Pics from resurrecting '81 Std with Vetter

[toomanybikes]

Here's the updated front end with fender, signals, and first pass at handlebar. I know the upright clubman bars don't ooze class, but I had one on hand and the ergos work for me and likely means that I won't *have* to rework the seat.

The headlight is a generic reproduction from 4into1. It's 7" but probably too small since the mounts need ~5/8" spacers on each side to keep all contacts points square. Also, the ring doesn't seal too well with the bucket, so I may replace it with something from Spring swap meets.

Still need to re-route cables/harnesses and get a front emblem cover to clean things up. Then rear work on the shocks.

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[Lowrider Bud]

I sure like the looks of that chrome fender. Looks like we're in about the same stages converting our GLs. I went to test fit the 900 fender on mine yesterday and determined I'll need about a 1" extension. I have a standard headlight/bucket from another project, but I'm not sure where to hide all the connectors and wires.

Thanks for the update. I'll be following your progress.
Bud...

[toomanybikes]

I sure like the looks of that chrome fender. Looks like we're in about the same stages converting our GLs. I went to test fit the 900 fender on mine yesterday and determined I'll need about a 1" extension. I have a standard headlight/bucket from another project, but I'm not sure where to hide all the connectors and wires.

Thanks for the update. I'll be following your progress.
Bud...

Yeah, I like the chrome front and it still works style wise with the plastic rear since Honda did the same for some CX500's.

For the fender extender I used a 1-1/4" 12 gauge steel strip from a HW store. Drill some holes and cut to length. Rounding off the corners more would make it look better. Clearance to the fork is pretty tight, so the fender should go inside of the bracket otherwise the bolt heads will hit the fork.

My connectors did not fit inside the bucket due to both room and available harness length, so I just tucked them behind the headlight. I'll probably make weather covers for each connector from an old bicycle inner tube.

The original fender had integrated brake line holders, so I don't yet have a solution for that. A simple p-clamp might do the trick.

[Jonesz]

I sure like the looks of that chrome fender. Looks like we're in about the same stages converting our GLs. I went to test fit the 900 fender on mine yesterday and determined I'll need about a 1" extension. I have a standard headlight/bucket from another project, but I'm not sure where to hide all the connectors and wires.

Thanks for the update. I'll be following your progress.
Bud...

Bud I think you will find there is room in the standard bucket for the wiring needed to run the headlight,signals etc. After all the bucket held all the necessary wires before the vetter was added on at the dealership. I know on my stripped 83 Aspy it was tight but they all went into the bucket after I removed all unnecessary wiring. If you can get them tucked into the bucket it cleans up the appearance quite a bit.

[toomanybikes]

Bud I think you will find there is room in the standard bucket for the wiring needed to run the headlight,signals etc. After all the bucket held all the necessary wires before the vetter was added on at the dealership. I know on my stripped 83 Aspy it was tight but they all went into the bucket after I removed all unnecessary wiring. If you can get them tucked into the bucket it cleans up the appearance quite a bit.

For me, one challenge in hiding all the wiring was the length (or shortness) of the harnesses, especially the one that comes off the instrument cluster. The aftermarket bucket I purchased only had a lower opening, so any wiring has to enter from the bottom.

If you haven't found a bucket yet, look for one with top or multiple openings

[toomanybikes]

Update - Front end now basically done, except for new brake line (always a good idea at 41 years old) and front badge (optional). I ditched the clubman bars since the existing drilled holes weren't going to work. Used the chrome bars, which are a little wide, but I have long arms so it's OK. One unexpected benefit of the bars was I can now run the seat in the forward positon, basically eliminating the need to tweak the seat positon rearward.

Still trying to get the HD shocks to fit. The lower left HD eyelet is wider than Honda, so it's either grind it to fit, get different shocks, or stick with the factory air shocks.

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[Lowrider Bud]

I really like the looks with the chrome front fender and bars and bullet turn signals.

Later, Bud...

[toomanybikes]

I really like the looks with the chrome front fender and bars and bullet turn signals.

Thanks. Hopefully it will be warm enough this week for a test ride, the driveway now mostly clear of ice.

The non-matching signals bother me, so I'll look for a pair of rear signals over the next few months.

Will show the rear end once I get the shocks sorted.

[toomanybikes]

Yesterday's warm weather let me get a test ride in, which provided the following observations:
1. The lightened front end and different bars (lower, further forward) really make the ride more aggressive. Let's not call it a street fighter, but it's not a highway couch either. I now have the seat in the front position rather than the rear.

2. The exhaust sounds so much better. I realize it's the same exhaust, but the Vetter (and almost every wind screen) always threw the wind at my helmet making the noise from the turbulence mask the exhaust note. Better sound equals an unexpected benefit.

On the downside, the starter clutch spun without engaging a few times during the first cold weather starts, so that may need attention later this year. I've done this repair before and know what I'm in for.

[desertrefugee]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but just went through your trials and tribulations. (Actually, not many tribulations, just a few trials). My 78 had the full Vetter treatment when I got it. I went down the cafe route, but I like the look of your naked 1100.

Interestingly, the 900C fender was a perfect fit for the 1000 - didn't realize the offsets were different on the 1100.

Nice, clean specimen you have there!

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[toomanybikes]

Interestingly, the 900C fender was a perfect fit for the 1000 - didn't realize the offsets were different on the 1100.

Oh, there were more trials than covered in this thread. Replacing the water pump took quite a while and the carbs took multiple iterations due to the press in jets.

It's pretty easy to judge the fender fit once you know what to look for. The mounting bolts on the GL1100 are just below the rim, but they are right at rim level for the CB900 and I guess the GL1000 as well.

Here's a stock image of the 900

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[Lowrider Bud]

I just measured the front tires on my '75 GL1000 and '82 GL1100. The '75 tire is 26" in diameter and the '82 is 27", thus the need for spacers.

I've already made the spacers so I can put the CB900 fender on my '82, but might put a smaller front tire on when it comes time for a change and remove the spacers.

Later, Bud...

[toomanybikes]

I just measured the front tires on my '75 GL1000 and '82 GL1100. The '75 tire is 26" in diameter and the '82 is 27", thus the need for spacers.

I've already made the spacers so I can put the CB900 fender on my '82, but might put a smaller front tire on when it comes time for a change and remove the spacers.

Yeah, total tire diameter can vary even among same sized tires. I've have two unmounted 130/90-16's, one Shinko 712 and one Kenda Cruz. The Kenda is about 1" greater outer diameter, unmounted.

[toomanybikes]

Rear shocks now in place. Had to grind down the lower eyelet of the LH shock to fit. Re-used the rubber and bushing from the lower left, put in new rubbers for all else. Easy to remove the rubbers once you have the right combination of bolts, sockets, etc. (see second pic)

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[Lowrider Bud]

Fortunately my bike came with H-D shocks already on it. I have the air shocks that were removed, but don't like fighting air leaks so I will leave them in the box they came in. If someone wants to rebuild them they can have them for shipping charges. My shocks are not as shinny as the one on your bike. Something I'll need to clean and polish when the bags are removed.

Later, Bud...