GSTwin-digest Saturday, March 29 1997 Volume 01 : Number 001 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 18:32:43 +0000 From: "Michael Moore"Subject: GSTwin Test message This is the first test message to the GS twin list Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 21:16:40 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin Test message > This is the first test message to the GS twin list > Michael Moore > Euro Spares, SF CA > Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products > Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" > http://www.eurospares.com > AFM/AHRMA #364 This is to test the unquoted bounce reply error message Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Mar 1997 21:12:06 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Welcome to subcriber #1! Hello John, You are the first bit of tumbling snow, destined to become an avalanche of subscribers. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #1 ************************** GSTwin-digest Monday, March 31 1997 Volume 01 : Number 002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 13:02:52 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Hello the list Welcome to you hardy pioneers, boldly going where no one has gone before, and very few have gone so far. I'll be posting about the GS Twin list to some of the newsgroups soon, and that should pick up a few more people. Plus, I know some people only get their email at work, so there will hopefully be a few more subscribers come Monday morning. I know of some GS racers on the EX500 list, and after a week or so I'll go through my old email and send a message after picking out GS owners who haven't signed up yet. There seem to be a fair number of GS twins running around the streets, but fewer on the race track, esp. when compared to the EX500. I'll have to ask the list subscribers to be proactive on getting other GS folks to subscribe. If you know someone with a GS who isn't signed up, get them to subscribe. I'll run the list for a couple of months for sure, but if it is going to be one message a week I don't think it will be worth continuing after that time. With a small group of subscribers we can't all be lurkers, so try to contribute a post, whether with a tip or question. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 13:07:45 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Oh yes . . . There are a grand total of 4 subscribers so far. I think the vintage-roadrace list is up to about 22 now. Granted, that list has a larger pool of people from which to draw. Just thought you'd like to know what is happening so far. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 13:35:26 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Hello Cathy Cathy just signed up and sent me this message directly. I figured I'd reply via the list: ******************** From: d.weiszmann@unsw.edu.au (Dorothy Weiszmann) Subject: gs-twins list Hi Michael, I've subscribed to the gs-twins list, I was inspired a long time ago by the article on your home page about the racing gs500e since I've got a well used & somewhat battered one - but it still goes! I had been thinking of maybe bothering you for more info about that bike in the article. I heard just yesterday they can be raced in some mixed category here in Australia. Not that I can ride well enough to race & I certainly don't have the finances but the mind still boggles a bit with the possibilities :) Thanks Cathy Weiszmann. **************** Hello Cathy, John Sweeney, who wrote and published (as well as supplying) the article is on the list and may be able to provide more info about Richard Munn's bike. I'll certainly be glad to offer what advice on performance upgrades that I can. Don't disqualify yourself from racing until you've tried it. After many years of racing, my conclusion is that most people should race because they have fun, not because they think they are fast enough to win. Remember, there is only one first place in the race. If you have to be first, you are likely to be doomed to disappointment (unless you are quite fast). Think about getting your bike into good shape in a fairly stock form, and then get together the dosh for leathers etc (maybe you can borrow some?). Then give racing a try. At least see if you can attend a track school - often they will supply leathers for a modest rental fee. Keep us posted, and draw on our experience to help you get started racing. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 13:38:51 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin A caution for your posts I had a post bounce on the vintage-roadrace list, apparently because I had the word "subscri--" in it. It looks like the list software scanned the message for command words (even though it wasn't sent to majordomo) and then once it found one couldn't figure out what to do with it. You may wish to avoid using the word "subscri--" in you posts if at all possible. Then again, it may have been just one of those computer things. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 20:32:03 -0500 From: jbb7@psu.edu (Brad Babcock) Subject: GSTwin Intro Hi Everyone, My name is Brad Babcock, and I wanted to introduce myself to the list. I live in central Pennsylvania, work at Penn State, and have a 1983 GS450E (with the Katana-style tank), as well as four other bikes. My GS was my first bike in this round of motorcycling, coming back after 12 bikeless years. I bought it new in 1985. It now has 35,000 miles and looks and works almost as good as new. To me, the GS450 has the near-mythical "balance" often attributed to British 500 twins--good power, good handling and a handy size. With Avon AM20-21 Roadrunners it's the perfect backroad bike, and we've got lots of those. My other bikes include a Yamaha SRX250, a Suzuki GS550M Katana, and a Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor. I love all of them, but still think the 450 is the best of the bunch, day in, day out. I'm glad this list is up and running, and am looking forward to hearing from everyone. If anyone is visiting in Pa., let me know, and we'll arrange to ride together. Take care. Regards, Brad ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 14:04:36 +1000 (EST) From: d.weiszmann@unsw.edu.au (Dorothy Weiszmann) Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy Hello Michael & G'day Listpeople, > >John Sweeney, who wrote and published (as well as supplying) the >article is on the list and may be able to provide more info about >Richard Munn's bike. I'll certainly be glad to offer what advice on >performance upgrades that I can. From what I've heard there's not much can be done to the engine so all the fiddlin is in the suspension & related stuff, is that true? I see on Richard Munn's bike he has transplanted a GSXR11 front end, isn't that a bit much for such a little bike? >Don't disqualify yourself from racing until you've tried it. After >many years of racing, my conclusion is that most people should race >because they have fun, not because they think they are fast enough to >win. Yeah, I have friends who race & don't win, they say they have fun. I dunno though, cos when I go watch them race they are red in the face & swearing most of the time.. > >Remember, there is only one first place in the race. If you have to >be first, you are likely to be doomed to disappointment (unless you >are quite fast). I doubt if I'm even fast enough to come last properly.. being lapped twice in a 6 lap race is what I'm worried about. > >Think about getting your bike into good shape in a fairly stock form, >and then get together the dosh for leathers etc (maybe you can borrow >some?). Then give racing a try. At least see if you can attend a >track school - often they will supply leathers for a modest rental >fee. I've done a number of track days & enjoyed them heaps. The only one I did on the gs500e was at Phillip Island, what a great track! The bike did 190kmh down the straight :) :) I never knew it could go that fast. > >Keep us posted, and draw on our experience to help you get started >racing. > >Cheers, >Michael Thanks for the welcome :) My main problem with the bike is that it skitters sideways in bumpy corners which puts me off a bit. It seems like the tyres don't want to stick on the road & I reckon its a suspension thing, though my friend says I'm just not going fast enough ;) Cathy. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 20:24:56 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy > From what I've heard there's not much can be done to the engine so all the > fiddlin is in the suspension & related stuff, is that true? I see on Richard > Munn's bike he has transplanted a GSXR11 front end, isn't that a bit much > for such a little bike? There should be plenty to come from the engine - at least mid 60s bhp is my guess, with a first rate effort. My race 450 motor has big valves, cams, porting, 39mm CR carbs, no balance shaft with lightened and rebalanced crank, RITA ignition, etc. The GSXR front end seems a bit extreme to me too, but it was probably a package deal with the rear wheel, and comes with the right size front wheel. I'd think your stock single disc with a race-spec caliper would be plenty of brake. My 330# 74 bhp Laverda 750 uses a 12" OD cast iron disc with a 48mm twin piston Brembo caliper, and it stops fine for me! > Yeah, I have friends who race & don't win, they say they have fun. > I dunno though, cos when I go watch them race they are red in the face & > swearing most of the time.. They just haven't raced for long enough to become fatalistic about the occasional blown engine. > I doubt if I'm even fast enough to come last properly.. being lapped twice > in a 6 lap race is what I'm worried about. If you are dangerously slow they'll flag you off - otherwise don't worry about it. It is the passing riders responsibility to make a safe pass - just hold a steady line and don't try to dodge out of their way. > My main problem with the bike is that it skitters sideways in bumpy corners > which puts me off a bit. It seems like the tyres don't want to stick on the > road & I reckon its a suspension thing, though my friend says I'm just not > going fast enough ;) It sounds like you may have too much compression damping. The Ceriani forks on the Laverda did a confidence-sapping chatter in turn 1 at Thunderhill (100 mph left) which should be due to too much compression damping. I've just fitted RaceTech Cartridge Emulators to allow me to tune rebound and compression independently. The ZX6 I rode in the 4 hour at Thunderhill last year had the emulators, and the front end was plush but controlled - I was really impressed. