550 Cafe build thread

durgam · Post by **durgam** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:55 am

I dont see a real good place to pu this, so it goes here. If Im wrong i'll move it.

74 GT550 started out as a ratted out junker, but complete. Pipes were holed, along with a piston. Paint was rattled in spots but still had original Hawaii Green and decal.
I did a quick Flat black rattle over it and a very uncomfortable cafe style seat made from OSB and carpet padding, with a cardboard fence post tube as the rear cowl section. Dont laugh, we've all been desperate at one point.

That lasted about 3 months.

Frame got stripped of all tabs and etc.

Custom oil tank I made

bighole · Post by **bighole** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:15 am

Kris,
Glad to see you finally on the board.
Guys, Kris does some great work and super nice guy! Great bike, too bad it got running just in time for snow...

-John

durgam · Post by **durgam** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:18 am

Thanks john. I need to get over soon to try these rear sets on your 550. I finished the brake pivot, and made some extras as well.

durgam · Post by **durgam** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:23 am

here s more pics since the bike is done already.

Rear fender and swingarm

rngdng · Post by **rngdng** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:23 pm

Thanks for showing us some of the not-so-obvious touches. The details are what make a bike stand out, sometimes.

Lane

durgam · Post by **durgam** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:39 am

frame in paint. A charcoal metallic.

tz375 · Post by **tz375** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:05 am

Nice. Thanks for the pics. Some close ups of those indicators might be nice to see.

BTW, I hope that you rubber mounted the oil tank. Vibration kills aluminum tanks fast. They work harden and crack.

durgam · Post by **durgam** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:09 pm

I did rubber mount the oil tank. The mounts i used are sturdy, but probly not vibration friendly. Ive got to take some pics for Fleabay toight, so ill get a closeup of the rear end setup.

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 10:25 pm

Kris, I just noticed this thread.
That's quite a "first effort" with the sonotube for the bum-stop.

It's been a lonnnngggg time since anyone on here has had a serious go at cafeing a 550. Good on ya, as they say on Oz.
Keep us up to date with more pics, please.

durgam · Post by **durgam** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:27 am

Putting back together.