R
ratdude
Guest
I love what your doing with this bike. Its all the details that really make a bike look extra nice. You should re-name the thread the power of elbow grease...
Thanks !
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Thanks !
R
ratdude
Guest
The Great Tail Light Post
The Great Tail Light Post
The problem , the tail light looks like poo ( Ya I know the droopy turn signal aint helpin , thats another post ) , and its broken .
It lights up just fine , it has a broken mounting post . Which will end up being two broken ones before its through
A previous owner tried to glue it already , nope , didn't take .
I decided to re-engineer things a little bit .
Suzuki built it with the posts molded into the tailight to give you that smooth looking outside .
I am gonna screw it from the outside , this gets a little hard to follow but I think you will get the jist of it .
Using a small drill bit I put a hole through the broken post , small is key , I don't want to tear up where the factory screw threads in .
Again hard to see but i drilled through the lens on both posts( symmetry rocks ! )
While I am at it I might as well clean this up , and fix the dent ( how in the world do you dent a reflector ? )
Reasonably clean and straightened out
OK , I used two chrome plated trim screws from a car for my little mod .
the screws are only to reinforce the posts a bit ( plus some ten minute epoxy on the broken one ) .
It still attaches to the bike the ORIGINAL way .
I also had to shorten the original attaching screws about a half inch per side so they wouldn't run into the screws I just added .
Some finished shots ( YES, the buffmaster 1000 does plastic tail lights )
The only caveat I can offer if you try this ( I assume its a common problem )
28 year old plastic is BRITTLE ! Drill bits have to be SHARP . You must go slowly and carefully or you will crack the lens !
Later
Rat
The Great Tail Light Post
The problem , the tail light looks like poo ( Ya I know the droopy turn signal aint helpin , thats another post ) , and its broken .
It lights up just fine , it has a broken mounting post . Which will end up being two broken ones before its through
A previous owner tried to glue it already , nope , didn't take .
I decided to re-engineer things a little bit .
Suzuki built it with the posts molded into the tailight to give you that smooth looking outside .
I am gonna screw it from the outside , this gets a little hard to follow but I think you will get the jist of it .
Using a small drill bit I put a hole through the broken post , small is key , I don't want to tear up where the factory screw threads in .
Again hard to see but i drilled through the lens on both posts( symmetry rocks ! )
While I am at it I might as well clean this up , and fix the dent ( how in the world do you dent a reflector ? )
Reasonably clean and straightened out
OK , I used two chrome plated trim screws from a car for my little mod .
the screws are only to reinforce the posts a bit ( plus some ten minute epoxy on the broken one ) .
It still attaches to the bike the ORIGINAL way .
I also had to shorten the original attaching screws about a half inch per side so they wouldn't run into the screws I just added .
Some finished shots ( YES, the buffmaster 1000 does plastic tail lights )
The only caveat I can offer if you try this ( I assume its a common problem )
28 year old plastic is BRITTLE ! Drill bits have to be SHARP . You must go slowly and carefully or you will crack the lens !
Later
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
The hack job side cover post
The hack job side cover post
Well, the side covers on suzy were not in the best of shape , both had multiple crack and both are missing the lower mounting tabs
Now I have ( in the past ) built up a inside shell out of fiberglass and done bodywork over the busted sections , but its time to get riding and Suzy looks like crap without these dang things .
Putting them on the way they are would be suicide , the crack would keep growing and the covers would probably just blow off the bike after the air catches them enough.
Sooooo , I am taking a cue from the atv guys I know , when they crack the plastics on their quads and such , they just drill a couple holes , zip tie it back together , and keep on truckin.
So thats what these pics are I zip tied the cracks and add a hole to the bottom of the covers to loop a zip tie to the lower mount on the bike .
If you are sensitive to such things , LOOK AWAY ! HACK JOB CONTENT .
Original shot of the covers when I got Suzy
Backside , under all that hot glue was some mesh , somebody tried .
