GPZ 550 cafe build

OK, I am now thoroughly embarrased at the amount of work some of you guys get done in a sitting. Mind you, I did have to change the crank and cam-seals and timing belt on my MG ZT this weekend which kind of slowed things down! (excuses, excuses)

It's looking good Stu. BTW, how do you get your gf to work on the bike? I'm lucky if mine makes me a cup of coffee, far less applying her dubious mechanical talents to bike building!

paul, have to flatter her and her artistic talent, i am ok with a welder but when it comes to a paint brush i am

put most of it together yesterday




have since repainted the fuel gauge shroud and got rid of the pinstripes, looks a bit less superhero now, after a few friends suggesting i should wear a cape when riding it

still waiting for ebay exhaust and air filters to turn up, and wait for docs so i can get a new no plate made.

looks like i may be starting a new project sooner than i thought, i friend told me his dad has a 70s triumph trident in his barn that is for sale. could have some proper brit iron to play with soon

bigstu wrote:

looks like i may be starting a new project sooner than i thought, i friend told me his dad has a 70s triumph trident in his barn that is for sale. could have some proper brit iron to play with soon

Ooooh, real big boys toys! I had a BSA triple back in the day, awful bloody machine, kept rattling itself apart, but wish I had it now! Keep us updated, a Trident cafe would be a thing of beauty.

Had a good afternoon today mostly bolting on shiney things

ebay exhaust turned up, well chuffed with it looks like new! not bad for 35 beans.



air filters turned up at last as well



getting close now





waiting for a battery to arrive, a friend has donated me a headlight.

i need to sort out some front indicator brackets and customize the crappy std mirrors.

the end is nearly in sight, hopefully mot this week all going well

Hi all, nearly finished now

got a headlight off ebay in the end as the freebie one was rusty wired all up and shortened loom to suit.

had to order a new pair of indicators off ebay in the end as i accidently melted the n/s on while wiring up and it was on all the time and melted the plastic



side view with lights wired up



my fave angle of it



few more







just got to fit a resitors to the indicator circuit to slow the flash speed down as i am using led rear lights

hel performace are re-doing the rear hose as they made that too long first time around

got some bar end mirrors in the end (feeling lazy) cant argue with £8 delivered off ebay

However i have hit a brick wall with getting it on the road anytime soon. Went to see my mate i bought it off to get the paperwork......

guess what he cannot find it anywhere!!!!!!

going to have to apply for the paperwork so will be ages untill i get that back

cant even get a no. plate made without docs either

Whats worse i only know half the reg number as the plate was broken when i picked it up, my mate looking though some old piccies later to try and find a picture of the bike so i can put then number on the application form.

bit fustrated as the bike is nearly ready for mot.

AAAArrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

Had a major disaster with rear of the bike yesterday.

Patience got the better of me itching to have a ride on the bike loaded it up and went to my mates farm which has a decent private lane.

I seems i miscalculated how much the suspention would travel under my weight and under riding conditions.

Cut a long story short i hit a bump, rear tyre made contact with no. plate mount and got pulled forward along with the rear light.

which in turn pulled the mounts that attach to hump cracking the paint and filler below .

good job this happened at low speed i suppose rather than on the way to the mot station.

So got to now refinish seat unit again and re-stripe, then order another light off ebay.

will probaly just wind up the rear spring and stiffen the damper to combat the travel probs, will go to my mates farm again and test without lights fitted just too check.

On the upside DVLA called and said they will issue me the v5 with the reg, just have to take the bike in for a number check on the 10th