'83 Suzuki GR650 "Tempter"

[Pablo83]

SICK video by the way! Sounds real nice passing by.

Notice in the video you can hear the bike before your can see it ;D. Honestly I'm not a big fan of stupid-loud bikes, which is what I currently have. The pipes are much bigger than I need and I think this winter I'll be able to modify the internals to make it quieter without loosing any power.

 

[Pablo83]

I got some exhaust wrap for the pipes.

And some race numbers

 

[rattpunk]

Great shots, with the dead bike there 8)


I just can't get over the fact this all happened already... Props on the speed and craftsmanship dude!

 

[Pablo83]

I was worried that the pipes running so close to the carb float bowl would put too much heat into them, so I made a heat shield.

First I made it out of cardboard

And fit it up

Then cut it out o 18ga steel, bent it to shape, and fusion welded some extra metal to the mounting tabs.

punched some holes

and trimmed it to fit

It installs nicely

 

[Eleganten]

Looks great! I do however don´t like the wheels at all. A pair of spoked once or at least newer cast once. The bike really deserves it!

 

[Pablo83]

I do however don´t like the wheels at all. A pair of spoked once or at least newer cast once.

Normally I prefer spoked wheels, but I really like these particular cast ones. The design is lighter weight than most cast wheels I've seen. The last picture of the bike has a strong glare on the front wheel and makes it look much more overstated than it is in person. I think they look sharp. I really wish it weren't a 16" rear, though.

 

[Big R]

Hey Pablo, I remember reading about a GS450 that had a 17" mag fitted (not stock, but had a drum brake). The build was here on DTT, and we guessed it was from an early GS550. But the GR swinger won't accept a wheel from a GS450 - at least not without extending the sprocket carrier out.

Look on eBay for a swinger from a GS750E - it looks identical to the GR's except it's aluminum and uses a disc brake wheel. Could fit a 17" mag wheel with a disc brake instead?

 

[Pablo83]

Could fit a 17" mag wheel with a disc brake instead?

I'm sure I could. I've done a rear disk brake conversion on another bike and it's pretty straight forward. In fact, when I fabbed the rear subframe and fender on this bike I left enough room for a 19" flat track tire/rim in case I ever decided to change it over. Really I think a 17" looks the best and there's plenty of rubber available (I've got a 17" Avon Supermoto wet tire on another bike and it's pretty amazing).

But with how fun the bike is to ride just like it is, I doubt I'll be doing any serious modifications to it unless I get bored of it. If I could find a nearly bolt-on 17" rear with a compatibly drum brake I would switch over, but really for now I'm just going to ride it.

 

[Pablo83]

 

[Big R]

Yep - that's the way to do it Pablo! If this was Facebook, I would be hitting the like button and sharing it with my friends!

 

[peteGSX]

I think your dry cleaning bill is going to go up if you keep doing that... I like it

 

[Pablo83]

If this was Facebook, I would be hitting the like button and sharing it with my friends!

http://www.facebook.com/catamountcycles

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Rad!

 

[Cookie]

Very James Bond. I like!

 

[Big R]

I'm probably one of the last people on earth that doesn't have a FB page.

But this bike is fantastic work man. I'd rock it everyday.

 

[Pablo83]

I think your dry cleaning bill is going to go up if you keep doing that... I like it

I don't have the money to keep up with the potential dry-cleaning bill so we're going to find out what happens when you machine-wash a suit.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Ha, Awesome.

 

[Pablo83]

Sideburn Magazine just did a blog post on the bike. Check it out.

 

[peteGSX]

I'm probably one of the last people on earth that doesn't have a FB page.

But this bike is fantastic work man. I'd rock it everyday.

You and me both Rich... I avoid it like the plague!

I don't have the money to keep up with the potential dry-cleaning bill so we're going to find out what happens when you machine-wash a suit.

Hahaha nice... hope it doesn't shrink!

 

[Pablo83]

Houston, we have a problem...

So I went to PMI in Pueblo yesterday and found a great track to ride the GR on. Then I decided to push it down some more technical stuff. I came across an unexpected ditch where I could either hit the brakes hard, and probably have an ungraceful crash, or gas it and jump the ditch. I made the logical choice and when I landed the jump I bent both foot pegs, tore off one of the peg rubbers, and punched a hole in the oil pan. Why, oh why didn't Swivel warn me of this engineering fault??? Time to fire up the welder.