Recent content by CafeTool

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    1978 Suzuki GS550 gets a makeover

    Nice work. I like the tail.
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    Sunday afternoon I finally got time to work on the bike. I started by adding these shorty pods that I sourced from Dime City. The old pods were to long and hit the frame. I also added 110 main jets which scared the hell out of me the first time I hit the throttle! I put a coat of primer on the...
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    Its always a good feeling when one removes a broken bolt...
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    Budget 78 GS550 - Giselle (SOLD)

    Re: Budget 78 GS550 - Giselle Great looking build! I'm working on the same bike. I would like to know where you sourced the 350mm Hagons?
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    Here are a few pix of my progress from yesterday. The hole was cut through the fiber glass tail and I fabbed a mounting bracket from 1" x 1/8" aluminum. The bracket was then glassed into place. I used the same aluminum stock to make the cross bar which mounts the tail to the frame. I didn't get...
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    The weekend is here and new parts have arrived! I received a light from Lowbrow Customs and a grommet. My plan is to cut a hole in the fiberglass tail that I made last weekend, then mount the light flush so only the lens and chrome ring stick out the back.
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    1978 GS550 New Project

    Build thread: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=39105.0
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    No plans for the tank and controls yet. I kinda like the tank as is. My next project will be making the seat pad. I was given a sewing machine. I guess I need to learn to sew and make my own seat.
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    After watching the video of Herm from Dime City Cycles build a cafe racer seat from foam and fiber glass I decided to scrap my steel tail and build my own fiber glass tail. I bought $25 worth of foam and glue for $15 with a coupon from Michael's Craft Store (always check the Michael's website...
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    This is my first attempt making a tail for the bike. First I mocked it up in cardboard and construction paper. Next I made it from 22g steel. My $89 welder Harbor Freight Tools really isn't the best for welding thin gauge steel. It works fine 1/8" but one must be very careful on the thin stuff...
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    Fabbed a mounting bracket for a '37 Ford tail light...
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    I gave the wheels a rattle can paint job using Rust-oleum. Also put on a drilled front rotor from a GS650 and a used Conti rear tire that my friend gave to me.
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    My son helped my figure out where to weld the rear loop. I couldn't decide if I wanted it long or short. In the end I chose long so I would have more room for my wife on the back. I welded the rear loop using an $89 welder from Habor Freight Tools. The cheap welder spits and spatters but...
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    I ordered this custom bent rear loop from Rofomoto http://rofomoto.weebly.com/, a frame builder in PA. They guy was really nice. Charged me $65 plus shipping. He sent me auto-cad drawings before bending the tubing, then sent these pix of the bent tubing and shipped it out the same day.
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    First Build GS550 Cafe Racer

    Here I swapped the old lead acid battery for a modern lithium-ion battery. It dropped a lot of weight and was easily hidden. Thinking back I wish I would have bought the 8 cell Li-ion battery. The 4 cell works but loses juice quickly on cold starts. The manufacturer recomended the 4 cell for...
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