Thanks for stopping by to check out my build! I have been browsing around here for a few weeks now, and couldn't wait to start my own build thread!
After 10 years on and off of owning bikes of various styles, makes, and models of bikes I have come to one common conclusion... not having a bike in my life just isn't for me. While hot rods, and projects with four wheels consume a lot of my free time, and the majority of my "fun fund," I decided to try something different this time. I wanted to source something relatively inexpensive, easily roadworthy, and fun I could work on out of my garage while still keeping it on the road. Being in Southern Alberta, the winter provides ample nasty weather to keep the bike in the garage and get some work done, but still gives us the odd day here and there where throwing on a couple layers and some warm gloves allows for a brisk winter season ride! I have had plenty of projects that I've torn completely apart and started from the ground up, budgets have gotten blown completely out of proportion and become overall they just become overwhelming. Hence my intent to keep this one on the road, and tackle each task methodically, and efficiently.
I decided to post in the "Specials" area, as I have not 100% decided on, or committed to a particular style I want to follow in my build. From lots of browsing I have been quite inspired by builds such as Mad Ratter's "Stray Dog." I know I will have many questions, and welcome all of your input and advice along the way!
One think I rarely fall short on is posting pictures, so here's a few to get things going!
So what am I starting with?! I purchased a 1979 GS750 from a nice individual who had started working on the bike, and made a few modifications along the way. These first couple pictures I got from the previous owner of the bike before he did anything to it. It looks like it was a very clean stock bike.
This second set of pictures is of the bike as I purchased it. As you can see the previous owner stripped it down a bit, switched out the bars, and added a rear frame loop.
Finally, this third set of pictures is of the bike as it sits in my garage at this very moment. I plan on changing a few things the previous owner did, but it is seems like a solid canvas for me to start with that's for sure! First on the agenda is deciding on a seat style, cutting off the light/license plate bracket the previous owner welded to the rear of the loop and adding more discrete signal lights front and back, along with a different style tail/brake light. I'd also like to switch out the gauges for something that will take less real estate up front. The previous owner had made a flat seat pan, as can be seen in the pictures, that works with the factory hinges and lock to still allow for a lifting seat. I really like the idea of a lifting/locking seat as there is a little storage tray under the seat, and eventually I'd like to consolidate the electronics under there as well, but not sure if I should keep running with what he had already started, or start from scratch. Any recommendations right off the bat?
After 10 years on and off of owning bikes of various styles, makes, and models of bikes I have come to one common conclusion... not having a bike in my life just isn't for me. While hot rods, and projects with four wheels consume a lot of my free time, and the majority of my "fun fund," I decided to try something different this time. I wanted to source something relatively inexpensive, easily roadworthy, and fun I could work on out of my garage while still keeping it on the road. Being in Southern Alberta, the winter provides ample nasty weather to keep the bike in the garage and get some work done, but still gives us the odd day here and there where throwing on a couple layers and some warm gloves allows for a brisk winter season ride! I have had plenty of projects that I've torn completely apart and started from the ground up, budgets have gotten blown completely out of proportion and become overall they just become overwhelming. Hence my intent to keep this one on the road, and tackle each task methodically, and efficiently.
I decided to post in the "Specials" area, as I have not 100% decided on, or committed to a particular style I want to follow in my build. From lots of browsing I have been quite inspired by builds such as Mad Ratter's "Stray Dog." I know I will have many questions, and welcome all of your input and advice along the way!
One think I rarely fall short on is posting pictures, so here's a few to get things going!
So what am I starting with?! I purchased a 1979 GS750 from a nice individual who had started working on the bike, and made a few modifications along the way. These first couple pictures I got from the previous owner of the bike before he did anything to it. It looks like it was a very clean stock bike.
This second set of pictures is of the bike as I purchased it. As you can see the previous owner stripped it down a bit, switched out the bars, and added a rear frame loop.
Finally, this third set of pictures is of the bike as it sits in my garage at this very moment. I plan on changing a few things the previous owner did, but it is seems like a solid canvas for me to start with that's for sure! First on the agenda is deciding on a seat style, cutting off the light/license plate bracket the previous owner welded to the rear of the loop and adding more discrete signal lights front and back, along with a different style tail/brake light. I'd also like to switch out the gauges for something that will take less real estate up front. The previous owner had made a flat seat pan, as can be seen in the pictures, that works with the factory hinges and lock to still allow for a lifting seat. I really like the idea of a lifting/locking seat as there is a little storage tray under the seat, and eventually I'd like to consolidate the electronics under there as well, but not sure if I should keep running with what he had already started, or start from scratch. Any recommendations right off the bat?