All the recent postings of classic 70's and 80's bike projects made me want to do one too! I had a buddy with a clapped out 1981 Suzuki GS250 sitting around for the last 7 or 8 years. I told him I wanted the bike and he gave it to me!!
Anyway, I looked into doing a full restoration on the bike, but the cost outweighs the benefit. So I decided to go another route. I saw a post on the GS forums where a guy turned this bike into a nice little cafe/street racer. I am starting out from $0 so I figure a budget of $1000 total and I will have a nice little bike to ride on Sunday mornings or whenever.
Here is what it looked like when I unloaded it;
Pretty 80's-tastic! Here is what I am aiming for, only with nicer paint and better details;
So, any experts on vintage racing (JohnnyB, etc.) post up your thoughts or ideas on the subject. Am I crazy, or whatever.
Looking forward to the list of pros/cons....
__________________ After many years and many dreams I have realized my goal of riding in all 50 states!
Now the rest of the world!
Every now and then go away and have a little relaxation. To remain constantly at work will diminish your judgment. --Leonardo Da Vinci
I hope. Most of the guys doing cafe projects are going the CB, or Brit bike route. Like I say though, for the $$$, this should be a cheap project.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristen
Looks like a fun transformation!
Should be interesting to watch how you do it.
We need pictures.
Pics will be coming, as soon as I make some progress. I have the bike in the basement now to clean and mock up what I have in mind. Today it was like 60 degrees, go figure. I should have left it in the garage where I can do something with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sugs
Go for it! Looks like a fun project!
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterMike
Clubmans, rear sets, solo seat and tail section, exhaust, custom cafe paint job(british racing green with gold striping), and you are on your way.
Sounds good. Rearsets... Don't know about. It has a drum rear brake. That is why I am looking for some expert vintage racers/builders who might have some ideas. I'm thinking Maybe a Ducati yellow, with a black stripe, and yellow frame. I am thinking about blacking out the motor as well. I don't know if the yellow frame will be too much or not? Maybe I'll go with a darker color... Don't know yet.
Thanks for all the encouragement people.
__________________ After many years and many dreams I have realized my goal of riding in all 50 states!
Now the rest of the world!
Every now and then go away and have a little relaxation. To remain constantly at work will diminish your judgment. --Leonardo Da Vinci
It's really fun. I thought I was done and still find myself pecking away this morning on my project bike. And yes, restoration is not cost effective. What I am finding is you still get a cheap bike they you'll love. Have fun post lots of pictures.
It's really fun. I thought I was done and still find myself pecking away this morning on my project bike. And yes, restoration is not cost effective. What I am finding is you still get a cheap bike they you'll love. Have fun post lots of pictures.
True words. Don't go into it with a cost in mind, just try to get the bike as cheap as you can (which Fehren has already done). I'm halfway thru my project, and I can see what Simpson is saying. I've got ideas for next winter now, so it will probably continue to evolve. And this from a guy who always bought new and kept everything pretty much stock.
I figured if I got it to a point mechanically I was comfortable with then I would have lots of time later on to hack. But some hacks are easier/better along the way.
I think you'll enjoy what you're doing. Have fun.
__________________
"Towards the end of the vid, it looks like she may have had a bafflectomy." - MarylandMike
True words. Don't go into it with a cost in mind, just try to get the bike as cheap as you can (which Fehren has already done). I'm halfway thru my project, and I can see what Simpson is saying. I've got ideas for next winter now, so it will probably continue to evolve. And this from a guy who always bought new and kept everything pretty much stock.
I figured if I got it to a point mechanically I was comfortable with then I would have lots of time later on to hack. But some hacks are easier/better along the way.
I think you'll enjoy what you're doing. Have fun.
You guys are both right. I'm trying to keep a budget, but I can already see it getting away from me and I haven't even really started. I should have done some more cleaning on it tonight. I went riding instead. I couldn't resist, riding at 8:00 at night in January in 65 degree weather in Ohio... Crazy.
__________________ After many years and many dreams I have realized my goal of riding in all 50 states!
Now the rest of the world!
Every now and then go away and have a little relaxation. To remain constantly at work will diminish your judgment. --Leonardo Da Vinci
'02 Honda 919 - She's the only one for me!
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