Suzuki GS 425 - Full Time lapse Cafe Racer Build

Follow my page @baycityrestorations on Instagram for more updates on this build as well as other bikes we are building!
I found this 1979 Suzuki GS 425 for sale on Facebook Marketplace. It was in very rough shape and pretty much neglected to the point that the bike would have been used for scrap metal if I had not come along and bought it! I removed everything from the bike and restored each part piece by piece. The frame and other components were powdercoated in a seafoam green and the tank and fenders were painted in Audi Nardo Grey.
Enjoy the video and let me know what you think of this restoration/custom build! #suzuki #caferacer #timelapse
Custom Cafe Racer Parts - www.caferacerwebshop.com?ref=baycity
Please see below for a full parts list for this build! (Paid Links)
Handlebars - amzn.to/33kV7rW
Headlight - amzn.to/3j5g4NP
Headlight Mounts - amzn.to/2EpHL4X
In Frame LED Taillights - amzn.to/3gleAxa
Rear Brake Light/Turn Signals - amzn.to/2Qjk0y5
Front Turn Signals - amzn.to/35EEqII
Gold Chain - amzn.to/2QkhZlw
Engine harness/cable wrap - amzn.to/2BIpjTF
Engine Paint - amzn.to/34oWbxd
Exhaust Paint - amzn.to/2QfI0SG
Grips - amzn.to/3le6cU6
Push Button Switches - amzn.to/2Ysiy0T
Benchtop Buffer - amzn.to/2YHwKDB
Cotton Buffing Wheel - amzn.to/2QhFfAu
Polishing Compound - amzn.to/31iN8Mo
Mother's Aluminum Polish - amzn.to/2QhPBAh
Ceramic Coating - amzn.to/2EpzNc4
Pod Filters - amzn.to/3lanRfm
Crankcase Breather Filter - amzn.to/2Yo6YnG
Bar End Mirrors - amzn.to/3hlUog3
Speedometer - www.dimecitycycles.com/2-5-bl...
Front Fender - Modified Original Part
Shocks - Modified Original Part
Exhaust - Modified Original Part
Seat - Custom Made
Special thanks to Dime City Cycles and Burn Up Company for supporting the build!
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→ My Channel Home Page: / @baycityrestorations
*If the video was helpful, remember to give it a "thumbs up" and consider subscribing.*

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thanks for watching! See below for a full parts list for this build! (Paid Links) Custom Cafe Racer Parts - www.caferacerwebshop.com?ref=baycity Handlebars - amzn.to/33kV7rW Headlight - amzn.to/3j5g4NP Headlight Mounts - amzn.to/2EpHL4X In Frame LED Taillights - amzn.to/3gleAxa Rear Brake Light/Turn Signals - amzn.to/2Qjk0y5 Front Turn Signals - amzn.to/35EEqII Gold Chain - amzn.to/2QkhZlw Engine harness/cable wrap - amzn.to/2BIpjTF Engine Paint - amzn.to/34oWbxd Exhaust Paint - amzn.to/2QfI0SG Grips - amzn.to/3le6cU6 Push Button Switches - amzn.to/2Ysiy0T Benchtop Buffer - amzn.to/2YHwKDB Cotton Buffing Wheel - amzn.to/2QhFfAu Polishing Compound - amzn.to/31iN8Mo Mother's Aluminum Polish - amzn.to/2QhPBAh Ceramic Coating - amzn.to/2EpzNc4 Pod Filters - amzn.to/3lanRfm Crankcase Breather Filter - amzn.to/2Yo6YnG Bar End Mirrors - amzn.to/3hlUog3 Speedometer - www.dimecitycycles.com/2-5-black-mini-mph-speedometer-w-black-face-led-indicator-lights-g.html Front Fender - Modified Original Part Shocks - Modified Original Part Exhaust - Modified Original Part Seat - Custom Made

[@wolfgangosse9226]

what about the seat please?

[@BayCityRestorations]

@@wolfgangosse9226 seat was custom made to order

[@wolfgangosse9226]

@@BayCityRestorations where can i order one please?

[@adamtolton6554]

Did you modify the original carb or buy a new one?

