78' GS550 project.

[brslk]

Hey Bruce...

Very nice job, they came out looking fantastic...

my opinion, is you either leave the bowls as is, or paint them to match the tops, polished will look way too far off from the rest as nothing else is polished on the carbs, your only going to see one bowl from either side, just my 2 pennies worth....

and I had one beer only tonight, OK, and a good stiff chaser of Crown Royal...lol

The more I think about it GK the more I am leaning towards painting the bowls black.

I took the night off from the garage so no beer for me tonight.

Bruce.

[Good Times]

I think painting them black would look better. It would match up. Seems like you'd either polish both the tops and bowls or paint both. Although I'm sure there are lots of exceptions to that rule!

Great work by the way!

[brslk]

Wow, that pine sol is indeed good stuff. I agree with GK. Paint the bowls. You may even want to lay down some silver or aluminum on the bodies. I saw some on this site painted that way and they looked amazing.

Pine-Sol is awesome for this. I was gonna use some stinky flammable carb cleaner stuff but was afraid I would blow up my garage when the furnace kicked in.
This is an excellent alternative that is safe and makes the garage smell piney.

I think I will paint the bowls black.
I was going to paint the bodies aluminum or silver but I kinda like the raw look.

The paint on the choke lever is a "raw cast aluminum" paint that I had intended to use on the bodies.

Thanks for the input.

Bruce.

[brslk]

I think painting them black would look better. It would match up. Seems like you'd either polish both the tops and bowls or paint both. Although I'm sure there are lots of exceptions to that rule!

Great work by the way!

Thanks Good Times,
I agree with you, GK and Sci about painting the bowls black.

I'll probably do it tomorrow and post pics. If I don't like it I can always wire wheel it and polish or leave as is.

Bruce.

[brslk]

I didn't get to the carbs and decided to get at the frame so I have somewhere to hang the parts as I finish them.

Tonight I snugged the frame to the bike table and got out some implements
of destruction.



Some of the removed tabs and stuff. I guess it's past the point of no return now.
I haven't decided if I am going to remove the helmet lock yet.




Anybody know what this bracket is for? there was nothing attached to it when I got the bike and the threads were so full of dirt I don't think there has been anything attached to it for some time.
(it is on the right side hand side of the frame)


This appears to be a bracket that a PO badly welded onto the frame for a steering stabilizer. (it's gonna go)


I had to quit after only 3 beers because the sparks and metal dust were flying and the wife's car was in there. I was too lazy to move my car out of the driveway and move hers out of the garage.



To be continued tomorrow...

Bruce.

[brslk]

I gotta ask, does it **** anyone off that I am cutting up a good 78' frame?
I normally wouldn't do it but this frame was already butchered when I got the bike.
The passenger footpeg mounts were gone and there were some badly welded in braces.

I almost feel bad myself doing such...

If only I found a clean un-butchered frame I would have restored it to near original as my wife wants to ride with me.

I'm thinking I will finish this bike and use it for solo rides and look for a larger GS for two up riding.

Bruce.

[GateKeeper]

I am OK with it.....

sorry if that is the wrong answer....

[Erki]

Anybody know what this bracket is for? there was nothing attached to it when I got the bike and the threads were so full of dirt I don't think there has been anything attached to it for some time.
(it is on the right side hand side of the frame)


I believe that bracket is for your rear master cylinder to mount to?

[brslk]

Anybody know what this bracket is for? there was nothing attached to it when I got the bike and the threads were so full of dirt I don't think there has been anything attached to it for some time.
(it is on the right side hand side of the frame)


I believe that bracket is for your rear master cylinder to mount to?

No rear master cylinder here though... a 78' with a rear drum.

Is/was it maybe for the airbox that wasn't there when I got the bike?

Bruce.

[brslk]

I am OK with it.....

sorry if that is the wrong answer....

There are no wrong answers to stupid questions...
Only stupid questions with ...

wait... are we in school again?

I agree GK but some people here are purists and I myself am a bit that way.

Besides... your opinion doesn't matter... (kidding)

Bruce.

[GateKeeper]

Hey it was butchered way before you got it, so your really not doing something more wrong...

ooops there is my opinion again......

never mind....LOL

[Erki]

Im not sure then, It just looks identical to the mounts in that location for my 77. Maybe they just put it there on all the frames...

[Redneck]

Maybe I missed it but is there any kind of filter that goes with those PODs. I say this because when you showed the picture:

I can see the Needles.

Seems to me that there is no protection from dirt and dust and not enough restriction on air flow. Inquiring minds want to know.

Paul

[brslk]

Good eye Paul! There are indeed no filters in that pic but there are filters that go behind the screens.
They are just so dirty that I had them soaking in dish soap and hot water when that pic was taken.

I'm not even sure I will use those pods. I'm thinking of fabricating one long filter that connects all four carbs.

Bruce.

[Redneck]

Good eye Paul! There are indeed no filters in that pic but there are filters that go behind the screens.
They are just so dirty that I had them soaking in dish soap and hot water when that pic was taken.

I'm not even sure I will use those pods. I'm thinking of fabricating one long filter that connects all four carbs.

Bruce.

I will have too look but some one took the plastic piece that connects the air box to the intakes and hooked up a single K&N filter too it. Said it worked great.

Not sure who did it though.

Paul