Topic: The Quest for Brakes and Suspension: GSX-R Treats

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I'd think 'plug and play' would be popular and EASY!

[calj737]

I'll add a line of thinking on this: I won't debate rake/trail handling attributes with the geometry wizards here. But, it seems that while there is less offset in the GSXR front end, and that should make for different behavior on turn-ins, it seems that the appropriate tires front-rear (speaking mostly of aspect ratios) and equalized wheelbase should bring the handling overall back into the "favorable" category.

The only thing I see from your build that gives me pause is the 18" front wheel with the GSXR forks. You've already discovered the interference due to diameter, I would also think due to 18" tire aspects, you'd find it quirky on quick steering maneuvers.

We each ride in our style, on the roads available, and different speed ranges. But for my project (500 with GSXR) I am paying very careful attention to the tires as a part of the ensign changes. Trying to match as closely the widths and aspect as part of the overall wheelbase and shock geometry (going mono in the rear) to get as close as possible. Wheelbase on mine will be shorter than a GSXR, but rims, tires  and shocks will be nearly spot on.

Food for thought-

[sethdhawkins]

I'll add a line of thinking on this: I won't debate rake/trail handling attributes with the geometry wizards here. But, it seems that while there is less offset in the GSXR front end, and that should make for different behavior on turn-ins, it seems that the appropriate tires front-rear (speaking mostly of aspect ratios) and equalized wheelbase should bring the handling overall back into the "favorable" category.

The only thing I see from your build that gives me pause is the 18" front wheel with the GSXR forks. You've already discovered the interference due to diameter, I would also think due to 18" tire aspects, you'd find it quirky on quick steering maneuvers.

We each ride in our style, on the roads available, and different speed ranges. But for my project (500 with GSXR) I am paying very careful attention to the tires as a part of the ensign changes. Trying to match as closely the widths and aspect as part of the overall wheelbase and shock geometry (going mono in the rear) to get as close as possible. Wheelbase on mine will be shorter than a GSXR, but rims, tires  and shocks will be nearly spot on.

Food for thought-

I went with 18" front and rear, cause honestly, I couldn't put my stator cover that close to the pavement with 17" wheels (that's stock gixxer size). It's really low on the 18's. When the exhaust goes on, I'll find out about the clearance. If it doesn't clear, I can try a lower profile front tire, if that doesn't work, I'll go for the custom triple route. There are so many pieces that have to be fitted, made to fit, handmade, fabricated, and than torn back down on any custom build, that I really don't see this as anything different. Keep trying till it fits your vision, or your pocketbook runs out

[greenjeans]

I like that you are keeping at least an 18" on the front.  I really don't like the look of a 17" modern wheel/tire combo on a vintage bike - just looks out of place.   Your's really has an easy look to it.  Everything has a good flow to it.

Have your entertained having some triples made that have the stock offset ?  I have a GSXR fork that I've been sitting on for years now and I've alwasy wanted to have some triples machined that would keep things stock (geometry)

Really like how you removed the annodizing on the forks and painted the triples black - really camoflages things.  In a good way.  Keep it going - Cant' wait to see this one finished.

One last thing - where did that oil tank come from ?

[sethdhawkins]

Thanks for the compliments, greenjeans. The triple question, now that I've mulled over for a few hours or more A set of stock offset triples for the gixxer front end would be the bees knees. From my conversations with Mick regarding the matter, something with just a tad less offset from stock would be kosher. It's the cost to have them made that's the hurdle. If I can save that cash and put it towards paint (professional paint this time-I lost my paint booth ), then I'll take it! As far as I'm concerned, if it doesn't work, at least we know, and I've bettered the community.

I made the oil tank. I mig'd it in it's entirety. Something else I've learned, don't try and mig things that are to hold fluid. Were I to do it again, I would've tacked all the pieces and taken it to someone who can tig.

Ask me what other lessons I've learned along the way (the incorrect way to remove a seized caliper piston-with air!, the right way to grenade a 14" cutoff wheel, how to bake powder coat in a shorted oven, how to make money off vintage bikes (ha!), the art of moving a 2K lb Bridgeport machine out of your freshly painted truck...without a crane.

