First Street Bike Project - with a few questions

[Shwartz]

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.

Hopefully this stands up to the fuel.

 

[Guest]

Ok, so I was at the auto parts store getting some hose clamps and ran across this little rubber 3M pad and thought, bingo! this is just the ticket I needed for the gas cap gasket. It's almost the exact thickness and best part is it only cost me 4 bucks! After about 45 minutes with a dremel shaping it and removing material it came out pretty good. Thanks for the ideas guys!

The pad...

The parts...worn out gasket on the left...

How lucky can you get? Almost the exact same thickness...

Almost done shaping. How did we ever get along before the mighty Dremel?

And all buttoned up and sealing!

 

[BigD_83]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I've heard people talk about doing this, but it is nice to have a visual before setting to it oneself. Keep us update on the shape of the gasket a year from now.

 

[Guest]

Just a quick update. The Vinegar didn't work that great and left a nasty flash rust after a couple of days. So I did some searching and found a post by someone to use a certain toilet bowl cleaner that contained hydrogen chloride. So I found some stuff at home depot called The Works but it only came in quarts. Good part was it only cost $1.98 per so I bought 4 and gave it shot. All I can say is that I was amazed. In less than 5 minutes the inside of my tank looked factory new. Really. Amazing stuff. Oh, but don't get any on your skin. Burns like hell.

So I put in the new petcock, installed the sender unit and installed the tank. No leaks and she fired right up again. And the bonus is the gas gauge actually works whoo hoo!

Now just waiting on the new PS shocks to come in and I will be ready for her first test ride!!

 

[Bevo]

Nice work on finding some off the shelf fixes!

 

[Guest]

Well, it's exactly one year and one day since my first street project post here. And I am for all intents and purposes done. All I have left is some rear blinkers and repairing a single tab on the side panels woot!

I took her out for the maiden voyage this week and true to form, she fired right up and settled into a decent idle. Sounded real good but she is somewhat lazy getting to 6 grand on the tach which I find unusual for a small bore engine. Seems like the jetting is a little off. But once she hits 6000 rpm, she really wakes up. I have not taken her to redline though yet. Gotta get a little more reliable miles underneath her first before I get that bold.

The front shocks were way too soft initially as well. I thought something might be terribly wrong until I got home and remembered these guys use air in them. Not sure if that was factory on this model but after adding about 17lbs per leg it felt much better.

And finally, there was something weird with the transmission. In 2nd gear, if WOT, once it hit 5K rpm it would either jump out of gear or slip real bad. If ridden "normally" there was no issue. And it was only in 2nd gear (so far at least). So, it looks like there's some transmission work for me in the future.

So, this project is winding down now. My plans are to paint the wheels black, tweak the jetting, sync the carbs and next year rebuild the engine. This has been a really enjoyable project and I thank each and everyone of you for all the help and assistance along the way. I couldn't have done it without you all! This was definitely a GS "group" build.

So, I leave you guys with the following. Please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving everyone!

As she arrived...

And as she rolls...

 

[GateKeeper]

What can I say,,,,

she is Beautiful.......

be proud of your work and hope you enjoy her for many miles......

now onto the next one.......

 

[cowboyup3371]

Very nicely done

 

[Guest]

VERY tastefully and skillfully done, I love it Sci, congrats!

Keep us posted when you get the wheels done black, I think that'll add another notch up to the wow factor!

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I think the black wheels will look really nice but that's gonna have to wait until the new year. Great and fun little scoot for sure. It's almost like riding a fast bicycle it weighs so little and turns so easy! If you;ve never owned a half litre bike, well all I can say is you are missing a whole lot of fun.

 

[wedoo2]

I just finished quite a bit of time reading your build thread and have to say thanks for all of the details. You have been patient beyond what most people would expect, and being pretty new to the forum I found several things that I will follow. The bike looks great and I appreciate all of the little touches you have made. Not everyone appreciates, or even likes, the different colors on calipers and such, but I do. And I'm glad you painted it black, much better than the silver in my opinion. Sure, there are not a lot of silver bikes on the road, but that is for good reason. My bud with the silver Victory wold disagree.

You will love your V-Star. Very solid bike, easy to work on and a rock solid motor. Good power and the Stryker just looks bad-ass. Congratulations on your build. Never done though.

 

[Guest]

Thanks wedoo2. I appreciate the kind comments. There are so many incredible builds and so much talent on this forum that's it's really amazing. I have learned more from this site in the last year than any other time in my past.

Terre Haute huh? Been through that town many many times on my way to Indy. Will have to stop by and share a brew sometime.

 

[wedoo2]

Well you'll just have to do that. I have a daughter outside of Springfield, Mo. Was over there last weekend. I know every tree on the way I think. Grandkids make you travel, you know.

 

[Shwartz]

Kind of sad to see this thread stop. I guess that's good for the OP

 

[wedoo2]

Do it again.

 

[Guest]

Working on it...See my post in the "other bikes" forum.

 

[dark7068]

wow,, awesome thread, thanx for pointing me to this.. this will help me so much on my build.