AND a plastic welder repair job under that
Cracking at the upper mount
This pretty much shows it , extra hole is for lower " mount "
Other side is a bit worse ( more plastic welding )
Zip ties all over the place
Yes I used this pic in another post, No you didn't notice
Later
Rat
The hack job side cover post
Well, the side covers on suzy were not in the best of shape , both had multiple crack and both are missing the lower mounting tabs
Now I have ( in the past ) built up a inside shell out of fiberglass and done bodywork over the busted sections , but its time to get riding and Suzy looks like crap without these dang things .
Putting them on the way they are would be suicide , the crack would keep growing and the covers would probably just blow off the bike after the air catches them enough.
Sooooo , I am taking a cue from the atv guys I know , when they crack the plastics on their quads and such , they just drill a couple holes , zip tie it back together , and keep on truckin.
So thats what these pics are I zip tied the cracks and add a hole to the bottom of the covers to loop a zip tie to the lower mount on the bike .
If you are sensitive to such things , LOOK AWAY ! HACK JOB CONTENT .
Original shot of the covers when I got Suzy
Backside , under all that hot glue was some mesh , somebody tried .
AND a plastic welder repair job under that
Cracking at the upper mount
This pretty much shows it , extra hole is for lower " mount "
Other side is a bit worse ( more plastic welding )
Zip ties all over the place
Yes I used this pic in another post, No you didn't notice
Later
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
NO dirty garage floor pics in this post !
NO dirty garage floor pics in this post !
Cause we aint' in it !
Prior to a 70 mile shakedown run
Out on the lake ( SEE Suzy is self propelled again ! )
Nope , not done yet , but quite a bit closer
Later ( gone ridin' )
Rat
NO dirty garage floor pics in this post !
Cause we aint' in it !
Prior to a 70 mile shakedown run
Out on the lake ( SEE Suzy is self propelled again ! )
Nope , not done yet , but quite a bit closer
Later ( gone ridin' )
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
The handlebars part 1
The handlebars part 1
when last we left Suzy....
Yes the splendor , notice that old school single mirror ? Yup looks cool , also leaves a wicked blind spot ( yup I AM getting old ) . the stock handgrips , although a marvel of 82 technology are just too dang small for my hands ( OLD I tell ya ) . Also the handlebars and the chrome hardware have developed a lovely Patina , gonna fix that too .
Patina
Quick which one of these screws is not to japanese specs ?
Answer: the one that didn't self destruct on removal
Yup , that should do it
Enter the Buffmaster ( new wheel , woot ! )
Some rat rodder , somewhere is screaming NOOOOOOOO about now
Rat
The handlebars part 1
when last we left Suzy....
Yes the splendor , notice that old school single mirror ? Yup looks cool , also leaves a wicked blind spot ( yup I AM getting old ) . the stock handgrips , although a marvel of 82 technology are just too dang small for my hands ( OLD I tell ya ) . Also the handlebars and the chrome hardware have developed a lovely Patina , gonna fix that too .
Patina
Quick which one of these screws is not to japanese specs ?
Answer: the one that didn't self destruct on removal
Yup , that should do it
Enter the Buffmaster ( new wheel , woot ! )
Some rat rodder , somewhere is screaming NOOOOOOOO about now
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
The handlebars part 2
The handlebars part 2
Sorry made this a two parter due to pics
Patina removal
Hey , even the buffmaster has limitations
On to the money shot , not pictured was the new mirrors I picked up at Z1 enterprises and my spiffy new handgrips I picked up on Fleecebay
Later
Rat
The handlebars part 2
Sorry made this a two parter due to pics
Patina removal
Hey , even the buffmaster has limitations
On to the money shot , not pictured was the new mirrors I picked up at Z1 enterprises and my spiffy new handgrips I picked up on Fleecebay
Later
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
Stupid lil project #4
Stupid lil project #4
Short and sweet , yes I did both sides .
Rusty
Wire brushed a bit ( and blurred a bit lol )
And Painted ( rustoleum BBQ )
Hey , I get bored
Rat
Stupid lil project #4
Short and sweet , yes I did both sides .
