Say hello to ‘Dixie’

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sphen
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Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#1

Post by sphen »

I’ve been burning up the tech forum for a while now, but have been meaning to start a project thread, so here goes. As a way to post progress rather than ask questions - this is Dixie, a 1986 1200 Aspencade, 33k miles purchased for $300:
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Most of the body bits came in boxes - the PO inherited the bike from his father and was attempting to repaint and restore, but gave up and let it sit.
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After freeing a stuck engine (weather siezed), I started tearing down to just the motor. This will ultimately be a naked bike.
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I’ve had to deal with a good bit of water damage:
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Last edited by sphen on Wed Apr 01, 2020 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#2

Post by sphen »

Two bolts in the rear cover were seized and snapped off - ground out, welded up and retapped:
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Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#3

Post by sphen »

Engine stripped and sandblasted:
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Primed:
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Painted:
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Also cleaned up the heads and painted the covers:
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Last edited by sphen on Wed Apr 01, 2020 10:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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Track T 2411
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#4

Post by Track T 2411 »

Hello, Dixie! lolol lolol lolol
Looks like a fun project, and good progress. Soon you'll be able to "Enjoy the ride!"
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#5

Post by sphen »

Any way to rotate those photos in here? I uploaded on mobile (which looks fine) but on PC the rotation is jacked up...

Edit - photos fixed
Last edited by sphen on Wed Apr 01, 2020 10:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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wingrider
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#6

Post by wingrider »

If you are using an Apple product to take the pics, you need to edit your picture on the Apple product. By just tweaking it,(cropping is what I typically do) and then post it, they seem to post right side up.
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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Rat
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#7

Post by Rat »

Hello Dixie .... nice work so far ....

Gord
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‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#8

Post by Fred Camper »

Nice progress so far. Keep up the posts as we are looking to figure out how Dixie will look in the end.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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desertrefugee
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#9

Post by desertrefugee »

That's what I call rolling up your sleeves! Welcome!

(And Hello Dixie!)
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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5speed
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#10

Post by 5speed »

tag for updates. and welcome.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

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sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#11

Post by sphen »

Heads on, timed, buttoned up. Leak down test looks favourable! Tackling the carbs next..
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Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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Jonesz
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#12

Post by Jonesz »

I am liking the treatment you gave the timing belt covers and valve covers. Look very rich.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#13

Post by sphen »

Carbs rebuilt and reinstalled. Working on the frame now while waiting on some parts to come in so I can seal up and move towards testing the engine.
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Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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Rednaxs60
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#14

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Nice colour. Is the frame going to be a matte or gloss?
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1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
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sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#15

Post by sphen »

Rednaxs60 wrote:Nice colour. Is the frame going to be a matte or gloss?
It’s currently matte due to supplies on hand. Is there a right answer? Long term, is matte a bad idea durability wise?

Had thought about clearing it also.

Really wanted to have it powder coated, but I’ve blown thru my budget quickly and still have a ways to go.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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