750 cafe project

[beergood]

Finally got some more progress done

Finally got some more progress done

Painted the front forks and calipers. Here is one (pic kinda came out dark)

Also sanded and polished the tank.

And painted the front headlight bezel. This was kinda interesting. The 11 o'clock position had what looked like road rash. But I couldn't find any other evidence of a crash (this is when I was buying the bike). After taking this part off, I noticed that it was stamped Yamaha. So, how it ended up here is a mystery. Anyway, a little hammering, some bending and glazing putty made the damage a lot less noticeable. A coat of paint later and I don't think that I will need to replace it.

Still can't decide what to do with the wheel.

 

[80GS1000]

Looking great! Excellent work on that tank paint job - wow! :shock:

 

[Billyboy]

Tank kicks ass! Good job!

 

[beergood]

And some reassembly

And some reassembly

I get nervous when I have parts scattered around for too long. I had stared at eight bolts on my work table for about five minutes, thinking...hmm. Then the spark hit me, header bolts. So I did a little reassembly today, even though it is f'in cold out (it's nice to see progress, regardless of weather, and to know where my parts are).

Gotta say, engine polishing can be tedious. I am not going for a mirrored finish, more of a brushed aluminum to go with the silver paint. The fins are killing me, there is no great way to get in there, although I have had varying degrees of success with a couple different methods. I have a feeling that this will end up being one of those "good enough" type jobs.

Another thought, I painted the light bezel because it had been damaged, and I am really happy with the result. I think it looks way better than stock.

Yet another thought. I was originally thinking about trying out a bikini fairing, but after looking at it without the instrument cluster, I am really liking the line of the bike. I might opt for a small speedo, and possible forgo the tach entirely.

Unfortunately, there will be no more progress for probably five or six days. I am leaving town this weekend. Going to wonderful Cleveland, Ohio. I know, you all are jealous. And guess what I am doing there? Meeting my girlfriend's parents for the first time. Keeps sounding better and better, doesn't it?
Actually, I am looking forward to this trip. I think it will be a good time, and I haven't been out of town in months, even if it is just to Ohio.

When I get back, the carbs are going to get rebuilt, and more engine cleaning. Then I will begin the tear-down on the rear section.

I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. These are the things that I think would like to get done this spring/summer:

4-1 exhaust
Pods
Suspension Upgrades
SS brake lines
Some sort of turn signal solution (I have several ideas right now)

Things that I think would look cool, but am not in a gigantic hurry to look for. Just gonna see if they magically appear:

Spoked Wheels
Fork Gators
Clip-ons

Things that I think I am going to try to fabricate on my own:

Clip-ons
Rearsets

Once again, thanks to all that express interest, encouragement, and criticism.

 

[beergood]

More pics

More pics

 

[80GS1000]

I like those clubmans on there - gives it that period cafe look. Keep posting, this is good stuff.

By the way, do you do paint for others as well?

 

[Billyboy]

BRAVO!!!
Everything looks awesome!

 

[beergood]

I like those clubmans on there - gives it that period cafe look. Keep posting, this is good stuff.

By the way, do you do paint for others as well?

I agree with what you said about the clubmans, however, I think a carefully chosen set of clips and maybe new top yoke could also look sharp and allow me to drop the bike an inch in the front. These are just passing thoughts though, I am not actively searching for these items, just waiting for them to magically appear.

As for painting, I am still in, what I would call, my learning curve. I'm pretty happy with the way these parts are turning our, especially since I am doing them in my basement with rattle cans. Patience is indeed proving to be a virtue.

Two items that I am hoping to procure this summer are a mig wilder and a decent size compressor. Once I have more of a pro paint kit and get some practice on it I would be more than happy to paint for other people. I have had friends express interest.

I have also been reading a lot about vacuum forming with plastics (I have a lot of free time and my interests wander). I know that I am not the first guy to think this, but I am wondering what the potential would be for making my own parts (tail pieces, fairings, stuff like that). I think if I could do some decent painting, welding and fabricating I could hopefully make enough to fund my own projects. Not looking to get rich, just sort of break even on a hobby. I'm not posting these thoughts because I am fishing for validation, they are just things that I think about.

Thanks for the compliments.

