Time to kill and a GSXF

[Ichy]

I've managed to get some free time over the next few weeks so I though it was about time I did 'something'. I've been pottering about just wasting time doing bits on each bike when I got round to my old GSXF600. 1988 and less than 24k on the clocks. Nothing wrong with it, I just haven't used it for getting on for 2 years. I considered selling it but its not going to make much and anyway I need a project.
https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/1before.jpg

No idea where I'm going but I strip down the rear end. Seems simple but it involves ripping out the battery, loom, relays, wheelarch(?) and a load of other junk. The engine was tuned some time ago so already had K&N pod filters fitted. I brought a single seat unit off a CBR600 some time ago and put that on for looks.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/2seatfirst.jpg

Didn't look too bad so I knock up a temporary frame to locate it while I work out how to blend to the tank. I also found a shock off something, once again not a clue I just remember it being Suzuki. Wherever it came from it lifts the back end up a couple of inches. I also had a bandit rear hugger that I managed to get to fit before deciding I didn't want it.

Looks a mess in there!

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/3frameold.jpg

Some GRP and filler latter and its going alright.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/4seatGRP.jpg

Best bit next, angle grinder. I cut the main brace off the rear end, knock up a subframe and weld it in. I use the proven method of testing my welding and jump up and down on it a few times. Hit it with a hammer and its still there so that'll do me.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/5frame2sm.jpg

Pegs next. Only ones I've got are some damaged one which might be off a ZXR or a FZR can't remember. If anyone knows I'd be grateful since I'm probably going to have to get some better ones.
Cut the frame right back and weld in some mounting plates. Knock up a gear change rod, took ages to find my LH thread dies, and all works well. Jump up and down on the pegs a few times and nothing breaks so jobs a good 'un.
https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/6pegs.jpg

Loads of little jobs later and the gel battery is fitted and a home made loom installed. Key in, starter button pressed and the bike turns over. All the electrics are tested and work fine.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/7PICT1355.jpg

Wheels are looking a little worse grubby so quick nitromors and some enamel paint seems the way to go.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/8wheel.jpg

And that's where I've got to. One of the guys at work has made me some seat pads off the templates I gave him. Nice job.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/10PICT1357.jpg

Still loads to do but the main one at the moment is getting a link pipe to raise the exhaust up closer to the seat.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/GSXF/11PICT1359.jpg

Then I have to work on the front end. I'm searching for a twin headlight fairing but nothing has come along yet. I do have a set of ZXR headlights, maybe I'll play with them.

Where next? No idea. I've got rear ends off a R6 and a ZXR, might be worth looking at. Not sure what to do with the tank, maybe leave as it is or weld in some filler pieces? Its the first time the bike saw light of day for two years, might be that long again before I work out what I was actually trying to do.
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[alun111]

Interesting project! I'm anxious to see what you do to it next!
____________________
Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

[yandy_yay]

That's wicked, its coming along really nicely seems like your doing a good job. Wish i had your talent (and equipment) tobe able to do stuff like this myself



Andy
____________________
past bikes: (20 years ago) cg-125 (wriiten off), C-50 (thrashed n' finnaly scrapped), CZ-125 (nicked - never recovered, insurance payout was more than i paid for it !!!)
Current bikes: GN 125(now sold), Divvy 600s.

[Ichy]

Wish I knew what I was going to do next! I'm happy to use the bike as is but |I would really like to clean up the front end. I think a nose fairing would be a good way to go but I really want twin lights on it. If I go that route then I have to work out what to do with the clocks etc.

Link pipe is the one that keeps playing on my mind. I did have a pipe bender but I loaned it to someone and forgot about it. I'm sure if I ask them that they would give it back, I just can't remember who! There is an exhaust place near to me that make pipes for custom cars, I might ask them for a price. I do prefer to do things myself though so I might even try cutting and welding up bits of pipe. We'll see.

Thanks for the support Andy. I've worked on prototype cars for a fair few years but unfortunately have spent the last 15 stuck in an office so I don't get involved as much as I would like to.