These secrets can be supplied to all, for the low cost of $19.95 via paypal! Alternatively, I'll take on a payment plan, at the rate of one six pack of Dogfish 60 Minute IPA per week...and a pack of teriyaki beef jerky.

[sethdhawkins]

Here's the completed dash. Switch is for headlight.

[jpfrk2001]

I noticed on your fuel tank latch, you have something rigged up. What did you do? Details? I have a similar tank and the entire key lock assembly gone. And I cannot find a replacement. I would really like to know what you did.

Nice looking set up.

I removed the locking key portion and mounted a hood pin (like for a muscle car hood). The big clevis pin is missing in that photo. I really like it. You have to cut out an area a little larger than the stock key latch area to make it work, out of the fuel door. To mount the pin, I cut the pin down, welded a flat washer to it, then mounted it with a thinner nut to the underside of the stock latch catch. I'd take a photo, but I'm nut sure it'd give you much perspective. If you're truly serious about doing it, I'll take it apart and show you the whole nine yards.

Yes, A pic and maybe some dissassembly would greatly help!! I found one outer fuel flap with the lock on fleebay, but they want $50 plus shipping!! I think I can picture what you are talking about, but more detail pics would help. I can weld and fabricate. I have all the tools so that don't scare me.

Thanks!!

[bjbuchanan]

Here's the completed dash. Switch is for headlight.

Where is the switch from?

I want to change some stuff I have done because the readily available (to me at least) switches suck, that looks nice

[sethdhawkins]

The switch I found local at an electrical supply place, sorry. They had a much better selection than I was able to find online. It's a solid piece for sure.

[sethdhawkins]

I noticed on your fuel tank latch, you have something rigged up. What did you do? Details? I have a similar tank and the entire key lock assembly gone. And I cannot find a replacement. I would really like to know what you did.

Nice looking set up.

I removed the locking key portion and mounted a hood pin (like for a muscle car hood). The big clevis pin is missing in that photo. I really like it. You have to cut out an area a little larger than the stock key latch area to make it work, out of the fuel door. To mount the pin, I cut the pin down, welded a flat washer to it, then mounted it with a thinner nut to the underside of the stock latch catch. I'd take a photo, but I'm nut sure it'd give you much perspective. If you're truly serious about doing it, I'll take it apart and show you the whole nine yards.

Yes, A pic and maybe some dissassembly would greatly help!! I found one outer fuel flap with the lock on fleebay, but they want $50 plus shipping!! I think I can picture what you are talking about, but more detail pics would help. I can weld and fabricate. I have all the tools so that don't scare me.

Thanks!!

[sethdhawkins]

I finished all the wiring today, I'm pleased.

[jpfrk2001]

I noticed on your fuel tank latch, you have something rigged up. What did you do? Details? I have a similar tank and the entire key lock assembly gone. And I cannot find a replacement. I would really like to know what you did.

Nice looking set up.

I removed the locking key portion and mounted a hood pin (like for a muscle car hood). The big clevis pin is missing in that photo. I really like it. You have to cut out an area a little larger than the stock key latch area to make it work, out of the fuel door. To mount the pin, I cut the pin down, welded a flat washer to it, then mounted it with a thinner nut to the underside of the stock latch catch. I'd take a photo, but I'm nut sure it'd give you much perspective. If you're truly serious about doing it, I'll take it apart and show you the whole nine yards.

Yes, A pic and maybe some dissassembly would greatly help!! I found one outer fuel flap with the lock on fleebay, but they want $50 plus shipping!! I think I can picture what you are talking about, but more detail pics would help. I can weld and fabricate. I have all the tools so that don't scare me.

Thanks!!

Ok! That looks super simple easy to do up. I think I may just use some "Clean" scrap I have laying around in my shop. Thanks for that Seth!!

[sethdhawkins]

You're welcome.