[@BayCityRestorations]

Modified the original carbs

[@seeyaontheroad]

It's always nice to see someone with a good eye, to take something that is basically dead, and bring back to life better then before. Nice job.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thanks man, I find the most enjoyment knowing this bike went from rotting on the side of a guys house to road worthy for many years to come!

[@ShadowRockers]

First of all, you did a superb job painting and polishing the engine/drivetrain parts. I personally know how much time and dedication is spent to attend to all of those little details. In the end, the extra time you spent making the engine bay look brand new makes all the difference in the world when looked at by others, and yourself. Secondly, the white and teal colors work beautifully together. Good on ya, my friend! Marcus Dragon Moto

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you for the kind words! I find painting, polishing, and refreshing the engine one of the most important parts to make a build look amazing in the end!

[@neilhamill318]

I must admit like a lot of people in the comments the color scheme is impeccable, but what really impressed me the most was the engine. 👍

[@BayCityRestorations]

Appreciate you watching the video! That engine was a labor of love!

[@user-hu9mz4yd6i]

こういうカスタムが❗有るんですね👍 外国の方々は、発想力が素晴らしいです てかやっぱりGSですねぇ😁 しっかり吸い込んでますね😃

[@ShooglyShedMotors]

Love, love, love that paint scheme. Nailed it bro!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Appreciate it brother!

[@estebanfandila]

@@BayCityRestorations nice choice, di you paint the frame or powder coated?

[@BayCityRestorations]

powdercoat

[@banmadabon]

I'm so in love with this bike (actually the gs 400 but it's practically identical...) that I thought that even "impossible" color combos could not alter the "coolness" of this Suzuki...Boy how I was wrong...That pistacchio shat from a seagull color is unbearable....Neither on a Le Mans Porsche works, and that is a death sentence as far as color schemes are concerned. I felt the "poisonous" solvent curling the marvelous original crimson red paint burn as it had been on my very skin...Sir you broke my heart! To me now you are of the Azog kin: Defilers, besmircherers (???) eehm baddies to be coincise (that word doesn't imply minor surgeries).

[@azcerbic]

beautiful resto & bike. love that exhaust snarl! you definitely took some unusual colors & made it absolutely work.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@adamozmin8970]

I can't imagine how satisfying it would be to finish a build like that, I get pretty chuffed when I finish an airfix model

[@BayCityRestorations]

Adult legos!

[@MrHatetheplayer]

I don't care much for motorcycles, but I can respect this build and the skill set it took to look that amazing. Just, wow.

[@TheSponge33]

Beautifully made custom, I adore this. Good job.

[@mickhenson1]

That's a great looking bike now, it's really inspirational. nice work

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@mitchmurrell753]

Over all, it got a great makeover. Like the dirt bike bars, clip ONS are not allowed! Nice minimalist approach.

[@NicGoldenEddie]

I’m sitting here screaming like weirdo. This really something!! Love it 🥰

[@BayCityRestorations]

Haha glad you enjoyed the build!

[@NicGoldenEddie]

@@BayCityRestorations it’s awesome. Inspiring. And it the outcome is gorgeous!!

[@Movieman1965]

Awesome build! Love it! The tank color scheme to match the bike is cool! I was cool to see you ride off on it!!!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! It was fun to do a color scheme that was outside of our normal style!

[@Jasperhemighty]

Love the simplicity you chose with your lighting. I have a gs550 I’ll be doing the same setup on. Your paint got me thinking though. Definitely stands out!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! Wanted to do something different than all the other bike builds I’ve seen. I do admit the white wheels are hard to keep clean though 😅

[@elvisburgerking8675]

That brought back some memories, I modified a 425 to cafe racer in the early 1980s. I got the bike very cheap because it looked so ugly and being 425cc moved it into the 400-750cc insurance bracket. it was a lot cheaper to insure in the 250-400cc bracket so 400four, 400N, GS400, and XS400 were very popular. surprising how similar it looked and sounded to yours when it was finished. I too chopped the silencers exactly like yours. i had drop handlebars on mine and the wheels were painted bright yellow and black. tank was red, and the Suzuki badge on it was also painted yellow & black. a chrome headlight and low single seat and i can't remember any other details. but the end result was very similar. i didn't expect anyone else to decide to modify one of these, especially now 35 years later.

