Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
We noticed you are blocking ads. DO THE TON only works with community supporters. Most are active members of the site with small businesses. Please consider disabling your ad blocking tool and checking out the businesses that help keep our site up and free.
So I'm in the middle of turning a stock 1980 Suzuki GS750 into a café racer and I think I've decided on a Thruxton Legendary seat from DCC. My question is what would be the best way to mount this to the bike? They also sell a universal kit or a seat pan, which would be the best option? Anyone have ideas?
Also, is there any reason why I see tons of Hondas made into Café racers, but very few Suzuki's? I'm new to all this. Thanks,
I'm also doing a gs750. I've gone with a cat eye seat. I was going to use square tubes on the bottom of the seat and make clamps to get them on the frame. I don't think people do many Suzuki's is because they aren't awesome enough to take on the challenge. Just my opinion.
In the seventies suzuki was primarily making 2 strokes which are certainly cool but not everyones cup of tea and are also not as readily available as say an old cb. The GS didn't come out until late 70s and by then the frame style had less of a flat look that makes itself readily available for a nice long lean cafe. IMO yamahas also suffered this with the xs series. Don't get me wrong there are hundreds of examples of awesome xs and gs cafe bikes on this site it's just harder to get the long flat lines that for me offers the right look. Much easier on an early 70s cb or kawasaki z400. of course i could just be talking out of my ass.
I'm also doing a gs750. I've gone with a cat eye seat. I was going to use square tubes on the bottom of the seat and make clamps to get them on the frame. I don't think people do many Suzuki's is because they aren't awesome enough to take on the challenge. Just my opinion.
Nah, I'm doing a Zuki bobber currently. It has alot of parts in common with the 750. They're both in-line 4's with quad-carbs. I'm not sure what the data says, but if I had to guess I think more people go with the honda's because they sold more units, so swap-meets yield more honda parts than than suzuki or yamaha.
Hell I am working on a GS750B. The reason that not many people do them up is that not as many sold. Also there are less bolt on parts so less "custom bike builders" work with them.
As for the seat I plan on running some gusset plates between the frame and mounting the seat on using 4 bolts. After that I will use industrial velcro to stick the seat pad down.
In the seventies suzuki was primarily making 2 strokes which are certainly cool but not everyones cup of tea and are also not as readily available as say an old cb. The GS didn't come out until late 70s and by then the frame style had less of a flat look that makes itself readily available for a nice long lean cafe. IMO yamahas also suffered this with the xs series. Don't get me wrong there are hundreds of examples of awesome xs and gs cafe bikes on this site it's just harder to get the long flat lines that for me offers the right look. Much easier on an early 70s cb or kawasaki z400. of course i could just be talking out of my ass.
I'm new to the fab world, but do you have pictures of the "gusset plates" your talking about? I thought about buying the universal kit from DCC, but I'm not sure I like how you can see those blocks from the side. I figured I could just attach some type of rails between the frame and the seat and bolt through all 3.
I agree that it seems like there are less custom parts for the GS because even when looking for seats most were too narrow. The Hondas frame must be several inches less in width than the GS. I love the Honda's leather seat that includes the crowl on the above banner on this site, but its 6ich wide at the tank base and my frame is about 8. I figure the Thruxton is the next best thing since the dimensions match more with the frame.
The Suzuki GS series is a great base for any kind of performance build. From it's debut, the GS750 was the best handling bike of the Big Four and only Kawi's were faster, at the cost of noodley handling. That, coupled with the way-overbuilt GS engines means that GS bikes have been used for everything from drag racing to AMA superbike racing. There are TONS of go-fast parts for these bikes but not so many bolt-on "cafe" parts because most people are still building vintage racers and drag bikes out of them. The frames from the "E" models are better suited to building a racer than the "L" frame. Take a look at the Yoshimura-built GS bikes for Wes Cooley and Steve McLaughlin for performance inspiration.
Mounting a custom seat on a bike is usally just that "custom". Some are easier than other like the E vs L as mentioned earlier. I have glassed in threaded nut plates and then bolted on through the fender mounting holes. You can put them up in a varity of sizes at any hardware store.
...or I've fabbed up metal plates and used the factory mounting tabs.
When you get your seat set it on the frame and see what you got. The answer usually presents itself.
I have a cafe'd GS750. There are plenty more out there, and they are easy to do. Contrary to what was previously stated, my frame IS quite flat. I think the Yamaha XSes are rather flat, too, so I don't know what the previous member is talking about, unless you get into the GS "L" models or later ones, like in the 80s.
Just make sure to put the rear wheel through the entire range of travel before welding on that rear plate. There's a reason the stock rear brace is shaped like an upside-down "U" instead of a flat plate.
i used a seat for a Honda and made a hinge bracket so i could still lift the seat. looks a bit messy in the pic but all welded and smoothed off now looks good and easy access to the airbox - cum - tool shed, very useful storage!
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
