gordinho80
New Member
Hi all! New to the 2 wheel world. I picked up my first bike, a 1983 Suzuki GS1100G with 13k miles on it back in July 2014. I wanted a big bike that I wouldn't grow out of to be my first bike. I'm taking it nice and easy for the first couple of years, not pushing the bike too much until I get a little more experience under my belt. Recently, I decided I wanted to update the aesthetics of the bike so that it would not appear as dated. The bike just screamed 80's to me when I first got it.
Couldn't pass up a deal, though. I got the bike for a steal!!
First wave of modifcations came when the starter took a crap on me. While waiting for a replacement to come in the mail, I took some parts off and started painting it.
This helped, but the bike was still not looking the way I really wanted it to look. Initially I thought I wanted to do something more along the cruiser/chopper/bobber-ish lines. That idea went out the door when I came across a bike on Instagram. This bike became my first Inspiration.
I knew right then that I wanted to go Cafe! I came across a set lower handlebars, so I picked those up and added bar end mirrors. Having the bars lower just feels right!
I finished the riding season here in NJ with the bike in this state. It felt a million times better riding it in that position.
Now with winter upon us, I have the down time to really invest into transforming my bike into what I really want, along with updating and replacing some components that needed addressing. I work 2 jobs, so progress will be slow, but I have rest of winter to finish!
Before I started taking things apart... I cam across a bike on theGSresources.com forum, I beleive he is a member here aswell. I saw this bike and my jaw hit the floor! THIS is how I want my bike to look... not exactly as to not copy entirely, but base the appearance and overall execution on this bike.
I LOVE that you can still ride 2 up, but it LOOKS like an old cafe. So I started tearing mine down.
I appreciate any feedback and suggestions as I tackle this project. Again, this is my first bike. I've worked on cars/trucks for years, but never on a carbs or a bike before.
Thanks!
Mario - Jackson, NJ
Couldn't pass up a deal, though. I got the bike for a steal!!
First wave of modifcations came when the starter took a crap on me. While waiting for a replacement to come in the mail, I took some parts off and started painting it.
This helped, but the bike was still not looking the way I really wanted it to look. Initially I thought I wanted to do something more along the cruiser/chopper/bobber-ish lines. That idea went out the door when I came across a bike on Instagram. This bike became my first Inspiration.
I knew right then that I wanted to go Cafe! I came across a set lower handlebars, so I picked those up and added bar end mirrors. Having the bars lower just feels right!
I finished the riding season here in NJ with the bike in this state. It felt a million times better riding it in that position.
Now with winter upon us, I have the down time to really invest into transforming my bike into what I really want, along with updating and replacing some components that needed addressing. I work 2 jobs, so progress will be slow, but I have rest of winter to finish!
Before I started taking things apart... I cam across a bike on theGSresources.com forum, I beleive he is a member here aswell. I saw this bike and my jaw hit the floor! THIS is how I want my bike to look... not exactly as to not copy entirely, but base the appearance and overall execution on this bike.
I LOVE that you can still ride 2 up, but it LOOKS like an old cafe. So I started tearing mine down.
I appreciate any feedback and suggestions as I tackle this project. Again, this is my first bike. I've worked on cars/trucks for years, but never on a carbs or a bike before.
Thanks!
Mario - Jackson, NJ