Gladius Cafe Racer - SV650.org

Stilo · 22-09-22, 11:30 AM

Ive bought a 2013 Gladius that has a fubared engine and needs some TLC as well. I bought it because I previously had a pointy which I enjoyed and I thought it would be a good basis for a project. I've got an upright bike (CF Moto 650MT does everything I've ever asked of it) so I am thinking of converting the Gladius to a Sunday morning cafe racer. As well as uprating the forks, shock and brakes etc the obvious bits will be clip ons, round headlamp, different exhaust, seat perhaps?.
Has anybody already done this, any advice and comments would be appreciated.
Alternative parts and compatability of other SV parts would be appreciated.
Thanks

mister c · 23-09-22, 04:54 AM

Sounds like a nice plan.
You could take a look on SVRider.com, it's the U.S. version of the Org. The Americans seem to customise more than the UK. It's also a great resource for ideas

Stilo · 23-09-22, 04:28 PM

Thanks, Ive looked on there but nothing that really floats my boat, just looking for opinions and views atm

gt alex · 24-09-22, 08:15 AM

Hi what are you trying to do?
Any drawings of what you are thinking, traditional flattish cafe racer hump seat or more Ducati style seat sweeping up.
I assume clip-on bars, maybe bikini fairing.
Are you reducing weight ?
My gen1 cafe racer is having a slow revamp at the moment.

Stilo · 24-09-22, 03:56 PM

Nothing definite decided yet, just looking for ideas and inspiration

Stilo · 03-10-22, 09:47 AM

Got the bike stripped down now, its got 50K miles on it, there's no stamps in the service book, I don't think that its ever seen any maintenance, everything is dry or seized, no wonder the bottom end gave out.
The bottom yoke bearing was as dry as a witch's t*t.
Ive definitely decided to replace the headlamp, will fit a round led lamp, I thought about fitting clipons but then i would have to get a different top yoke and I am not sure what would fit so I think I will keep the original yoke and use some ace bars. I dont like the cat & silencer so will replace them, probably with a black widow decat system and can. I've looked into fitting GSXR forks etc but I'm just going to uprate the springs and oil. I'm looking into replacing the rear shock, any recommendations?
I've not got the skills or inclination to mould a seat so I'm looking at off shelf cafe racer seats, again if anybody has any experience with this please let me know.
I will keep updating the post as long as people are interested
Thanks, ride safe

22-09-22, 11:30 AM	#1
Stilo Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Creaton Sunny Northamptonshire Posts: 290	Gladius Cafe Racer Ive bought a 2013 Gladius that has a fubared engine and needs some TLC as well. I bought it because I previously had a pointy which I enjoyed and I thought it would be a good basis for a project. I've got an upright bike (CF Moto 650MT does everything I've ever asked of it) so I am thinking of converting the Gladius to a Sunday morning cafe racer. As well as uprating the forks, shock and brakes etc the obvious bits will be clip ons, round headlamp, different exhaust, seat perhaps?. Has anybody already done this, any advice and comments would be appreciated. Alternative parts and compatability of other SV parts would be appreciated. Thanks __________________ He was a hairy handed Gent who ran amok in Kent Awhooo

23-09-22, 04:54 AM	#2
mister c Member Mega Poster Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crewe, Cheshire Posts: 2,317	Re: Gladius Cafe Racer Sounds like a nice plan. You could take a look on SVRider.com, it's the U.S. version of the Org. The Americans seem to customise more than the UK. It's also a great resource for ideas __________________ Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/croozenooze/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/colin.hughes.1213?ref=tn_tnmn Yoo Toob https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjG...eMWUx4Ud2dK-yA

23-09-22, 04:28 PM	#3
Stilo Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Creaton Sunny Northamptonshire Posts: 290	Re: Gladius Cafe Racer Thanks, Ive looked on there but nothing that really floats my boat, just looking for opinions and views atm __________________ He was a hairy handed Gent who ran amok in Kent Awhooo

24-09-22, 08:15 AM	#4
gt alex Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 95	Re: Gladius Cafe Racer Hi what are you trying to do? Any drawings of what you are thinking, traditional flattish cafe racer hump seat or more Ducati style seat sweeping up. I assume clip-on bars, maybe bikini fairing. Are you reducing weight ? My gen1 cafe racer is having a slow revamp at the moment.

24-09-22, 03:56 PM	#5
Stilo Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Creaton Sunny Northamptonshire Posts: 290	Re: Gladius Cafe Racer Nothing definite decided yet, just looking for ideas and inspiration __________________ He was a hairy handed Gent who ran amok in Kent Awhooo

03-10-22, 09:47 AM	#6
Stilo Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Creaton Sunny Northamptonshire Posts: 290	Re: Gladius Cafe Racer Got the bike stripped down now, its got 50K miles on it, there's no stamps in the service book, I don't think that its ever seen any maintenance, everything is dry or seized, no wonder the bottom end gave out. The bottom yoke bearing was as dry as a witch's tt. Ive definitely decided to replace the headlamp, will fit a round led lamp, I thought about fitting clipons but then i would have to get a different top yoke and I am not sure what would fit so I think I will keep the original yoke and use some ace bars. I dont like the cat & silencer so will replace them, probably with a black widow decat system and can. I've looked into fitting GSXR forks etc but I'm just going to uprate the springs and oil. I'm looking into replacing the rear shock, any recommendations? I've not got the skills or inclination to mould a seat so I'm looking at off shelf cafe racer seats, again if anybody has any experience with this please let me know. I will keep updating the post as long as people are interested Thanks, ride safe __________________ He was a hairy handed Gent who ran amok in Kent Awhooo*

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