First Street Bike Project - with a few questions

[GateKeeper]

hope your going to clear coat the cap, to try and keep the shine on it, and keep the finger prints off of it....

 

[Guest]

Hmm, haven't thought of that GK. is it possible to actually do that on something polished?

 

[GateKeeper]

I believe so, there are clear coatings that can be found, I used a semi clear on a metal part I polished up just to keep it from rusting, well more of a satin finish, but I did see clear sprays as well...

try it on something other than the cap first

somthing like this

I didn't polish mine like you did, but after I cleaned it up I used the varathane

but then I went black

 

[Flyboy]

It's not. I use it to correct my mistakes. Works wonders hehe.

Me as well, but it is starting to become damn difficult to see anything on the screen anymore.

Just razzin ya about the cap 'cause I are jealous.

 

[Guest]

No Flyboy, its best you keep us honest and not short cutting!

So, it finally got warm again yesterday so I started the painting of the plastics. I was a little worries because rain was coming and the humidity had risen by the time I got started. Well, sure enough, this is what happened after the first 2 coats.

This paint just does not like any humidity above 50%. So, I spent last night wet sanding all the pieces with 600 grit in anticipation of today's weather 71 and sunny Woot!

Here they are. Wish you could see them in person because these pic's just don't do them justice. In the light they have just the most beautiful, subtle metallic sheen. I love it.

And then to top it off, the wife and I went for a little Autumn ride to enjoy the scenery after work on the Yammy Stryker.

It was a very good day

 

[Guest]

Ok, it's time to put the OEM Suzuki stickers on the tank. Any suggestions or tips before I get started?

 

[Guest]

So much for tips

The tank ready to go. A quick mock up. She's coming together nicely.

Oh, and I fired her up too! Man oh man does she sound sweet. I was definitely blown away! Now I really can't wait finish up. I should of recorded it so I could listen to it over the winter haha. She fired right up to. Will need some tweaking as she ran good but not perfect. Also, the right two headers were blueing a little close to the head and gold further away yet the left two showed very little color.

So stoked!

Firing her up...

Finished tank...terrible picture though. Will get a better shot in the light tomorrow...

And the mock up. Ain't she sexy?

 

[BigD_83]

Looking good, Sci! Work to be proud of, for sure.

I can see the metallic flake in your last pic of the tank.

How long are you going to let the decals sit before you clear? i guess, maybe I should ask if one SHOULD put another coat of clear over the decals.

 

[Guest]

Good questoin but I haven't decided. From what I have observed with other 550M's, it appears the decals were not cleared over from the factory as older tanks I've seen showed peeling decals. Plus, I'm not sure of the procedure. I guess I should search the forums as someone's probably been there, done that already!

 

[Shwartz]

Looks great. Everything under your bodywork reminds me so much of mine. But your tank, seat, and plastics just look better.
keep up the good work.

 

[Guest]

Nothing a little time, money, and elbow grease can't fix Schwartz. Time to get busy

 

[GateKeeper]

I was going to put a clear coat over my decals, but they came late and tins were already done, now I think it's better not to have clear over them. I can always peel them off, put on others, different colour and so on.

yes be careful of gas spillage, for sure that will ruin them other than that I have no real concern in leaving them exposed.....

just my 2 pennies worth

 

[Flyboy]

Damn Sci, now you are stylin' for sure, that there machine of yours looks super sweet, congratulations on a superb job so far. WooooooHooooo.:clap:
Of course, you do realise, as soon as you bolt the last piece on, it is going to be a very loooooooooooong winter after that.
If you do decide to clear over the decals, make sure the first coats of clear are light, mist coats only, with good drying time in between, until you have covered the decals completely, then you can lay down a nice wet coat.
If you lay down a wet coat directly over the decal, they are going to bubble, wrinkle and give you all manner ill things that will make you want to put a gun in your ear and pull the trigger..................................ask me how I know.

 

[Guest]

Yeah GK, I think I'm going to leave them as is. I have heard doing it right is tricky and Flyboy just confirmed it. Thanks for taking one for the team hehe.

I can't believe how she just starts right up! Ive been snaeking away to the garage and just running her for a few minutes a couple times now just to hear her run. Now that I know she runs, I want to make all the necessary electrical mods outlined by Basscliff (coil relay and such). And yeah, I foresee a cold winters ride in my future. I Won't have the patience to wait it out Flyboy. Luckly, I just received a liner for my tour master jacket

 

[Guest]

Ok, tank is full of vinegar tonight and derusting while I head off to Chicago. New set of progressive suspension shocks are on order and will be going to pick up a relay for the coil relay mod tomorrow.

Question, where can I pick up a new gas cap gasket? Mine is crumbling but I did not see one in the the fiche.

 

[Flyboy]

Thick piece of rubber, a scissor and a Stanley knife.

 

[Missile99]

Ok, it's time to put the OEM Suzuki stickers on the tank. Any suggestions or tips before I get started?

So much for tips

Ha!!!

Sci,
The old bike is looking stunning. Your work is impressive. I'm glad to hear that it started. :dancing::dancing::dancing:
I surely like the way you took the project, keeping a lot of it stock looking but adding some flair in the form of the sweet tank, fenders and frame covers. Then again, it is not all about looks but what's on the inside. Good job on all aspects.

Tank gasket? Just ride it like you would a scooter, pokey slow and upright. You won't need one then. Okay, seriously, I don't think one's available. I'm going the route that Flyboy said, eventually. Mine is old and getting brittle.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, originally I was going to paint it back to the original silver but found that getting silver flake to lay down properly out of a can was very difficult. So i was looking around and found a nice black and yellow 550 kat and i really liked the look so I decided to try black with the original orange/red. I think it looks great with either color scheme quite frankly but the black was much easier to spray.

Yep, Flyboy once again comes to the rescue. Now, just to figure out where to get some rubber material!

 

[Missile99]

I was thinking a toilet tank flush valve gasket might work but haven't measured either that or the gas cap yet. That's the one thing I have spares of that comes to mind.

 

[Guest]

I was thinking a toilet tank flush valve gasket might work but haven't measured either that or the gas cap yet. That's the one thing I have spares of that comes to mind.

Oh, good idea Eric. I will run down to the local hardware store and take some measurements when I get back in town.