Cafe or Restore??? A Builder's Rant...

[payjay314]

Hey Guys,


Its been a while since I posted, but I'm stuck right now on my 1977 GS 750 "build". Right now I have everything stripped down to just a rolling frame. I've been debating for awhile whether or not I want to create a cafe/brat bike or just do a "restoration" on my bike. I've always wanted to build a bike (being the typical newb that I am), but the task seems so daunting. For the last 2 months, my bike has sat in the garage in its stripped done state since I am so indecisive as to what I want to do. I was hoping to make this a winter build, but our winter in Chicago is surprisingly pretty short and warm this year. I really want to ride soon and I feel this project will take me more than I year to complete. Unfortunately I don't have a second bike to ride around in...Anyways people were surprised that I wanted to chop/customize my really mint (for its age at least) bike for fun instead of fixing a few minor problems that it had...What should I do?

 

[DesmoBro]

on the GS resource there are lots of people that Fully restore the bike ....that being said you can always get an original one or a close to original one for cheap $$$ so Make it how you want it to look.....Now should i trade this old Ducati or Not?

 

[DrJ]

Restore.

 

[Big R]

Restore it but with custom touches. Drag bars, aftermarket exhaust, non-black frame w/nice paint on the tins, dual disc brake from a later GS (your wheel will accept another rotor), front fender from a "sportier" GS, etc, etc.........

It is very possible to create a "cafe" bike without cutting parts off.

 

[seven54]

Cafestore it.....

 

[Drewski]

Ya, I'd hafta agree with the majority here. Don't hack it up!

The '77 is the first of the Suzuki 4's, so it's a bit of a "milestone" bike. 8) Some relatively minor mods (as already mentioned) will really give you a nice, ride-able bike that you'll really enjoy! 8)

Have fun with it!

 

[rockcitycafe]

naw, bore it, cam it, shim under conversion, Ti retainers, port it, screw it till it screams, those can be really stupid fast bikes

 

[payjay314]

Haha, thanks for all your responses...I'm gonna go ahead and "restore" it, but with custom touches. I figure the money I would be spending to "cafe" my bike would just go to the motor itself...


PJ

 

[teazer]

Smart answer. Always good to see another Chi Town rider.

 

[beatnic]

I have a 77 GS750, and it's my favorite to ride ( also have an 83 GS1100e and 93 GSXR600 ) they can be made to handle great and the motor really is bullet proof.

I like the "restore" with custom touches, they are great looking bikes.