1974 Suzuki T500 Titan cafe build
- Thread starter MikGsxr
- Start date
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
I can definitely dig it.
Mike, as a distinguished gentleman, I know that you can appreciate other points of view....
There's something that doesn't look quite "right" about the bike and I have been trying to work out which of the design elements that are out of balance and I may have it - or at least an idea of what may be bugging me.
I like many of the individual parts but together they don't all work together IMHO.
Side cover & Oil tank. The right side in that latest picture looks fine but the left cover sticks out too far and spoils the slender line of the tank at seat just where they are slimmest. I suspect that a replica cover flush with the frame rails (electrics permitting) might make the side look more in balance with the tank and seat.
Rearsets obviously have a lot of work in them but look like there's too much metal there. With chrome pipes I think that simple would look better. The more basic the better I think.
The headlight/gauges/bar area also looks out of balance to my jaded eyes too. I'm not sure if it needs a big 7" chrome headlamp to balance things out or a different gauge or maybe the lamp just needs to be raised up high and tight. At the moment it doesn't work for me with that traditional long table top look (straight line under the tank and seat as if it's sitting on a table). The headlamp should ideally be in the center line of that profile to look straight.
I make no claims to be a style maven. I just can tell you what looks right or wrong to my eyes based on my experiences. Just a few ideas to ponder over and to do with as you will.
Cheers M8
There's something that doesn't look quite "right" about the bike and I have been trying to work out which of the design elements that are out of balance and I may have it - or at least an idea of what may be bugging me.
I like many of the individual parts but together they don't all work together IMHO.
Side cover & Oil tank. The right side in that latest picture looks fine but the left cover sticks out too far and spoils the slender line of the tank at seat just where they are slimmest. I suspect that a replica cover flush with the frame rails (electrics permitting) might make the side look more in balance with the tank and seat.
Rearsets obviously have a lot of work in them but look like there's too much metal there. With chrome pipes I think that simple would look better. The more basic the better I think.
The headlight/gauges/bar area also looks out of balance to my jaded eyes too. I'm not sure if it needs a big 7" chrome headlamp to balance things out or a different gauge or maybe the lamp just needs to be raised up high and tight. At the moment it doesn't work for me with that traditional long table top look (straight line under the tank and seat as if it's sitting on a table). The headlamp should ideally be in the center line of that profile to look straight.
I make no claims to be a style maven. I just can tell you what looks right or wrong to my eyes based on my experiences. Just a few ideas to ponder over and to do with as you will.
Cheers M8
Teazer, thanks for the honest assessment. you are right about the rearsets and headlight. the rearsets will eventually be replaced when i have more spare cash and the headlight is bugging me too. just not sure what to do with it. i might just try adjusting the angle and see if that makes a difference, sometimes the little things work. the left side cover houses the electronic ignition electrics, not sure if it can be changed and still have room for it.
thanks again, definitely some things to improve on
thanks again, definitely some things to improve on
I'm not a fan of moving everything to the back of the bike but there may be enough space under the seat or the hump to relocate some parts and free p some space. On the Phat Trakka I made modified covers that are around 2" thinner on each side to make them match the tank/seat better. I had to dump the stock Suzuki side mount for electrics and moved them under the seat in that shallow space basically between the frame rails.
Then I had to dump the back part of the rear fender and modify the front section to make it all work.
Another possibility for the headlamp is a Dunstall type half fairing or check out pics of the bikes built by the Spanish importer SAIAD
Then I had to dump the back part of the rear fender and modify the front section to make it all work.
Another possibility for the headlamp is a Dunstall type half fairing or check out pics of the bikes built by the Spanish importer SAIAD
