Thanks for watching! Yes, love Mr. Kortan (as this bike is now called). Still in my garage, though I must admit my body doesn't tolerate the riding position as well as it used to and I don't ride it much. Aging is a cruel joke that gets played on everyone.
I've got the same bike, 1978 Zuke 550e that I'm getting ready to build as a cafe racer with my 14 yr old son. I've always dug the old school "motorsickles". Rock on.
I think there's plenty of bikes to have both cafes and scramblers. Cafes aren't going anywhere. The beauty is that scramblers give old dirt bikes and dual sports new life.
hahah, i love the subtle humour.."if you have a youtube channel, you should never do it like this for obvious reasons.." lol. on a serious note, i paid someone 75 bucks to rebuild my forks, and aside from spending money, the worse part is that i doubt the mechanic was in the least bit careful not to scratch the surface when removing the seals... thx4posting!!
Wow man, the forks came out great! Really glad you opted to go the route of polishing instead of painting the forks. If you ask me it's gonna make for really nice look. Like you said, the contrast in finishes will make for a more appealing look. Sometimes people do go overboard with the color schemes and flashy bits, but hey, to each his own. I just wonder how long they'll stay looking that nice! Also, congratulations on a 1000 subscribers! I think it's well deserved and I've really enjoyed following the series. I found out about the channel because I have a '78 gs550 myself. It was actually the first motorcycle I got. It's in rough condition but I'm hoping to do some extensive work on it. Until then I'll be watching a lot of your videos!
Thanks so much for your comments. I'm glad you like the direction I have gone with the forks. I'll be polishing frequently in the years to come, but there's good Zen in rituals like that. Enjoy building your GS550. They're great bikes.
I don't know much about build quality but suspect they're fine. I love the look. Classic and a good pedigree. Size is nice too. Glad they didn't come out with a 900 or 1000.
Top job, I'm just about to do the fork seals on my rather standard gs550e , I'm in the uk and I bought a us import from Minnesota, bikes a great ride,imo cafe racer all the way,also Guitar players get the dexterity too, great job🤘
hey there. When you are removing seals you can use an open end wrench as leverage to get under the seal and pop it out. Benefit is that the tip is blunt and rounded so you have a lower risk of scratching the inside surface.
Hey there Mr. Urban Monk! Let me ask if you measured the size of hex head male tool's size. I do not have any impact tool, so would like to manufacture the spec tool for longer term :)
I don't recall anymore, sorry. Too long ago for my memory unfortunately. You may find the answer on thegsresources. Or on BikeCliff's website. Thanks for watching!
Hello Urban Monk. Watching you more one year, great videos. I buy gs550m and start make the same project. Can you spend few seconds in next video and show front wheel spacers and washers sizes? (which between fork and wheel) Thak you.
Thank you for watching! I've already recorded the video for the next episode, but I'll see if I can find a little time to add on the spacers before I edit. Will be a little over a week.
4 years after this video was posted. AND cafe racers are timeless. They will always have a place.
Thanks for watching! Yes, love Mr. Kortan (as this bike is now called). Still in my garage, though I must admit my body doesn't tolerate the riding position as well as it used to and I don't ride it much. Aging is a cruel joke that gets played on everyone.
I've got the same bike, 1978 Zuke 550e that I'm getting ready to build as a cafe racer with my 14 yr old son. I've always dug the old school "motorsickles". Rock on.
That's fantastic! Wish one of my daughters would have enjoyed this journey with me. Have fun with your son! How wonderful.
My favourite rebuild series no question. Can't wait to get back to work on my GS1100.
Wow! Great! Thanks so much!
Just stopped by to say hello, and revisit this video as I am about to do a rebuild on my GS 550 forks. Still love your detailed video's
Thank you!
I think there's plenty of bikes to have both cafes and scramblers. Cafes aren't going anywhere. The beauty is that scramblers give old dirt bikes and dual sports new life.
To answer your question, I think cafe racers will keep on living! I like your analogy comparing to jazz music
hahah, i love the subtle humour.."if you have a youtube channel, you should never do it like this for obvious reasons.." lol. on a serious note, i paid someone 75 bucks to rebuild my forks, and aside from spending money, the worse part is that i doubt the mechanic was in the least bit careful not to scratch the surface when removing the seals... thx4posting!!
I can only be serious for so long. 😄
great job on the forks
Thank you! When I get my clutch sorted I can take it for a spin and see how they feel.
seems to me the cafe racer is still loved by many, and if vintage even better. 2020
Café or no-way lol and bobbers are cool as well !!
Wow man, the forks came out great! Really glad you opted to go the route of polishing instead of painting the forks. If you ask me it's gonna make for really nice look. Like you said, the contrast in finishes will make for a more appealing look. Sometimes people do go overboard with the color schemes and flashy bits, but hey, to each his own. I just wonder how long they'll stay looking that nice!
Also, congratulations on a 1000 subscribers! I think it's well deserved and I've really enjoyed following the series. I found out about the channel because I have a '78 gs550 myself. It was actually the first motorcycle I got. It's in rough condition but I'm hoping to do some extensive work on it. Until then I'll be watching a lot of your videos!
Thanks so much for your comments. I'm glad you like the direction I have gone with the forks. I'll be polishing frequently in the years to come, but there's good Zen in rituals like that. Enjoy building your GS550. They're great bikes.
What do you think of the Royal Enfield Continental? Great job on your bike , video, and drumming advice.
I don't know much about build quality but suspect they're fine. I love the look. Classic and a good pedigree. Size is nice too. Glad they didn't come out with a 900 or 1000.
Great series, man... this is a huge help. Did you ever find out the size of that inner female hex? i've heard 19mm and 23mm conflicting
Thanks for watching! Oh Man! That was a long time ago. 19mm rings a bell, but at this point I can't trust my memory on it. Sorry.
Top job, I'm just about to do the fork seals on my rather standard gs550e , I'm in the uk and I bought a us import from Minnesota, bikes a great ride,imo cafe racer all the way,also Guitar players get the dexterity too, great job🤘
Ah Minnesota...Land of 10,000 lakes and 107 vintage Suzukis under $1000. 😄
Cafe all the way 👍
hey there. When you are removing seals you can use an open end wrench as leverage to get under the seal and pop it out. Benefit is that the tip is blunt and rounded so you have a lower risk of scratching the inside surface.
Excellent idea! Thanks for sharing! Learn something new every day.
Hey there Mr. Urban Monk! Let me ask if you measured the size of hex head male tool's size. I do not have any impact tool, so would like to manufacture the spec tool for longer term :)
I don't recall anymore, sorry. Too long ago for my memory unfortunately. You may find the answer on thegsresources. Or on BikeCliff's website. Thanks for watching!
Hello Urban Monk. Watching you more one year, great videos. I buy gs550m and start make the same project. Can you spend few seconds in next video and show front wheel spacers and washers sizes? (which between fork and wheel) Thak you.
Thank you for watching! I've already recorded the video for the next episode, but I'll see if I can find a little time to add on the spacers before I edit. Will be a little over a week.
Hi Kostya. Just want to let you know I detailed the wheel spacers in my latest episode - Part 69. Hope it helps you.
How much oil to one fork
I forget offhand now, but I know I cover fork oil volume in the next video in the series. ruclips.net/video/ce3y4cPM92U/видео.html
choppers live forever , the rest are fads imo
Thanks for watching.