GSX6/12 project

[lilredmachine]

Hi, I recently posted a thread introducing myself and a couple of bikes I had built over the years, I thought I would expand on them both in their own threads for anyone interested. 

My GSX6/12 started at the wake of a close friend that had died in a freak accident on a biking trip to Portugal. Drinks were drunk, questions were asked, handshakes were shook and suddenly I owned a '95 GSX600F which had stood for many years, was fairly straight and original with a decent black paintjob and had done a little over 17,000 miles. The only pic I have of the bike stock is this one with my friend and fellow Suzuki fancier Bill doing the traditional Suzuki salute.

     

The bike was tight, but as it had been stood it needed fluids changing, brakes cleaning and stripping etc. boring etc. I did the work then parked it, knowing that it wasn't really something I wanted to ride stock, being used to somewhat more aggressive machines. The instigator of what followed was the purloining of a cleanish MK1 Bandit 12 that the owner had given up on due to running issues and let go for 400 quid. A brief diagnosis and swapping the plug leads about (1+4, 2+3 people!) the motor was running fine and a brief hammer up and down the road convinced me of the way forward. In short order, the GSX looked like this:

They are really quite skinny aren't they? The motor swap was relatively straight forward, the motor bolts right up to the GSX cradle and the only thing that prevents a straight swap is the 17mm increased deck height and bulkier cam breather box. Of course the proper way to deal with this is to swap the cam cover and box.

Of course the proper way to deal with this is to source a 750 camcover and breather box, the quicker way is to notch the frame and tank brace to fit it in as it is.

With this done, the bike had the clutch pushrod shortened to fit the standard cable clutch perch and sprocket cover and therefore retain the standard footrests. bolted back together it is almost the perfect crime, even retaining the standard airbox and pipes.  

Later on, a more suitable pipe was made from a set of Bandit 1200 Delkevic headers and a Danmoto titanium GSX750f endcan. The result is a nice freeflowing pipe but more is needed.

It now goes like a rocket, but the handling is dog. The short wheelbase means the front will lift in the first three gears, the brakes are overworked and the tyres are struggling to contain the explosive torque made by the motor. It's fun, but not quick. After a bit of research an RF900 front end, rf900 rear shock, Tokico 4 pots, Hayabusa master cylinder, braided lines, GSX750F swinger, SV650 rear wheel and Bandit 1200 discs are sourced, and sat on a nice set of modern 120/160 rubber.

The results are a 1/8th inch drop in the front, a 1inch lift in the back, 4 pots, sticky tyres and a turn in like nothing I have ridden before. The last step was to sort the running of the bike with a stage 3 dynojet kit and to advance the ignition. The bike is now a brutal torque machine with the handling to match. It runs the standard bodywork and is till stickered as a GSX600F so it has quite the sting in the tail for the unsuspecting.

 

 

One day I will get the front forks and mudguard painted along with the wheels, but for now it is too much fun hammering it about. It is not a big money build, nor is it cosmetically perfect but it is one of the most visceral bikes I have owned.

 

 

 

 

[Madb]

hello chap, welcome to the forum. Nice sleeper you have there! SSsssshhhhhh

[stuzo]

Love it stealth as fook 

[crashtester]

That's awesome. Might have to have a go at that myself. 

[Captain Chaos]

needs a top box and flip-up windscreen for that ultimate sleeper look

[lilredmachine]

I must say some luggage, tall screen and a MAG sticker would probably make it a far more suitable sleeper! Thanks for the comments, it's a simple thing but very effective. 

[Rene EFE]

Love it 

[lilredmachine]

Long time no see, a true Crypt raiding of a thread. Updates...

Finally got around to sorting[ish] the front end out. It's also sprouted a set of Blackwidow race bandit headers which are #Sublime#

I'm unfortunately selling this now. Corona virus is hitting hard and I cannot sustain toys like this. At least I have many memories of upsetting modern sportsbike owners with it.  

[Ivan]

One of the inspirations for my gsx6/11f !