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 19:55:17 +1000 (EST) From: d.weiszmann@unsw.edu.au (Dorothy Weiszmann) Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy >> From what I've heard there's not much can be done to the engine so all the >> fiddlin is in the suspension & related stuff, is that true? I see on Richard >> Munn's bike he has transplanted a GSXR11 front end, isn't that a bit much >> for such a little bike? > >There should be plenty to come from the engine - at least mid 60s >bhp is my guess, with a first rate effort. My race 450 motor has >big valves, cams, porting, 39mm CR carbs, no balance shaft with >lightened and rebalanced crank, RITA ignition, etc. The GSXR front >end seems a bit extreme to me too, but it was probably a package >deal with the rear wheel, and comes with the right size front wheel. > I'd think your stock single disc with a race-spec caliper would be >plenty of brake. My 330# 74 bhp Laverda 750 uses a 12" OD cast iron >disc with a 48mm twin piston Brembo caliper, and it stops fine for >me! Sadly my finances don't stretch to serious mods as I am between jobs at the moment. A dynojet kit might be possible sometime though, are they worth doing? The stock front brake is enough to spit me off, as it did once early in our relationship. Now that I've had the bike nearly 5 years the disc is worn to ridges & has become fairly tame, though a friend was doing stoppies on it recently so I reckon it still works better than most. >>Yeah, I have friends who race & don't win, they say they have >>fun. >>I dunno though, cos when I go watch them race they are red in >>the face & swearing most of the time.. > >They just haven't raced for long enough to become fatalistic about >the occasional blown engine. Yeah - one is still whingeing about how the other bikes are faster! >> My main problem with the bike is that it skitters sideways in bumpy corners >> which puts me off a bit. It seems like the tyres don't want to stick on the >> road & I reckon its a suspension thing, though my friend says I'm just not >> going fast enough ;) > >It sounds like you may have too much compression damping. The >Ceriani forks on the Laverda did a confidence-sapping chatter in >turn 1 at Thunderhill (100 mph left) which should be due to too much >compression damping. I've just fitted RaceTech Cartridge Emulators >to allow me to tune rebound and compression independently. The ZX6 >I rode in the 4 hour at Thunderhill last year had the emulators, and >the front end was plush but controlled - I was really impressed. Sounds pretty cool, but hideously expensive. What is compression damping exactly? Does too much mean that the spring won't compress quick enough? It seems to do it at both ends, whatever it is.. I have the '89 gs500e which had one type of adjustment on the rear shock & none at all on the forks (Perhaps adjustability is the reason to put GSXR forks on?). Would changing the oil in the forks to something lighter help compression damping at the front? cathy. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 08:50:22 -0500 From: nigh@intrepid.net Subject: GSTwin Introduction I'd like to thank Michael for taking the trouble to set up the list, and I'd like to introduce myself. I own a '95 GS500 that I race. The bike is near stock, the only modifications being the jet kit, Yosh pipe, fork springs, clip-ons, and front brake line. I raced all last season without a crash, and I think that this is partly because the bike is easy to ride and has no major handling faults. I'm very pleased with it and have no plans on replacing it with another race bike. The bike's lack of power bothered me more when I was riding it on the street to break it in than it does on the track. My lap times are limited more by my lack of skill than by the bike's lack of power. But it is frustrating to pass someone by getting a better drive out of a turn and then have them blow by on the straight a few seconds later! If the GS500 had about 20 more hp it would be the perfect street bike-light, small, good handling, and reasonably priced. As it is it's a great bike that's fun to ride. I encourage everyone that owns one to join the list. Joyce Nigh CCS Am#909 WERA Novice#909 Suzuki GS500 Prell Concentrate Shampoo Polyester Socks UNIX ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 17:31:12 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy > A dynojet kit might be possible sometime though, are they worth doing? Hello Cathy, I can't advise you here - I've not done anything with CV carbs, except replace them. > Sounds pretty cool, but hideously expensive. Actually, the Cartridge Emulators are US$125, which seems pretty reasonable for the improvements everyone seems to feel they make. > What is compression damping exactly? Does too much mean that the spring > won't compress quick enough? When the front fork collapses (gets shorter) is when the compression damping takes place. This is done with the fork oil rushing through various orifices. Rebound damping is done on extension of the fork. Damper rod forks can have the damping changed by using a different weight of fork oil, but that affects both rebound and compression damping, and many times you only want to do one or the other. The Emulators let you tune each direction individually. > It seems to do it at both ends, whatever it is.. > I have the '89 gs500e which had one type of adjustment on the rear shock & > none at all on the forks (Perhaps adjustability is the reason to put GSXR > forks on?). Would changing the oil in the forks to something lighter help > compression damping at the front? Yes, but your rebound damping will also be lighter. Perhaps one of the folks racing a stock-forked GS500 can comment on their experiences changing fork oil/springs. As regards external adjustments, they are only for small tuning in of the suspension. If the internal damping isn't set right, the external adjustments usually don't have enough range to bring you into the proper area. This is true even with Ohlins, Fox, Penske, and the other high dollar dampers. They all need to be set up with proper internal damping to match the application. A well-adjusted mediocre suspension may very well be better than a wildly out of adjustment high dollar suspension. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #2 ************************** GSTwin-digest Tuesday, April 1 1997 Volume 01 : Number 003 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 18:37:05 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin The other lists are on-line The other lists I've started are up and seem to be working OK. The first two mailing lists, for vintage roadracing and Suzuki GS four-stroke twins are getting reasonable interest so far, though the vintage roadracing is doing better by a factor of about 6:1 (not surprisingly). The three other lists are: vintage-dirt: for the pre-75 vintage dirt bikes - MX, enduro, observed trials, dirt track, playbikes, etc. I'd like to avoid the later Evolution long travel bikes at this time. lightweight-roadrace: vintage and modern sub-250cc roadracers. I've been requested to allow the odd CR500-engined RS125 to hang out here too, and that seems OK to me. I'm trying to shoot for the smaller bikes here, or the bikes that race against them. For example, four-stroke singles/twins of 250cc are legal in the AFM 125GP class (F3), so they are an exception to the sub-250cc ideal. mc-chassis-design: a list for the technically oriented, interested in designing/building/modifying frames, suspension, wheels, brakes, aerodynamics etc. I guess if someone wants to post about building a chopper frame that would be OK, though I personally don't have much interest in it. Might learn a good fabrication tip from them though, and maybe we can advise the chap/ette on how to get the darn thing to handle a little better. FF bikes are welcome, though there is already a good FF list available. Alternative front-ends and sidecars would be interesting too. To subscribe to them in individual message mode send a message to: majordomo@list.sirius.com The message body should say (and please just one list per message): subscribe vintage-roadrace youremailaddress@provider subscribe suzuki-gs-twin youremailaddress@provider subscribe mc-chassis-design youremailaddress@provider subscribe lightweight-roadrace youremailaddress@provider subscribe vintage-dirt youremailaddress@provider To subscribe in digest mode (which should be issued every day) make the message say: subscribe vintage-roadrace-digest youremailaddress@provider subscribe suzuki-gs-twin-digest youremailaddress@provider subscribe mc-chassis-design-digest youremailaddress@provider subscribe lightweight-roadrace-digest youremailaddress@provider subscribe vintage-dirt-digest youremailaddress@provider Sirius is supposed to handle the archiving of messages, and claim that they will eventually have them available through a web page. I'm not clear yet on how to access the archived messages, but should find out in a couple of days. I'll post this information to the list. The lists are set up so that I have to approve the subscription via a message to majordomo. I was told that this should help cut down the spam messages to the lists. Unsubscribes should work without any intervention from me. I'll try to get to everyone's subscriptions quickly, but keep in mind that I'm in San Francisco and that I'm in the midst of trying to get my Laverda put together to race in 3 weeks. I'll check my email several times each day, but you may have a bit of a time delay if the message arrives when I'm not able to get to the PC (such as when I'm at work during the week). A word of warning: this info is in the introduction file you should get but I'll repeat it anyway. My provider has configured the list software to reject any message where the quoted/included text is more than THREE times the new text. So you'll have to prune the old message text if you expect your message to not bounce. I have no say in this policy - but think it might be kind of pleasant. After you are notified that you have been subscribed, please send a introductory message to the list, so that people can find out who is on it. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 12:54:45 +1000 (EST) From: d.weiszmann@unsw.edu.au (Dorothy Weiszmann) Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy >I can't advise you here - I've not done anything with CV carbs, >except replace them. Ah, I see.. You mentioned CR carbs - now, i know what a CV carb is, having taken Bings apart, but what is a CR carb? And a hard question, how does a person tell what size carb is best for their bike if they want to improve the performance? >> Sounds pretty cool, but hideously expensive. > >Actually, the Cartridge Emulators are US$125, which seems pretty >reasonable for the improvements everyone seems to feel they make. Thats not too bad at all. We'll probly get them down here in about 10 years..;) >> Would changing the oil in the forks to something lighter help >> compression damping at the front? > >Yes, but your rebound damping will also be lighter. Perhaps one of >the folks racing a stock-forked GS500 can comment on their >experiences changing fork oil/springs. Yes Please! > A well-adjusted >mediocre suspension may very well be better than a wildly out of >adjustment high dollar suspension. Thats true. I'm sure these forks are getting close to being right :) They are 100 times better now than when I first got the bike. It used to bottom out on every bump, but I rode it like that for two years cos I didn't know what to do about it. I'm probably nit picking now cos it doesn't handle like a ducati.. How would an RGV shock work on a GS? Seeing how there are always plenty of wrecked RGV's about and they seem a similar sort of bike. cathy. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 19:08:41 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy > You mentioned CR carbs - now, i know what a CV carb is, having taken Bings > apart, but what is a CR carb? > And a hard question, how does a person tell what size carb is best for their > bike if they want to improve the performance? Hello Cathy, CRs are the Kei'hin round slide smooth bore carburettors (Carburettor Racing?). They have the slides pulled up by the throttle cable, not by a diaprhagm as in a CV carb. Carb size will depend on how well the head/exhaust flow, and the cylinder size. I have 39CRs for my 500cc GS450 race engine. > We'll probly get them down here in about 10 years..;) I just sent a set to Germany this last week, could probably do the same to Australia. > How would an RGV shock work on a GS? Seeing how there are always plenty of > wrecked RGV's about and they seem a similar sort of bike. Might work. The EX500 guys fit (sometimes) GSXR rear shocks. You'll just need to take your shock off and go 'round the breakers yards and see what matches up. Mind that you transfer your spring over, or that the new shock has the same weight spring. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 21:10:46 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Membership stats FYI, As of 9 PM PST there are: VintRR 57 VintDirt 6 GSTwin 9 LtWtRR 5 MC-Chassis 12 people signed up so far (regular and digest). Once things have trickled down a bit from the members from the lists I'm on I'll post info to the newsgroups. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 16:00:59 +1000 (EST) From: d.weiszmann@unsw.edu.au (Dorothy Weiszmann) Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy G'day Michael, >CRs are the Kei'hin round slide smooth bore carburettors (Carburettor >Racing?). They have the slides pulled up by the throttle cable, not >by a diaprhagm as in a CV carb. Like dellortos but more modern & sophisticated? >Carb size will depend on how well the head/exhaust flow, and the >cylinder size. I have 39CRs for my 500cc GS450 race engine. Are there any bikes that have similar keihins as stock.. say, bikes that might be found down the wreckers..? :) >> We'll probly get them down here in about 10 years..;) > >I just sent a set to Germany this last week, could probably do the >same to Australia. I'd like to find out more about them. Do they fit inside the forks or what? > >> How would an RGV shock work on a GS? Seeing how there are always plenty of >> wrecked RGV's about and they seem a similar sort of bike. > >Might work. The EX500 guys fit (sometimes) GSXR rear shocks. You'll >just need to take your shock off and go 'round the breakers yards and >see what matches up. Mind that you transfer your spring over, or >that the new shock has the same weight spring. I've got the original bust one here courtesy of a dirt road in Tasmania.. Will check it out :) How do you know what weight the spring is though? cathy. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 17:48:19 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy > Like dellortos but more modern & sophisticated? Hello Cathy, Yes. > Are there any bikes that have similar keihins as stock.. say, bikes that > might be found down the wreckers..? :) No > I'd like to find out more about them. Do they fit inside the forks or what? Look at the picture of them installed in my Laverda forks on the web site - on the "weighing the Laverda" page. You can also go to www.race-tech.com the mfgrs web site. > Will check it out :) > How do you know what weight the spring is though? There is probably a color code or engraved number somewhere - you may not be able to see it with the spring mounted though. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 17:48:19 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Reminders from the list admin Hello listers, Welcome to the new members (I added about 100 so far today to all the lists, and my fingers are tired!). You'll see some variation of this post pretty near daily for the next few days, until some of the bounces stop. REMEMBER: Don't use the word "subscrib*" in your posts. This version of Majordomo parses all the messages to the lists, as well as messages to the software. If it sees a command word (only the s* word so far) in a post to the list it will try to treat the post as a command, and will bounce it both to you and to me when it can't figure out what to do. For those of you who use multiple PCs/ISPs: these are closed lists. If your email address isn't in the list of suscr****ers your message will be bounced. I've already had a couple of people who, it appears, signed on from work and then posted when they got home to their private account. It won't work. Remember that Majordomo looks at the quoted text:new text ratio. If the quoted text is more than 3X the new text it will bounce your post. Keep the included text pruned to the minimum to prevent a bounce (and make it easier to read for the rest of us). The bounce messages should show you somewhere in them why the post bounced. I get a copy of every bounce to deal with, and I'll try to send you a message pointing out what you need to do to correct the bounce, but it would be helpful if you could try to figure it out on your own too (or maybe even prevent the bounce from occuring). If I have to spend a lot of time dealing with bounces I'm going to change it so I'm not notified about the bounce, and you'll be stuck on your own, at least until I get a chance to help you after you've notified me. Digests should be issued daily (if there was any traffic in the given 24 hour period). I'll keep copies of the digests on file, and will send them to you (but don't be in a rush to receive them). Replies will automatically be sent to the list, unless you change the address. Keep this in mind if you are going to make a personal reply to someone. Be patient. I have to do this in my (right now) limited free time. If I had realized it would be so time consuming (hopefully this will taper off once the initial rush is over) I would have postponed things for a month, until the Laverda is back together and the 2 national vintage races later this month are over. Still, let me know if something isn't going right on the lists or your traffic, and I'll try to get things sorted out ASAP. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 19:39:41 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin List stuff It looks like some people may be having trouble with their typing and/or reply-to address when they subsc*ibe. Then again, some people just appear to be having trouble - they are getting the list messages but aren't being recognized by the list when posting. I'm seeing your bounced messages, and doing what I can to try and correct things. Sirius just started offering lists last week, and I've already identified one bug in the software that they've corrected. If you get a bounce, I'm trying to send you a message after I've checked things out asking you to repost the bounced message. Please don't keep reposting over and over. If you have trouble, send me an email. If I can't correct things I'll send an email to the admin at Sirius, but they only answer stuff during regular work hours, so it may take 12-24 hours to get things straightened out. FWIW, this message just bounced all 5 lists because I used the complete spelling of the dreaded sub***** word in the original text. The price of not bouncing is eternal vigilance, or something like that. Thanks, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #3 ************************** GSTwin-digest Thursday, April 3 1997 Volume 01 : Number 004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 20:08:13 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Addresses must match and a new bad word I just had Ollie repost his message, as the first time bounced as not being a list member. He had his reply-to addre** changed (for anti-spam reasons) from his actual addre** which he was subcr***d under. I asked him to change his reply-to addre** to his actual addre**, and his message went through. I guess this means that any of you that have some email addre** in your reply-to line other than the one the list can look up will have to change things to match when you post to the list. It also looks like you may need to have the addre** from which the post is sent match as well. The above bounced as it seems that majordomo gets confused with addre** as well as subscri** (though it got to line 6 before bouncing, ignoring the first instances of addre**). I'm going to send a message to the ISP admin and ask them about this, since it seems like more people are doing this modification on a regular basis. My message is getting even longer with the new problem. Perhaps we should just drop a vowel from every word, just in case? Thanks for your patience; mine is starting to evaporate. Things will get sorted out eventually. Thanks, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 20:19:37 +0000 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin A possible solution? subscribe subscribe subscribe address address address If this gets through I may have fixed the mistaken command word problem. The Admin told me that my setting "administrivia" to yes in the configure file may have made majordomo over-sensitive to command words in posts. I've just set it to off for all lists (regular and disgests) and I'm sending this message to see if it helps. I bet by now you all can hardly wait to start your own exciting career as a mailing list administrator. If any of you have extensive experience with Majordomo and can shed some light on this (or offer some helpful tips), please send me an email. 8:18PM, and I still haven't gotten into the garage. Grrr. At least I didn't have any crises with the LAN at work today with which to deal. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 14:54:31 +1000 (EST) From: d.weiszmann@unsw.edu.au (Dorothy Weiszmann) Subject: Re: GSTwin Hello Cathy >> Like dellortos but more modern & sophisticated? > >Yes. I'll ask you some deep & meaningful carb questions later when you finish your laverda.. >> Are there any bikes that have similar keihins as stock.. say, bikes that >> might be found down the wreckers..? :) >No Yeah, that doesn't surprise really, I found an ad for them in the local bike rag and they seem like a bit too nice. >Look at the picture of them installed in my Laverda forks on the web >site - on the "weighing the Laverda" page. You can also go to >www.race-tech.com the mfgrs web site. Ah right, I have heard of gold valve things before, that they're good. Gee that race tech page is full of interesting stuff. If only my rusty pile of bike bits was worth fixing up like that! ;) >> How do you know what weight the spring is though? >There is probably a color code or engraved number somewhere - you may >not be able to see it with the spring mounted though. Rightio, I'll have a look. Thanks for your help Michael. I will let you know when my bike becomes a world beater.. :) seeya cathy. ------------------------------ Date: 2 APR 97 12:06:56 EST From: AGabinet@dechert.com Subject: GSTwin New to List Hi, I am new to the list. My name is Ari Gabinet, and I live in the Philadelphia area (closer to Princeton, actually). I have a 1990 GS500E with aftermarket fairing that i bought used from one of my partners, who also bought it used. I am a relatively new rider and look forward to learning from others. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 10:03:43 -0800 From: "Lai, Hubert" Subject: GSTwin New to List Hi. My name is Hubert Lai, and I am new to this list. I am located in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) and although I don't ride a Suzuki, my wife does. She is new to riding and just finished her motorcycle training course a couple of weeks ago. On the day she passed her test, we bought her a 1983 GS400 to practise her newly acquired skills on. She really enjoys her bike, and will probably keep it for the rest of this season before moving up to something with a fairing for longer trips. Cheers! <=- Hubert ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 02 Apr 1997 14:26:06 -0500 From: Brad Babcock Subject: Re: GSTwin New to List Hi Hubert, Don't be too quick to dismiss your GS400 as a starter bike. I have a 1983 GS450E (the U.S. version of your bike) that I've had since I bought it new in 1985. Until this past year, it was my everything bike. I've traveled as much as 350 miles in a day on it with soft saddlebags and a seat bag. I'm 5'10" and 200 lbs. and don't find it too small or too slow. It's a little busy if you want to travel long distances @70+ mph, but other than that, it's a great allround bike. I hope your wife likes hers and we keep hearing from you on the list. Stay safe. Brad At 10:03 4/2/97 -0800, you wrote: >Hi. My name is Hubert Lai, and I am new to this list. I am located in >Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) and although I don't ride a Suzuki, >my wife does. She is new to riding and just finished her motorcycle >training course a couple of weeks ago. On the day she passed her test, >we bought her a 1983 GS400 to practise her newly acquired skills on. >She really enjoys her bike, and will probably keep it for the rest of >this season before moving up to something with a fairing for longer >trips. > >Cheers! > ><=- Hubert > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 12:03:31 -0800 From: "Lai, Hubert" Subject: RE: GSTwin New to List Thanks for the welcome, Brad. Laura definitely likes her bike. However, she has expressed a desire for a fairing eventually. The wind really tugs at her at highway speeds. :-) However, even if we do get her another bike eventually, we may well keep the GS400. As you note, it is a great do-anything bike. I'm much more comfortable parking it outside than I am with my Ducati, which is really not at all suited to errand-running. Cheers! <=- Hubert >-----Original Message----- >From: Brad Babcock [SMTP:jbb7@psu.edu] >Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 1997 11:26 AM >To: suzuki-gs-twin@list.sirius.com >Subject: Re: GSTwin New to List > >Hi Hubert, > Don't be too quick to dismiss your GS400 as a starter bike. I have >a 1983 GS450E (the U.S. version of your bike) that I've had since I bought >it new in 1985. Until this past year, it was my everything bike. I've >traveled as much as 350 miles in a day on it with soft saddlebags and a seat >bag. I'm 5'10" and 200 lbs. and don't find it too small or too slow. It's >a little busy if you want to travel long distances @70+ mph, but other than >that, it's a great allround bike. I hope your wife likes hers and we keep >hearing from you on the list. Stay safe. >Brad > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 16:45:06 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Admin stuff - everyone please read It looks like we'll just have to take our chances on spam-mongers. I don't have time to handle all the subscription approvals, so I've changed the lists to a "confirm" style of subscription. Apparently, the majordomo will send back a confirmation message/number which is then resent by the subscriber. It was a closed subscription, which meant I had to approve everyone. I thought that would be best to avoid spammers, but I don't have time, and another list administrator has told me that the confirm option works OK (or at least helps). I've also changed so that you no longer have to be a list member to post to the list. Too many people seem to have trouble, either with posting from somewhere other than their subscription address or having an address that varies depending on what server the mail goes through at the ISP. This means that as soon as the spammers get the list addresses we're at risk. Again, I don't have time right now to fool with all the bounces, so we'll just have to take our lumps. If spam gets to be a problem (more than the occasional message) I'll see about restricting posts to list members again. These changes should vastly reduce the traffic into my in-box. If you have a problem that you can't solve by all means mail me, and I'll work with you. Some of you have bounced - it looks like you might have posted before being subscribed (which took a return message from me). You may now be subscribed (I've done everything pending), so you might think about reposting your intro messages. Thanks, and sorry for the bother (on both sides!). I thought running a restrictive policy on the list would make things better for the members - I hope loosening things won't make things worse, but I just don't have the time to deal with 30-100 subscription approvals/day, and another 20-30 bounce messages. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 17:38:41 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin A tip Some of you have your text editors set for an extremely wide line, and I'm losing some of your text because of that. I think if you could set for a 70-80 character line with word wrap things would work out better. I don't want to lose any valuable info that I can apply to (swipe for) my projects. Thanks, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 19:01:27 +0100 From: JAS@Sport-Twin.com (John A. Sweeney) Subject: [none] Hi GS list, By way of introduction, I don't own a GS, but I do pay attention to them at the track, and include them in a small newsletter I do for twin cylinder motorcycles, so Michael has given me permission to lurk. I just got off the phone with one of the fastest GS racers in California, Rich Munn. Rich actually set and holds the Willow Springs International Raceway lap record on a GS [you can see a feature I did for the newsletter on his bike on Micheal's web page]. Anyway, Rich broke his ankle last month, so he has some time on his hands, and is spending it modifying this GS500 with a four valve head off of a short-stroke GSXR/Katana engine. He is hoping that the WSMC will let him race the bike in both BOTT L/W and Superbike. Rich is using the cylinders from the GSXR as well; he says that this way he has a perfect match for the head gasket, and that the base of the cylinders fit fairly readily onto the GS cases. The GSXR head is oil cooled [I guess that the GS head is not?] so Rich is going to try to install a second oil pump where the starter used to be on his motor, and will use the same drive gear set-up as is used by the stock oil pump. According to Rich, other people who have done this four-valve head GSXR mod have been able to install the second pump in the GS cases, with the output shaft of the tranny providing the drive to run the pump. Rich is also working on trying to come up with a shift drum that will work on a GSXR's straigh-cut transmission, which will drop right into the GS cases. The problem with the stock tranny is that the gears are cut at an angle which angle causes forces to push against the clutch basket which has lead to engine failure on the racetrack. The reason for going to a four-valve head has been that the stock GS valves are a weak point in the GS engine, and break. So, there you go. Everything Rich told me about his GS's latest 'secret project!' ;-) See you at the track, John S. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ John A. Sweeney - Editor/Publisher - Sport-Twin News JAS@Sport-Twin.com - http://www.sport-twin.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 14:51:23 GMT From: harvey.woien@cabin.com (Harvey Woien) Subject: GSTwin Introduction Greetings fellow listers. By way of introduction, I must start by saying that I do not currently own a GS500. I currently own and ride two BSAs, a B44 and an A65. I am looking for a new modern bike with the following criteria: No more than two cylinders, air cooled, carburetted, under 400 pounds, with center and side stands. After perusing all the new bikes, I came up with only one - - the GS500! I must be spoiled by all these years of British bikes, but I can't believe I need four cylinders, 1200 cc, liquid cooling, fuel injection, and 450-500 pounds to enjoy a romp up a mountain road. Previously, I have owned various Ducati singles with clip-ons, rear-sets, etc. But now I am too old to "assume the position" and the ergo's of the GS500 seem right on for me. I look forward to seeing the experiences of others with their GS500s, especially as compared with other modern street bikes. Harvey Woien P.S. One thing I can contribute is that there is a new Clymer manual for GS500Es to 1996. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 19:49:39 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Re: 4 valve head on GS > Rich is also working on trying to come up with a shift drum that will work > on a GSXR's straigh-cut transmission, which will drop right into the GS > cases. The problem with the stock tranny is that the gears are cut at an > angle which angle causes forces to push against the clutch basket which has > lead to engine failure on the racetrack. > > The reason for going to a four-valve head has been that the stock GS valves > are a weak point in the GS engine, and break. > > So, there you go. Everything Rich told me about his GS's latest 'secret > project!' ;-) Hello John, I've thought that another (easier) possibility is to get one of the 4v/cyl GS450 heads that were sold in Canada/England, and probably other places outside the USA. Replacement stainless steel valves would be a lot cheaper way to bulletproof a 2v head. Interesting tip on the helical trans gears. Ducatis and others have a similar problem though with helical-cut primary gears. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 19:49:39 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin Introduction > I look forward to seeing the experiences of others with their GS500s, > especially as compared with other modern street bikes. > > Harvey Woien Hello Harvey, My friend Henry had several GS450s. He rode them from Oklahoma to California several times, and I think one of them had almost 40K miles on it when he sold them. Henry is the one that I bought my 500cc GS450 race motor from. The GS500, while not as fast as the EX500, looks to have a better chassis (at least until the most recent EXs with 17" wheels), and one of the guys who races a GS500 says he can buy motors from salvage for $200 pretty readily. I think it would fit your criteria pretty well, though I'll have to admit that other than owning the engine for several years I don't have any first-hand experience with the GS twin. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 07:02:32 +1000 (EST) From: d.weiszmann@unsw.edu.au (Dorothy Weiszmann) Subject: Re: GSTwin Introduction >> I look forward to seeing the experiences of others with their GS500s, >> especially as compared with other modern street bikes. >My friend Henry had several GS450s. He rode them from Oklahoma to >California several times, and I think one of them had almost 40K >miles on it when he sold them. Henry is the one that I bought my >500cc GS450 race motor from. The longest trips I've done on my gs500e were two 4000-5000 km trips round Tasmania, & last week I did a 2000k trip up to Brisbane. Great fun & with no worries cos its totally reliable. The long trips are easy, it can go all day & half the night happily, though the wind can affect it a bit being so light & my legs are a bit too long for the ergonomics. The recent trip to Brisbane, rode thru the day & it was so hot on the road at times I could hardly catch my breath, but it never used a drop of oil. Well I'm impressed anyway :) It must have at least 60,000k's on it by now (the speedo numbers don't go round anymore - it will stay forever young) with the only engine work a camchain replacement 2 years ago. Strange thing is I recently acquired a beemer for my long trips but its turned out not nearly as reliable so I'm still using the suzuki for them.. It crashes well too, its always been rideable afterwards. Sorry, you probably don't want to hear that side ;) >The GS500, while not as fast as the EX500, looks to have a better >chassis (at least until the most recent EXs with 17" wheels), and one >of the guys who races a GS500 says he can buy motors from salvage for >$200 pretty readily. There's not many down here in Australia. In spite of heaps of good reviews they were never very popular for some reason. Hard to find used bits for them. Lucky I've hardly ever need any :) cathy. ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #4 ************************** GSTwin-digest Saturday, April 5 1997 Volume 01 : Number 005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 11:16:27 +0100 (BST) From: "Mr. Katana" Subject: GSTwin Bikes on this list. Is this list intended to cover GSX`s? I`ve got a GSX250, are they similar to the GS ones? I assume there must be some difference between a GS & a GSX, but don`t know if they are totaly diferent bikes. Steve Powell s.a.powell@uea.ac.uk GSX250 GS550 gp100 ts50 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 04 Apr 1997 08:21:23 -0500 From: Brad Babcock Subject: Re: GSTwin Bikes on this list. Hi Steve, I think the GSX such as you have are the same as the GS twins in the U.S. The only difference might be that some of the rest of the world models had the 4 valve/cylinder heads while the U.S. models stuck with the 2 valve. On the cover of the Haynes manual that covers my '83 GS450E, there's a picture of a 250 with the same Katana-style tank. Is that what you've got? Also, I noticed that you have a GS550 in your sig. Is that by any chance a 550 Katana? I've got one of those, too. Regards, Brad At 11:16 4/4/97 +0100, you wrote: >Is this list intended to cover GSX`s? >I`ve got a GSX250, are they similar to the GS ones? >I assume there must be some difference between a GS & a GSX, but don`t >know if they are totaly diferent bikes. > >Steve Powell >s.a.powell@uea.ac.uk >GSX250 >GS550 >gp100 >ts50 > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 06:58:11 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin Bikes on this list. > Is this list intended to cover GSX`s? > I`ve got a GSX250, are they similar to the GS ones? > I assume there must be some difference between a GS & a GSX, but don`t > know if they are totaly diferent bikes. > > Steve Powell > s.a.powell@uea.ac.uk Hello Steve, I think the main difference is that the GSX has a 4 valve/cyl head instead of the 2 valve as in the GS. The GSX250 was, I believe, sold in the US in cruiser form, but the bigger bikes were all 2 valve/cylinder here. Welcome aboard, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 09:11:17 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Graphics posted to the lists Hello folks, Just a reminder - please don't post graphics to the list. First off, it can overload some peoples systems (and they might not even be interested in the picture). Even more important, the lists are configured to a maximum message size, and most graphics will exceed that. This means your message will just be bounced anyway, and any valuable comments that may have been included with the graphic file will be lost forever (or at least until you repost them without the graphics). And yes, someone did just attempt to post a graphics file. Out of curiousity, did majordomo fail to send out the intro file when you subscribed? I mentioned the graphics policy (and other similar stuff) in that. Perhaps it is the old RTFM problem rearing its head. Thanks, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 16:07:25 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin FYI - Subscribers, gen list stuff As of 3:56PM on Friday (PST) the subscribers stats are: 30 vintage-dirt 80 vintage-roadrace 31 lightweight-roadrace 19 suzuki-gs-twin 68 mc-chassis-design Things now seem to be moving along pretty well glitch-wise. I posted about the lists to the different rec.moto.??? lists this morning, so maybe we'll pick up some more people soon. I suspect that vintage-dirt might get some from rec.moto.dirt as there often seems to be a thread about starting a rec.moto.vintage-dirt list (which hasn't happened as far as I know). For those of you who might be shy about posting to the lists because of a perceived lack of knowledge on the topics - don't be. I think that you'll find that most people are glad to educate (different from berate, mind you), and at times some of us will find out that we didn't know quite as much as we thought we did when we first answer someone's question. I've certainly learned some stuff over the past 1.25 years of being on mailing lists. Besides, it is often interesting to me when someone asks a question about a bike in their garage that, while to them is just "their old bike", turns out to be some bit of rare/exotic/wierd/famous tackle. I know that some of you have some pretty interesting scoots - tell us some details: are they reliable, do you have to make all your own parts, are they really worth +/- 10 seconds a lap? Thanks to everyone who's been posting - I'm having fun. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Apr 1997 18:47:10 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Additions to the Laverda weights page The Barry Watkins articles on building light MX bikes in the early 1970s got me into weighing parts on my bikes. Several weeks ago I started a page on my web site to record the SF2RR Laverda road racer's component weights as it goes back together. I've just added some more component weights. The front forks were already there, and I've added swing arm, front wheel, rear wheel, rear dampers/springs, exhaust and frame weights. Remaining are the footpegs and mounts, battery/electronics/tach, clip ons and hand controls, front brake caliper/mount/master cylinder, tank, seat, fairing and mounts, engine stuff, and anything else I've skipped. I've totaled the individual components at the bottom of the page. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #5 ************************** GSTwin-digest Monday, April 7 1997 Volume 01 : Number 006 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 5 Apr 1997 20:31:24 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Straight or helical cut gears? John recently wrote about Richard Munn's GS500 race bike, and mentioned that Richard was trying to fit a GSXR transmission in to eliminate the helical cut gears in the stock transmission. Does anyone have a GS500 manual they can look in? My GS450 manual shows helical cut primary gears, but the 450 has the straight-cut transmission gears that have been an industry standard for the last 35 years (Guzzi excepted). I'm interested to hear if the GS500 really has something other than straight gears. The helical primary gears are worth changing for racing, as they do put side loads on the crankshaft/crankcases. The earlier Ducati bevel and belt cam drive twins have problems with this, and you can buy some pretty expensive straight cut primary gears to correct the problem. I'd guess that something got a bit garbled between Richard and John and that Richard is actually trying to fit straight cut primary gears to his race bike. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: 7 APR 97 08:28:43 EDT From: AGabinet@dechert.com Subject: GSTwin Re: modifying GS500E I love my GS500E - it's peppy and reliable, if a little peaky for power. Has anyone considered modifications to broaden the powerband? also, can it accept clip-ons? maybe these are dumb questions, I'm no techie. Ari Gabinet - ------------- Original Text From: suzuki-gs-twin(a)list.sirius.com, on 4/4/97 9:18 AM: Hi Steve, I think the GSX such as you have are the same as the GS twins in the U.S. The only difference might be that some of the rest of the world models had the 4 valve/cylinder heads while the U.S. models stuck with the 2 valve. On the cover of the Haynes manual that covers my '83 GS450E, there's a picture of a 250 with the same Katana-style tank. Is that what you've got? Also, I noticed that you have a GS550 in your sig. Is that by any chance a 550 Katana? I've got one of those, too. Regards, Brad At 11:16 4/4/97 +0100, you wrote: >Is this list intended to cover GSX`s? >I`ve got a GSX250, are they similar to the GS ones? >I assume there must be some difference between a GS & a GSX, but don`t >know if they are totaly diferent bikes. > >Steve Powell >s.a.powell@uea.ac.uk >GSX250 >GS550 >gp100 >ts50 > > > > ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #6 ************************** GSTwin-digest Tuesday, April 8 1997 Volume 01 : Number 007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 7 Apr 1997 10:35:56 +0100 From: JAS@Sport-Twin.com (John A. Sweeney) Subject: GSTwin AFM/CSC 500 Twins GS report Jody Matzler, who owns a bike painting business, has a very, very nice GS 500 which he is racing with the AFM. I saw the bike this weekend. It features slicks, a large fiberglass airbox, a GSX-R [?] fairing with ram-aim, and a titanium subframe and race style tail section. Jody was "Top Novice" in both the 450 Superbike class, and the 500 Twins class. I think of the 26 bikes that gridded for the race, three were GSs. I'll try to get some photos and a more detailed list of modifications soon. John S. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ John A. Sweeney - Editor/Publisher - Sport-Twin News JAS@Sport-Twin.com - http://www.sport-twin.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 08:20:52 +1000 (EST) From: d.weiszmann@unsw.edu.au (Dorothy Weiszmann) Subject: Re: GSTwin Re: modifying GS500E >I love my GS500E - it's peppy and reliable, if a little peaky for power. >Has anyone considered modifications to broaden the powerband? also, can it >accept clip-ons? maybe these are dumb questions, I'm no techie. > >Ari Gabinet I put clip ons on mine & they are heaps better. They make the steering feel much more direct. I got relatively gentle ones, only about 2 inches lower than the originals, and they are not too painful for touring too. You need to get a pair of generic headlight mount things to replace the ones on there now in order to allow the clip ons to clip on to the forks. Make sure you spend a bit of thought on the cable routing so turning the bars doesn't result in the thing revving to 9000 like it did for me :) Otherwise is easy. cathy. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 07 Apr 1997 20:23:55 -0400 From: nigh@intrepid.net Subject: GSTwin Re:Modifying GS500E >I love my GS500E - it's peppy and reliable, if a little peaky for power. > also, can it accept clip-ons? I have Telefix clip-ons on my GS500. The only modification I had to make was to bend the headlight brackets a little bit to clear the sleeve of each clip-on. Since the brackets are mild steel, this was easy to do with the aid of a bench vise. Contact me directly if you would like a more detailed explanation. Joyce Nigh CCS Am#909 WERA Novice#909 Suzuki GS500 SGI Indigo2 Prell Concentrate Shampoo Polyester Socks UNIX ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 11:01:46 +0100 (BST) From: "Mr. Katana" Subject: Re: GSTwin-digest V1 #5 Brad, The GSX250 I`ve got is as shown on the Haines manual, only mine isn`t the Katana version. Yes my GS550 is a Kat, after 16,000 fun filled miles on the GSX250 in 13 months, I got the Kat. The GSX250 took as much abuse as I gave it (apart from snapping 2 chains). The Kat, however, melted an exhaust valve after a few months :( Then, after chainging the exhaust valve, I was measuring the valve clearences and have managed to bend an inlet valve. I had turned the cam shaft to depress the valve, put a flat bladed screwdriver between the cam shaft and edge of the bucket then rotated the cam shaft so that the cam lobe stoped pushing on the shim and the bucket was held down by the screwdriver. After lifting the shim out I nocked the screwdriver so the valve sprung shut and bent its self. Steve. >Hi Steve, >I think the GSX such as you have are the same as the GS twins in the U.S. >The only difference might be that some of the rest of the world models >had the 4 valve/cylinder heads while the U.S. models stuck with the 2 >valve. >On the cover of the Haynes manual that covers my '83 GS450E, there's a >picture of a 250 with the same Katana-style tank. Is that what you've >got? >Also, I noticed that you have a GS550 in your sig. Is that by any chance >a 550 Katana? I've got one of those, too. >Regards, >Brad ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 11:16:50 +0100 (BST) From: "Mr. Katana" Subject: GSTwin Cam chain tensioners. I don`t intend to patronise anyone, but this may save someone buying a new cam chain tensioner. My GSX250 cam chain tensioner used to chatter at low revs (esp when cold). I took it apart to see how it worked. They are sprung to tension the cam chain at its loosest point and have a one way system so that they can only ever tighten the chain. On mine the spiral