South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

So i'm going to start my first ever bike build...

I do not have a great deal of mechanical knowledge or experience but I figure the best way to learn is to chuck yourself in at the deep end and learn along the way.

I've decided to use a 1985 GSX1100 EFE as the base and go from there.

Whilst trawling through ebay for a frame I came across this...


So put in an offer, it was accepted and then 48 hours later...


I can't claim credit for the Canine artwork, that came free with the packaging...

I was going to leave it there as far as purchases went but then the guy I brought the frame off sent me a link to this...


He made me a offer I couldn't so the swing arm should turn up next week...

This thread could/will be going for a long time as bits will be added to the project as and when the funds allow.
I thought I would share the project with you guys and hopefully you can help/advise me when along the way.

Update soon...

Forgot to add...

I have photoshopped together the type of bike i'm trying to build..... Street tracker type thing, obviously the swingarm is now different but this gives you a general idea...

that should look very cool when finished

I'm not surprised you bought the swingarm, ...

keep the progress pics coming and I look forward to seeing it one day ;) .

This looks like an awesome project. Hats off to you

Don't bother with the GS motor in the mock-up, get a GSX or GSXR motor - the later the better - or maybe even a GSX14 one .... I like the idea of the GS tank though ....

The Sladsided EF (without fairing) was the best Bandit before Suzuki even thought of Bandits!



Personally think, standard bodywork/paint job and importantly that big flat headlight but with modern wheels & suspension.

Thanks for the input Gents...

Badger - 'One day' indeed.... Don't hold your breath!

Moose - I'm gonna stick with the standard GSX1100 EF EFE (1135cc) Engine. As for the GS tank, got the idea from the bike below... a thing of beauty!



Graham - I've read up on the GS GSX series of Suzuki's and seen nothing but praise for these machines. Great reliability is something that has been mentioned over and over so that was a big plus for me.
As for looks, I want this bike to be a 'one-off'. No doubt I will change my mind 100 times on the paint work but that is a long way off yet. I do like how the frame stands out on that yellow bike thought!

Swing arm should arrive tomorrow so will put together with the frame and post up more pics...

that looks lovely

The only things I would want to change would be the exhaust (not a fan of that high level system) and then stick an original 70's GSX11e tail light unit on it ......

Primate wrote:

ooh, like the look of that

Nice to have a 'different' kind of thread on here...I'm sure theres loads of people quietly doing projects in their sheds......

The swing arm arrived... so straight to the garage to reunite it with the frame.


Next up I think I will get some forks. I've read that 1995 GSXR 750 USD forks fit well on the GSX but you need Honda 954 triples??!! Anyone have any suggestions?

Pretty much all air/oil cooled gixxer USD forks should just bolt straight on I think ... Might just need to changebearings. TL forks will fit too .....

I told you this could take a long time!!!! ;)

So.... I picked up a set of 93/94 GSXR 1100 USD front forks that came with the bottom yoke and stem, they need a quick clean up and new seals but apart from that, pretty good nick. Then I spent the best part of 2 months looking for a 52mm top yoke (without paying too much) I managed to pick one up for £30 from Ireland which just arrived and the result is....




Only rested in place but fit nicely me thinks!

looking good so far,

A well overdue update...

So since the last update I had to take the swing arm to a local fabricator (D.H.Townsend) as the previous owner had polished through some of the welds on the brace!

Once that was done, I jumped back on the web and brought...

GSXR 1100 Front Spindle
Bandit 600 Rear wheel with polished Rim (I can't afford spoked wheels right now!!)
Bandit 600 Sprocket & Carrier
RF600 Front Wheel with Polished Rim - Currently being straightened.
GSX1100 EFE Original Rear Shock (complete with Pre-load & Dampener adjusters)
Risers with Renthal 755-01-GO Bar and Bar Ends
GS850G Tank

So once I get the front wheel back I will have a rolling chassis. As soon as this is all together I will get some pictures up.

Sounds good

Without wishing to sound rude, isn't a bandit 600 rear wheel going to be a bit small? I thought they were only 4.00" or 4.50" wide? with a bike like that you really need a 5.50" or 6.00" rear rim to get a nice fat rear tyre in there .....

Though I used an EFE frame on the last versions of my Katana, and with a 5.50" Exup rear wheel I had to clean up some of the welds on the inside of the frame as the chain was just touching them ..... and you will also need an offset front sprocket to get the chain alignment right. Talon, BigCC, Village Bike Shop (if they're still going) or Straightline Racing should be able to help there

Oh, and those GS850G tanks were HUUUUUGE from memory - much bigger than the 1000s tank you've pictured before ;)

Keep going, and keep posting

TLS-Moose wrote:Sounds good

Without wishing to sound rude, isn't a bandit 600 rear wheel going to be a bit small? I thought they were only 4.00" or 4.50" wide? with a bike like that you really need a 5.50" or 6.00" rear rim to get a nice fat rear tyre in there .....

Thanks as always for the input Moose, I've gone as big as I can on the rear wheel. Any bigger and the tyre would be rubbing the brace work on the swingarm. I would like a fat 6" wheel on the back so as the build goes on I may have to say goodbye to the swingarm ( ) and maybe put an R1 arm on there???

I went for the 850 tank as i'm probably going to put a bandit 1200 engine in it (readily available and cheaper for spares compared to GSX1100 engines/parts) Bandit 1200's do approx 130 miles on a 19 litre tank. The GS850 is a 22 litre tank so less fuel stops and I like the look of it.

Will keep you posted.