[sethdhawkins]

Mounted the universal speed sensor for the acewell. Couldn't find a spot that I wished to drill into, so I mounted the sensor with epoxy on the fork and mounted the magnet in the hub. I inspected my brake rotors and found out that one of them is incredibly warped...back to eBay I go.

So much work, for a bike I already built once

[sethdhawkins]

Bike is on the ground! Fitted the exhaust and it clears by a country mile! I was worried for nothing
 Pulled off the oil tank so that my buddy can use it as a template to tig one up in aluminum for me. Gonna do the same bare aluminum look as the forks an my gauge dash. It should look pretty awesome.
As I said before, I will be having another friend, whom is a pro painter, paint this bike. All my other builds, I've painted myself, so I'm really gonna be excited to see the results. I'm going with the same base, debadging the tank, and doing those black side panels in a lace pattern. He's gonna airbrush the lines and make it come alive. The same pattern will be mimicked on the tail piece, and I'll have to make a seat pan for my bum.

Anyone know if this cooler plate will work for my oil cooler setup? It was an eBay purchase, but I'm not sure what they're supposed to look like.

[calj737]

Try putting your speed sensor on the rear wheel. You can drill into the torque arm safely and run your wires forward from there.

[sethdhawkins]

I'd have to lengthen the supplied harness, but that is a great idea.

[calj737]

All my BMW bikes have it installed on the rear. Only reason I thought of it.

[lwahples]

The oil cooler plate looks just like the one that came on my 78 750SS.

[sethdhawkins]

Picked up a front master cylinder resevoir that I took down to raw aluminum to match the rest of my theme.


Got a set of galfer lines made up with an extra 3" in the top line (eventually will run converti-bars).

I'm not looking forward to bleeding the gixxer system. Supposedly, it's a pita.

I also ordered a Cycle X clutch kit (my clutch still slips in high gear no matter how it's adjusted), a starter clutch rebuild kit (mine started to make noise at the end of last year), and the pro-one oil cooler.

I'm headed to work for the next three weeks. My aluminum oil tank should be completed, and the tins should be painted! Now, just to get through the next 21 days :-/

[sethdhawkins]

A few rare photos at work! I'm driving the big boat. 10 days to go and I'll be ready to finish this thing up!

[sethdhawkins]

So, crew change in Delaware tomorrow and will be picking up a motorcycle that my sister in law no longer wishes to ride:

This is Rhonda the Honda. She will be moving back from Philadelphia to Portland.

Here's the punch list for the 750. Work shall commence on Thursday!

Install resevoir/brake line and bleed
Mockup exhaust and perform brake test
Clean up front fender and prep for paint
Fabricate fender stays/mount
Install oil cooler and adapter plate
Cut back exhaust, prep, and paint
Fabricate license plate bracket and relocate light
Install clutch (soak plates)
Inspect and install starter gear clutch/starter gears
Make seat pan for cafe seat
Mold foam and seat - cover
Mount pax pegs
Mount rearsets
Install frame splice kit

Wicked.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

So, crew change in Delaware tomorrow and will be picking up a motorcycle that my sister in law no longer wishes to ride:

This is Rhonda the Honda. She will be moving back from Philadelphia to Portland.

Here's the punch list for the 750. Work shall commence on Thursday!

Install resevoir/brake line and bleed
Mockup exhaust and perform brake test
Clean up front fender and prep for paint
Fabricate fender stays/mount
Install oil cooler and adapter plate
Cut back exhaust, prep, and paint
Fabricate license plate bracket and relocate light
Install clutch (soak plates)
Inspect and install starter gear clutch/starter gears
Make seat pan for cafe seat
Mold foam and seat - cover
Mount pax pegs
Mount rearsets
Install frame splice kit

Wicked.

Nice looking bike and great thread.  Maybe you should have it moved to the Project forum.

[sethdhawkins]

Yeah, it was finished once, posted to this portion of the forum, then I started in on it again. Maybe a moderator will take pity on me, and move it.

[sethdhawkins]

Yeah, it was finished once, posted to this portion of the forum, then I started in on it again. Maybe a moderator will take pity on me, and move it.

Never mind, I was able to figure out how to move it on my iPhone. Amazing.