Rusty
Wire brushed a bit ( and blurred a bit lol )
And Painted ( rustoleum BBQ )
Hey , I get bored
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
Stupid lil project #5
Stupid lil project #5
another quicky
Now you don't see em
Now you do
Through the miracle of Fleecebay I have cam covers ! ( sorry , it's one of my favorite parts of these motors )
Rat
Stupid lil project #5
another quicky
Now you don't see em
Now you do
Through the miracle of Fleecebay I have cam covers ! ( sorry , it's one of my favorite parts of these motors )
Rat
Steve
GS Whisperer
... Some finished shots ( YES, the buffmaster 1000 does plastic tail lights )
Nice to see I am not the only one that has buffed out a tail light.
This was on my son's 850 when we got it.
Before:
After:
Of course, other parts had to take their turn at the wheel, too.
Others simply got more paint than they did polish:
Then we traded the wheels to another member who liked the older style wheels and we got the newer ones.
Feels good when it's all done and on the road.
.
S
Skateguy50
Guest
Coming together nicely, looks great.
R
ratdude
Guest
Nice job on the son's bikeNice to see I am not the only one that has buffed out a tail light.
Feels good when it's all done and on the road.
.
Yup, Learned to buff metal in high school shop class , been addicted to the smell of tripoli ever since .
But the first time I did a tailight , I heard the chorus of angels sing
We on the road, but far from done .
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
R
ratdude
Guest
The 35 buck turn signal overhaul Part 1
The 35 buck turn signal overhaul Part 1
Sharp eyed readers that have checked out the pics of Suzy may have noticed the turn signals are less than wonderful shape , remnants of the bike's bash em crash em history I am afraid .
After more exhaustive research I figured the turn signals were built by the elves in the enchanted forest , and therefore hard to obtain . ( I have since discovered they were outsourced to the Smurf's )
Seriously , Suzuki's pricing on that item was WAY more than I figured it was worth . And the "motorcycle salvage" guys on Ebay are all smoking the same crack pipe . I perused the million or so 5 LED on a toothbrush head " custom " signals . Just wasn't feeling it.
I am weird, I know, but I LIKE the stock signals . I think they SHOULD stand out like a sore thumb. I WANT people to SEE the damn things when I hit the switch .
With that, I found a set of replacements , 14 bucks for a set of four ! they claimed to fit a GS850 ! woot !
The catch , they are Thailand aftermarket parts and cost me 20 bucks to ship to the states . I figured I had better odds with this than finding the Smurf Village , so I went for it
Guess I will make this a two parter due to my long winded intro .
The droopy signal in the rear . Seriously , do people sit on these things ? EVERY Japanese bike I have ever owned suffered from this malady . fixed the frame using the precision big honkin channel locks method .
Obligatory rear signal damage shot
And some front signal carnage
Later
Rat
The 35 buck turn signal overhaul Part 1
Sharp eyed readers that have checked out the pics of Suzy may have noticed the turn signals are less than wonderful shape , remnants of the bike's bash em crash em history I am afraid .
After more exhaustive research I figured the turn signals were built by the elves in the enchanted forest , and therefore hard to obtain . ( I have since discovered they were outsourced to the Smurf's )
Seriously , Suzuki's pricing on that item was WAY more than I figured it was worth . And the "motorcycle salvage" guys on Ebay are all smoking the same crack pipe . I perused the million or so 5 LED on a toothbrush head " custom " signals . Just wasn't feeling it.
I am weird, I know, but I LIKE the stock signals . I think they SHOULD stand out like a sore thumb. I WANT people to SEE the damn things when I hit the switch .
With that, I found a set of replacements , 14 bucks for a set of four ! they claimed to fit a GS850 ! woot !
The catch , they are Thailand aftermarket parts and cost me 20 bucks to ship to the states . I figured I had better odds with this than finding the Smurf Village , so I went for it
Guess I will make this a two parter due to my long winded intro .