[@BayCityRestorations]

That is really cool! Thanks for sharing. I just came across this bike by chance and thought it had an excellent frame to build a cafe racer from. Even though it doesn’t have a ton of power it is a blast to ride.

[@elvisburgerking8675]

@@BayCityRestorations it had a lot more power and speed than the 250cc bikes that most people were riding around on, back in those days very few people had bigger than 400cc bikes or if they did it was highly likely a CX500 which wasn't sporty at all.

[@joytekb]

Such a beauty alive again.And this hypnotic sound...

[@DriversSide]

I love the GS platform and you guys absolutely killed this one! It’s amazing!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thanks guys really appreciate it!

[@zur14100]

Hey dude, guys like you really inspired me, I really hope that you will have many followers, cause you really deserve it, I hope that God still bless you dude, I enjoy your work.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Really appreciate the kind words man! Hopefully we can find success on KZbin to help fund future builds!

[@apuuvah]

Cafe racer and/or street tracker is definitely right up my alley. I would love a light and (somewhat) off-road capable "cafe tracker" myself. Naked and minimalistic is the way to go.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Yea I would consider this more of a brat build. I have a BMW scrambler/tracker that is a lot of fun and very capable off-road. This bike would need a different set of tires to be more capable off-road.

[@wayne_smallville83]

Nice job dude... need full restoration for this bike ! Smooth paint... ❤️❤️ i love it !

[@thesighbored]

Cool color combo

[@MattMan362]

absolutely beautiful !! love the color combo, nice job man !!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@mattcero1]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes pictures so I can be sure it gets put back together properly. Wow, laying the motor on it's side to get the frame back on is an awesome idea! Dang! If anything else on this project, I'd take the slack out of those fork boots.

[@BayCityRestorations]

When you don't have someone to help lift the motor out of the frame laying it over on its side is the way to go! I have sold this bike but I just picked up a 79 GS850 that I'm working on next :)

[@mattcero1]

@@BayCityRestorations Dude, I'm envious and jealous at the same time at how easy you make this look. I hope you're making some good coin flipping these works of art.

[@DogGuy19]

Wow!! Awesome job! Thanks for sharing

[@hagebunshin]

Thanks for sharing this, beautiful bike!, great skills.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheAnsen555]

Beautiful

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@aquamarin6514]

Absolutely beautiful ! ..especially the polished alloy parts stand out from so many others - Chapeau !

[@saintloco8033]

What a cool colour

[@monkeyraven1617]

Only the Colors got me here, and i am surprised. Amazing result. But you know it yourself.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Much appreciated! I can confirm that white wheels are a lot of work to keep clean haha

[@joelonsdale]

Great looking bike, brilliant colour scheme and lovely minimal approach. I had a 1978 GS550 and the FIRST thing I would have addressed would be the pathetic drum brakes!!

[@MHLivestreams]

mine had a disk on the front, a 550E, i think mine was 78 as well.

[@joelonsdale]

@@MHLivestreams Yep, same!

[@BuhdaPunk]

I had a RZ350 with a RD400 power plant and TZ250 body work. Great video.

[@decab8292]

Simply wonderful that you have given this bike a new lease of life. Excellent job Gentlemen. Thank you for sharing your passion.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Much appreciated! Thank you for watching!

[@bryon764]

Amazing work!! Reminds me of Ducati Paul Smart.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@toyotafj4579]

woah, the colour scheme makes me feel like i'm in the 90's again

[@BayCityRestorations]

😂 definitely has a 90’s Miami vibe

[@barrykelly2722]

I think Norman Reedus would approve. I love it. Hard to believe what it was before. Liked.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@DancerOfClouds]

I agree, you chose a great color scheme. I would not have gone with a grey tank, but heck; it looks awesome. Well done. What a fun bike.

