A New Life for a 1978 GS550

[Carman34l]

I have not really had time to do much recently. I have had to work on a few paying vehicles.

I did however pick up a new media-blast cabinet. Kind of excited about that! I just need to get a new air compressor and belt grinder and I will be in business.

Here are some recent scoot build pictures:

Started playing with how I was going to mount the rear brake






So I decided to replace the bulky factory caliper brace with a aluminum Heim jointed brace






I will be finishing the gas tank once my Acetylene and Oxygen tanks get refilled.

I cut some more of the frame, and you can see how I am going to re-work the rear of the frame by my handy cardboard crafting skills. I was a badass in kindergarden with a scissors and construction paper!





Well, moving right along! I should have all the parts ordered here in the few weeks. I am just waiting for a little more paying work to come in!

Scott

[dueller]

Media blast cabinet???

VERY envious of that. That makes cleaning things up SOOO much easier. I don't know if you have heard of using electrolysis to de-rust parts but found a link to this thread here and think I am going to be doing this to my tank as buying a replacement is not an option at the moment. On the hunt for a larger tank option. 160 miles is not really that far! Just a tip that I thought mite help. http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=95247 Wild lookin bike.

[Carman34l]

Very Interesting! I have been doing a lot of reading lately on Hydro-metallurgy. Specifically into removing plating without heat, and then re-plating or anodizing in a different metal.

The media-blaster will be mainly for rusted steel and corroded aluminum without removing any metal. I really hate the look of chrome and polished aluminum, so I will be anodizing or going with the brushed aluminum look.

I have been doing anodizing on a small scale for years, so thats no problem. Figuring out how to take a piece of polished aluminum and giving it a "grained" brushed aluminum look will be a learning experience. I am going to start with Stainless Steel Wool and rubbing in a straight line against the aluminum and go from there.

[Carman34l]

Well, I think it is about time for an update. I have not really had alot of time to work on the bike. I have spent the last couple weeks restoring a 1963 Yale forklift.









Now as far as the bike goes, I am 90% complete with the frame modifications. I relocated the upper shock mounts and fitted a new seat pan. I have the rear brake fitted.

I started looking at the engine getting a idea of what was needed for rebuilding. I noticed the valve seats and valves were in really poor shape. I was quoted a little over $100 for repairs. I found a engine from a 1981 GS550 for $50 so that is whats going in the bike. So I have a complete lower engine assembly for sale if anyone is interested.

[Carman34l]

[Carman34l]

[Carman34l]

Updated progress:

Finished the rear of the frame I just need to weld the rear plate/inner fender on. I still need to finish welding the gas tank.











Fabbed up the license plate bracket:

[Carman34l]

Started the tooling for the leather seat:







And I will be engraving this into the engine case:

[Carman34l]

I am looking for a set of dirt bike pegs or bmx pedals to replace the factory black rubber ones, any ideas?