Oxford calling!

[dukeninja]

He guys,
I've just myself a 1980 GS450T that I'd like to do some changes to. My initial plans are:

Front
Clip ons, possibly shorty levers.
Fluctuating between a bottom mount headlamp or just flipping the current brackets upside down, chopping some length off to accommodate the clip ons and just re-fit current headlamp back.
Maybe getting a Bullit Custom upper triple tree and keeping just the existing speedo only.
The front is too upright for my liking, and I want to drop the forks a little but the only thing is, I'm worried about how much it's going to affect the handling.

Middle
Initially I wanted to fit a GS450E tank on, but after seeing what this guy has done I may well keep the stock tank:
http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62478
Change the stock mufflers to shorties.
Change the factory rearsets to something nicer-the previous owner must have had size 50 feet as the gear lever is much further away than usual. I've only got small feet.

Back
Café or flat track style seat? Not sure yet. Definitely shorten the frame.
Probably Vincent style "stop" light.

Any thoughts are very welcome!
DukeN

 

[Captmilk76]

Nice looking bike!!

 

[yorkie350]

Welcome in mate real clean lookin bike gonna make a great project 8) like the idea cafe style been doin that myself but thinking bobber for next one ( another one i here the missus say ) haha so ya can always have another up ya sleeve : good sight for ideas n answers am up North in Leeds and itchin to get out on two wheels good luck mate will look out for progress n pics check out my first attempt in
members introductions > cb350f 1st project agh!

 

[dukeninja]

Nice looking bike!!

Thanks man! For something older that me, it certainly is in a better state.

 

[dukeninja]

Welcome in mate real clean lookin bike gonna make a great project 8) like the idea cafe style been doin that myself but thinking bobber for next one ( another one i here the missus say ) haha so ya can always have another up ya sleeve : good sight for ideas n answers am up North in Leeds and itchin to get out on two wheels good luck mate will look out for progress n pics check out my first attempt in
members introductions > cb350f 1st project agh!

Cheers mate! Good to find someone else in the UK! I've got the clip ons onorder already, will try and post pics as I go along. I'll keep an eye out on that build of yours

 

[gk45011]

Welcome,
Great to see yet another 450 Build! Great clean bike you are starting off with. I am getting to the cleaning/polishing/ridin stage on mine (not that I don't have 50 other things I would like to do to it LOL). The bike off the street fighter site looks great. If I could have gotten a similar look I might have kept my factory tank as well.

Put up a build thread if you haven't yet so we can follow along.

Gary

 

[dukeninja]

Welcome,
Great to see yet another 450 Build!

Put up a build thread if you haven't yet so we can follow along.

Gary

Thanks Gary!

I'll be trying to do the clip ons this weekend and will get a build thread going. This is going to be a slow and limited budget since I'm in the process of buying a house with the missus! I'm reading your thread, and good work man, looks like it was indeed blood, sweat, tears and oil but the steed is looking wicked.

I really like the look of your rear shocks-how much longer than stock are they?

Duke

 

[gk45011]

My shocks went from the factory 13" to 13 3/8. Not a larhe jump. Pulled them apart, synched oil settings and took them to the local nitrogen facility (tire discounters around here), and had them match the pressure with nitrogen ather than standard air which may contain moisture. They are firm but not like riding a bull or chopper. There are some others on here who have rebuilt them on here as well.

Gary