GT550 Cafe project

[Suzukidave]

Looking good Ya getting any of the usual interesting comments from people on the street .

[imquattro]

Anyone who comments always has good things to say about the bike.
But yes, the typical, why does it sound like a chainsaw on steroids is pretty common.
I've been using synthetic oil and thats all but eliminated smoke except for rich startups.
My neighbors dad was big into cafe bikes in the 60's and is from England. He had BSAs and Nortons, a majestic, and even a Royal Enfield. He was sharing me some pictures of the bikes he used to own and wished he never got rid of as they're all worth near 5 digits. He really enjoyed the sound and look.
He shared some really good "I should be dead" stories from his earlier days.

If anything, the bike is a good conversation starter.

[husky99]

Read all 22 pages great job and thanks.

[imquattro]

:being rant
Just want to report in saying:

I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!!

It is such a treat to ride. I've been riding it to work the past couple days (low 40Fs in the morning brrr) and it's just smooth on the highway regardless of what I'm passing and yes, believe it or not, the riding position & seat are perfect, I don't even think about them. The seat bump makes all the difference too.
The look, the sound, the people and conversations it's brought, and the ride....just freaking awesome.
:end rant

[tz375]

Bottom line: that's what it's all about.

[Suzukidave]

Just for a follow up .. how is the Mop n Glow holding up on the chambers ? And a big for enjoying your project bike as much as you are , as Teaser posted thats what it all about having fun

[Arne]

Nice job, looks like alot of fun.

[imquattro]

Thanks guys! The mop-n-glo on the pipes has been phenomenal! Nice golden glow on downpipes transitioning to bronze/brown at the beginning of the first cone. Even after over a 1/2 hr of riding, the pipes under the pegs are still cool enough to not cause burns. No rusting and from the first cone back, it still looks like brushed stainless. Many people ask it they're stainless.
Took the pipes off Monday night to fix a cracked weld and sting some pin holes that are weeping the 2 stroke exhaust oil mixture. Looked kinda like a WWI bomber plane's engine cowl.
I wiped them down with brake clean and reapplied a generous coating of mop-n-glo.
Looks like new.

[CJF]

Good for you...nothing better than riding a bike you have built ground up....especially a 2 stroke.

[andyp666]

i loved reading thru this as Im just embarking on my own project... You have definitely inspired me to build my own expansion chambers and I will be doing some porting work too.. do you have any video for youtube etc?????

[imquattro]

Thanks! I don't have any YouTube vids of the process other than whats been listed simply because it was nearly all a first time trial for me.
I would suggest: http://www.buildandclick.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
As it gave me some ideas on a performance upgrades and would use it next time for a rebuild.
So far the bike and pipes are working great!
Good luck and ill be looking for your build thread!

[andyp666]

Anything has got to be better than the stock pipes after all.... What guage of steel did you use for the cones etc?

[imquattro]

I used ...thinking, thinking... I believe 20ga-16ga. I can't remember at the moment but ill look it up.

[imquattro]

It was 20ga. And I only needed a 2'x4' section. In hindsight it could be done in stainless if you have cheap access to it but most people don't.

[Cragdog]

WHAT AN AWESOME BUILD THREAD! I just finished reading it through the last couple days and man I am so impressed with how your bike turned out. I recently started building up my own GT550 and your thread is a real inspiration. I love that you were able to fab up your own expansion chambers! I was thinking of buying the Jemco's, but now I'm awful tempted to take a stab at it. Hopefully one day my bike will look as good as yours does. Great job and way to go getting your students involved with this, sure wish I had an experience like that when I was in High School!
All the best.