I just made my first bike/project purchase. I bought an 1983 Suzuki 450T. I'm planning to turn it into a Cafe Racer. Because I have limited mechanical experience I have bought a bike that is running in and in good mechanical condition. Most of the work I want to do is atheistic. I am looking for some advise on what my first steps should be?
New Bike Owner
- Thread starter Ctann
- Start date
AlphaDogChoppers
Science is true whether you believe in it or not.
First thing you need to do is swap wheels with me. I have been wanting a set of spoked wheels for my '81 GS450L. <G>
Just don't care for the mags. I have been looking for a set of spoked wheels for it.
Here is an example of before/after side case polishing.
I did the Electrosport stator and regulator in mine after frying the OEM stator by running dual headlights. (Wired through relays, of course.)
Just don't care for the mags. I have been looking for a set of spoked wheels for it.
Here is an example of before/after side case polishing.
I did the Electrosport stator and regulator in mine after frying the OEM stator by running dual headlights. (Wired through relays, of course.)
Catbird
DT250 epidemic - Patient Zero
I love autocorrect. An atheistic bike? 
The photo that Swivel posted was the one that prompted me to buy my GS550T, and was the primary inspiration therefore, until I decided that I liked the DT250 single-cylinder two stroke more.
That being said, the GS series are very tough bikes.
The photo that Swivel posted was the one that prompted me to buy my GS550T, and was the primary inspiration therefore, until I decided that I liked the DT250 single-cylinder two stroke more.
That being said, the GS series are very tough bikes.
Ha Ha dam auto correct is right....what I meant was I want it too look kick ass with out having to do much with the engine...Thanks for the input I have to admit most of the stuff was way over my head! I will see what I can do. The bike is getting a tune up this week should have it middle of next week. I need some good ideas on what to do with the seat?? I'm guessing I will want to switch out the tank as well.
Poopwink
never take yourself too seriously
BUY A MANUAL.
This is critical. While we may not be in the same boat, we're at least floating around the same lake together, as I've got that '82 450. I bought a Clymer manual for ~$30 on Amazon. You don't necessarily have to get into the motor right away but knowing what's going on in there can't hurt.
This is critical. While we may not be in the same boat, we're at least floating around the same lake together, as I've got that '82 450. I bought a Clymer manual for ~$30 on Amazon. You don't necessarily have to get into the motor right away but knowing what's going on in there can't hurt.
AlphaDogChoppers
Science is true whether you believe in it or not.
Ctann said:
It's such a small and narrow tank to begin with, I think knee dents might look silly. That tank barely holds 3 gallons. I KNOW this, having pushed to a gas station with a bone-dry tank a few times. The reserve is barely more than a quart. I wouldn't do anything that would reduce fuel capacity.
Catbird
DT250 epidemic - Patient Zero
I wouldn't knee-dent anything until you're sure where your knees are going to hit. Most people's knees won't come up that high on anything that isn't just a *tiny* bike. Imagine a 6'4" rider on a dropped BUell Blast. THAT'S where you'd need knee-dents to pull into a full tuck.
Catbird
DT250 epidemic - Patient Zero
AN Occam's Razor solution would be to build the same frame member to support both the tank and the seat. Simple is gooooood.
A small crosspiece on a homemade bracket directly over the existing flanges there, with a straight rail running most of the way down the spine of the bike, could also give you a little extra space to stuff the electronics up under the seatpan without having to go too much into the tail section.
If you did it right. you'd be very close to meeting up with the back of the seat loop.
A small crosspiece on a homemade bracket directly over the existing flanges there, with a straight rail running most of the way down the spine of the bike, could also give you a little extra space to stuff the electronics up under the seatpan without having to go too much into the tail section.
If you did it right. you'd be very close to meeting up with the back of the seat loop.
im liking where its heading ! and i agree with cat work with what you got and as long as you like it then its right . looking at the pic i see theres a bike with a tail section on it . dont know if its just the pic but you might want to try that one on it looks like would good nice with your tank ? maybe somthing close.....
Well I'm attempting to make the seat look cool so I jumped on you tube and watched a video on how to make it out of styrofoam.....they look it much easier than what I did. Anyways I'm having problems making it all even on both sides. Anyways here are some pics if you have any advise let me know.
Catbird
DT250 epidemic - Patient Zero
If you decide to do this in the future, you might want to consider using stronger extruded styrene instead of expanded styrene. It's a lot stronger, easier to shape and easier to cut.
If you're having trouble evening it out, when in doubt, MEASURE.
One of the guys whose projects I'm watching uses a paint-can lid with some nailholes poled in it as a foam shaping tool, and he's gotten good results.
If you're having trouble evening it out, when in doubt, MEASURE.
One of the guys whose projects I'm watching uses a paint-can lid with some nailholes poled in it as a foam shaping tool, and he's gotten good results.
Hoosier Daddy
Earache my eye...
Where are all these "T's" comin from?! Glad I found this thread.
You can do the seat that way. I used white foam on a couple of mine. Use some 80 or 120g sandpaper on a sanding block to get the shape. Go easy!
Do not fibreglass righ onto the foam, the styrene in the resin will eat your foam. I give mine a coat of epoxy first then cover it with masking taped tin foil.
Hope that helps...
Here's my GS750. she's a bigger sister "L" model
You can do the seat that way. I used white foam on a couple of mine. Use some 80 or 120g sandpaper on a sanding block to get the shape. Go easy!
Do not fibreglass righ onto the foam, the styrene in the resin will eat your foam. I give mine a coat of epoxy first then cover it with masking taped tin foil.
Hope that helps...
Here's my GS750. she's a bigger sister "L" model