1982 Suzuki GS650G in sunny Cleveland, OH!

[LovingtheCLE]

This is my first bike. It didn't run when I first got it, but a quick carb clean out (done by some professionals) and I was on the road! I've been riding for 3 years now and this bike has been amazingly reliable. The time has come for the modification to begin. So far I've done some minor upgrades such as replacing the standard turn signals with LEDs and upgrading to a Xenon headlamp. I just got new tires and replaced the brakes.

Right now I have a new muffler and exhaust wrap for the pipes, which are discolored and a little rusted. Over the winter, my plan is to get some clubman bars and to replace my grips and mirrors.

I'm really looking to change everything except the tank. I want to give it a classic cafe feel. I'm really looking forward to learning from the experience and wisdom of the people on this site, and I will hopefully be able to help others along the way as my hands have gotten a little dirtier.

 

[Wahoo650]

Great starting point- I'm a big fan of shaft drive and you don't see too many of those zooks around. Great group of guys in the Cleveland area- welcome aboard and good luck with the project. Hope to see it next season(or sooner)!

Matt

 

[LovingtheCLE]

Matt, Thanks for the welcome! I can't wait to meeting some of the Cleveland DTT folks.

This bike has been such a great starting point that it has taken me three years to decided that it needs to become something other than standard vintage bike it was! The cafe/brat lines have been calling to me all this year though.

For the last few months I've been putting together parts lists and trying to determine exactly where I will cut the frame. I'm going to be helping a friend rebuild his wife's CB350 over the winter, and I'm looking to take the skills I learn from helping him and applying them to my build.

This is my first bike and my first build. I want to do it well, but I'm sure that I will make some huge mistakes along the way.

Let me know if there are any DTT type events going on in Cleveland! My clutch lever broke a couple days ago, and I'm just waiting on parts to get it back on the road.

 

[LovingtheCLE]

Well. Since I last posted, I have replaced the clutch cable and ridden a few hundred miles. Now that the snow is on the ground and the salt trucks are casting their bike eating seed upon the highways and byways, the garage will actually be able to restrain the bike for a few months.

Clubman bars, a smaller speedo and tach set, grips, and bar end mirrors are all on their way.

My plan is to take the bike to a local muffler place to customize my pipes so the shorty muffler I got for the 4 to 1 exhaust will fit. Then I'm going to clean up the pipes and wrap them. If I can get that all done before spring, I will be a happy man.

 

[LovingtheCLE]

At this point, I'm doing the best I can on a shoestring budget, with no tools, limited experience, and the power of the Internet.

It is my sincere hope that after meeting some like minded motorcyclists and spending time helping others on their projects that I will be able to do more substantial mechanical work on my own bike.

 

[VonYinzer]

Welcome to DTT. Nice bike. The mods you're attempting arent difficult. Just take your time and be thorough. If you ever want to come hang out in a real city with actual cool people, us Pittsburgh folks are just a few hours away. I won't tell anyone where you're from.

Honestly though, there really is a good crew up your way and yinz are always welcome to swing by the Burgh for any shows or just to hang.

 

[LovingtheCLE]

Welcome to DTT. Nice bike. The mods you're attempting arent difficult. Just take your time and be thorough. If you ever want to come hang out in a real city with actual cool people, us Pittsburgh folks are just a few hours away. I won't tell anyone where you're from.

Honestly though, there really is a good crew up your way and yinz are always welcome to swing by the Burgh for any shows or just to hang.

Thanks for the encouragement. Good to see you 'Burghers aren't all bad, even if your jokes are lame ; ) If you are ever coming to Cleveland, be sure to hit me up. I love showing off this city. I'm a transplant from WV by way of OK, so I really appreciate what Cleveland has to offer.

I'm not worried at all about this round of mods, since they are all minor cosmetic changes. I know it will get a little more tricky as I attempt to cut weight, modify the frame, bore the engine, and upgrade the electricals. My next post should probably outline what I'm aiming for and list a few desired upgrades.

 

[LovingtheCLE]

Yinzer, I just read some of your posts on the bobber thread...wow! So much amazing info! My mind nearly exploded.

 

[Big R]

I thought I replied to this a while ago......guess not.

But Von is right, there's plenty of stuff going on around western PA. And Cleveland isn't that far away.

I've been pretty sporadic lately- do you have a build thread on your GS? It's a clean scoot to begin with.....

 

[LovingtheCLE]

Here is a link to the new build thread for this bike: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=45047.0

I'll be carrying on my updates in a more appropriate thread.

Thanks for all the PA love. It is great having such knowledgable guys around! I have seen some of your posts in other build threads, and they have been very insightful. I'm sure reading comments and threads from guys like you will help me not throw my money away on stupid noob mistakes. Well, not too much of it at least