1980 GSX 1100 budget Café

[bored]

Hi will show some of my plans and the story behind my budgetcafé.
also my first bikebuilding.

I used to fix old cars, but got totally bored on all the rust on old cars a lot of welding...
Still have one a VW 1500 1965 Notchback. for when the car needs comes back.

So decide to start on motorcycles instead, got my daily rider Aprilia Strada 650.
but no need of fixing on that one.
i try to set the prices in $ dont know if its cheap or expensive to US prices.
my budget is, i dont want to spend more than $2000 on a fun ride.
but all knows how that ends...

First i bought the bike itself a broken down GSX 1100 that was made into a streetfighter.
with GSXR 1100 1988 forks, and monoshock rear from same bike.
the owner had taken some of it apart and wasnt able to get the electrics back so it didnt run. many parts was missing from it, the only complete thing was the engine.
Wich was the only reason i bought it for $700

was fitted with 36mm mikunis from a GSXR KN-filters, Dynatek 4000 ignition.
1168cc, tuning camshafts and a big cylinderheadjob. reinforced clutch etc.
and dyno papers with a 128 Rwhp.
so parts would get most money back if it fails

Getting home spending an evening with some electrics, started it up, did run nice ;D
then stripped it down.

This is how it looks today. i should have taken more photos....during building.

 

[bored]

The tyres and chain and sprockets were all worn out.
so not going to be cheap.

But got lucky and found a guy that had replaced forks and swingarm on his bike for newer ones.
So got original forks swingarm and wheels with good tyres on, also almost new chain and sprockets. for $200

Had to buy a set of new chrome rearshocks for 120$
Then the framewelding got started...
Cut of the old streetfighter rear end.
welded new rear end for a cafestyle seat ($120) that had the space to hide both battery and the rest of the electrics under it. and make new brackets for twin shocks.
since the original ones was cut away.......

Frame looks a bit "empty" with no sidecovers on.
stripped the paint from the frame and welded all the cracks that was there.
highpower engines in weak frames....

also did some reinforcements on the frame. that i found here.
http://www.gsx1100.com/site4/tips/frame_bracing.php

Then i got to cheap wich i regret now. :-[
powdercoating...
i used good outdoor metalpaint that you apply with a brush...
results wasnt that great.
since i didnt had the right connections for cheap powdercoating back then.

Replacing forkseals and steering stem bearings.
then i could start my shopping spree....

Buying things for motorcycles in sweden thats a no no.
sometimes even 10 times more expensive for things.
so swapmeets and Ebay became the stores of my choice

clipons indicators lights speedo and tacho and some other stuff.
was about $200
so now im at about $1400 in spent money.

atm im looking for a silencer.
the inlet on most of them on ebay is max. 1 3/4" i need one that is 2"

i could make a Y split and make it to twin tulip style silencers on the right side.
long time until summer so can probably find something.

 

[bored]

Some more pictures.
Carbs and the empty space where the battery and electrics was before.
rearsets from a 1997 600 GSXR

the 4to1 headers was cracked and rusted so some welding, rust cleaning and painting then cover it with some exhaustwrapping....

 

[Wangofree]

Looking good Bored. What kind of welding did you do on the frame? Mig, stick? Just curious.
Looking forward to more photos as you go along.

 

[bored]

What kind of welding did you do on the frame? Mig, stick? Just curious.

Migwelding is what im used to, long time of stockcars and other old cars.

 

[rundown]

This sounds like a very sensible approach. I suspect I will learn a lot watching this build! Of course learning and applying may be a problem. One question, I don't understand your money , are those US dollars, or euros you are quoting?

 

[bored]

your money , are those US dollars, or euros you are quoting?

its what i payed for the stuff converted to US dollars

 

[w8lifter21]

Looks good! I'd like to do a gsx/gsxr cafe build myself one day


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[bored]

Putting in some updates, got some more items to install.
also made some painting i like.
"cracked" i used the base paint bright blue.
then when its all dry you clean the object with 95% ethanol on a rag.
let it dry for a short time, then i used a topcoat in this case matt black.
the topcoat will crack and bottom coat shines through.

I dont know if it works with all paint brands.

by the looks on the project now its going to end up a bit under budget.

 

[mikewerx]

Love the paint crack effect, looks so sick. Good way instantly cleanly "age" the bike.

 

[bored]

Small update.
shortage of time as usually ,did a lot of other things.
changed it a bit now only the electrics and some other small things to do is left.

 

[stramvaier]

Hi. Norway here 8) . What kind of "cafe seat" have you put on it? Doing a 1981 GSX 1100 myself but cant find any good seat..

 

[bored]

Hi. Norway here 8) . What kind of "cafe seat" have you put on it? Doing a 1981 GSX 1100 myself but cant find any good seat..

I ordered it on ebay from UK but i don't use it anymore....

 

[bored]

Putting in some updates. The build changed track a bit.....
Still went on a really small budget way below my limit. results are a ratbike that makes you cry out loud.....and moves the gravel. Adding some pictures its now working and legal to ride on the road.
project for the winter is to make a "asphalt" kit for it from the leftover GSXR parts.

 

[mlinder]

Yes, an urban moto-beast, my favorite kind of build.

 

[burnicarus]

I love that gas tank paint job. What kind of paint did you use to do that?

 

[bored]

Another picture when it's all done and ready for some nightriding on the gravelroads.