[@luiseduardoperdomoortiz9865]

Le quedo hermosa lo felicito

[@herojitwayenbam2928]

I love the background music

[@Painless61]

Your skill is outstanding and ìˋm a little jealous 👍🏽 What a nice motorcycle

[@ryburnsjr]

Beautifully done!!! 😀😀😀😀

[@martamp_el84]

Not to my taste really, but admire the amount of work put in. Good stuff!

[@orxansayilov3900]

that's my child dream :( good luck bro

[@raisermusic9329]

Very tasteful. Congrats! Well done. Thank you for the video.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Appreciate it! 🤙🏻

[@ordinarypete]

I’m so jealous. One, I don’t even know how to ride bikes and want to learn but feel it’s too late and two, I only wish I could make artistic machines like this. Lovely.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Its never too late man! Start out on a small bike or scooter and work your way up.

[@sasakiakon6787]

That's an amazing job.. and the color what a awesome decision!! But wasn't it expensive to redo the motorcycle again?

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! Some parts were costly but overall I am able to keep the cost of the rebuild low because I do all the work myself.

[@garycrisp429]

I definitely wouldn't have chosen the colour scheme, but it works and there is no doubt, its an excellent job and a brilliant transformation. If it was my bike, I'd have gone for an olive green tank and mudguard with a rust orange frame and black wheels to match engine. I'd do the same tank decal with rust orange & black stripe. The more I look at your bike, the colour scheme grows on me. Very impressed with your work. Great Job & lovely bike.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thanks for the kind words! My wife actually picked the color scheme for this bike. I thought she was crazy at first but once I saw the bike completely assembled I started to like it more and more. Definitely not a paint scheme you will see on any other bike around town 😁

[@davejacobs3932]

Very nice,well done. My Dad bought the 425e new in 1979 I was 13 then. I soon started borrowing it. When I turned 18 he officially gave it to me. I rode it for another 5 years before selling it to get a bigger bike. It was an amazing bike and really reliable considering the punishment that I put it through. You have done amazing work on this well done

[@BayCityRestorations]

That is awesome! I appreciate you watching the video!

[@tinolino58]

No rear mud guard: how do you protect the carbs and the airfilters from water and dirt?

[@BayCityRestorations]

Good eye! I actually had a rear mud guard that I painted Nardo grey and planned on attaching to the swing arm but it ended up being too wide and interfering with the chain. I still need to figure out a different option but for now I just don't ride this bike if it looks like rain.

[@darbyledda]

i love your bench grinder

[@BayCityRestorations]

It puts in alot of work haha

[@paul2482]

What a labor of love that bike is. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@BayCityRestorations]

I appreciate it! Many hours that go into these builds.

[@phillipsharpe6459]

What a sweet bike , and nothing better than a young lady to help you build it , she's a keeper, 😁👍

[@BayCityRestorations]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@puzzlemagnet1957]

What a thing of beautify, I love how u kept brown theme for the sit and motorcycle sleeves, so it remains all is a restoration the pass and the present. Gorgeous Bike

[@dwightnevins]

BEST GS425 ever ! COOL FINISHES AND STYLE

[@ilive4d80s6]

That's beautiful.

[@mikeg4501]

Love the paint job!

[@louf1025]

Phenomenal attention to detail. Great paint scheme. I would LOVE to own this bike!

[@BayCityRestorations]

I appreciate it!

[@thegasgeezer]

Those indicators are brilliant! Once again, cracking job, great color scheme, nice ☝️👍👏👍

[@sunnseeaker]

WoW, what a beauty!!!!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thanks!

[@diamondgeezer3933]

One word ....CLASS

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! 🙌🏻

[@viuki]

really love that frame color

[@BayCityRestorations]

It was fun to try something different on this one! I think it has convinced me to do some more cool frame colors in the future.

[@SgtBrewdawg]

Wonderful transformation and a beautiful build. Thanks for sharing!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thanks for watching!

[@joejitsumd]

that is absolutely beautiful

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@billybike57]

Well done, I wasn’t sure I liked the paint at first, but you hit the nail on the head!

[@gp92510]

180 crank

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

Absolutely stunning! What a rolling work of art!

[@BayCityRestorations]

I appreciate it!

