UK lee
06-10-2003, 02:41 PM
OK , since soooo many people are asking about this coversion , i'm gonna re post all the details , and put some fresh pics up ! Hopefully the mods will make it a 'sticky post' and figure a way to stop the pics from dissapearing ! If they do , they can also be found here my online album (http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/bc/lee150969/lst?.dir=/My+Photos&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//uk.photos.yahoo.com/bc/lee150969/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bPhotos%26.src=ph%26.view=t) I fitted a Y2K gxixer seat unit and subframe on my '89 GSXR 7/11 'fighter project . It doesn't matter what frame your gonna fit it to , as the basic principle is the same.
I decided to do it the following way for several reasons .
1) Use the subframe that matches the seat unit - everything will bolt right up , with no problems , you can keep the matching front and rear seats , the seat locks , undertray etc , and all the little detail things that people overlook , like helmet hooks , and a battery tray , somewhere to put your bits 'n' bobs are all there .
2) Sould the worst happen , replacement is simple . Cuz your using a stock (un modified ) subframe - a new one will bolt right on in it's place
3) Any aftermarket goodies meant for the donor , will fit easily to your bike too, like a trick undertray ,funkey replacement lamps , a pillion seat ( or seat cover) ,pillion footrests or even those 'off the shelf' twin underseat exhaust conversions etc
4) Done with a little care & attention to detail , it'll look like a pukka 'factory' job .
Here's how i did mine ,
this is what you'll start off with
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/711_part_A_!.JPG
The next stage , is to cut off the existing subframe , and remove all traces of any 'lugs' etc , from the spars of the main frame . Bolt the seat unit to the subframe and 'mock' it up on your bike ( i used bits of wood & metal straps ) until your happy with the position of the seat unit.
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/P1310006.JPG
Next use some thick cardboard to make the templates for the tabs that will need to be welded to the frame , to accept the new subframe . Once they are spot on , cut them out of some thick ( i used 1/2" ) alloy plate , and once they are shaped and in the correct postion , you can get them welded to the frame .
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/Subframe_10.JPG
You can see that compared to the old subframe , the lower rails of the Y2K one line up nearly exactly with the main spars of the Slingshot GSXR frame - thus , the lower 'tabs' are dead easy to fabricate . The upper rails of the Y2K subframe are roughly 1/2" too far inboard , and as the main spars of the Slingshot frame kinda 'slope in' just at the point you need to attatch to , the upper tabs are slightly trickier to make - needing a bit of a twist , as well as an offset. DO ALL YOUR TEMPLATES IN CARDBOARD ! time spent here getting the templates EXACTLY right , will pay dividends later on ! . I then cut the fuel tank mounting strap off the original subframe , and re used it on top of my new 'frame tabs' , using the fuel tank to hold it in postion whilst i welded it onto the tabs
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/Subframe_20.JPG
I also extended the fuel tank with a couple of 'ears' so that the tank blended in with the seat unit , and also covered most of the upper tab - this got rid of that ugly gap which often remains when fitting a non standard seat unit . It was easy to do , and the result was exactly what i wanted to acheive
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/Subframe_30.JPG
Once all the cutting , shaping and welding was sorted , i tidied everything up with a good polish .
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/Polished_frame.JPG
Now all the hard work is done , and the panels are back from the painters , you can sit back and admire your handywork !
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS_20.JPG
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS121.JPG
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS51.JPG
I think it looks great ! , and there's even room for a 'sting' in the tail
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS131.JPG
Well , Almost ! - I'm using a 2/12 lb NOS bottle , and only a little bit pokes out behind the numberplate - i covered it in Carbon Fibre to match the undertray - Stealth or what ? !!
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS171.JPG
So there you go , hope this helps you guys who fancy doing a similar mod.
If you've got any questions or comments ( good or bad ) lets hear 'em !! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I decided to do it the following way for several reasons .
1) Use the subframe that matches the seat unit - everything will bolt right up , with no problems , you can keep the matching front and rear seats , the seat locks , undertray etc , and all the little detail things that people overlook , like helmet hooks , and a battery tray , somewhere to put your bits 'n' bobs are all there .
2) Sould the worst happen , replacement is simple . Cuz your using a stock (un modified ) subframe - a new one will bolt right on in it's place
3) Any aftermarket goodies meant for the donor , will fit easily to your bike too, like a trick undertray ,funkey replacement lamps , a pillion seat ( or seat cover) ,pillion footrests or even those 'off the shelf' twin underseat exhaust conversions etc
4) Done with a little care & attention to detail , it'll look like a pukka 'factory' job .
Here's how i did mine ,
this is what you'll start off with
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/711_part_A_!.JPG
The next stage , is to cut off the existing subframe , and remove all traces of any 'lugs' etc , from the spars of the main frame . Bolt the seat unit to the subframe and 'mock' it up on your bike ( i used bits of wood & metal straps ) until your happy with the position of the seat unit.
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/P1310006.JPG
Next use some thick cardboard to make the templates for the tabs that will need to be welded to the frame , to accept the new subframe . Once they are spot on , cut them out of some thick ( i used 1/2" ) alloy plate , and once they are shaped and in the correct postion , you can get them welded to the frame .
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/Subframe_10.JPG
You can see that compared to the old subframe , the lower rails of the Y2K one line up nearly exactly with the main spars of the Slingshot GSXR frame - thus , the lower 'tabs' are dead easy to fabricate . The upper rails of the Y2K subframe are roughly 1/2" too far inboard , and as the main spars of the Slingshot frame kinda 'slope in' just at the point you need to attatch to , the upper tabs are slightly trickier to make - needing a bit of a twist , as well as an offset. DO ALL YOUR TEMPLATES IN CARDBOARD ! time spent here getting the templates EXACTLY right , will pay dividends later on ! . I then cut the fuel tank mounting strap off the original subframe , and re used it on top of my new 'frame tabs' , using the fuel tank to hold it in postion whilst i welded it onto the tabs
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/Subframe_20.JPG
I also extended the fuel tank with a couple of 'ears' so that the tank blended in with the seat unit , and also covered most of the upper tab - this got rid of that ugly gap which often remains when fitting a non standard seat unit . It was easy to do , and the result was exactly what i wanted to acheive
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/Subframe_30.JPG
Once all the cutting , shaping and welding was sorted , i tidied everything up with a good polish .
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/Polished_frame.JPG
Now all the hard work is done , and the panels are back from the painters , you can sit back and admire your handywork !
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS_20.JPG
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS121.JPG
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS51.JPG
I think it looks great ! , and there's even room for a 'sting' in the tail
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS131.JPG
Well , Almost ! - I'm using a 2/12 lb NOS bottle , and only a little bit pokes out behind the numberplate - i covered it in Carbon Fibre to match the undertray - Stealth or what ? !!
http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/EPS171.JPG
So there you go , hope this helps you guys who fancy doing a similar mod.
If you've got any questions or comments ( good or bad ) lets hear 'em !! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif