Archie's GSXR400

6674 Views 29 Replies 9 Participants Last post by archiebroge1, Sep 20, 2013

archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · Jun 10, 2013

6

Thought I would stick a thread up for this. This aint gonna be my main bike more of a practice build as such. Ive had this bike for about 3 months now. I bought it on impulse and wished id never cause you simply cant get parts for it. Its a 1987 gk71f and apart from being sold in japan they were only imported in to the uk in small numbers I think they were also imported in Canada and Sweden so its a bit if an odd ball. So I was really disheartened and was thinking about breaking the bike. But then I thought about a fighter and started doing a bit of research and stumbled across this site and the rest as they say is history.

Ive ordered an R6 tail and gonna see how this looks. my overall aim is to make this a much taller bike as im 6.5 and its just to small for me in original form. As I stripped the bike down I started to see more and more potential and now I love the bike.

this is what ive got to play with

I got the subframe stripped and then decided it had to go

much better

I rolled the bike out of my work shop today to get a clearer pic i want the new subframe to follow the line of the tank out of the back also the standard swinger it staying but im gonna make up a brace for it the rear wheel is 18" but i do fancy a bit of a fatter tyre so will be looking into that.

also needing to look at rear shock options this simply cant stay

got myself a regulator and some argon for my welder I will make and tack the new subby but I will be sending to a local engineering firm to tig weld once fabrication is complete. If any one could help me with what grades of alloy plate and box section I should be buying that would be great. Gonna lable up the loom and drop the engine next

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archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jun 11, 2013

2

Got my R6 tail in today. Soon as I got the package I knew it was to big. Looks like a surf board sticking out the back of the bike. So it's back to the drawing board with it. I've seen a honda rs125 tail that I like but it's a bit expensive but seeing as the tail swap is gonna be the main feature on my bike I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and get it. Here's a pic with the r6 tail

And here's a gsxr 400 with the tail I like

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Notyetafighter

· #3 · Jun 11, 2013

Cut down the r6 tail??

archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 11, 2013

Notyetafighter said:
Cut down the r6 tail??

Had thought about that but it's a lot of work. Il get a side on pic later. I just don't like the line it follows.

a_morti

· #5 · Jun 11, 2013

Cagiva mito tail? 916 lookalike but smaller and in uk 125 bits sell on eBay for pennies.

The frame and tank on cabbie's gsxr is totally different to yours. Don't honk because it looks so nice on his that it will on yours.

archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 11, 2013

a_morti said:
Cagiva mito tail? 916 lookalike but smaller and in uk 125 bits sell on eBay for pennies.

The frame and tank on cabbie's gsxr is totally different to yours. Don't honk because it looks so nice on his that it will on yours.

Yeah cabbies is a gk76a which I wish mine was. I know mine ain't gonna look like that but I would like to get that sort of style if you know what I mean. Good call on the Cagiva il check them out

GROUCH

· #7 · Jun 11, 2013

Cool bike.
Have a look at this seat unit mate. It´s similar to the one you´re looking for and reckon it´s probably cheaper.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MZ-RACER-...pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item3a81e91f1a

Hope this helps.

I´d personally fit something a little more square in shape though, reckon it would flow better with the lines of the tank... Just my opinion mate

Shanehsmp

· #8 · Jun 12, 2013

Nice bike, didn't even know these existed. I did some research and saw that certain years of the 400 had a braced swingarm.... I need to figure out what the width of that pivot point is. I saw a few on eBay that I might want to buy.

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archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 12, 2013

3

Thanks for the replies guy. I'm giving the tail some more thought. I'm going to have a mess around with the tail that came off it and also I'm going to take some measurements and get something from a breakers as opposed to buying one on eBay. Anyway I got to work last night removing the rad and the exhaust headers. The exhaust was the reason this bike failed its last mot test. It was so badly corroded that one of the ports is still stuck in the head. Also 4 of the studs snapped so I've got a load of work once I remove the engine but I was expecting that. Here's some pics the funky exhaust bandage wAs the previous owner not me lol

Port missing

Absolutely fucked

Not happy

Found a stainless header for a gk76a on eBay although it will need altered slightly it will fit in the ports

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archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 16, 2013

2

I've had the dreaded phone call to go back to work so work stops for 3 weeks. But I got my a headlight an I'm going to change the subby to mild steel. Making some mounts from alloy and they will be welded to the frame then. Will be on with that as soon as I get home. Also got fed up waiting for my bike test so I've bought a 125 for just now. A race prepped rs125 that is

. Really impressed with it even though I get sore wrists when I ride it I don't care ha ha

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F'dup

· #11 · Jun 16, 2013

You know, a lot of those RS125 parts may look good on the 400

Just sayin' lol...

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DrJellyFingers

· #12 · Jun 17, 2013

Ooo that rs is pretty

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archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 17, 2013

F'dup said:
You know, a lot of those RS125 parts may look good on the 400
Just sayin' lol...

Subscribed!

Yeah I'm still stuck for a tail so you know the one of the rs will be getting offered up

and if I put some renthals on it I wouldn't get sore wrists lol

Reactions: 1

archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 21, 2013

2

It's official I have a tail. After ages of looking at different ones online I'm going with the one I originally took off the bike. My mate suggested it I offered it up and it looks ace I think. What's everyone's opinion

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GROUCH

· #15 · Jun 22, 2013

Reckon that could look cool. Like it

archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 22, 2013

Got the bike off the deck today to get a better look at the tail with the bike level. I'm gonna go with this I think. I've also seen an rg250 tail I like as well. Next step will be breaking the bike down so I can get my frame welded and powder coated. Get the engine painted and serviced as well.

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archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 24, 2013

3

Got the bike stripped today. Now I'm gonna get a hurry on with the frame forks and swing arm. Want to get the mounts for the subframe welded on and get it powder coated satin black. Gonna polish up the swinger and I'm on the fence about doing the forks. Will also get the wheels done at the same time as the frame. Want to have a roller ASAP. Here's some progress pics

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archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 25, 2013

3

Was on with sorting my subframe brackets today. Did the usual cardboard template then I transferred it to mdf. Know a guy who can mill them out so will get some alloy plate and get that sorted. Ground the old welds out as well of the old subframe. Things are going good with this one really happy with my progress.

Loads of clearance from the air box

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noobster

· #19 · Jul 2, 2013

come on man! get a move on! i'm watching this as i'm planning to do the same on mine..

archiebroge1

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 5, 2013

8

Don't worry mate il get going on it soon just trying to get some funds together. Anyway another bike I have a serious soft spot for is the gpz750. One came up quite close to me a 1985 gpz750r now I do prefer the bodywork o the air cooled bikes but I wasn't going to pass this bad boy up either. The plan with this is to do the tank and fork seal which it needs for its mot test then run it for the rest of the year. Planning something new next year so this is gonna become my baby then. Anyway here's some pics haven't picked the bike up yet but here's what I've been sent.

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