surfaces behind the knob that you can see under the carbs looked polished and didn`t create enough friction between the surfaces to make the one way system work. Roughening this with a file _across_ the surface cured the problem and the bike has done the last 10,000 miles without any tensioner problems. Sorry if this isn`t very clear, if anyone want`s a better description let me know! Steve GSX250 GS550 (Kat) ... ------------------------------ Date: 8 APR 97 13:48:42 EDT From: AGabinet@dechert.com Subject: GSTwin Re:Modifying GS500E To Joyce Nigh -- thanks for the clip on suggestion. I would like whatever information you can give me. Agabinet@dechert.com - ------------- Original Text From: suzuki-gs-twin(a)list.sirius.com, on 4/7/97 8:24 PM: >I love my GS500E - it's peppy and reliable, if a little peaky for power. > also, can it accept clip-ons? I have Telefix clip-ons on my GS500. The only modification I had to make was to bend the headlight brackets a little bit to clear the sleeve of each clip-on. Since the brackets are mild steel, this was easy to do with the aid of a bench vise. Contact me directly if you would like a more detailed explanation. Joyce Nigh CCS Am#909 WERA Novice#909 Suzuki GS500 SGI Indigo2 Prell Concentrate Shampoo Polyester Socks UNIX i ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 13:34:35 -0500 From: "Brian D. Clarke" Subject: GSTwin GS500E Transformation? Hi Everyone- This is my first post to this list. I used to own an '91 GS500E (which I loved), but eventually sold to a friend. The last few months I have been kicking myself for selling it, and now want to buy it back. My question is, what does it take to turn a bike like this into one which can be raced at events? The only mod. on the bike was a F1S exhaust. Also, is there a specific 'class' which only races GS500's? I thought a while back I had heard of such a class, but I am unsure. I am in Illinois. Any info. would be greatly appreciated! I just bought a new Ducati, but I keep thinking of my old and reliable as a rock GS! Thanks all! - -Brian ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #7 ************************** GSTwin-digest Wednesday, April 9 1997 Volume 01 : Number 008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 14:38:20 -0400 (EDT) From: fshixon@muskie.lerc.nasa.gov (D Hixon) Subject: Re: GSTwin GS500E Transformation? Hi folks, Quick question here: Are there any adjustable ignition pointers out there for GS twins (so I can advance/retard the timing)? Thanks, Ray Hixon - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- R Hixon | phone: (216) 962-3146 ICOMP, Ohio Aerospace Institute | NASB #623 22800 Cedar Point RD | 1995 Triumph Speed Triple for sale... Brook Park, Ohio 44142 | email: fshixon@muskie.lerc.nasa.gov - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Apr 1997 17:52:36 -0400 From: nigh@intrepid.net Subject: Re: GSTwin Re:Modifying GS500E you wrote: >To Joyce Nigh -- thanks for the clip on suggestion. I would like whatever >information you can give me. Agabinet@dechert.com Each GS headlight bracket consists of a steel stamping that slides over the fork tube. The bracket has two tapped holes used to attach an aluminum plate for mounting the headlight. If you look at the bracket, you'll notice that it carries two rings that slide over the fork tube. A rubber grommet fits in each ring to isolate the bracket from vibration. The area of the bracket that spans the two rings has a "joggle", or offset. In other words, this area is not flat. What you need to do is bend the bracket to increase the joggle distance enough to clear the clip-on sleeve. This should be about 1/8", if I remember correctly. You will have to bend each bracket in four places, two bends for the top ring and two for the bottom. First bend the joggled area a little. This will cause the ring to become misaligned. Then bend the ring where it joins the bracket in the opposite direction to re-align the ring. This process takes some trial and error. You'll have to slide the bracket with grommets in place, over the fork tube to verify its alignment. You'll notice that the rubber grommets compensate for slight misalignment, which makes the job easier. I clamped the bracket in the vise and applied force using various large crescent wrenches and/or pipes. I'm not strong. Even if the bracket looks a little funky after you finish bending it, it will look fine once assembled on the bike. I have all the stock stuff in place and you can't tell that the brackets have been modified. I think the effort to make the stock brackets work is worth the effort because the factory headlight mounting design is quite attractive. I don't think an aftermarket bracket would look as nice. Also, the right hand stock bracket has a lug for locking the headlight shell in position. This is a good feature. It's hard to describe this process in words. Send me a fax number or mailing address and I'll send you a sketch. Good luck. Joyce Nigh CCS Am#909 WERA Novice#909 Suzuki GS500 SGI Indigo2 Prell Concentrate Shampoo Polyester Socks UNIX ------------------------------ Date: 8 APR 97 17:55:48 EDT From: AGabinet@dechert.com Subject: Re: GSTwin Re:Modifying GS500E Joyce Nigh -- thanks. My fax is 215 994 2222. Now my problem is where to find the clip ons. Did you mention "telfix?" Is that a brand name? Any suggestions or parts numbers? Thanks. Ari Gabinet '90 GS500E - ------------- Original Text From: suzuki-gs-twin(a)list.sirius.com, on 4/8/97 5:53 PM: you wrote: >To Joyce Nigh -- thanks for the clip on suggestion. I would like whatever >information you can give me. Agabinet@dechert.com Each GS headlight bracket consists of a steel stamping that slides over the fork tube. The bracket has two tapped holes used to attach an aluminum plate for mounting the headlight. If you look at the bracket, you'll notice that it carries two rings that slide over the fork tube. A rubber grommet fits in each ring to isolate the bracket from vibration. The area of the bracket that spans the two rings has a "joggle", or offset. In other words, this area is not flat. What you need to do is bend the bracket to increase the joggle distance enough to clear the clip-on sleeve. This should be about 1/8", if I remember correctly. You will have to bend each bracket in four places, two bends for the top ring and two for the bottom. First bend the joggled area a little. This will cause the ring to become misaligned. Then bend the ring where it joins the bracket in the opposite direction to re-align the ring. This process takes some trial and error. You'll have to slide the bracket with grommets in place, over the fork tube to verify its alignment. You'll notice that the rubber grommets compensate for slight misalignment, which makes the job easier. I clamped the bracket in the vise and applied force using various large crescent wrenches and/or pipes. I'm not strong. Even if the bracket looks a little funky after you finish bending it, it will look fine once assembled on the bike. I have all the stock stuff in place and you can't tell that the brackets have been modified. I think the effort to make the stock brackets work is worth the effort because the factory headlight mounting design is quite attractive. I don't think an aftermarket bracket would look as nice. Also, the right hand stock bracket has a lug for locking the headlight shell in position. This is a good feature. It's hard to describe this process in words. Send me a fax number or mailing address and I'll send you a sketch. Good luck. Joyce Nigh CCS Am#909 WERA Novice#909 Suzuki GS500 SGI Indigo2 Prell Concentrate Shampoo Polyester Socks UNIX ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 19:00:25 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin Cam chain tensioners. My race GS450 engine has had the tensioner converted to manual operation. You drill and tap the housing to take a large diameter bolt. Screwing the bolt in/out allows the chain tensioner to be adjusted, and with the bolt locked down the tensioner can't back off under load. This is a pretty standard modification for lots of the self-adjusting tensioners. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 19:00:26 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin GS500E Transformation? > what does it take to turn a bike like this into one which can be raced at > events? The only mod. on the bike was a F1S exhaust. Also, is there a > specific 'class' which only races GS500's? I thought a while back I had heard > of such a class, but I am unsure. I am in Illinois. Any info. would be > greatly appreciated! I just bought a new Ducati, but I keep thinking of my old > and reliable as a rock GS! Thanks all! > > -Brian Hello Brian, You need to give more info on how much time/money you want to spend. You can race a stock bike or a sky's the limit bike. The GS500 class in the Pacific NW was dropped this year. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 19:00:26 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin GS500E Transformation? > Quick question here: Are there any adjustable ignition pointers out > there for GS twins (so I can advance/retard the timing)? > > Thanks, > > Ray Hixon Hello Ray, Can you slot the plate the ignition pickup mounts on? Then you won't have to buy anything. You'll probably just want to extend the hole in the direction that will allow you to retard the timing. