GR650 Street Tracker Redux

[SloMo228]

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love vintage bikes, especially custom builds that take the bike past what it was originally "supposed to" be. I really like the finished product here. You did a great job with this one, it's a beautiful bike.

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by brucifer

Pablo, i love those pics! lol. What's the story here?

Long story short, I didn't think my street bike getup provided enough protection for flat track racing and I thought my dirt bike gear would look goofy (too colorful for this bike) so I went to Goodwill and found a suit that fit over my dirt bike gear so I could be protected and still look cool. Unfortunately the local flat track series has already ended so I'll have to wait till next year to give racing a try. Until then I'm stuck with the local trails.

[Pablo83]

Sideburn Magazine just did a blog post on the bike. Check it out.

[Gooner]

Impressive work and the suit just completes it perfectly!

Looking forward to the next project

[vtwin]

Really nice work. I'm not talented enough for that sort of work, but these guys list the Tempter.

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/bu...brication.aspx

[wrecked'em]

you da man. great project on a forgotten bike

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by vtwin

Really nice work. I'm not talented enough for that sort of work, but these guys list the Tempter.

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/bu...brication.aspx

That's odd. It's such a rare/forgotten bike. I'm surprised anyone would make a custom from for it. When you go to their website and check out the frames it doesn't say anything about them fitting the GR. I wonder if the GR engine has the same mount bolt positions as the LS650?

[Pablo83]

Houston, we have a problem...



So I went to PMI in Pueblo yesterday and found a great track to ride the GR on. Then I decided to push it down some more technical stuff. I came across an unexpected ditch where I could either hit the brakes hard, and probably have an ungraceful crash, or gas it and jump the ditch. I made the logical choice and when I landed the jump I bent both foot pegs, tore off one of the peg rubbers, and punched a hole in the oil pan. Time to fire up the welder.

[muschelschubser]

Huch!

[Pablo83]

I pulled the oil pan last night and drilled out the broken part.



Here's the damage to the piece I removed:



Good as new:



Unfortunately I found more damage while doing all of this:



I guess I need a skidplate if I'm going to keep this up.

[brucifer]

Do ya think the shaft flexed enough to break the cover? is the shaft bent or inner case cracked?

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by brucifer

Do ya think the shaft flexed enough to break the cover? is the shaft bent or inner case cracked?

Yes, and yes. I spent a lot of time getting the shaft straight again. Then I tacked the broken piece back on with the shaft in place to make sure it aligned correctly.

After all of this, I don't think I'll be catching air on this bike any more... time to build an air-worthy tracker.

[bk brkr baker]

From the flatracker thread. 650 Kawasaki twin. + your skills.

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by bk brkr baker

From the flatracker thread. 650 Kawasaki twin. + your skills.

I really like the new era of flat trackers out there. After poking a hole in my oil pan I've been thinking about a new build that would be able to handle some air. One of the other current bikes on the AMA circuit is the SV650 based tracker. If an SV650 frame will accept DL650 suspension without too much modification, I think that would be an easy enough build and a really fun bike.

[bk brkr baker]

Full size.
1999 Suzuki TL 1000 Street Tracker. Very nicely built, runs great! This is a race bike, has no speedo/odo.

Approx mileage is 1500. No Title.

For sale on VTR , Vintage Flat Tracker

Doesn't look to be much of a jumper though. Lots of vunerable near the bottom.