1982 GS450 L change of plans!

[CupidsDeathDay]

Sup guys?! Since my last idea for my project didn't go as planned, i have decided to go a different route with my girl Gamygyn! I decided she needs more sleek-style muscle, than ratty bone stock muscle like i was going to do! So she is going sport!

So i started by changing up some of the little things for the time being and so far its turning out pretty good. Just waiting on some parts to get an idea of stance and such for the sitting position and deciding where to go from there. Winter is rolling around and its about time to start tearing the engine apart and rebuilding so hopefully this plan goes much smoother in the slow winter times since i was always on the move before on my original bobber plan!

The pics provided show her as she sits now. I'm currently waiting on a few small things to come in for some of the basis behind where im going. So i have to wait a few weeks before i can decide EXACTLY where I'm going yet(All depends on how things fit together).

Things i have, that are waiting to be put on:
Used 18x1.85 Rim from a GS450S (Needs cleaned up and painted along with my current front rim)
New tires waiting for the rims.
Brand new gasket set.
New paint job(Spray bomb enamel)
Bar-End Mirrors

Things coming in the mail currently:
New quarter fairing(Mostly for mock and match up or to just play with to see if i like it)
Used universal Rearsets that included the linkage and mounting tabs.
Possibly a new exhaust but unsure because i like the cocktail shakers i have, but might redo the pipes.
Wiring stuff.
New LED's for idiot light set-up im working on.

Possible future add-ons/upgrades:
Home made Cafe seat cowl and seat pad(Probably going to be a thin steel)
New shocks(Not sure if i want to go old school or upgrade to gas shocks)
New battery tray and electronics location.(Probably going to happen during re-wire anyways)
New battery(Eventually getting a lithium 8cell)

Most everything else is going to stay original but is going to get a good cleaning and shining!

Haven't decided if its in my best interest to cut up the rear.... it seems to be in good positioning for a new cafe seat cowl but thats why im waiting on the rearsets before i decide. The Position will help me decide how i feel about it. If needed i could always get long shocks, and bring the front end down a bit for position. But we will see!

If you have any ideas, or any input, I don't mind constructive criticism and appreciate any inspiration if you have it to offer!

Thanks!

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

BTW mine is the small one with the 2-up seat and the one in the back is a GS550L that my buddy is working on!

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

So i finally have some updates for my Cafe build after so freaking long! Its been going very slow but its going!

Here are some pics so far. Apologies for the messy work area, its my parents garage and they like to hoard shit!... >.>

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

So far i have come across only 1 challenge.. And that would be the decision on whether to cut the classic 80's era made seat to fit behind the shock and line up with the frame.... OR relocate and reinforce the upper shock mount forward to accommodate for the 1.5"-2" clearance issue. I don't have any problems welding it where i need it but I don't know if i want to cut into this beautiful classic seat or if i should weld in some new upper mounts.....

Moving the shock mount seems more logical to me:
1) It will allow for cheaper shocks, as i will no longer need really long shocks to get the position i want.
2) It seems like the support would be better in hard turns for the angle and recoil.
3) I don't have to cut into my awesome seat.
4) I will be able to use my current shocks for mock up and shake down runs until i can get new shocks.
5) I can cut out and use my current shock mounts and some metal stock i have lying around to make the new mounts.

But idk, i might just be thinking too much into it.

What do you guys think?
Any help or advice is appreciated!

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

I was thinking something like this?....

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

BTW am i in the right section for this Sonreir? I was not sure. Still getting used to the site and the different sections.

Thanks.

 

[teazer]

Just a suggestion in answer to your questions.

It's your bike and the look is up to you, but personally I would have no issues modifying that seat. It's an unusual mix of sixties cafe racer look and later style flat track number plates and makes the bike look heavy at the back IMHO.

But you have to know me to understand that I change almost every part I get to make it work with the bike I'm working on, so I have o issues cutting things up and using them as a starting point for something more awesome. I certainly would think twice about changing a frame to make it work with a seat unless there was something spectacular about the seat and I don't think this is that seat.

Focus on making the chassis strong and as unmolested as possible so you know it's safe and then sketch your design ideas over that skeleton to get to a functional look that works for you.

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

Just a suggestion in answer to your questions.

It's your bike and the look is up to you, but personally I would have no issues modifying that seat. It's an unusual mix of sixties cafe racer look and later style flat track number plates and makes the bike look heavy at the back IMHO.

But you have to know me to understand that I change almost every part I get to make it work with the bike I'm working on, so I have o issues cutting things up and using them as a starting point for something more awesome. I certainly would think twice about changing a frame to make it work with a seat unless there was something spectacular about the seat and I don't think this is that seat.

