1981 gs550

[the burbanator]

Might be working on a trade for a 1981 Suzuki gs 550. It's been painted black and looks like the owner tried to rat bike it a little. It isn't ugly. What's the word on these? Not the fastest I'm sure but I think I need something to cruise, not race. I'm waiting to hear more info on the bike. I'm about 5'11" - 200lbs or so. Will this thing be a turd with me on it. To dangerous for the highway?

[Rttoys]

It might be a little dangerous for the highway and it will be a turd comparable to something newer, but it should still be very reliable.

Price? Without seeing it it will be tough, but I would say probably around $1000. Something that old and that basic is really not worth a lot

[dog walker]

What he said kinda, but with that said, I kinda like old school Suzuki GS's. I'd cruise one around.

[the burbanator]

He is also tossing in 2 gs750's. One for parts and one to rebuild. I'm trading my 84- atc 250r that needs work, a roller 83r and a bunch of parts. Put it on craigslist. for $1200 or trade

[Rttoys]

I'd do it. It would be a lot of fun to play with. If you get bored, 'cafe' it and have something cool. If done right, it could bring in some good coin without much money dumped in.

[the burbanator]

We are going to meet Sunday so we can see if we want to trade. Im looking forward to it. He started to do some stuff to it that I'm going to change but nothing that required any cutting or welding of anything. I have a picture but it's on my phone and I don't have a computer so I can't post them.

[Rttoys]

I sent you a pm. If you send me the pics I can post them for you tomorrow.

[the burbanator]

Done, thank you

[Rttoys]

Here are the pictures. So much potential here

[Rttoys]

HHmmm, I need to see if I can make these bigger.

[Rttoys]

take 3

[the burbanator]

Thanks bud, now I need to check out those sites you sent me. I'm sure my wallet and girlfriend will hate you soon, if the deal goes good that is. Haha

[Rttoys]

I try to help

Realistically, that's what's nice about a café racer, you can get the parts just about anywhere as much as your imagination can handle. You can pull the front end and brakes off of a sport bike and a swingarm of some sort off of a standard. You just have to find a way to make it work and there are a ton of options. Ohhhhhhhh the options.

[the burbanator]

Its mine, I got this bike and 2- gs750's.

This bike runs pretty good, the two center down pipes are rusted out where they tie into the outer tubes. Spittle tube and creativity will repair that. Change the weird ass seat thing and few odds and ends

The 750's are going to be combined to make a sweet street fighter, I hope. The frame I have the title for has been chopped down already and then stripped. the other has had the wiring harness cut up and needs a new one or I need to figure out a way to repair this one. Its a mess. The motors both turn over so ill probably get 1 going or find a wrecked gixxer 1000 motor and build a death trap. Ill get pictures up when I get good ones.

So, any ideas?

Mike

[Rttoys]

Oh, there are a ton of ideas going through my head. For the 550, I would get the seat/tail lined out first so you can ride it. Not sure what would work easy though. A common swap is the tail from a Harley XR750. To keep with the Suzuki theme, an older TL1000 tail might work.

[Rttoys]

Ditch the airbox and go with 4 clamp on filters.

Drop the ft end enough to put sport bike 'clip ons' on, or just go with drag bars. With the bars lower, you might need to change foot peg location, so some take-offs, off any sport bike should do, but will need to be modded to the bike in what postion that is comfy for you.

Ditch the headlight for the Triumph Speed tripple or Ducati Streetfighter setup. Use something like this http://trailtech.net/vapor.html for a speed-o, gauges, etc. There are many brands, I'll ask what my buddy used on his.

I have a lot more, but gotta get some work done. This should keep you busy for a while.

[the burbanator]

the 550 is going to be done on the cheap, rat style. low to no buck is what im looking at with this one. going to make a seat pan out of some fiberglass or just sheet metal and have the misses try her hand at upholstry. ditching the bars is a givin, i think drag bars or just some lower ones in general are in order. these ones are from an 83 dx225 which works because i need a set for mine haha. might try hacking up the factory bars to lowere them alittle. i am going to be looking at tires for the spring, i can work with what i have for now but i will need new ones before i go crazy with the mileage.

the 750's, well, i might have to raise the budget abit. found a wiring harness online for cheap. get one of the motors running. one of the frames is pretty hacked up but i might be able to work with it. thinking sporbike front end and im not sure on swinger, older dirtbike with sportbike shock. not sure, thats on the back burner.

i tried to get pictures but the storage unit keys are in the ole ladies car so thats a no go. hopefully this week i can get some up.

mike

[the burbanator]

oh yea, i have filters on one of the 750 motors. the exhaust has rotted away where the center tubes meet the outer so thats getting fixxed, painted and possibly header wrapped.

[Rttoys]

Next to $0 on the 550, ya, rat it and roll. Should still be fun to ride.

The 750s: I'd scower Craiglist till You found stuff you could use on the cheap, then get after it once you have a stash collected. Squids always have sport bike stuff for sale after they dump them.

[the burbanator]

Troof haha. Found a bunch of stuff on eBay already

[the burbanator]

got some photo uploaded, nothing fancy but here they are

the kid and i



the 750's. the complete-ish one doesn't have a title but is said to run and is mostly complete. the other has a title but as you can see, has been cut up. not sure how i'm going to approach it yet




traded this for em

[#rawkon]

That 750 was modded by a hack. Dont think there is much chance of un-fucking that mess.

[the burbanator]

They cut off everything for the seats and fender. Possibly electronic box. Not sure what I'm going to do with it. The shock mounts are held on with snot so that'll wipe up easy haha

[Rttoys]

The kiddo doesn't look overly impressed.

I know it is highly illegal, but you might want to swap the VINs and work off the unchopped one. It looks like more of a blank canvas to start with. Other than that, my approach would be a case of beer, roll around chair and hours of staring at the bikes to see how this will work before I get started.

[the burbanator]

Hahaha. She was super pissed I took off without her. She chased after me and her mom couldn't catch her. It was pretty funny. I wish the bikes where at my house. I just stare at the pictures on my phone. I've thought about the other stuff. Swapping the necks or something.