Custom 1978 Suzuki GS750 1st ride

Suzuki GS750 kinda getting finished up

   Sorta in the home stretch. Want to try and have it finished up in the next 2 weeks or so, I said that last week. We'll see how that goes. But the grunt of the work is done. The seat has been figured out. Been kinda just winging it with what is lying around the garage on this bike. The seat pan has been made. Just have to get some headliner adhesive and once the foam is stuck down I can shape it up a little better then get it covered. Bunch of small things still needed. clutch cable, rear brakes bled. you know the unnecessary things. But even when its road worthy, it isn't done yet. maybe next winter.

GS850 cafe progress

Really havn't worked on it in a while but this fairing came into the garage from a friend and looks like it goes with the lines on the bike.

Also, while starting on another project, a 1999 R6 that is going to be a street fighter, the rear rearsets came off and also look to belong on this bike. Slowly she is taking shape.

The rearsets are on with some wire just to test the look. I have the tabs from the other bike once I get the right placement on them to weld them up.

I really want to do a high end build on it like Lucky #7 (high end for me) but it might end up as a real raw, black and bare metal machine.

The shocks are just laying in there, too. When I was thinking of how I may do the rear suspension, I was placing them around to see what might work. It may change over time.

Custom Suzukis = The GS450 bobber and GSF400

All wrapped up and getting tuned up!

Been lazy on the blogging lately. Sorry, but I've finished up the GSF400 and it just getting tuned up in a local shop so I was able to wrap up the bobber. She's 90% finished! Took her out over the weekend for a descent ride and the only issue was I ran outa gas! Not bad in my book.

Out of gas at 1 a.m.

She's a fun lil ride for a 43hp six speed, even with my big but on it she moves enough to have fun and open her up on the straightaways! The bike only weighs about 300lbs, if that. I can pick it up off the ground. Maybe that would be a good post. HA HA.

The stock open exhaust with the crossover sounds gnarly! The bike reminds me of a bulldog! Little stumpy power plant.

I just have to pull the tank off and refinish it while also trimming the lip off and re-welding. A little nervous on that. My concern is it has to be air tight.

Also the rear tail light is from Dime City Cycles. Website = dimecitycycles.com and will have a review in the next issue of RUSTYMETRIC! A real cool online mag that's only a DOLLAR! How can you Beat that! check it out people! It even has some cool downloadable music as well. You can get the mag right from its home page rustymetric.com.

Here's a little tease video of it on the bike:

1979 Suzuki GS850 Cafe Racer

I have been messing around with it on and off, cut the frame up a bit more of unwanted tabs and the rear footpeg mounts. A week ago the 2008 Suzuki GSXR1000 front end arrived and threw it on. It will need some machine work to get the stock 19" rim to work with it. I really want to keep the front stock rim other than the GSXR front rim. I have decided to get rid of the dual shocks and go with a mono shock off a GSXR1000. So their will also be some modification to the rear driveshaft swing arm. I will be using GSXR rearsets on the bike.

This bike will be a slow moving project, but as long as it's moving in a progressive manner I'm happy! It should have a very aggresive stance to it when finally sitting as a roller. The electrics will be done just as the 76 XS500 I have done. And most likely there will be other changes during the process. I do know I want to make a custom 4-into-1 exhaust using an aftermarket street bike pipe.

That's about it, Enjoy!

suzuki gsf400 bandit

Went through the motor this morning and put the exhaust on the bike. Have to still go over a lot of the other parts before getting it fully together. The exhaust has to be cleaned up and painted, then wrapped in black exhaust wrap all the way up to the muffler. I think as of now I will probably be painting the brakes and battery box the gun metal color of the engine, and also have to clean up the wiring since it will all be exposed.

She may be sitting as is for the next two weeks but should be done early June.

gsf suzuki bandit 400

Pulled out the powdercoated parts yesterday and started tinkering around with it today. Don't know how my last pic came 1st, whateva, this is me waiting on the other front fork's paint to dry. Both were strapped to a barstool for painting outside. This one wasn't tight enough, wet paint and dirt and leaves don't look good so it got stripped down and repainted. The backyard builder: Use what ya got.

Mounted the tires and put the bearings in 1st thing this morning.

Another shot of the rear with matching disc brake.

I can't help it, its like playing with Legos to me. I've seen guys that put the street bike tires on the older bikes and I like it and definitely want to try one out next time I get another bike for this kinda project, but with the stock rear shocks. I like that look, maybe from playing SuperMario?

The rearsets getting assembled.

A little elbow grease, some 400-2000 wet sanding to bring back the shine on the aluminum swingarm pivot.

Rear shock assembly.

The tank just says cafe!.They didn't come with cafe bars but when I threw 'em on to see what they look like, had to go with it. The tank indent even flows with the bars.

Side profile. Waiting on the other leg to dry.

Bottom shot of the rear suspension. The aluminum pivot looks cool to the black and green.

Better pic on the true color on the bike and the custom metal rear fairing!

suzuki gsf bandit 400

A stock 1991 GSF.

Going to start assembling this modern day cafe bike. She's been stripped of all the b.s. side covers, the big air filter, and anything else not needed.

Hope this one gets as much attention as the '76 XS!

gs850