1981 Suzuki GS450L - Cruiser to Scrambler

adventurco said:
Right on man. Looks mint. Hit the twisties!
Thanks adventurco! I will try to get out this weekend and do a little more tuning and get some more decent pictures that don't have me in them!
 
You should be proud o what you have accomplished and you should get it dialed with minimal effort. Great job!
 
magazine said:
That's got to be a great feeling. I LOVE your bike!

Thanks magazine! Maybe it's just because it's my first bike, but I'm really excited about riding now :)

Maritime said:
You should be proud o what you have accomplished and you should get it dialed with minimal effort. Great job!

Thanks Maritime, I appreciate the support. I'm happy to report I think I've got it dialed in to within one main jet step. She's running really well and plug colors are looking pretty good, if not a hair lean.

mothgils said:
Looks great man!
Get it off road!
What bars are those? Where did you source them?

Thx mothgils! The bars are Moose 7/8" XC on 1" bar risers from Dennis Kirk (they are so close to my house I get my parts delivered the next day :) )
 
Well, I am happy to say that I have now put about 70 miles on the bike in the last few days and not one thing has fallen off :p It's been on a cafe run and a commute to work and no issues to speak of!

The current carb settings are:
Mixture screw - 2.75 turns out
Pilot jet - 22.5
Float height - 22.4 mm
Jet needle - plastic spacer removed, one 0.5 mm washer in its place
Main jet - 137.5

It may be a tad lean on the top end, so I may be stepping up the jet a size or two in the coming weeks to see if I can get any more out.

Running along at 55 mph the head temp at the spark plug gets to about 308°F on a 78° day and holds steady, in case anyone was interested.

Hoping to get it out on the gravel and dirt yet this year to see how it handles off the pavement, but on road it's just fine.

Here are a couple non-professional shots of the non-professionally built bike :)
 

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Very well done. Congratulations.

If my SR250 turns out half as nice I will be very pleased.
 
Maritime said:
Northish, go accept your BOTM nomination.

:D
Wow, thank you! That's a big honor, Maritime. If they had a blushing emoticon I'd be all over that right now. I'm over the moon just to be nominated :)
 
