Blood, Sweat, and Beers

[audiojunkie]

(edits for post bookmarking)

Starting my build thread, since I'm getting more serious on this build. As mentioned in my introduction post, I got this bike end of summer 2018, and while I loved riding the bike, went back and forth on keeping it long term. I loved the naked wing look before getting it, and always thought the "wINgS CaN't bE cAFe'D, THeY're ToO hEAvY" criticism was silly, because on that logic just buy a modern naked sport bike...

Since getting it to the baseline of what I envisioned my naked wing to look like, the compliments and interest from people at bike meets and even just random pedestrians on the street has convinced me to embrace the bike and go all-in.

Going to catch up the build, but I missed a lot of photos because I had never intended to do a build thread.

• Phase 0: Make it my own Basic maintenance, aesthetic changes

• Phase 1: I am speed Weber 40 IDF and Ignition System

• Phase 2: 21st Century 'Wing Modernize electronics and controls

• Phase 3: What's my age again? Front fork swap? Brake and wheel upgrades?

Phase 0: Make it my own

Day I got her:

20180901_181035_6250D82E.jpg (233.37 KiB) Viewed 748 times

Early overhaul, valve clearance, cover gaskets, timing belt and tensioners. Guest appearance by my other money hole.

20181215_161347_5BFEB77A.jpg (188.17 KiB) Viewed 748 times

New house, new garage, and realizing there's a lot of things that need to be done on this bike.... Had fork seals leaking. In replacing the seals, discovered a PO had attempted to drill out the oil seals, and gouged the outer base badly. Had to find some ebay replacements.

20190427_180115_632B8AF9.jpg (177.76 KiB) Viewed 748 times

20190427_191850_9C743ABC.jpg (189.5 KiB) Viewed 748 times

[Fred Camper]

Good logic, one has to like the bike to be salified. Making so others like it is not so important. Watching with interest.

[audiojunkie]

Sandblasting engine covers and new lower forks to prep for paint.

20190428_130009_0A547199.jpg (340.97 KiB) Viewed 744 times

Turns out "cast iron" Dupli color engine enamel doesn't at all match the cap. But actually really liked the tone that came from it. Must have been attempting some carb cleaning. I ultimately brought it to a local guy who does a lot of Japanese carbs. He said they were REALLY dirty but he did what he could.

20190429_213333_A21DC332.jpg (232.07 KiB) Viewed 744 times

20190428_194248_713AFBF7.jpg (192.79 KiB) Viewed 744 times

Rough fit, liking how it looks.

20190501_165858_2A63AA5F.jpg (291.13 KiB) Viewed 744 times

20190513_212913_EBD13F73.jpg (164.79 KiB) Viewed 744 times

Not sure why photos aren't rotated correctly. Might have pulled off too much exif data.

[Fred Camper]

My head is off axis and your photos look fine. What are you thinking for crash bars, yours were kind of distracting for me.

[audiojunkie]

Bonus photo, while on vacation in northern Italy, saw tons of bikes while driving in the Alps, decided I needed to give that a try too. Would recommend.

20190524_142938_B1EB3E1F.jpg (175.85 KiB) Viewed 741 times

Wasn't a fan of the red, but not at all confident in my painting skills, decided to try a wrap. Went with the 3M Volcanic Flip (color shifts from a brown/copper to red/orange). Loved the wrap selection, doing the wrap myself was a mistake. Waaaay too many curves for a novice. You can see a tear on one side of the tank I just gave up on and accepted was going to stay there. Going to bring it to a local place later on to have it redone.

20190611_203137_3A483A2D.jpg (107.16 KiB) Viewed 741 times

20190613_194221_5CE8DDA9.jpg (174.56 KiB) Viewed 741 times

Rough fit of sportster exhaust, and final welded fit. First time welding anything that wasn't pure practice pieces.

IMG_20200304_190840.jpg (224.67 KiB) Viewed 741 times

IMG_20200310_184515.jpg (171.14 KiB) Viewed 741 times

[audiojunkie]

My head is off axis and your photos look fine. What are you thinking for crash bars, yours were kind of distracting for me.

No crash bars. Used them the first season, and just decided I'll take the gamble I don't drop it. Don't like the look, and want to keep Big Bertha here looking as lean as possible. Plus I picked up a donor engine end of this season already

Back to build: I hadn't yet learned the screwdriver trick on kickstand springs, so I did this redneck-engineering method. With safety glasses of course.

20200408_231434_D34F19FC.jpg (142.69 KiB) Viewed 738 times

This is the most "final Phase 0" picture I have. I ended up painting the headers black, but at the time hadn't decided if I was going to do an exhaust wrap or not. I'll have to get an actual "Final Phase 0" shot before I start Phase 1 in the coming month.

IMG_20200410_174915.jpg (319.69 KiB) Viewed 738 times

Other items done, but not documented, that I still can remember: brakes fully rebuilt, led headlight, smaller turn signals, Hagon adjustable damper rear shocks, Replica Ducati front fender of some kind, chopped rear GL1100 fender, ebay seat, lowered bars, honda supersport replica grips.

[Fred Camper]

Good progress for sure. Nice to keep your plan somewhat fluid so the search does not become overwhelming. Many nice features in your list above.

[5speed]

looks great..

[rcmatt007]

looks nice

[Fred Camper]

Congratulations on Bike of the Month for March. Since Phase 0 got BOTM, then Phase 3 might gain BOTY. Looking forward to more updates.

[joecoolsuncle]

looks good! im not a fan of someone destroying a motorcycle and renaming it something it isnt. you did a good job. and kept it real! you have a gift !
peace

[gltriker]

March,'23 BOTM

[Rambler]

Amazing .. I do applaud all the work and Congratulations on the BOTM. Well Deserved..

[ritalz]

Congrats on BOTM.

[wingrider]

Congrats on BOTM!