Winter Homework build

[groupus]

so i've decided to call this build my winter homework because i'm new to wings and this will be a learning experience for me. I have one other bike (my first bike), a 2003 suzuki savage 650, that I have been customizing for the past 4 years. I've also helped with other builds like my friend's hardtail xs650 that I completely rewired, his new cb750 that will be a cafe, and my roommates xs650 cafe that is currently sharing the dining room with the goldwing's parts. So I kind of dove feet first into the motorcycle customizing thing. I picked up a 78 gl1000 for $450 at the beginning of january and it is already pretty well underway. The previous owner was asking $600 but he seemed to like the idea that i was going to get it back on the road again. I started the build in the introduction section here: http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=38362. I won't repost all of that here, put I refreshed the carbs (which are 1100s), clearing the blocked pilot jets, syncing the floats and bench syncing them. It fires up and rides but I have a lot more work I want to do. So far:
[*] bags and fairings removed
[*] carbs refreshed
[*] steering stem bearings cleaned and regreased
[*] front wheel bearings cleaned and regreased
[*] helmet lock frame tabs cut
[*] rear shocks disassembled, polished and springs painted with epoxy paint
[*] headlight fixed (fuse contacts were corroded)
[*] bought clubman bars, bar end mirrors and vintage grips
[*] forks disassembled and painted, waiting on fork seals and gaiters
[*] front brakes rebuilt, painted, new custom made brake lines
[*] lots or polishing and painting little parts

here are a few pictures. much more to come.

[Oldewing]

Nice work, guessing from you workshop, still single eh?


I USE too put parts in the house, but not for years. My KZ 650 would park behind my couch in my first place I had. Put a doiley on the seat with a vase and called it a end table.

[sunnbobb]

Hey! just cause yer single doesn't mean you HAVE to rebuild your carbs on the kitchen table... just sayin.. lol

[ericheath]

I'm married, happy, and clean them on the kitchen counter. You gots ta find the right one.

[groupus]

Well, luckily my girlfriend is pretty understanding. and seeing as how i'm not the only offender, i don't catch all the flack - thats my roommate's xs engine on the table

back to motorcycles: since i'm not a fan of the large stock gauges and i'm missing the speedo cable and the tach cable also needs replaced, i plan on ditching the whole mess for something simpler. and what could be simpler than this http://www.amazon.com/Bell-1006407-F12- ... B001FCFK5C? thats a 12 function bicycle computer that measures Current Speed, Average Speed, Max Speed, MPH/KPH Speed and Distance, Speed Tendency, Odometer, Trip Distance, Trip Timer, 12/24 Hour Clock, Scan, Auto Stop/Start. Available at walmart for about $10. I have seen people use these on motorcycles in conjuncture with standard gauges, but I would be using this solo. the only real downside is that i'm pretty sure the speed maxes out at 99mph and I would have to replace it eventually, losing data. i plan on getting the title mileage exempt anyway, since i dont know what it actually is. I think it would be a great alternative, what do the experts say?

I also plan on cutting down the original seat pan, reshaping the foam and recovering it since the current condition is horrendous. I plan on bobbing the rear fender and using and integrated taillight/turn signal http://www.ebay.com/itm/220854741717?ss ... 1439.l2648. whats the best way to shorten the rear fender? (the obvious answer being to cut it in half) it looks like some people have remounted it to point straight out, but it tapers so the fender is too narrow for the frame rails then.

[BearWing]

To me, most bobbers look silly -- but yours is gorgeous. It seems to follow the original spirit of the post WWII bobbers. Beautiful!

[sunnbobb]

I like both of your ideas for a budget conversion. I ran the same lights on the Vyper, just separated them. Most important is if they will fit with your design. The little speedo should work, I would be concerned with being able to see it at night. If you like, you can go to the nest level and use a mini cockpit from Danmoto. also, for idiot lights you can use a handlebar clamp idiot light cluster from an old Honda. I have one listed in the for sale section. You may be able to find one at your local bike breaker. Keep on goin!

