78' GS550 project.

[brslk]

So much information on this thread!
Thanks for all the pics and step-by-step updates, man ....
I'm glued to this thread and some others (sorry gates haven't even gotten around to yours yet, but I'm sure I'll be on your subscriber list soon!)
Bruce, my '77 may have looked like your '78 when I first got started, but you're way ahead of me and your mad-skillz are gonna be hard to replicate. But the inspiration is priceless!

Did you use shaping hammers on the tank? All I have is a rubber mallet, but to get those kinds of results, I'd consider it a worthwhile investment!

Thanks a lot for the compliments NerVet. All I used on the tank was a ball pein hammer.

Bruce.

[brslk]

Today I Had the day off ( I actually have the whole week off if I want it but not too sure I will take it off (no work = no money)) so I decided to do some more work on the tank.
I had to do a lot more sanding and some spot filling before primer.







I just wiped down the underside of the tank with acetone and primed it and once that was dry I flipped the tank over and primed the topside.





I noticed a few areas that need a little filler and definitely some spot putty but that was why I primed it. So I could see what needed what.

It looks pretty good and feels very smooth and straight.
I'm sure I have caressed this tank more in the last two day than I have caressed my wife in the last two weeks.

More in the next post->

[boontonmike]

nice work. never had the patience for body work yet.

[7981GS]

Looking real good.

Daniel

[brslk]

I did a couple of other things while waiting for bondo to harden and primer to dry.





I also cut of the chain guard mounts of the swing arm and started to remove the rust, paint and grease.


Tomorrow I want to get back to the frame and hopefully have it in primer by tomorrow evening.

Bruce.

[brslk]

nice work. never had the patience for body work yet.

Looking real good.

Daniel

Thanks guys. I used to paint cars for a living and now I remember why I stopped doing that.
I love the results when finished but it is very laborious and monotonous.
Not to mention all the crap I used to breath in all day.
My girlfriend used to tell me I coughed all night while I was sleeping.
An interesting bit of info: Auto body workers are second in alcoholism only to air traffic controllers.

Bruce.

[GateKeeper]

Why oh why are you so far away.........??????

Why can't you guys who do body work, prime and paint....be much closer....


Nice work there Bruce, looking really good

[brslk]

Thanks GK.
I am also thinking about what to use for tape on my wiring harness.
Hockey tape was what I was thinking but as you said in another thread, it might hold moisture in. Electrical tape is stiff in cold and sticky in heat as you said. So if you come up with a good solution let me know.
For now I am thinking of using a combination of flexible plastic wire loom, heat shrink tubing and some kind of tape.

Bruce.

[musicman]

Went through every page of this, looking great! Wish I could devote myself to a project like that, but I'm the guy who wanted it done last year and can't make myself take that much time!

[tkent02]

Thanks GK.
I am also thinking about what to use for tape on my wiring harness.
Hockey tape was what I was thinking but as you said in another thread, it might hold moisture in. Electrical tape is stiff in cold and sticky in heat as you said. So if you come up with a good solution let me know.
For now I am thinking of using a combination of flexible plastic wire loom, heat shrink tubing and some kind of tape.

Bruce.

There is some heat shrink electrical tape that is sold specifically for rewiring car electrical systems....

[brslk]

Went through every page of this, looking great! Wish I could devote myself to a project like that, but I'm the guy who wanted it done last year and can't make myself take that much time!

Thanks musicman. I'm really looking forward to it being done so I can ride it for a summer, sell it for most probably a lot less than I have into it and buying something else to start over with.

Bruce.

[brslk]

The tank is all ready for paint finally!





I started to clean up the top triple to get it ready for polishing.


How on earth did you sand this thing with all the curves GK?
I would gladly paint anything you wanted if you would polish stuff for me!
Move west!


Just for fun and to remind myself that all these parts were and will be again someday a complete motorcycle.




I had planned on getting the frame into primer but the wife got home at 6:30 from work with a roasted chicken from the grocery store and my stomach made me come inside.

More to come tomorrow!

Bruce.

[GateKeeper]

How on earth did you sand this thing with all the curves GK?
I would gladly paint anything you wanted if you would polish stuff for me!
Move west!



Bruce.

some paint stripper, wire wheel, small wire wheel brushes on the drill, and that was it, never even put it to the buffing wheel

move west....I was thinking about it......if shipping was cheap, I would send you my stuff for painting and I would do the polishing for you.....


.

[brslk]

I need to get a dremel one of these days.
Did you clear coat it when done?
Being aluminum it's not like it would rust but it would corrode.

Bruce.

[GateKeeper]

nope, didn't do anything with it, just left it natural, maybe I should have put a coat of clear coat for a bit of protection, it's still not bolted in place so I can still get that done..