and for all that money it was a flimsy piece of plastic.

If you're planning on using it as a base mold or something, it'll be OK.  Else on its own, it'll be way below the quality standard you've shown so far on your bike.

The engine needs a tune up but here it is! the first time it's run since I bought it as a basket case!! It's also running off the 4 cell battery   


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2qDOT8TlpLcU1E3NklIWjRVN1E/view?usp=drivesdk

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That's where I've got to as well. They quoted $80 for a bit of vacuumed formed plastic and another $50 for shipping to the UK.. it's a bit of plastic!! 

For £100 I'll be able to make a bespoke item that fits perfectly, its a no brainer.

Watch this space!

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I really like that battery idea. Are those 18650 cells? Wonder if they are available with solder tabs spot-welded. I'm never comfortable heating a lithium-type battery enough to solder to it directly. But those cells would make killer bicycle light batteries and the ability to charge them with a conventional lead-acid charger is brilliant.

Anyway, I think I'll put this on my to-do list, whip up a new tiny battery for my GS. Then I could hide the R/R, relays and igniter all within the space of the original battery and get rid of the side plastics without unsightly junk showing through.

They're a123 nanophosphate anr26650 ml- B cells... Not really sure what much of that means, but they work like a charm and seem to be very resilient to heat.

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Thanks for the clarification. I know approximately what that stuff means I looked on A123's web site, they only offer two cells, the 18650 and 26650 cells. There are other vendors of the same chemistry cells in 26650 form factor so I may see about picking up a set. Maybe I can find them with solder tabs and make my job much easier.



EDIT:

BTW here are LiFePO4 26650 cells available with tabs:
http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo4-26650-rechargeable-cell-3-2v-3300-mah-19-8a-rate-10wh---un38-3-passed-ndgr.aspx

The tabs makes soldering them basically trivial. You can actually butt the cells back to back or side to side and just fill solder between tabs, using an ordinary 25W soldering iron, and it doesn't risk damaging the cells with heat, which is nearly guaranteed if you are trying to solder directly to the cell. $30 for four cells and you're in business here.

Just an FYI for those following along. I'm going to keep searching for myself.

I've had another play on Photoshop at lunch, I think I'm going to make the hump replicate the shape of the tank to carry on the Suzuki design cues

Since you are adding the hump to the seat will you leave the rear pegs off now? IMO I like the look without the rear pegs, however I never ride double. Great build as always

im still looking to install the passenger pegs as one of them will be acting as an exhaust mount point for the new system.