Cosicud build, a restomod

[Hukmut]

OK guys, this one is going to be a little different. I am not exactly inclined to show yet another picture of yet another "found yard art purchased for $500". Been there did that. I have read all of the archived underground customizing stories and so, is one for the books. Pictures will be forthcoming (as soon as I can figure out how to post them).
Starting out with a '81 gl1100 that I redid a few years ago. After building my '99 Valkyrie with parts purchased online, I found that the '81 gl1100 was, well, (I do hate to say it) surplus.
Sold it to a friend. He stuck it up in a barn where it turned green and moldy etc.
Got the bug again and bought the thing back! He hadn't even changed the title!
Long story short (yeah, right) repainted it, installed an external alternator, and rode it down the highway and dropped a valve.
The next day, another friend just happened to stop by to see if I was interested in a '85 gl1200!
No, you can't make this stuff up!
Needless to say, a deal was struck and I was the new owner.
Talk about FUBAR! What a mess! Too ugly for pictures.
He was going to turn it into an electric bike. At least the parts that I needed had not been trashed.
So, out comes my damaged motor, in goes the 1200, plus the rear swingarm, wheel, front forks, and wheel, and now you have heard it all. Of course I am leaving out a bunch of the details, but that is where the pictures come in.
Why did I do all that work? Cosicud, that's why.

Ride safe y'all!
And I will provide pics and details asap.

[Hukmut]

Ok. So here are some pictures, as promised. Hope you enjoy.

Picture #1. Look familiar? '81 gl1100 yard art. Sat on a pallet for 3 years outside, uncovered. Purchased for $500. Was handed a bunch of receipts from some local shop for work done. After I got it home I began the process of "removing the ugly". The carbs had water in them. And the engine would not turn. Ok. The engine mounts were not entirely bolted together as there were bolts missing. Looked like someone had just given up or...
After a good soaking with MMO, I actually got the engine to turn by hand, up to a point when it would just stop. Here we go. A trashed motor. I removed the right head and found some rust, but, really, not too bad. Then removed the left side head. Someone had dropped a small screw into the #4 cylinder! But, no damage.
Which made me wonder...maybe the PO and the local shop had bad blood between them! Not my problem.
So, on to picture #2. Well maybe picture #3.

[Hukmut]

Admin: maybe this posting should be in Members Restorations and Projects? Please feel free to move it as you see fit.

[Hukmut]

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Fast forward. This isn't exactly what I was going for but...
The plan was to primer the "paintables" and then decide on a color. As it turned out, the primer and paint were right next to each other on the shelf at the store. Even had very similar labels. Had to look close to read the difference! Ok. Maybe a "rebel" kind of theme.

[5speed]

looks good...

[Hukmut]

Thanks 5speed. But wait, there is more...

[Hukmut]

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So, three guesses. Where is it?

[Hukmut]

And then,

[Hukmut]

In a "moment of weakness", (needed the money) it was sold to a friend.
I don't know if he ever rode it because, a year later I bought it back.

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[Hukmut]

Just what I needed, another project.
Meanwhile, this '83 gl1100 was found in a warehouse full of junk bikes, 3 wheelers and 4 wheelers as well as some other junk. Of course the bike in question was way deep on the far side of all of that junk.
Took all day. Sorry, no pictures of THAT adventure, but we did find a gym closer to home to do weightlifting.

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[Hukmut]

That bike became a donor as there was no title.
So, the wheels went to:

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As well as some color.

[Hukmut]

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And THEN:

[Hukmut]

What to do? Well, got the motor from the '83... Nah. The crud that came out of it makes it questionable.
And the comes my friend Fred! He just happens to have a '85 gl1200 that he might trade for a pair of solar panels!
Well, I just happen to have them. Done deal.

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At this point, I had already taken the engine out. He was going to build an electric bike out of it!

[Hukmut]

Engine swap time!
So, after reading all that there was on this forum, well maybe not all, about putting a 1200 in an 1100 frame, (actually, there is more about putting a 1200 in a 1000 frame), it then became a challenge. and a start. Why stop at just the engine? Forks? Would they fit? Swingarm too? yes! Let's just go for it!
Back in the 70's, I did just all that to VW cars. Most of the parts would fit. Why would this be any different?
Sure, there are differences, but the stuff that I had was close as far as I was concerned. What is there to stop me from trying?

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After measuring, I found that the forks, would fit complete with stops and lock mechanism.
Then the swingarm. It fit too! Just had to smack it once or twice to clear the rear brake master.
Next came the wheels. Oh, yes. And why wouldn't they fit? The brakes too! WOW! (it really does not take much to make me happy. )
All this '85 stuff on an '81?!

[Hukmut]

OOPS! Picture is of the old swingarm. Sorry