Eastern Spirit Garage GS750
By Ross Sharp - 03 Aug 15
Unless you're a 'Shed virgin you'll be aware of the process by now. Strip, clean, de-tab and loop frame, set-up trade account with local powder coater, stock-up on black paint. Obviously the guys have gone to a great deal more trouble than that, as is clearly demonstrated in these excellent photos. Once the frame was back from said applier of black stuff the bodywork started to take shape.
The tail and seat unit is traditionally café in style and perfect in proportion, with the tail light sunk-in resulting in a super tidy rear end. The arching line from here to the front of the tank is no accident, Lukas and Sylwester spend their fair share of time sitting, looking a bike in profile in a bid to achieve the cleanest and most flowing lines. They clearly have the eye, demonstrated here and also by Bike Exif who ran a feature on How to Build a Café Racer using an early build as a guide for aesthetics.
The slim and low GS fuel tank lends itself so well to this style of build and suggests speed, even when stationary. Also good to see is a break from the ubiquitous Monza cap, here a larger more vintage type is fitted, similar to those found on pre-war racing cars.
Being the '77 model twin discs were standard fit, but here the guys have beefed things up with callipers from a newer model, whilst the rear is more modern still, from a GSX, all linked by braided hoses. The wire wheels are freshly rebuilt to black powdered rims and stock hubs, using stainless spokes of course.
Clip-ons are free from all but the essentials, giving a more racy feel. The front brake master cylinder is from the parts bin and a good bit younger than the donor, upping pressure and overall stopping power.
As with previous builds the front lamp is from a classic Polish motorcycle, the projectile shape allowing plenty of room to hide the neat little speedo, dash lights and ignition.
The front end has been lowered properly, rather than just dropped in the yokes, and new rear shocks balance the stance.
There's no point going to all this cosmetic effort without treating the engine to a refresh so that was stripped and inspected. Testament to the Suzuki engineers and previous owners as the bores needed only a light hone and a new set of rings. Gaskets, seals and the timing chain were also renewed. Rebuilt carbs are now black, with machined aluminium mini velocity stacks. Header pipes from the larger GS850 were chosen for their tighter arrangement of curves and therefore improving visual speed. The single side silencer must sound pretty quick too.
With a quick scout on eBay it appears that there are still some unmolested donor GS750s up for grabs, but anyone who has embarked on a project of this quality will be aware of the potential financial pitfalls. Not brave enough or don't have the time? Drop the guys an email and ask about arranging delivery of this beauty, it's for sale.
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