When it comes to equipment I always use Aldi and Ebay. Aldi do some usable stuff at very good prices and the majority has 3 years warranty. I search for stuff on Ebay within 25 miles. People are usually put off by postage costs but when you pick it up yourself you can get some real bargains. The two rear ends I brought cost less than £5 each! The seat unit was about £10.
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[NiteMare]

that's not looking too bad

i'd be tempted to make a panel for each side to fill the gap between the frame and tank/seat unit, i think it would clean the lines up nicely ...

one of the old GS1000 used to carry a twin light top fairing if i recall correct which may or may not flow with the lines you have ...

or you could try the early Mito top fairing which had twin round lights
____________________
it ain't broke...

i ain't fixed it enough

[SoND]

Nice work with the tail unit. Wish I knew how to work with bodywork.
____________________
Go back to bed - You have no rights - "Streetfighters ~ Mainstream motorcycling's crackwhore sister."

[Ichy]

Quick update.

Brought a small fairing for the front. Its a Puig Midnight and the main reason I decided on it was that it come with two 55w projection bulbs. Originally I was going to use the lamps in a different fairing but since I've committed to get this bike on the road it'll do for now.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/f9d2_1.jpg

New fairing means problems with the clocks. Once again I was going to fit a sigma bike computer but finally decided to stick with the current speedo and tacho, just dumping the fuel gauge. Once I worked out how it was going to all fit it was just a matter of fabricating some brackets, I'll be damned if I'm paying £25 for some off ebay!

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/PICT1500.jpg

Just a matter of attaching the fairing.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/PICT1502.jpg

The light isn't on that's just the reflection from the flash. This is with the light on. Alignment is fine, I'm sitting on the floor.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/PICT1504.jpg

Clock position isn't too bad. Just need to make up a console to sit in the middle and fit the necessary lights.

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l41/marki_03/PICT1503.jpg

Some cable run tweaks and stuff but that is the big stuff done on the front. I'm thinking of drilling the lights and fitting super bright LEDS. Dunno if a bike HAS to have side lights?
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[better lucky than clever]

much respect! wish i had the guts/ability to dissect a machine and rebuild it!!!
____________________
you have to die of something!

[Ichy]

Thanks for the support. Its not nice having to work outside at the moment so takes a bit to get motivated.
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[better lucky than clever]

i bet mate. my dad used to have a little fan heater and a pre-historic stereo in the garage, seemed to help in cold like this! plenty of tea breaks too!
____________________
you have to die of something!

[NiteMare]

i'm not sure if it "has"to have sidelights but i drilled the reflector in my headlamp to fit two 5mm ultrabright leds .....

you could probably get away with drilling your fairing to fit leds for sidelights rather than drill your projectors...

i'm not sure but you might be able to get 10mm ultrabrights, ask at maplins

yep you can ...

https://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=10mm+led
____________________
it ain't broke...

i ain't fixed it enough

[Ichy]

Cheers for that.

The idea behind drilling the reflectors is that it means that both headlights can be on at the same time, and a standard sized LED is less likely to interfer with the light pattern. Does that make sense?

I have got some small halogen bulbs but I prefer the idea of 10mm LEDs if I go down that route.
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[Ichy]

8 months since I started and 5 since the last update. In that time I've brought, rebuilt and sold 3 other bikes, I really need to focus.

Last weekend I got fed up of this bike lying around the garage and convinced myself that it was going to be on the road by the following weekend. At first I didn't think there was much to do, just a few small jobs. Unfortunately a quick look around and the list was getting bigger. There are still a few small jobs that need doing and some big ones that can wait until next winter but here we are. MOT booked for 10:30 tomorrow. I've looked over it and nothing shouts out as a fail, lets see what happens.
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[Ichy]

I'll never learn.

