Honda’a venerable CB, especially in 750 guise, has been one of the most popular donors for custom builds over the last few years. For good reason too, reliable, relatively fast, plentiful supply of parts, tried and tested performance upgrades and importantly for newcomers to the scene is the wealth of information available to assist you on a project. Back in the day Honda had a near decade jump on the competition, with Suzuki finally making a break from an all two stroke line up in 1976, launching the GS750. During that R&D period Suzuki were able to implement some tech to rival Honda, and reputedly spent a fortune in the process. The result was a better handling and more powerful seventies superbike that was produced in large enough numbers to now offer the current custom scene an alternative base for café racers and brats.
Lukas and Sylwester of Eastern Spirit Garage in Poland have tried their hand at both, and have really warmed to the Suzuki, with its arguably more pretty twin cam engine. With this 1977 model and further builds they hope to play their part in pushing the GS as a viable alternative for those seeking the clean and simple lines of bikes for the late seventies and early eighties.
Unless you’re a ‘Shed virgin you’ll be aware of the process by now. Strip, clean, de-tab and loop frame, set-up trade account with local powder coater, stock-up on black paint. Obviously the guys have gone to a great deal more trouble than that, as is clearly demonstrated in these excellent photos. Once the frame was back from said applier of black stuff the bodywork started to take shape.
The tail and seat unit is traditionally café in style and perfect in proportion, with the tail light sunk-in resulting in a super tidy rear end. The arching line from here to the front of the tank is no accident, Lukas and Sylwester spend their fair share of time sitting, looking a bike in profile in a bid to achieve the cleanest and most flowing lines. They clearly have the eye, demonstrated here and also by Bike Exif who ran a feature on How to Build a Café Racer using an early build as a guidefor aesthetics.
The slim and low GS fuel tank lends itself so well to this style of build and suggests speed, even when stationary. Also good to see is a break from the ubiquitous Monza cap, here a larger more vintage type is fitted, similar to those found on pre-war racing cars.
Being the ’77 model twin discs were standard fit, but here the guys have beefed things up with callipers from a newer model, whilst the rear is more modern still, from a GSX, all linked by braided hoses. The wire wheels are freshly rebuilt to black powdered rims and stock hubs, using stainless spokes of course.
Clip-ons are free from all but the essentials, giving a more racy feel. The front brake master cylinder is from the parts bin and a good bit younger than the donor, upping pressure and overall stopping power.
As with previous builds the front lamp is from a classic Polish motorcycle, the projectile shape allowing plenty of room to hide the neat little speedo, dash lights and ignition.
The front end has been lowered properly, rather than just dropped in the yokes, and new rear shocks balance the stance.
There’s no point going to all this cosmetic effort without treating the engine to a refresh so that was stripped and inspected. Testament to the Suzuki engineers and previous owners as the bores needed only a light hone and a new set of rings. Gaskets, seals and the timing chain were also renewed. Rebuilt carbs are now black, with machined aluminium mini velocity stacks. Header pipes from the larger GS850 were chosen for their tighter arrangement of curves and therefore improving visual speed. The single side silencer must sound pretty quick too.
With a quick scout on eBay it appears that there are still some unmolested donor GS750s up for grabs, but anyone who has embarked on a project of this quality will be aware of the potential financial pitfalls. Not brave enough or don’t have the time? Drop the guys an email and ask about arranging delivery of this beauty, it’s for sale.
via The Bike Shed
