GT185 Suzuki build

Thanks for the clarification, that's about what I thought but I was not 100% sure. I have a two rod and triangulation (four of them) way of checking alignment of the steering head and swingarm. I'm sure others will have a method as well.
Cheers, 50gary
 
Subscribed, hope the frame is salvageable or replaceable, not many of these puppies left, sure as rare as hens teeth in the uk now.
 




Pretty poor quality images I know but you get the idea. This is the only crooked bit, as mentioned above the seat rails were a little out of square as a result but as far as I can see all the crucial bits will still mount up right, only concern is that steering will be out of true.
 
I don't mean to be a prophet of doom just saying to check it. I'm just now fitting a new frame member to my RT 360 conversion. I cut out the upside down "Y" that joins the curved top tube to the swingarm section. Major surgery, new tubes going in to make room for the angled carburetor of the new liquid cooled YZ250 moto-X engine. It's going to be a cafe/track bike, hang in there.
Cheers, 50gary
 
Don't stress on the doom talk Gary, it is what it is. I'll take a run at straightening it backyard mechanic style, if that fails I will look at replacement frame. Also I have shop near me that has one of them fancy hydraulic frame straightening jigs, provisional quote is $300+ though. Panama, any of those frames in SA? Or Sydney/Illawarra?
 
No luck on the home fix, too many points needing pressure at the same time. Frame dropped in for professional attention, should have it back in about 10 days good as new
 
Frame now sorted. While looking it over with the guy that did the repair we agreed that the damage looked to be from the frame being laid over, and some kind of load being stacked on top. Much better than a prang obviously!

Otherwise no major progress, fork lowers are painted and rear wheel is reassembled. Halfway done truing the front, then rear then tyres.
 
Finally got the front wheel back together and shod. Still need to pull a tyre from another rim to then chuck on the rear.




Also for interests sake i knocked together a general idea of the overall plan, traced over a stock image to get the dimensions right. Note that the pipe dimensions aren't based on any kind of calculations, just eyeballed against the frame

 
Well my other tyre turned out to have a split in the sidewall. Poop. Now having trouble finding the right vintage-style tread, in the right width (3.5 or wider), at the right price. I'll keep an eye out though, something will turn up. In the meantime have started on frame paint...

Just need to strip, prime and paint the rest of the frame now
 
I had the same issue with tire choices, I've seen guys rocking avon safety mileage on the GT with a rear also used as the front. I chose Avon AM26 roadriders in the end. They perform well and look alright. I got mine from rockymountainatv for a decent price.
 
I had a GT200X5 and put AM26 tyres on, they were sweet, hard wearing and plenty of grip. A good recommendation.
 
Good advice thanks guys. A bit more modern look than I was after, buts that's only because the one tyre I already have mounted is way vintage (like, vintage because it's actually 20+ years old). That said, I've got my forks back together today and mounted the wheel to find that 3.50 is way wider than I was looking for up front so well prob now end up going am26 or similar front n back
 
The AM26 is a good tire alright, I'm also looking at them for my 250cc project. skinny tires are difficult to find in a decent (modern) compound and tread pattern. The AM26 Roadrider has a universal (front or rear mount) so you can get a proper sized rear for a smaller bike. Most rears jump to 130 or wider. I will use a 90/90/18" front and 100/90/18" rear, 1.85" front rim and 2.25" rear rim. Continental is now making a radial for vintage but only in one size thus far.
Cheers, 50gary
 
Started on stripping the original paint from the frame - after running a flapper wheel over it I'm tempted to change my mind on the black and leave it as a brushed bare metal finish with clearcoat. BUT... the plan was to have the tank and seat in brushed bare metal, as well as the pipes. Too much? The wheels are gloss black and fork lowers are a gray smoke sort of colour so maybe will balance out? Opinions?
 
Nice work so far, I just found one of these in basket case form cheap, only issue is missing title. Trying to figure out if I can get one and if so I will be grabbing it. Cheers
 
Maritime said:
Nice work so far, I just found one of these in basket case form cheap, only issue is missing title. Trying to figure out if I can get one and if so I will be grabbing it. Cheers
Click to expand...

Yeah do it. Mostly so I have another live source for questions etc. But also because there's heaps of small capacity CBs and RDs getting around but not much love for all the other little bikes out there.

Further to my last post, the bulk of the paint is now off and just need to get the dremel out to get at the finicky bits. Here she is currently, still not quite decided on the final finish for the frame though



 
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