my latest build. 2 stroke GT185 cafe racer.

That seat and tail look great - sorry if you've already said but do you have a paint colour in mind or are you leaving it brushed metal? Love the brushed metal look :cool:
 
That seat and tail look great - sorry if you've already said but do you have a paint colour in mind or are you leaving it brushed metal? Love the brushed metal look :cool:

Still deciding on color. I am having the tank and seat powder coated. It will be a lot cheaper and more durable than paint. I was kicking around a couple colors. Maybe grey for a monotone look. Otherwise I was thinking a dark-ish candy red. The other idea I had was black with a metal flake powder top coat. I think I’ll get the bike together and decide at that time. Hopefully I get the frame this weekend and I can get it all together.
 
picked up my parts from powder coater this week. Most of the parts are a metallic grey. Its very similar in color to a raw metal (as noticed by how close in color it looks to the bare metal tank).

its hard to tell because of the dark pictures in my garage, but the metallic really shimmers in the sun. Got the engine inside the frame and the forks mounted. Still waiting for the same guy to finish trueing the wheels. The chambers took a little persuading to fit properly and I still have to bend the right side footrest mounts because they contact the right chamber. Also had to bend the rear brake foot lever.

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finally have an update. I got my wheels back from the powder coater, who also trued them up. Installed some tires and mounted them on the bike.
I went with a bronzy/ black for the rims, matte black for the spoke and chrome for the nipples. I think it gives it a nice contrast.

while picking up the parts, I also dropped off my tank, fender, headlight bucket, and seat to the same powder coater. He is going to spray them in Illusion Cherry with silver sparkle top coat. Should end up like a candy red with silver metal flake on top.

Can't wait to get this bike all buttoned up and done.

While waiting for the wheels, I also got the electrical wiring all done. I simplified the harness and cleaned all the wires in an ultrasonic cleaner before wrapping them up in electrical tape.

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Looking good, really like the colour - the candy red is going to look great against the grey. And that engine, mmmmmmm
 
anyone have any tips for me? I want to paint the suzuki logo on the clutch cover and the "ram air" letters on the cylinders- I want to paint them red. What kind of paint do I use? Will this hold up?

Also, on a similar note-there is a small space on the caliper and the generator cover that typically has suzuki decals on it. I was thinking I would rather have red suzuki lettering to match the tank. Any suggestions on this? Have some vinyl decals made?
 
here is a video of it running today for the first time. It was very satisfying to have it start right up on the third kick. Seems to run very well. I tried the electric starter, but unfortunately the battery doesn't seem to have enough CCAs. It barely turns over. Probably needs a beefier battery.

could not seem to imbed the video but here is the link from youtube below:
GT185 first start after rebuild
 
Sounds crisp. Try the Test model paint. Lookin good man


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That is looking so smart, I too have plans for a steel coloured frame.

I hope mine sounds like yours...sweet but rorty exhaust note through those Higgspeeds :)

Looking forward to seeing the new livery...
 
SHE'S done:
update on the bike. Got my bodywork back from powder. I need some sunlight in order to truly show the color. Its a maroon red candy powder coat with a silver metal flake top coat. It shines really nicely in the sun. Hopefully will post some better pics once it gets nicer out.

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I am still debating about putting some decals or an emblem on the tank. I was kind of thinking of putting the suzuki sunrise logo on it. Not sure. May just leave as-is.
 
now I need to figure out what to build next. This was a fun project. Thanks for following along
 
Perfection in simplicity!
thanks, i appreciate it. I tend to migrate towards simplicity on all my builds. that particularly shows on this one- no gauges, no turn signals, no horn- just the bare minimum. I wish I could go without a battery and use electronic ignition, but unfortunately the charger/ starter motor/ generator combo on this particular bike doesn't have any options for electronic ignition.
 
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