DR 800 custom

[nug]

Good luck with the project charlielucky.

Feel free to post some pics of the build & keep us informed. Just because you are chopping one up doesn't mean we don't want to see it

[dave#22]

Here's one I made earlier...not quite a cafe racer, but a 70's BSA Starfire copy, using a DR800 frame (£20 off ebay with a V5c)...I had a 750 engine and the rest of the mechanical parts are Suzuki...GS 1000 forks & yokes, GS 550 swinging arm (twin shock)...DR600 rear hub..DR750 front...with a BSA Firebird tank and Starfire GRP side panels.

https://plus.google.com/photos/110482241...8704505937? authkey=COed05DmgKHAowE

[dave#22]

....And the next question is...how do I put a photo on?
Dave.

[nug]

when you click "Post reply" Go to to the bottom of the text box & you will see a tab labelled "upload" attachment, click "choose file" which will bring up the folders on your computer. Choose the file or pic you want then "add file " then back to text box & submit as you normally do.

[dave#22]

Hope this works.

[nug]

Looks good Dave

[jonnyl]

Certainly does,very subtle & understated,what was like to ride? Did you have to modify the rear of the frame much to take the upper shock mounts? Cheers.

[dave#22]

Hi Jonnyl,....what was like to ride?....It rides well, but with only a 1/3rd of the suspension travel of the original you have to watch out for the bumps. It has more than enough power for the style of bike, as the weight bias is more toward the rear due to the shorter swinging arm.
......Did you have to modify the rear of the frame ......Yes, I fitted the fuel tank first to fit the engine, then cut the headstock off to add 50mm (so the GS forks clear the tank on full lock) and reduced the rake at the same time.
The side panels came next, to fit the tank and seat position, so a new subframe was made to fit the sidepanels and then a GS550 swinging arm was about right for the shock angle/position....it sounds excessive, but I did it one stage at a time to get the proportions right.
A lot of people walk past it thinking it's a BSA, then you get the odd one asking how I got the Yamaha engine into that BSA frame....most people didn't know Suzuki made a big single....but we do...
Dave.

[dave#22]

Hi, Talking of Cafe Racers, here's one I made few years ago, based on an SR500 with a GRP Norton tank, gutted and fitted with a homemade kevlar tank inside to fit the frame. The seat is homemade in GRP and the hubs are Honda CB350 with 18" Borrani rims.
Dave.