 

[jonesti]

Beergood check out http://www.kustomkulturelounge.com/forum/. It's the GSResources of painting. My ADD kicks in all the time, too. I always catch myself finding a project ie: roadbikes, painting, racing, metal fab, mechanics, etc. and get so much satisfaction out of doing it myself. Really I think it's a form of narcissim! Last year I was staring at my Suomy Repli helmet and thought I can do it. An HVLP, 3 airbrushes and loads of paint bought, game on.
My buddies look at me pitbike racing helmet. color PORNSTAR PINK!

My, sitting on the shelf 1 too many projects, yet to be complete Arai

 

[beergood]

Curses to you Jonesti! Every so often the thought of my plain silver Shoei pops into my head, and I start to think "What am I going to do about that?" Now my mind is racing.

I am trying to wait to see what I end up with as the final (hah!) look of my bike, then I will do something to the helmet. Thanks for the link.

 

[jonesti]

Same to ya about the potato gun. How can I keep disguising all this as "home improvement" projects to the wife!

 

[beergood]

Same to ya about the potato gun. How can I keep disguising all this as "home improvement" projects to the wife!

You could always replace a drain/trap, and then accidentally buy too much PVC. In all honesty, that's was the impetus for me to start. My roommate's girlfriend dropped the head of her leg razor in the tub, and in her attempt to get it she moved the drain cover and it fell down into the trap. Attempting to fix it, I broke a PVC pipe. I had to buy the cement to fix it. After walking past the cement and primer cans for a few weeks I blew a fuse and went directly to Lowes.

Finally launched a couple potatoes the other day. I would like to give an accurate measurement, but they ended up disappearing into the distance. I would say they went well over 200 yards.

 

[jonesti]

Awesome. We're a sad bunch!!!! Sounds like your "that neighbor!" Right on! Everytime I'd fire up the XR50, without a doubt, the fuzz was on my street in 5 minutes!

 

[beergood]

The distance tests were actually performed over the Detroit river. I was trying to start a produce based war with Canada.

However, last summer I was cleaning out my back yard, tremendous overgrowth and mess from previous resident. It was a hot day, so I had on track pants and a tank top (I would never imagine going out in public like this). I was also enjoying a delicious PBR, and my dogs where hanging in the shade.

I had a decent amount of little twigs, so I fired up the Webber Kettle and started burning the sticks. Now, this fire was no bigger than one I would cook a chicken over.

Anyway, my dogs jumped up and started barking. I turn around and there is a cop in my back yard. A neighbor had called, saying that I was burning garbage in my back yard. I think I know who it was also, and they are a-holes that are always making noise. If it was really bothering them, couldn't they have just said something instead if calling the cops?

Now, I am pretty sure that a contained fire in a bbq grill is not illegal, but I was not in the mood to argue with a cop, especially since I was just about done anyway (the cop even acted like it was ridiculous that he was called).

The point is, there I was, covered in dirt, drinking a beer, in a tank top, with two mutts running around, burning garbage, when the cops showed up. I was that guy. At least I don't smoke, so I didn't have the Marlboro hanging out of my mouth.

Get off my land!

 

[80GS1000]

The point is, there I was, covered in dirt, drinking a beer, in a tank top, with two mutts running around, burning garbage, when the cops showed up. I was that guy. At least I don't smoke, so I didn't have the Marlboro hanging out of my mouth.

Get off my land!

Mountain Dew shot out of my nose when I read this. Sounds like a scene from this show. :lol:

 

[jonesti]

We should never met in person. I do believe we'd form a bicycle collecting, cafe bike riding, potato gun firing, PBR drinking militia.....
As proof, my belt buckle

 

[beergood]

Hah! Just picked this up, but haven't cycled it in yet. I have about a dozen or so buckles.

 

[jonesti]

Whooaaaa that's a classy one. All fancy and stuff. "Honey, get my good buckle out we going to Long John Silver's for Valentines!"

 

[beergood]

Well, I was going to take her to Red Lobster, but maybe I'll mix it up this year.

 

[beergood]

gauge problem solved

gauge problem solved

Well, inspiration hit, and I'm pretty happy with the results. Instead of trying to find a new speedo, I took apart my instrument cluster and decided to use that. With the help of a Dremmel and some sheet steel, here is what I came up with.

These pics aren't the best, the batteries died in my good digital so I had to use the old back-up.

I am going to wire LEDs into the right hand side of the bracket to replace the dash lights. All in all I am pretty happy with the results.

I will try to roll the bike out into the sun tomorrow and get a good look at the line of the bike, and I will also try to take some more pics then.