Completely out of character I decided to wash the bike 30 minutes before the MOT. Common sense failed and I shoved a hose pipe into the engine area and gave it a good flush out. Time to go and the bike refuses to start. I managed to completely flood the CDI and plugs. Phoned up the MOT station and he gave me 30 minutes so I had to strip it all down, dry it out, and replace the plugs. Quick test and all works except for the horn. Luckily I had a Stebel horn lying around that I 'found' somewhere . Anyway, managed to be just 10 minutes late and it ran like a dog all the way there. Biked passed, even the headlight was properly aligned and had the correct pattern! only pointer was to tidy up the wiring to the rear lights.

Start the bike up and whatever was causing the poor running has got bored and disappeared, its now runnng really sweet even with 2 year old petrol in the tank. on to the main road and open it up, superb, I have a GSX600F that wheelies I can't go too far since I have to arrange the tax but a quick 10 mile blast and nothing has fallen off. I can't get used to the cycle speedo though, the update is way too slow. I can go from 30-50 without seeing any of the 40s.

So all's well and I have a commuter bike that I can ride all year round.
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[CHR15]

woo, and this thread will be resurected soon.

bought the gsx from ichy tonight, picking it up on wednesday.

my list of things to do:

undertray thing - probably from thin alu plate

get the spare tank blasted and powdercoated to match the seat unit, colour undecided yet.

it comes with a spare engine so im going to slowly ( as i can afford it ) get the engine covers blasted and coated in a colour to match the tank / seat unit.

tidy up the wiring some more - maybe a new loom

fit an analouge speedo and rev counter - dont like digital speedos.

and thats about it, ill get some more pics when i get it on wednesday
____________________
Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.

[Ichy]

Poor deluded Chris, I'm just wondering how many curse words you'll get up to when you REALLY take a look

There is a lot to do before Wednesday. I need to over tighten the cam chain to stop it rattling, stick sawdust in the gearbox to get rid of that noise and stick tissue under the seals to hide the leaks. I think the washers on the head bearings should last until you get home. Must remember to tape up the brake lines to stop them swelling.
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[CHR15]

[temeluchus]

I know of a GSXR1100H engine, if you fancy an upgrade?
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[CHR15]

well, did some more work today, fitted a rev counter and bled the front brakes.

some pictures.

bike minus tail unit.
https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5401/dsc02427i.jpg


new rev counter
https://img42.imageshack.us/img42/2739/dsc02430u.jpg



https://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3778/dsc02432m.jpg
https://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6660/dsc02433k.jpg
https://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6877/dsc02434f.jpg

no baffles here anymore still not really loud though, just pleasent

https://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6485/dsc02435p.jpg
____________________
Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.

[Ichy]

Well your not dead yet? I do have a genuine speedo and cable if you want it?
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[CHR15]

nope, im still going

that speedo sounds interesting, if your around tomorrow ( and the weathers ok ) could i come and get it?
____________________
Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.

[Ichy]

no problem.

Chances are that I've glued myself to the wall, I fricking hate decorating.
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[CHR15]

um.. bit of an update. boss is on holiday so im off work for a week.

so, im giving it a clean. this morning did the down pipes, link pipe and can.

then gave it a wash, the wheels are still covered in chain lube and road crap, but thats tomorrows job. along with re-attaching the numberplate / rear light cos the fibreglass broke and it fell off when i was going down the a49. lol.

maybe thursday or friday im going to start working on a new loom. very stripped down. running the coils straight from the battery through a relay controled by a switched live. anything that needs an earth will be fed with two core to minimise the amount of wire.

anyway, some pics


dirty stuff

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=68116

dirty hand

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=68115

mit gold, ohhh yeahhh

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=68117

shiney shiney

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=68114
____________________
Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.

[steve32]

surprising these bikes are quite nippy when you want them to be
____________________
suzuki GSX 600F katana .: ~my bike up for sale~ :.
CBT = Completed
DAS= Working on it - theory test = Passed

[jsl]

Dear Marki
Read, and looked at your project, noticed you got rid of a rear hugger from it right at the start, do you still have it laying around, I'm after one for mine and the prices are just stupid.
If you don't have it, or want to keep it what year/model did it come off, perhaps I can get one off eBay.
What did you have to do to it to make it fit?
Thanks in advance.
JSL