[Project] 93formulalt1's Motorcycle Projects Thread

[93formulalt1]

I decided to hold off on posting a project thread for the new bike, simply because I wanted to make sure I was going to stick with it this time.

The bike I'm working on is a 2001 Suzuki GSXR 600. It's a 599cc 4-cylinder, Liquid-cooled, Fuel-Injected 6-speed bike with 98hp @ 11,800RPMs and 46.5lb/ft of torque @ 9,500RPM's. Factory equipped with dual four-piston calipers up front and a single two-piston caliper in the back. (I know a lot of you guys know bikes pretty well, this info is for those who don't)

I picked up the bike from Adam on here (thanks again, Adam! I love the bike!) with about 16,500 miles on the clock for a great price. It was laid down at about 30mph, and the front and left side fairings were destroyed. When I got it, the back brakes didn't work, and the shifter peg was bent and broken. I replaced the shifter peg and bled the back brakes. Brakes worked fine, shifter was broken again when I dropped the bike in the driveway, but I replaced it again a few days ago.

I started sanding down the tail fairing and right side fairing, picked up a front fairing I found on craigslist for $125, which came with a large tote full of random parts, including 3 full sets of front brakes, a couple of mismatched rearsets, grips, levers, etc. I replaced the rear brake pads yesterday, and I'm going to start painting the fairings today with rattle cans just to make sure I'm going to like the color scheme I picked out. I ordered everything else I need to finish the bike last Sunday, and everything is supposed to be here today. The front fairing stay is what I was most worried about, since it was shipped only yesterday, but it arrived this afternoon at about 2:15. FedEx ROCKS!

Also on the "To Do" list for today, I'm going to put the stock links back on (it was lowered an inch before I bought it) and raise the front end back up to stock height. At 6'3", I don't think I need a lowered bike. lol

Here's a pic from Adam, I haven't taken any pictures of it since I bought it, but I'll grab a few later to show the progress.



This is a pic I found online of what the front fairing I bought looks like. Only difference is mine is currently missing the headlights, and it's white metallic in color.



Off to work on the bike some, I'll post updates as I get things done!

[93formulalt1]

Well, the front fairing stay I ordered was bent. I didn't know that. So, since I chalked that up to "you get what you pay for", I tried to straighten it. Damn thing snapped in half. Now I'm out the $60 I spent on the ****ing thing, and I have to order a new one. I'm not ****ing around with used anymore, I need this ****ing bike finished. I'm going to call around to the local bike scrappers and see if they have a front fairing and stay that I can get cheap, if I can see them in person before I buy them, I won't get ****ing ripped off again. ****!

[ITSSLOW]

Good progress so far. I just picked up a similar bike! Just can't seem to stay away from these damn bikes....

[93formulalt1]

Good progress so far. I just picked up a similar bike! Just can't seem to stay away from these damn bikes....

True. I can't stay away, I've got two out in the garage, the '01 GSXR and an '83 GS750 Katana. I've been working on getting them both fixed up, but the '01 needs more work than the '83.

[SoulTerror]

Good luck with the bikes.

[93formulalt1]

Good luck with the bikes.

I'm trying to sell the '83 right now, I traded my '93 GSXR for it, and I really want to get a cruiser for longer distance rides. not to mention, it's kind of annoying riding the gixxer. Everytime I'm riding around town, I always get kids (teens mostly, sometimes younger) trying to get me to pop wheelies and crap. I don't act reckless like that on public roads. While I would like to learn how to do some stunts after a couple of years, I'm not really interested in doing any of that now. I'm still getting a feel for my bike.

Ideally, I'd like to get an older Honda cruiser, like an 81-83 Silverwing GL500/GL650 or a decent Goldwing 1100. I'm considering a newer Kawasaki Vulcan 800 that a friend is trying to sell, but I think I'd like something a little more comfortable. I love the Silverwings and Goldwings, they are AWESOME bikes for highway riding. I can probably pick up a decent '82 Silverwing for less than $1500, they are all over craigslist. Those bikes have hard bags on both sides and above the taillight, optional radio, highway bars, they are very comfortable, and they don't look bad at all. I'm planning on making a couple of trips down to South Carolina to see my sister and nieces, it'd be nice to be able to pull 50+ mpg the whole way there. I'm not going to sell the '01 GSXR, but it would be nice to have two different style bikes to choose from. Not to mention, cruisers get less unwanted attention from LE, and they are very comfortable.

I'd probably make it out to Woodward a couple more times each year on a cruiser than I will on the Gixxer. I'll be feeling it tomorrow, anything more than about an hour on the bike, and my back and wrists are begging for a break. I've found out that it's because I'm not positioning myself correctly on the bike, and I'm putting too much weight on my wrists. Making a couple subtle corrections to my riding position helps immensely, but sport bikes in general aren't very comfortable for distance riding.


As far as an update goes on the '01 Gixxer, it's in rough shape right now. I broke the front fairing stay, so I have to wait a couple of weeks to order a new one. I'll be riding it to Camaro SuperFest without the side or front fairings on it, so if anyone wants to check it out, it'll be parked over by the judging tent. I sanded the decals off of the tail fairing, I still have to tackle the tank, but I'm waiting on that until I have everything to put it back together after it's painted. It's going to be a nice looking bike when I finally finish it, but for now, I'm just enjoying the weather and riding the hell out of it.

[93formulalt1]

Another update on the '01:

I replaced the rear brake pads on Thursday, and this evening, I raised both front and rear up to stock height (was lowered 1"), replaced a missing bolt in the top triple tree (lines up the left clip on), and now my left hand doesn't cramp anymore while riding. Unfortunately, this came too late to save my right shoulder, which was misaligned slightly while riding for about an hour and a half earlier, and now is in extreme pain. . . Still not sure if the bike is going to be a good choice to make it to CSF in the morning, but I'll figure something out.

[ITSSLOW]

What are the details on the Katana? Pics? What does it need done? How much?

[93formulalt1]

What are the details on the Katana? Pics? What does it need done? How much?

'83 Suzuki GS750ES, flat black in color, needs paint, carbs tuned and/or synced, exhaust leak in header needs repaired, and it needs a new rear tire. I have it registered and insured, and I ride it several times a week. It's a fun bike, but I really don't need two projects. Would rather sell this one and pick up a new winter DD. Asking $1,500 or best offer. I have a friend that wants to buy it, he offered me $1,200, but if I can sell it sooner and (hopefully) get a little more than that out of it, I'll be happy. I ride it all the time, just cleaned the carbs. Would trust it to ride anywhere!