1983_GS750E - Rebuild

[GateKeeper]

hi, i have used the aluminum rods, you have to weld fast or it globs up bad, i think it would be ok , maybe even if you drill and use helicoils for final threads

Thanks....

it will be my last resort, if I cannot find a welder to do it....

 

[GateKeeper]

Polishing

Polishing

Well not one to sit around, and I can't do much of anything else, I started to clean up bits and pieces and polish a few things...

I didn't take pictures of everything, maybe as I start assembly, I will take more pics of the other things that were polished....

Now I don't want a high and uniform shine (mirror) close, but even if it has imperfections, that is OK, I am not building a show bike, it will be a driver, and it will get dirty, and so on, but that don't mean parts can't be cleaned and painted and polished a bit....

So here is a small sample

Even this is too much and too good, the cavities still need to be repainted black as they were, to give it some contrast.


Ohh ya

I put these guys back together as well

 

[Guest]

That's some real nice work! :clap:

 

[SVSooke]

That's some real nice work! :clap:

Yeah nice work that seems vaguely familiar to me for some reason.
Still would have done the wheels gray if it was mine

 

[GateKeeper]

Come on now, it was not that long ago.....lol,,,I am just following in your footsteps...

Just taking my time, one bit here and there, actually I did polish up a few items last night, foot pegs, and those covers where the pegs go, some more nuts and bolts, and a few other odds and ends, I will take some pictures of it all,,,,ohhh ya even the fork tubes got a quick polish, now just the lower part needs painting.

I think I will assemble the swing arm, attach the mono shock, and rear wheel, bolt up all that, maybe even put together the front end, if I get the lowers painted.

.

 

[spyug]

still at least 3 1/2 months left to work on this thing.....

Bite your tongue, we'll be riding in 2 1/2 tops So you better pickup the pace. Actually, the way you are going it will be too pretty to take out riding. You'll get it all dirty. Best to move it in to the living room and tell the wife its "garage art"

I'm one to talk as I haven't even started on my projects yet. I'm feeling very lazy this yeatr and on those days when I get some energy the boss has me painting and decorating....all very annoying.

Well keep at it. Slow and steady wins the race.

Cheers,
Spyug

 

[GateKeeper]

Found a guy.....to paint the tins......and he will do the final prep work....

All parts done in a pearl white, for 350 bucks (cash) now I just need to come up with the funds, or go the rattle can route, ohhh the decisions...

I still need new tires, need to recover the seat, and any other small incidentals, this is more than I expected to spend, but if I stretch it out over the next few months, it just might work out.

Tires and paint can wait until the very end, I don't really need to ride the bike, and the tins can go on unpainted, just to get the bike to a finished state, hmmmm maybe even ride the bike to the paint shop, leave it there for the painting and ride the bike home once it's done....the shop is in the Niagara Falls area, so it would be a nice ride as well

ohhhh so many ways and things still left to do.....and as you say Spyug, slow and steady......

 

[Flyboy]

Nice work, those wheels look wicked, why not put the paint down yourself, $350 seems like a keen price, and you have come back, but there is nothing like admiring your own work, just go for it, You have done outstanding work so far, no reason you can't lay down a bit of paint

 

[GateKeeper]

Nice work, those wheels look wicked, why not put the paint down yourself, $350 seems like a keen price, and you have come back, but there is nothing like admiring your own work, just go for it, You have done outstanding work so far, no reason you can't lay down a bit of paint

Ohhhh this is cheap, compared.....the first place I talked to, wanted ONE Thousand dollars,,,,I just think they wanted to do the work....LOL

but your right, I could do the painting myself, just not sure on the quality of the rattle can paint, and durability, and so on.

I will have to spend some time, going to the local painting supply houses and see, who has what, how much and quality of the products. I am not going to get an air compressor, and spray gun, and so on, really don't have a need for it. I guess paying the 350 is the easy way out, but then I cannot say I did it all, so far it's been all my own work, well except the welding, but that is minor.....

no final decision has been made, so still time for me to get it done by me...

