GS1100- "Project NimRod"- Shafty

I will say i did like the grips.

Riders view

New grips.

Finally adjusted clip ons to comfortable stance. I thought 1 1/2 inch reveil of the fork tubes above the tree was to much for me. So I brought it to 1 inch. Looks like I will have sufficient clearance for headers.

I found I had a bad clutch cable. But this is ok since I need the new one to be 8 inches shorter than stock.

Ill post pics tomorrow but here's what I wrenched on today.

Finish painted headlight, headlight mount, throttle housing, turn signal housing and triple tree trim cover with "suzuki" emblem removed.

Installed headlight mount and used CBR clip ons. I had to notch out a 1x1 inch in the headlight mount near the top hoop. I did this to leave some clearance for the clip on tightener bolt. OH, by the way...I flipped the headlight mount upside down to slightly lower the light and leave more than enough clearance for the clipons. All of the cafe racers I like had a lower headlight than the stock one on my bike.

I re-installed the fork tubes in the trees...about crushed 4 fingers! OUCH. I am setting the tubes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches above the tree.

Next on the list:

Finish installing spacers inside clip ons and find right riding angles. Install all forward controls and new black rubber and black aluminum grips.

Install headlight and birds nest of wiring inside.

Man..I wish I had a garage...doesn't seem like I got much done today but I also got my new plate, got my license and sold my tahoe. Busy.

Foot pegs without rubber...don't know what I'm going to do with them

Removed the fork tubes from the tree today. Removed the headlight, headlight mount and lower tree trim cover. Prepped and painted both levers, brake fluid resivour and triple tree clamps. I used the same black gloss engine paint with ceramic on all parts including clipons. This paint is pretty good and I'm very happy with the results. The etching primer covers very well too. I have taken apart the front foot pegs and decided to remove the rubber pads from the pegs. I wanted exposed metal pegs but haven't decided if Ill be leaving them raw or paint them. Might add some holes in the sides for something different.

As far as the seat fab goes: I am thinking of running the seat pan level from on top of the tank bolts toward the back. As it gets to the back frame, it will run slightly inside the rails. Then the separate bump stop will mount on the outside of the back rails with adjustment/removability to take a passenger.

Think I'm going to drop front end and bring the tops of the fork tubes up to meet the top of the handlebar clamps. It appears there will be a clearance issue with the clip on bolts and the stock handlebar clamps if I want to install them above the triple tree. If I install them just below the triple tree the only thing that might need modified is the headlight mount near the fork tubes. As you can see in the pic...there will be no clearance issues with the tire bottoming into the trees when lowered and inch or two.

Nice bike Octain

[Octain]

Its your bike, do with it as you wish.
Chop that ugly pile of crap and make it look good!

This is a shafty
Fun as hell, under a grand into it.
(but let it be known, it wasnt as clean as your L)

Bike stripped.

Not getting much done today..it's raining and I'm doing this build out of doors. I solved the cbr clip on size issue though. Went to Lowes and got some pvc pipe that I'm using as internal spacers. I don't see why they wouldn't hold up and they give the clip ons the approximent 1 3/8 inside diameter to match the fork tubes...before bolts are tightened down all the way. I split the pipe into two halves and cut them to the clip on width. Picture shows both halves taped inside to get final measurements. Also got a 1x8 poplar board to use as a seat pan mock up. It is the perfect 7 1/4 width to match frame. Spent $5 on the pvc and board and $17 dollars on Ebay for the clip ons.

Sorry guys...i've been out all weekend. I'll get some pics posted tomorrow and tuesday of my progress. I got my cbr clip ons from ebay which need some spacers as the fork tubes are smaller than the clip ons. I'm going to Lowes tomorrow for ideas. Any suggestions are welcome. My goal is to get lower fork tubes, head light, headlight mount, clip ons and spacders and air box side covers painted black. Purchased etching primer for all chrome surfaces. Most of the work will be sanding to accept the primer. Using engine block rattle can from Advanced Auto.

One thing I really would prefer is a different tank. I'de like a more square, cafe tank from the sportier models. I'de trade if someone has something better for this build. I've got my sprint gps tach and speedo ready to go and tested today. So away goes the gadge cluster! I'm debating on a tank and bump stop color..maybe white with a black panel and red striping. I don't know.

Looks good so far. Don't let the "it's to nice to cut up" crowd ruin it for you.

Ill make sure to get some pics up monday evening