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Apr 1997 08:06:34 -0400 (EDT) From: fshixon@muskie.lerc.nasa.gov (D Hixon) Subject: Re: GSTwin GS500E Transformation? Hi folks, After talking to my engine builder Joe Hutcheson, it looks like we'll be slotting the ignition pickup mounts as Michael suggested. The GS bottom end is now together, and I'll be heading to Atlanta 4/26-27 to pick up the bike (it's currently a GS engine in a 1989 FZR400 chassis with 1989 GSX-R750 front end and rear wheel -- and lots of Computrack work done to sort it out :)). The plan is to try it out at the WERA club race at Putnam Park 5/16-17, if I can get all the niggly problems that it had when I parked it in 1995 fixed... Have fun, Ray Hixon - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- R Hixon | phone: (216) 962-3146 ICOMP, Ohio Aerospace Institute | NASB #623 22800 Cedar Point RD | 1995 Triumph Speed Triple for sale... Brook Park, Ohio 44142 | email: fshixon@muskie.lerc.nasa.gov - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Apr 1997 08:08:44 -0400 (EDT) From: fshixon@muskie.lerc.nasa.gov (D Hixon) Subject: Re: GSTwin GS500E Transformation? For GS500s in WERA, the classes are: Formula Clubman -- formula class, 650cc aircooled allowed Unlimited Twins -- superbike, unlimited displacement D Superbike -- superbike, not sure of displacement limit Since I changed my frame, I'm limited to Clubman these days... Later, Ray Hixon - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- R Hixon | phone: (216) 962-3146 ICOMP, Ohio Aerospace Institute | NASB #623 22800 Cedar Point RD | 1995 Triumph Speed Triple for sale... Brook Park, Ohio 44142 | email: fshixon@muskie.lerc.nasa.gov - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Apr 1997 10:54:06 -1000 (HST) From: straubis@pixi.com (Straub Tech) Subject: GSTwin wtb: GS500e Parts Well, spank me... Its a boy.. Ok, I agreed to buy a slightly damaged 91 GS500e... Price? not to bad Damage? Bent fork tubes, cracked fender, two dents in tank (one previous and one from him wacking the tank on the way off) He said that as soon as he landed, the doctor who hit him ran out of her car and asked "Does anything hurt??" he just kinda grabbed his crotch and said "oh, nothing..." Good points? The guy was riding it daily until last month (the engine runs good), frame looks good, I looked around the stearing stem and down the frame and saw no craked paint/stress marks or visuble damage rim looks good. Now it looks like I'll need to get the following Fork Tubes Fender - or - GSXR front end. Anyone have these parts cheap? Robert ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #8 ************************** GSTwin-digest Tuesday, April 15 1997 Volume 01 : Number 009 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 11:59:06 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin GS vs EX I'd appreciate if some of you who are racing GS500s could compare the power characteristics of your bikes to the EX500. Which bike has a power advantage in the different parts of the powerband, and how much of a problem has it been for you to get comparable power from the GS (if it has been a problem at all)? Thanks, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 10:30:43 -0700 (PDT) From: SUPERBRAT Subject: GSTwin hey there... i just subscribed to this list. i'm a happy owner of 1 2/3 1980's GS 450ES's. i've been restoring one for about a year now. i love her. she's a good bike. really fast for an old 450, i think. i do have some questions: modifications. i'm wondering if i can get an aftermarket disk brake for the front. the stock stopper is okay..but i'd like to get a little more stopping power. would a rotor off of a GS500E fit? i know that if it did, i'd have to machine a carrier for the rotor but that's not problem. i weld and work w/ metal as a hobby of sorts.... i'm sure i'll have more questions and comments. i know a bit about these bikes so if anyone has any questions for me, please ask. i might know the answer... :) - -Beth DoD#4508, Unitrans#545, AMA#542204 Mine: 1982 GS450ES, 1980 GS450ES Projects: 1959 3TA, 1971 CL350 **************************************************************************** (check out beffie's homepage: http://www.aracnet.com/~martine/brat.html) ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #9 ************************** GSTwin-digest Thursday, April 17 1997 Volume 01 : Number 010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 17:01:14 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin hey there... > i do have some questions: modifications. i'm wondering if i can get an > aftermarket disk brake for the front. the stock stopper is okay..but i'd > like to get a little more stopping power. would a rotor off of a GS500E > fit? i know that if it did, i'd have to machine a carrier for the rotor > but that's not problem. i weld and work w/ metal as a hobby of sorts.... Hello Beth, Welcome to the list. Be sure to check out the GS pages on my web site. Don't forget that a larger OD rotor will require moving the caliper out to match. The GS500 rotor might bolt on - Suzuki is, upon occasion, pretty good about things like that. If you can post the dimensions of the stock rotor (ID, hole size and bolt circle) I'm sure someone can do a quick check against their 500 rotor. Another way to increas the brake power (besides braided steel lines so the pressure doesn't go into flexing the line) is to put a smaller bore mastercylinder on. You can usually find the bore size cast or stamped on the underside of the mastercylinder housing. > i'm sure i'll have more questions and comments. i know a bit about these > bikes so if anyone has any questions for me, please ask. i might know the > answer... :) Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 17:13:07 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Vintage schedule at Laguna Seca This information comes from the confirmation card I got from Team Obsolete for this weekend's vintage exhibition races at the AMA National at Laguna Seca: Thursday: tech & registration 3-6PM Friday: Gates open & tech at 7AM, practice 8AM and 12:40PM Saturday: Gates open & tech at 7AM, practice 9AM, race 3:30PM Sunday: Race at 10:10 AM, "Parade of Exotice Bikes Sunday Midday" I plan to be at the track starting at 3PM on Thursday to help with tech. I'll be riding a Ducati single, number 211, hopefully on both Saturday and Sunday (I entered the Laverda in Saturday's race but it isn't going to make it, so I've got to see about switching the entry into a different class). I've been told that all the vintage bikes will be pitted in one area. Stop by and say hello if you get into the pits. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 19:33:47 -0700 (PDT) From: SUPERBRAT Subject: Re: GSTwin hey there... oh yeah. i know about having to realign the calliper to ride on the rotor properly. :) i'll have to make measurements and then compare w/ my friend's GS500E, which i'm doing a load o' work on for trade in parts. hence, i'll probably get a set of progressive springs, braided steel lines and possibly a rotor. we'll see. i have access to a good metal shop so i can weld/cut/machine up something out of steel. don't have any aluminum skills but steel will work fine, i think. :) - -Beth DoD#4508, Unitrans#545, AMA#542204 Mine: 1982 GS450ES, 1980 GS450ES Projects: 1959 3TA, 1971 CL350 **************************************************************************** beffie's homepage is kaput until further notice. sorry. :( ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 20:55:37 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: GSTwin hey there... > and possibly a rotor. we'll see. i have access to a good metal shop so i > can weld/cut/machine up something out of steel. don't have any aluminum > skills but steel will work fine, i think. :) > > -Beth Hello Beth, If you can machine steel you won't have any problem doing aluminum, and you shouldn't have a need to do any welding on either a center or caliper hanger. You might wish to look at some of the bikes on my web site for ideas - - the Laverda for example. Also, you had the list name in both the to: and cc: fields, so two messages went out to the list. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 16 Apr 1997 07:48:57 -0400 From: Brad Babcock Subject: Re: GSTwin hey there... Hi Beth, I've run into you on the Suzuki list, too. I have a 1983 GS450E, and the front brake is a single disk. I'd almost bet that those forks would fit on your 450, and the GS500 ones might, too. That might be an easier solution than devising a rotor carrier. With some luck at the salvage yard, it might be cheaper, too. Just a thought. Heard from the 900 Kawi owner that I surprised at a light, "Boy, that's a fast little 450!" Good luck with your project. Brad At 10:30 4/15/97 -0700, you wrote: >i just subscribed to this list. i'm a happy owner of 1 2/3 1980's GS >450ES's. i've been restoring one for about a year now. i love her. she's a >good bike. really fast for an old 450, i think. > >i do have some questions: modifications. i'm wondering if i can get an >aftermarket disk brake for the front. the stock stopper is okay..but i'd >like to get a little more stopping power. would a rotor off of a GS500E >fit? i know that if it did, i'd have to machine a carrier for the rotor >but that's not problem. i weld and work w/ metal as a hobby of sorts.... > >i'm sure i'll have more questions and comments. i know a bit about these >bikes so if anyone has any questions for me, please ask. i might know the >answer... :) > >-Beth > > DoD#4508, Unitrans#545, AMA#542204 > Mine: 1982 GS450ES, 1980 GS450ES Projects: 1959 3TA, 1971 CL350 >**************************************************************************** > (check out beffie's homepage: http://www.aracnet.com/~martine/brat.html) > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 11:29:33 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: GSTwin Don't have problems until Monday I'm heading off to Laguna Seca in an hour and won't be back until late Sunday night. If you have any list problems you'll need to suffer quietly until I get back and can help you with them (probably Monday evening). Until then, Have fun Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of GSTwin-digest V1 #10 ***************************
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