Thanks for the boost...........................

.

 

[spyug]

Well just to add some fuel to your fire. You can easily do painting yourself and save a bundle. You obviously have the skill my friend.

First off you can paint with rattle can both base coat and 2 part clearcoat top. Most auto paint stores now can supply the 2 part clear in a can. Not the cheapest ( maybe $35/40 I think) but it is what you need. My 750 which came in the same hideous burgundy as yours was done in black with Tremclad I had lying around and topped off with 2 part clear. The total bill would have been under $50 I figured (but I had the paint already).

Even if you go to a compressor and auto paint, you can come in under $200. The small 2 gallon compressors from Crappy tire that are often on sale for $50 or so paired with a HVLP gun from Princess Auto for $25/30 and you're in business.

I've done it both ways and while auto paint may be better, you can still pull off excellent finishes in rattle can and its actually less labour intensive since you don't need to clean your equipment after use. White is probably the easiest colour to paint so it should be easy peasy.

As far as trim colours, stripes and lettering, go see your local sign shop. They'll whip you up whatever you need. I had lettering done for my Kat project for about $25.

No need to spend your hard earned dollars. as they say, "Do it yourself and save"

Cheers mate.
Spyug

 

[GateKeeper]

@spyug

now that you put it that way, it just might be the way to go, I will have to do some research on all the stuff I need and see, I would just hate to get the equipment and all, do the work, and it comes out crap, then it's a waste of money, and I still need to get it done by a shop, so in the end it ends up costing more.

Thanks

 

[spyug]

You underestimate yourself my friend. You have the basic skills as you've demonstrated. You just need a bit more confidence.

Painting is not very hard but like most things it requires preparation. If you do a good job on the prep, the paint is the easy part. Most folks actually have difficulty with the prep. They are anxious to get the paint done so they rush it. If the surface is not absolutely flat and smooth it will show up in the paint so the secret is to sand, sand and sand some more. Once its like a babies bum, shoot your paint.

Prep also extends to your work area and tools. You need to make up some stands for your tins and have a work area that is setup for paint. I made up some stands from scraps of 2x4 and I paint on a table I made up from an old door and some saw horses. I also made up some 4x4' screens (1x2" frames covered with plastic) that I set up in a "C" shape clamped to the table to act as a booth) It keeps most of the overspray in one place. You also need some lintless rags or towels ( the blue paper ones from Crappy Tire i like) and most importantly, rubber or vinyl gloves to handle the tins (keeps the oil from your fingers from contiminating things).

Just take your time with it. Start with a small piece first, maybe the tail. Leave the tank 'til last when your confidence is up.

You can do it!

cheers,
Spyug

 

[Guest]

You definitely can paint it yourself, Spyug's got it spot on there

Here's some inspiration for you, keeping in mind I went the expensive 2K option for everything and ended up with three colours plus clear coat:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=182912

Yes, any noob can paint

 

[GateKeeper]

OK, you guys have twisted the proverbial arm enough, I will try the painting on my own.....It will take longer to finish up the build, as I will have to leave the painting for the very end, need to do everything else, she might look a bit ugly until it's painted, but I will do it....

I see there is a air compressor on sale at our local Harbor Freight place, we call it Princess Auto, and our Canadian tire has a spray gun on sale, and it includes a touch up spray gun as well, but I will hold off for now, as these sales seem to come up very often at both stores.

Good news on the frame, and engine welding I need to have done.

My dad made the parts to put where the frame is bent and a set for the other side as well, these are tacked in place, can't get it welded at the shop, ran out of gas for the welder, and since no welding will be done for a long time, no gas will be purchased, and stick welding, well it sucks at the best of times, and we can't weld aluminum anyways.

So today coming home from work, I stopped at a welding place, I knew of and past by for years, but never used them or stopped in. So I had a few pictures with me of the frame and the holes in the head and oil cover side, spoke to the father and son who are the owners and asked how much to weld up the holes, and weld up the stiffeners/gussets in the frame, well before the guy could give me a price, and I really need this done, I pipe up and say how about a Hundred bucks cash, I get a long pause from them both, and then "OK, being it in next week if you have the time, we will get it done for you......"

