Cafe-able?
- Thread starter Flynride
- Start date
reelinfeele
Been Around the Block
Im going to get my new gs550e today. 250 bucks. Needs some love. Just "finished" the kaw and ready for the next one. Pics later.
awesome, I wasn't sure how difficult this bike would be compared to a honda Cb or CX as this would be my first attempt at a cafe conversion.
If i was to do a first build, would a Cx500 or the gs550 do a better job. Also which one would be faster handle better? any knowledge would be great.
If i was to do a first build, would a Cx500 or the gs550 do a better job. Also which one would be faster handle better? any knowledge would be great.
The answer is that it doesn't much matter. Both are reasonable in power and handling but neither is great.
Starting point are legality - title all working etc, and condition which dictates what it will end up costing and personal taste trumps everything else. I'm not a big fan of the plastic maggot (CX) but I saw a picture of one racing at Phillip Island and was forced to re-evaluate that judgement call. It looked pretty good.
GS is a nice looking middleweight that's jetted a little lean out of the box but looks good and handles respectably. Would make a great mini-Eddie replica
Starting point are legality - title all working etc, and condition which dictates what it will end up costing and personal taste trumps everything else. I'm not a big fan of the plastic maggot (CX) but I saw a picture of one racing at Phillip Island and was forced to re-evaluate that judgement call. It looked pretty good.
GS is a nice looking middleweight that's jetted a little lean out of the box but looks good and handles respectably. Would make a great mini-Eddie replica
GS550 is an in-line 4 cylinder v's the CX's across the frame v-twin layout. The GS will out rev, out-power and out-handle the CX easily. In my mind it's a no-brainer.
In fact, the CX500 is the only bike I've been offered through the years that I've declined on. It amazes me that people actually "want" them (sorry CX owners
)
In fact, the CX500 is the only bike I've been offered through the years that I've declined on. It amazes me that people actually "want" them (sorry CX owners
)
Flynride said:
In reality, neither are "great" bikes, but perfectly adequate. Choose the one you like - the one that talks to you. If we want fast bikes that handle, get a modern bike. They are not expensive and they work really well compared to our antiques and they are stone axe reliable.
Do some research online and zero in on the bike and look that appeals to you and make it your own. Forget the generic hump back seats and checker tape and cans of black tape and start with other people's ideas and morph those into something unique.
Try a different tail look or a cutdown GS superbike seat shape for example like this Cooley replica
or
Or find a set in the AirTech catalog. Lots of choices
Google CX500 racer images
i don't have pictures of either bike. i've seen the Gs550 in person and it runs well and i'd be buying from my friend. I'm going to check out the CX on friday and it also has a title but does not turn over. he said he used it for a parts bike but he only wants 150 for it. I'll get some pics up soon