[Charlie503]

when I cut any fenders I always leave it mounted and make sure the seat and lights are in place if posible. I find it helpfull to use a contrasting color tape to mask off a bit of the fender at a time and then look at it for a while. If its not enough or too much you can redo it or use a razer to cut it back. this will give you an idea of the final product and when your happy it will be the template for cutting.

1000's have a great fender for bobbing, good luck and take your time.

[confish86]

Would you like to try and adapt a rear fender from an 1100 wing. I have one sitting on my shelf doing nothing. Think it's black, I'd have to look. (yes it is)


OH by the way just put all your unwanted parts in a box & i`ll be your trash removal man

[Roady]

Looks like you're having a great time with your winter homework.

One thing though ... I didn't see a mention about timing belts. Did I overlook something?

[confish86]

Looks like you're having a great time with your winter homework.

One thing though ... I didn't see a mention about timing belts. Did I overlook something?

I was going to say something on that, but got side tracked on something else. I`m thinking while radiator is off , change the hose`s (upper & lower) can`t hurt.

[plumturn]

I have one of those bike computers on my bicycle. It is kind of aggrevating because every time you change the battery you have to reprogram the wheel circumference. I'll be keeping up with this build.

[Redneck72]

I know you are doing this on a budget but if you were looking for low profile guage that did not stand out a lot but still gave you everything you needed have you thought about an ACEWELL or a VAPORTECH.

Here is a Vaportech on a Zuk

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/at ... 1325260599

I think you can get the Vaportech for about $80 and if this pops up for you look at post 50 it shows the Acewell which has everything including the gas guage.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/sh ... 439&page=2

The one in this post is about $125.

Just food for thought

Paul

[groupus]

I have returned from a ski vacation at my friend's house in the Poconos a little worse for wear. nothing broken, but I am sick and sore from throwing myself down a mountain. I wanted to take advantage of the next couple of warm days, but i feel that i may be to incapacitated . I did, however, take advantage of his sand blaster while i was there to clean up my seat pan and my roommates frame. I guess i owe him that for helping me with the title issues. sand blasting was a pain and tore my seat pan up, but it doesn't need to look pretty.
I also found my fork seals in the mail, but I only ordered the main oil seal. do I need to get another "wiper" seal or can i just reinstall without it? My only concern is the height difference that would make. I butchered the old seals trying to get them out (pics below). I ended up putting the lower fork tubes in the freezer then running warm water over them and using a bearing puller.

so on to answer a few replies:
I have seen acewell and other digital speedos that are nice and relatively cheap, but the bike computer is more of a temporary means right now. I would probably consider this http://www.ebay.com/itm/260941789344?ss ... 1438.l2648 for the light, re-setable odometer, and thermometer option. i might consider a mini analog speedo for the future.
I also plan on changing the timing belts, flushing the coolant, replacing any hoses needed, and changing the oil; but right now i cannot access any of that since the bike is sitting on the center stand and my car's spare tire while i have the front end apart.
parts? yeah, i got parts. I have a bunch that I am going to post for sale soon including a very nice windjammer fairing just missing a turn signal and windshield. I'll keep a box of misc stuff that I will gladly unload at the end of the build.


ps. is i cut the fender, what to do about the little channel for the wires underneath? and what would be the advantage of using a gl1100 fender?

[confish86]

I personally would wait and get the wipers that sit on top of the seals. (Extra seal protection ) but you did mention getting fork gators (great protection) As for the 1100 fender, it's the shorter one, so maybe less cutting. Funny you would say about a vetter fairing, as I think just about everyone on this bourd has 1 or 2 sitting in there rafters. I have 2 plus a Pacifaco myself & 2 sets of bates bags & Honda Samsonite's. (Just sayin)

As for selling, I'd post the big stuff on craigslist, because shipping the big stuff is a real pain.