Doc1647545523 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 I purchased two bikes about a year and a half ago with the intention of having them converted to cafe style bikes for reconditioning and resale. The first one I gave to the motorcycle mechanic I used in the 1960's-1980's. He is eighty now but is still a top notch mechanic and machinist. I think he really enjoyed working on this and I am certainly pleased with the result, which I picked up today and drove home in the drizzle: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/wholeleftside.jpg It started life as a 1982 Suzuki GS450Tz which I bought from Dennis (im faster). I suppose I should have taken photos of the bike then--maybe he has old photos he can post. It got low bars, a much simplified tail section with solo seat http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/bars.jpg My friend made a number of pieces, such as these side covers made of diamond plate: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/sidecover.jpg A lot of bodywork was removed, such as the front fender. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/frontfork.jpg Wheel Medic did a great job salvaging the pitted wheels: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/frontwheel.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/muffler.jpg Kevin Clifford did a great job painting the tail section, tank, and side covers: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/rear.jpg Numerous new parts included bar-end mirrors, shocks, seat, tires, chain, sprocket, turn signals, exhaust and fairing. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/mirror.jpg I like the chrome and black look, although I realize it's not for everyone. I wanted the look of old classy, but well-used and with a bit of rust showing. I wanted to avoid the matte black/exhaust tape/torn seat look, though. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/chainguard.jpg I asked him to fully service and tune the bike and rebuild and synch the carbs. The thing has a great growl and wants to run wild. It's hard for me to believe it's just a 450. Considering the requests I made of my old friend, I think he delivered a great bike. Despite keeping the Ducati, I don't see me following through with selling this. It's just too fun. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/last.jpg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Thats a pretty cool looking bike Doc. I've never really been in tune with any motorcycles style/trends so I had no idea what you were talking about, but that is cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex L. Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Looks great Doc, he really is talented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergwheel1647545492 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 That's awesome looking, not sure i like the front faring, but it's defintely a badass looking bike!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
im faster Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Awesome doc I'll find pics for u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FyrhzrdGT Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Quite a bit different from when I saw it haha. Turned out really cool, I like it all black, very clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patterson Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Looks awesome Doc. The only thing I would change is wire wheels instead of the mags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/mybuicksfaster/gs450TZ/DSC_1585.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/mybuicksfaster/gs450TZ/DSC_1584.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/mybuicksfaster/gs450TZ/DSC_1583.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/mybuicksfaster/gs450TZ/DSC_1582.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/mybuicksfaster/gs450TZ/DSC_1578.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/mybuicksfaster/gs450TZ/DSC_1576.jpg http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/mybuicksfaster/gs450TZ/DSC_1574.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 that's a huge difference. Looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starkmaster03 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 That's a big difference. It looks great Doc. Can't wait to see it in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oh8sti Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 It's really very cool in person. Doc looks badass riding it too. It's nice too see a well done cafe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 What exactly makes a bike a cafe? I have seen a few I liked but this one isnt my cup of tea. No offense Doc it looks like it was done very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturg1647545502 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 What exactly makes a bike a cafe? I have seen a few I liked but this one isnt my cup of tea. No offense Doc it looks like it was done very well. While this bike is very well done and anyone would be proud to call it their own, i dont know if i would call this cafe. To me( and maybe this is just me) cafe means removing just about anything and everything that isn't necessary. Its a combination of lightening with increasing the connection with the bike. today we have so many mechanisms to know exactly what is going on with cars, bikes, etc. There is something freeing about removing spedos and tachs so that you have to rely on auditory engine RPM and how fast the trees are flying past. Its about feeling Back on track, what ever you classify this bike as it looks amazing and i can only imagine how fun it is to ride. 60-80's era bikes have a special place in my heart. Any chance you can throw up a video if it idling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturg1647545502 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 ps i really like the copper gear/brake lever's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 That's a tight lookin bike Doc. Simple and awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Very nice doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mensan Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Elegance in simplicity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc1647545523 Posted March 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 What exactly makes a bike a cafe? While this bike is very well done and anyone would be proud to call it their own, i dont know if i would call this cafe. To me( and maybe this is just me) cafe means removing just about anything and everything that isn't necessary. Its a combination of lightening with increasing the connection with the bike. I have to agree somewhat with both of you. "Cafe" is a pretty vague term. I suppose it's akin to the term ricer. We can list a few common elements of ricers, we don't all agree on the elements that make a car a ricer, yet most of us feel we know a ricer car when we see it. Wikipedia has some interesting history on cafe racers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_racer For me, these are elements of the cafe style: late 1950's-late 1970's bike usually British, German or Italian low, narrow clubman bars or low clip-ons a solo seat rear-mounted pegs a tucked-in, forward-leaning riding position a long, fairly flat gas tank excess weight removed / handling and performance optimized no accomodation for touring or comfort no fairing, or a small bubble fairing The more of these characteristics a bike has, the more cafe it is in my mind. The look I wanted might have a little bobber style in it, too. All of these are cafe racers, at least to some people's definition: https://www.google.com/search?q=cafe+racer&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=dw9wT6ndFeXk0QH8_qnDBg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CCQQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=682 Vince, thanks for finding "before" photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturg1647545502 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_luapin6LRg1qep2npo1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1332835962&Signature=iGP5KtRDXqQQrf4pQMezp11CAlo%3D http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m01yvhPuGo1qe7xfto1_500.jpg http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly55p6wnNd1qm04ryo1_500.png Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyM3rC Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Lookin good! I remember back in the day seeing all kinds of cafe bikes around the Rice Paddy, of course yours is very very clean. I'll be you liked riding in the weather without a front fender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImUrOBGYN Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Very nice. Your friend obviously still takes much pride in his work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmuckingham Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Love the looks of these type of builds, I am just too big to ride them LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 From what I understand, Cafe racers were essentially street racers. They got their name from hanging out in Cafe's while waiting for a race to come around. They weren't really bike gangs in the Harley Davidson chopper sense, but more like what you see on Sawmill with cars. Loose associations of friends that would hang out together and race each other and people from other groups on the street. Stripping the bike was a cheap way to go faster and narrowing it was an initial stab at aerodynamics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagner Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 If you do want to sell this let me know, I love the look of this bike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTaylor751647545500 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Doc, thanks for the pm letting me know about this. Looks great! You guys did an amazing job. I really need to get cracking on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.