[@DocBen19]

Congratulations for your best restorations.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dailee5949]

So beautiful! You are so good at color selecting and designing.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching

[@ramonaruiz6122]

Beautiful racer, great job.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@TheSpuros1997]

Now, that's a Christmas gift I would love to see under my X-mas tree 🎄

[@BayCityRestorations]

haha cheers!

[@ericmanongdo2841]

Workspace and build always so clean

[@chrislloyd4984]

Love the colour scheme.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@murielculbreth5976]

Nice build! I have a 79 gs550 in my garage. It's ready to be restored!

[@i_like_hobbies2301]

Beautiful. I absolutely love this build, Looks sick and sounds dirty. This is my new dream bike

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thanks for checking out the build! I’ve got another GS in the works now.

[@tommachinchick7266]

I'm not sure how anyone could look at the original bike...FAT seat and ape hangers...and see a potential cafe racer. But you did and it is a really awesome bike!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Really appreciate it! That original seat was like a sofa but it was so old the foam was rock hard lol

[@joshschneider9766]

Now you gotta do the ace cafe run in England. All the country lanes except for one are exactly as they were in the 1970s.

[@zacharyporter5639]

what an incredible transformation! really nice work! that bike is gorgeous!

[@BayCityRestorations]

I appreciate it!

[@jboreal7982]

Nice work. The footage was enjoyable, it’s formatted well. The bike turned out great.

[@Tehnarok]

It will be The Top of KZbin ! I love watch it !

[@GabsFZago]

Duuude, that thing is soo clean!

[@plunder1956]

Those massive apehanger bars & saddle must have been latter additions. That's such a sweet little twin. I love the indicators. It looks just perfect.

[@patrickbuildsalot5348]

Liking the colour scheme.🤙🏽

[@BayCityRestorations]

Appreciate it! Not your average paint scheme but I think it turned out pretty well on this bike.

[@stevenharrhy74]

You sir are a genius 👏

[@arnulfob3454]

Exilent video just exilent ! You have a great eye and do very good work . Well done .

[@cloakdaggercustoms3903]

Beautiful bike. This gave me some ideas as to what I should do with my 79 XS Eleven Special.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! I have yet to build a Yamaha but I could see an XS build happening in the future.

[@felixcat9318]

This was a really nice renovation and restyle that has given this motorcycle a new lease of life! Not only does it look gorgeous with that frame and tank combination and black engine, but it sounds nice too, in fitting with its new cafe racer looks. The indicators were excellent, and not having seen them before they certainly had a WOW! factor! Setting it off beautifully were the headligjt and speedo! Thank you for sharing your lovely build, subscribed.

[@BayCityRestorations]

I appreciate you checking out the video and taking the time to comment! This was a fun one to build! Many more bikes restorations to come this year 👍🏻

[@trevormartin5459]

Lovely job.So much hard work but justified by the end result.Love the colour scheme.Brilliant.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@charifchaud]

Super Papa 👍😎👍🌹🌹🌹

[@timothyahernRoxyCat]

Wow! A wizard.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@itsme-qs4fq]

Congrats !!! Amazing job !!!

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@afiqakhtar7033]

i dont know much about bikes. But, this is a freaking cool ride

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@canvids1]

Just awesome what you did from start to finish. Great work on your part making it into a new adventure, it looks great to, for sure.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@omarmendoza2214]

only talented builder can make this happen nice color scheme.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@theymusthatetesla3186]

Lovely! Particularly impressed by the colour scheme.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you!

[@Night_Spirit_workshop]

Perfect colors! Cool project, guys \m/

[@BayCityRestorations]

Cheers! thanks for checking out the video!

[@seanprahphet]

Nice! Thanks for sharing

[@troopershill]

Nice job, looks really cool. Love the Led lights

[@BayCityRestorations]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@arniepries6480]

FABULOUS BUILD!!

[@tinolino58]

Great selection of colors!

[@ballincurry]

GREAT JOB.

[@RantzCore]

Love every cafe build I see. This one is no different. I need to do my '83 Yamaha XS400 SECA up in a unique way that's me. Just needs parts and paint. Best wishes from West Michigan.

[@BayCityRestorations]

Awesome! Love the old xs400’s