A few posts back I said I'd list out the parts used to help any future builders so here we go:
PartDescriptionVendor
Frame Tube1" OD Upswept Dime City Cycles
Frame Slugs1" Long, .075" OD x .900 OD Dime City Cycles
Headlight5-3/4" SATIN BLACK RETRO STYLE HALO HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLYDime City Cycles
MufflerMatte Black 12" Shorty Muffler Dime City Cycles
Muffler PackingHigh Density Fiberglass Muffler PackingDime City Cycles
GripsOury Road Grips - BlackDime City Cycles
Left-hand ControlsBlack Left Side Center Push Cancelling Turn Signal, Headlight & Horn Handlebar Control SwitchDime City Cycles
Right-hand ControlsSimple & Clean Start and Stop Control Switch for 7/8" HandlebarsDime City Cycles
Brake Lever w/ MasterRetro 7/8" Nissin Hydraulic Front Brake Master Cylinder - (Black Electroplate, 14mm Piston)Dime City Cycles
Tail LightFlexible LED Integrated Tail Light / IndicatorsDime City Cycles
Clutch LeverSatin Black GP Style Clutch Lever & Black PerchDime City Cycles
ThrottleSatin Black OEM Style Single/Dual Throttle Assembly for 7/8" HandlebarsDime City Cycles
Brake Line Goodridge Shawdow Stainless Steel Universal Brake LineDime City Cycles
Banjo Bolt10MM X 1.25 Black Brake Banjo BoltDime City Cycles
Banjo FittingGoodridge 45 Degree Polished Stainless Steel 10mm Banjo FittingDime City Cycles
Banjo FittingGoodridge Straight Polished Stainless Steel 10mm Banjo FittingDime City Cycles
Throttle CableKawasaki Throttle Cable - (Fits: KZ550C, KZ650D/H, & KZ1000B/G)Dime City Cycles
Banjo Bolt10MM X 1.00 Black Brake Banjo BoltDime City Cycles
Flasher RelaySparck Moto Universal Two Pin Flasher RelayDime City Cycles
HornSmall Gloss Black 12v HornDime City Cycles
Fuel Filter1/4" Retro Glass & Chrome Inline Fuel FilterDime City Cycles
Fuel Filter ReplacementRetro Glass & Chrome Inline Fuel Filter Replacement Element Dime City Cycles
Fuel Line1/4" Clear Fuel LineDime City Cycles
Fuel Line Clamps1/4" Fuel Line Clamps - (5/16" Line)Dime City Cycles
Carb Rebuild KitO-rings, Intake Hex Bolts, Intake O-ringsCycle O-rings
Engine SS Bolt SetBolt Set GS450 LT LX LZ 80-82Z1 Enterprises
Connector2 Pin Connector for Clutch LeverCycle Terminal
License Plate MountCognito Moto Strut Mount License Plate Bracket Cognito Moto
Carb Jet Needle ShimsNeedle shim most Keihin 0125A2M3.2 009-396 10 pack Jets-R-Us
Carb Main JetsGENUINE Mikuni main jet size 135 ( N102.221)Jets-R-Us
Carb Main JetsGENUINE Mikuni main jet size 137.5 ( N102.221)Jets-R-Us
Carb Main JetsGENUINE Mikuni main jet size 140 ( N102.221)Jets-R-Us
Carb Main JetsGENUINE Mikuni main jet size 142.5 ( N102.221)Jets-R-Us
Carb Main JetsGENUINE Mikuni main jet size 145 ( N102.221)Jets-R-Us
Carb Main JetsGENUINE Mikuni main jet size 147.5 ( N102.221)Jets-R-Us
Carb Pilot JetsGENUINE Mikuni jet size 20 ( VM22/210)Jets-R-Us
Carb Pilot JetsGENUINE Mikuni jet size 22.5 ( VM22/210) Jets-R-Us
Rear ShocksT-SH-22AS4-Tec Adjustable Damping Alloy Remote Reservoir Shocks for Suzuki GS450TEC Bike Parts
Misc. OEM Suzuki Hardware01550-10557, 08321-0110A, 09145-10002, etc.Charparral Racing
Wire14 Gauge GXL WireWire Barn
Fuse Holder20 AMP Fuse Holder Wire Barn
Fuses20 AMP Fuses 5 PackWire Barn
Air FiltersK&N RU-1822Summit Racing
ChainSunstar Sprockets SS530RDG-110 - Sunstar RDG DualGuard Sealed Motorcycle ChainsSummit Racing
Air Filters SocksOuterwears Pre Filter Company 20-1558-01Summit Racing
Shock BootsDaystar MX MX00480BK - Daystar MX Fork BootsPowersports Place
Paint & PrimerSpray paints and primersHome Depot, Menards, ACE, etc.
Front Wheel BearingsAll Balls Front or Rear Wheel Bearing and Seal Kit - 25-1147Dennis Kirk
Rear Wheel BearingsAll Balls Rear Wheel Bearing and Seal Kit - 25-1236Dennis Kirk
HandlebarsMoose 7/8 in. Black XC Carbon Steel Handlebars - 0601-1797 Dennis Kirk
HeaderMAC 2-1 Exhaust 8030103 Black/ChromeDennis Kirk
Handlebar RisersPowerMadd 1" Bar Risers - 45301Dennis Kirk
Brake FluidDOT 4 Brake FluidDennis Kirk
Handlebar FoamMoose Stealth Mini Crossbar Pad - 0603-0619Dennis Kirk
OilLucas Oil 10W-40 Standard Oil - 10767 Dennis Kirk
Oil FilterK & N Performance Gold Oil Filter - KN-133Dennis Kirk
Spark PlugsNGK B8ESDennis Kirk
Lithium Ion BatteryShorai Xtreme-Rate 12-Volt LiFePO4 LFX14L2Dennis Kirk
Regulator/RectifierRicks Motorsport Electrics Regulator/Rectifier - 10-202Dennis Kirk
Wire12" Switch to Starter Cable 6 Ga (1 MIN)Del City
Wire20" Switch to Starter Cable, 6 Ga (1 MIN)Del City
Wire Connectors2-1 Multi-Wire Shrink Tube Butt Connector, 16-14 Ga (10 MIN)Del City
Wire ConnectorsMulti-Stud Ring Terminal, 16-14 Ga (10 MIN)Del City
Wire ConnectorsFemale Shrink Tube Bullet Terminal, .156", 16-14 Ga (10 MIN)Del City
Wire ConnectorsMale Shrink Tube Bullet Terminal, .156", 16-14 Ga (10 MIN)Del City
Wire ConnectorsHeat Shrink Push-on Terminal, Female, .250", 16-14 Ga (10 MIN)Del City
Wire ConnectorsHeat Shrink Push-on Terminal, Male, .250", 16-14 Ga (10 MIN)Del City
Heat Shrink Tubing4 ft. Black Dual Wall Shrink Tubing, 1/4" (1 MIN)Del City
Heat Shrink Tubing4 ft. Black Dual Wall Shrink Tubing, 3/8" (1 MIN)Del City
Carb Hex BoltsM5 - 0.80x16Bolt Depot
Carb Hex BoltsM4 - 0.70x12Bolt Depot
Carb Hex BoltsM6 - 1.00x12Bolt Depot
Front Inner TubeHeavy DutyBob's Cycle (LBS)
Rear Inner TubeStandardBob's Cycle (LBS)
Rear Wheel17x2.15eBay
Front Wheel18x1.80 eBay
SeatBlack Tracker Cafe Racer White Edge Seat For Honda CB200 CB350 CB400 500 CustomeBay
EmblemBlack raised Suzuki emblemeBay
Headlight MountsBillet Aluminum Headlight BracketseBay
Gauge Mount7/8'' 1'' Motorcycle Handlebar Mount Phone Holder For iPhone 5S 6S Samsung BlackeBay
Front Turn SignalsLED 39-43mm Motorcycle Fork Turn Signal/Running / Marker Light Kit eBay
Chain Rivet ToolDeluxe Chain Breaker Kit Cutter Rivet Tool 520/525/530/630 Pitch ATV MotorcycleeBay
Repair ManualClymer Repair Manual M372amazon.com
Front TireIRC GP-110 Dual Sport Rear Tire 4.10S-18amazon.com
Rear TireIRC GP-110 Dual Sport Rear Tire 4.60S-17amazon.com
GaugeKoso BA038000 DB-03R Multifunction Gaugeamazon.com
Mirror MountEMGO 10MM MIRROR BRACKET 7/8 INCH BLACKamazon.com
Breather FilterSpectre Performance 3991 Black 9mm Breather Filteramazon.com
Carb BalancerVacuum Carburetor Synchronizer Carb Sync Gauge 2 Cylinderamazon.com
LED License Plate BoltsRupse 2* White LED Motorcycle, Car License Plate Screw Blot Lightamazon.com
MirrorsEmgo 20-64580 Black Left/Right Side Replacement Mirror for Enduroamazon.com
 
Maritime said:
Wow, nice job. I never keep that good of track of parts etc.
Yeah... I'm sure I'll start slipping now that I've got my first build out of the way... Kind of like most of the pictures are of the first born...
p.s. I'll accept the nomination a.s.a.p., just wanted to try to get one good picture outside of my yard and garage yet :)

canyoncarver said:
I wouldn't want my wife to know. Hell, I wouldn't want to know.....
Ha! I am definitely over my original budget, but it helps not being married just yet ;)
 
My CX build I know is under 1000 because someone else was buying all the parts and told me, otherwise I have to kind of guess.
 
Maritime said:
My CX build I know is under 1000 because someone else was buying all the parts and told me, otherwise I have to kind of guess.
Being under $1000 is doing pretty darn good!
 
Here's a walk-around of the bike I took yesterday evening on a ride with the finished bike. The weather was absolutely perfect... 72°F and sunny with light wind. Not too many of those days in MN.

https://youtu.be/k7FytKk5_3w
 
Great thread and a beautiful bike! Makes me want to build a scrambler soon. Did you use a spreadsheet to keep track of the parts and sources? My wife has been bugging me to do that for a while now so I can appreciate the amount I'm spending. It would also be handy when you liked a part or a vendor and want to buy the same thing again.

Whereabouts are you in MN? I'm born and raised there and lived there (Minneapolis and later Chanhassen) until I was 38. My folks and lots of family/friends are still there.
 
kosmoto said:
Great thread and a beautiful bike! Makes me want to build a scrambler soon. Did you use a spreadsheet to keep track of the parts and sources? My wife has been bugging me to do that for a while now so I can appreciate the amount I'm spending. It would also be handy when you liked a part or a vendor and want to buy the same thing again.

Whereabouts are you in MN? I'm born and raised there and lived there (Minneapolis and later Chanhassen) until I was 38. My folks and lots of family/friends are still there.

Hey kosmoto! Thank you for the kind words and congrats on your Nom for BOTM as well! I have been tracking all my parts because there got to be so many and I originally had a budget, but soon fell in love with the bike and the direction of the build so didn't want to skimp too much and regret things later.

I lived in Minneapolis downtown near Hennepin Ave temporarily while being relocated by work, but have since gotten a house over in Saint Paul. Was just in Chanhassen earlier this month for the Cars N' Coffee event as a matter of fact. Small world :)
 
Northish said:
Being under $1000 is doing pretty darn good!

There is no labour in that number LOL. I wanted to go more tracker than I did but the bike at the time was for someone else, when it needs new tires it will get the tracker treatment.
 
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