The droopy signal in the rear . Seriously , do people sit on these things ? EVERY Japanese bike I have ever owned suffered from this malady . fixed the frame using the precision big honkin channel locks method .
Obligatory rear signal damage shot
And some front signal carnage
Later
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
The 35 buck turn signal overhaul Part 2
The 35 buck turn signal overhaul Part 2
The 35 buck turn signal overhaul Part 2
Ok read part 1 to make sense of this , more pics
Shiny Thai signals , ooooooo
Close but no cigar
But then I had a brilliant plan .
My Thai replacements are cheap , just as suspected , they lack any weather seals. the shaft is too short , the bulb is a cheapie , but the housing and lense is a dang good substitute .
OK , top of the blue line is the actual suzuki signal dis-assembled
below is my Thai replacement
This shot I removed the bits I won't be using ( more junk for the parts box )
And clean polish and re-assemble ( Yes, its that easy the seals and what not all swap right to the replacements ) No shots of the re-assembly , If this has your interest , I am sure you will figure it out
Oooooh, pretty ( the signal , don't look at the rusty bits )
Wonder why he painted the muffler ends ?
Too much chromy goodness ( is that a word ?)
another
there ya go , 4 "new" turn signals for 35 smackers
Later
Rat
Shiny Thai signals , ooooooo
Close but no cigar
But then I had a brilliant plan .
My Thai replacements are cheap , just as suspected , they lack any weather seals. the shaft is too short , the bulb is a cheapie , but the housing and lense is a dang good substitute .
OK , top of the blue line is the actual suzuki signal dis-assembled
below is my Thai replacement
This shot I removed the bits I won't be using ( more junk for the parts box )
And clean polish and re-assemble ( Yes, its that easy the seals and what not all swap right to the replacements ) No shots of the re-assembly , If this has your interest , I am sure you will figure it out
Oooooh, pretty ( the signal , don't look at the rusty bits )
Wonder why he painted the muffler ends ?
Too much chromy goodness ( is that a word ?)
another
there ya go , 4 "new" turn signals for 35 smackers
Later
Rat
R
ratdude
Guest
Some GS "candy" to tease people with
Some GS "candy" to tease people with
Just to antagonize :-\\\
A genuine Suzuki Dealer fiche !
Cost me a whole six bucks on Fleecebay .
Seriously , Micro-fiches are cheap in the computer age right now.
The readers (projectors) are a bit pricey however , but I happen to have a portable one .
Rat
Some GS "candy" to tease people with
Just to antagonize :-\\\
A genuine Suzuki Dealer fiche !
Cost me a whole six bucks on Fleecebay .
Seriously , Micro-fiches are cheap in the computer age right now.
The readers (projectors) are a bit pricey however , but I happen to have a portable one .
Rat
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R
ratdude
Guest
Thank You , and everyone in these forums . This site, and it's members, has had quite a bit to do with maintaining momentum on this thing .
It's hard to get discouraged , when you have a problem , and not only has it been covered MOST of the time there is a step by step guide on how to straighten it out .
Rat
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M
Macguyver
Guest
Well done!
Well done!
Wow, I haven't seen the bike in a bit, but it looks like you are definitely treating her right!
Job well done on the lollipop signals!
Pretty soon you will have her looking like she just rolled off of the showroom floor and you can seek councilling for you tripoli addiction.
By coucilling, I mean more polishing of course. Maybe there can be a GS group session? BYOP of course. (Bring Your Own Polish) :lol:
Keep up the stellar work!
Well done!
Wow, I haven't seen the bike in a bit, but it looks like you are definitely treating her right!
Job well done on the lollipop signals!
Pretty soon you will have her looking like she just rolled off of the showroom floor and you can seek councilling for you tripoli addiction.
By coucilling, I mean more polishing of course. Maybe there can be a GS group session? BYOP of course. (Bring Your Own Polish) :lol:
Keep up the stellar work!
H
Hornswaggle
Guest
Looking great! It's motivating to see you tackle it piece by piece, thanks for sharing your adventure.