Focus on making the chassis strong and as unmolested as possible so you know it's safe and then sketch your design ideas over that skeleton to get to a functional look that works for you.

I see what you mean.... I think what i will do is draw it out and see what i get. I think i might be able to keep the number plate without it looking heavy, by trimming it down to a smaller square AND it will help solve my issue with the shock/seat clearance issue.

I kinda wanna keep the slight tracker look without making it heavy. After staring at it for a few minutes, i see exactly what you mean.... But i really like the number plate so i think i will try trimming it down and see how the lines work!

Thanks for the constructive criticism! I probably never would have seen that until it was too late! I tend to get tunnel vision if i like something but i agree, the seat isn't "Spectacular" But i do like the look, and it fits my frame almost perfectly.

Frame dimensions under the seat:
6" wide at the front meeting the tank and gradually works out to 8" wide in the back.
Seat-cowl seating dimensions:
6.25" Wide at the front and works out to 10" wide towards the seat bump!

Thanks again for the advice. I will draw up a design and probably post it up once done.

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

How about this? A little less heavy looking and I can keep the number plate! I might go a wee bit smaller but I really like the way it looks.

Sent to you from the Tardis in 1567 China!

 

[teazer]

That has potential. Much better already.

Just noticed teeh pipes. I suspect they would look much better if that muffler was mounted a foot or two forward of where it is. That would take another visual clue and move it away from the rear and would bulk up the middle a little . I don't dislike the upsweep, but if it just snuggled up behind the brake lever, I think it would be better.

Play with it and see what you think.

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

Oh Yeah! I plan on redoing the exhaust but haven't completely made a decision on how I want to go about it... I'll figure something out!


Sent to you from the Tardis in 1620 London!

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

So this is where I am at on the seat! I actually really like the look. I think it will look much better once properly mounted to the frame and with a seat on it!

Now just to decide on fender or fenderless!.... -_- Hmmmm...

Sent to you from the Tardis in 1292 Scotland!

 

[teazer]

You need a front fender to stop the forks from walking and a rear to keep water, dirt, stones etc out of the carbs. It can be slim and barely visible, but needs to be there.

BTW, did the Tardis ever visit Scotland? I must have missed that episode.

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

Lol i should have made that a little more clear, Im definitely keeping the front fender but i can't decide if i want to HIDE the rear fender out of sight or if i should extend it from under the cowl? I can't decide if i want the fender to be sticking out or not...

P.S. Yes she did! In the episode "Tooth and Claw". The second episode in the second series but it was in 1879 Scotland when the Doctor and Rose meet Queen Victoria and the monks summon the Werewolf that attacks the queen!

 

[teazer]

second series - Oh I see. Second series of the new series, 2006. Thought you meant William Hartnell original series 2 in 1964

I'd make the seat work as a rear fender to keep the rear end clean and tidy.

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

Lol. No but he was pretty awesome! I know it seems cliche but i actually liked 5 & 7 the most from the Original DW!

But yeah, that is kinda what i was thinking. I think i will leave in the plastic mud guard under the seat and use a spare fender to cut and hide under the new seat. The seat just seems too wide to stick the fender out because it would become disproportional to the rest of the bike unless i used a "Fat-Tier" fender and that would just look Goofy. So i will see what i got and how i will hide it after i get it mounted to the frame.

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

So i am finally getting the rear-sets done on my project but have run across an issue that i didn't think about. The brake on my bike has about 1.5 inches of play in it before the brakes make contact and it pulls my brake pedal up too high. How do you guys think i should go about fixing this? Also, any ideas on the spring back? Where it pushes the brake pedal back into place so the brake doesn't lock. I was thinking about putting a spring in there somewhere but unsure how i want to go about it. I thought about using a torsion spring in that little bit of spacing between the mount and the pedal.

Here are some pics.

 

[Big R]

Bump.

Signed up.

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

So yeah, i think i have decided to just go with the original brake actuator with a welded tab for the brake set up. So hopefully i will be getting an update on that soon. Just have to find the time. Probably do it tomorrow night. Also, Currently working on the battery box set up ATM.

Basic sketch show below.

 

[CupidsDeathDay]

I think i am actually going to end up buying a Antigravity 8 cell or a Ballistic Evo2 4 cell, which should leave me much more room and reduce weight.

BTW what are your guy's opinions on the Ballistic VS. Antigravity lithium batterys? I have been told that the Ballistic batteries are much better at a ratio of 4:1. But i wanted to ask you guys because i figured a lot more people on here have used them.

Thanks.