Cool, so I have finally found a solution for my troubled frame and engine, I figured the cost is OK, won't break the bank, and at least it will be a solid weld both on the frame and the holes in the engine. I will take the engine to the shop and have new holes drilled and tapped, going to put it on the milling machine so they are the right angle, depth and no worries of screwing it up.

It's coming to fruition, I am stoked.....

In the meantime I will continue with the bits and pieces.....paint/polish and so on....

 

[Guest]

Good news indeed!!!

One tip on the painting... if you go the 2K and compressor route, decide what paint you're going to use before buying a gun, then scour eBay, Craigslist, etc. and buy the best second hand gun you can afford or justify the price of. The cheap guns I used made it hard to get a good result.

The reason to decide on the paint first is the paint will tell you what size tip and pressure you need to spray at.

I'm still not on top of what you need in a gun, but the cheapy supposed HVLP guns from auto stores are not real flash, and that's what I used.

If that's all you can afford and get at the time, so be it, they did the job for me in the end. It just makes it more difficult than a quality gun will.

If I ever do it again, I'll be looking for a much better gun...

 

[nvr2old]

Not to discourage you at all about painting your own bike. There's a lot of satisfaction in it. But if you're trying to keep it affordable..$350 to have your friend do it is a rippin' deal. Seriously. Again, not trying to discourage you, just playing devil's advocate..:-\\\ It was definitely cool watching the progress on Pete's bike and the results he came away with. It's a commitment, though, eh, Pete?

 

[Billy Ricks]

Not to discourage you at all about painting your own bike. There's a lot of satisfaction in it. But if you're trying to keep it affordable..$350 to have your friend do it is a rippin' deal. Seriously. Again, not trying to discourage you, just playing devil's advocate..:-\\\ It was definitely cool watching the progress on Pete's bike and the results he came away with. It's a commitment, though, eh, Pete?

Agreed, you can easily spend $150 or more just for materials. I got my materials a few months back and spent about that and I know that's a good deal.

 

[GateKeeper]

Not to discourage you at all about painting your own bike. There's a lot of satisfaction in it. But if you're trying to keep it affordable..$350 to have your friend do it is a rippin' deal. Seriously. Again, not trying to discourage you, just playing devil's advocate..:-\\\ It was definitely cool watching the progress on Pete's bike and the results he came away with. It's a commitment, though, eh, Pete?

Agreed, you can easily spend $150 or more just for materials. I got my materials a few months back and spent about that and I know that's a good deal.

I am confused by your posts here guys.....

It's not a friend, just a place I found through another forum, called and was quoted that price, included was finish prep, primer, and paint, pearl white, clear coat, for 350, all pieces, including the tank.

So I don't know, you guys think that is a good deal, or still over priced ?

and I should get my own stuff, and do it on my own, as by doing it on my own I will save money, and have the satisfaction of doing it all on my own ?

Sorry guys if I am not understanding

I don't mind doing the work, it's just the stuff I need to get, I will probably never use again, and it will just sit there, then again it might be an OK thing, and I will save some cash, and if and when I need the tools again they are there.

 

[brslk]

If you have no plans to use the equipment again then $350 is a pretty good price.

how do you know you will never use the equipment again though?

Once you have decent equipment and learn to use it you will find uses for it.

but $350 is a pretty good deal considering the cost of materials and skill for a professional paint job.

I am curious what stuff you are talking about from PA though?

Bruce.

 

[GateKeeper]

They have a 2 gallon air compressor for 49 bucks

Attributes & Specifications
Motor 120V Max. Pressure 100PSI Air outlet 1/4" - 18 NPT Tank Capacity 2gal. Oil lubricated No Direct Drive Yes Air Delivery @ 40 PSI 1CFM Air Delivery @ 40 PSI 1CFM Max. Pressure 100PSI

and a similar one but 3 Gallon for 79 bucks