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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Finally got some work done... here's a link to pix
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Message started by moondog on 04/25/08 at 21:13:04

Title: Finally got some work done... here's a link to pix
Post by moondog on 04/25/08 at 21:13:04

Thought you all might want to see some of the stuff I've managed to muddle thru since this list has been instrumental in getting it done. I picked up the bike for $800 back in October. It was essentially a work in progress. The PO had bobbed it some, made it a rigid frame, installed a Jardine muffler and new bars- then laid it down, denting the tank and scratching her up in a few places. With some pieces from this list and ebay, wisdom from the discussions on this list and some serious elbow work and a steep learning curve, I've managed to get a decent commuter. I humbly submit the links to pictures for your perusal and, hopefully, suggestions. Thanks everyone for the excellent resource this community is.

http://www.bikepics.com/members/moondog42/

Let's see if I can remember what all happened here:

installed shocks
purchased and installed front turn signals
fixed dent in tank
fabricated side tins from some sheet metal
bobbed rear fender
painted tank, fenders and side tins (Rustoleum enamel and a spraygun)
tore down carb, cleaned (thanks Savage Wahine!) and:
put Lancer's jet set in (thanks Lancer!)
1/3 white spacer mod
removed air box, slid battery box back and installed Lancer's new cone style air filter
installed Auto Zone air filter for breather
installed Auto Zone mini inline fuel filter
did the seat raise mod
added side plate holder/brake light
new rubber on rear
changed the oil and spark plug

All the changes netted me about 10% in power increase at TE and noticeable increase in torque in getting there. I'm thinking about trying to add a custom fabricated bag to one side so I can lose the backpack, and I need to work on the paint job some more, but for now I'm enjoying this Georgia spring!

Title: Re: Finally got some work done... here's a link to
Post by drharveys on 04/25/08 at 21:26:08

Very nice! Hope it rides as well as it looks!

May I suggest re-doing the seat in brown or tan? British Racing Green goes well with the lighter to medium browns, and it will stand out from all the bikes with black seats.

Title: Re: Finally got some work done... here's a link to
Post by Rockin_John on 04/25/08 at 23:06:10

Great job man! Especially if you are a real mechanical beginner or novice. I really think having personally tightened every nut and bolt, and knowing the workings of your machine is a very important step in the development of becoming a competent motorcyclist. Besides, in a case like yours you get to add personal touches and have the satisfaction of having done so much of it yourself! I've been a DIY guy all my life, so you get respect points from me. Hope you enjoy your riding!

Title: Re: Finally got some work done... here's a link to
Post by vroom1776 on 04/26/08 at 06:28:43

breather filter needs to be ABOVE the head of the bike. route it up by the front of the tank

Title: Re: Finally got some work done... here's a link to
Post by rpgpgmr on 04/26/08 at 20:26:44

Good job. Have plans to do a lot of that work myself ... just taking baby steps.

Title: Re: Finally got some work done... here's a link to
Post by steely on 04/27/08 at 13:41:06

I really like the screw-on plates you made in lieu of the stock side covers. Looks great!

Title: Re: Finally got some work done... here's a link to
Post by Jonny_Chicago on 04/27/08 at 13:56:07

Looks great! Super clean.

Hey I mounted that same license plate. Really like it. Why do you have two brake lights? How did you mount it on the lower shock? I used some angle iron/shelving braket to mount it on my lower shock bolt. The mounting bracket the license plate came with was so thick I could not get the lower shock bolt back on. Did you use an extender?

Jonny

Title: Re: Finally got some work done... here's a link to
Post by moondog on 04/28/08 at 19:10:13

Thanks for the responses. It was a lot of work, but I did learn a LOT by doing it myself.

I did mount the side brake light/tag holder to the shock mount- got a longer shoulder bolt at ye olde hardware store. Why two brake lights? Better visibility and to fill up the hole in the rear fender w/out having to bondo it out, etc.

Thanks for the comment on the side tins- they turned out better than I expected, fairly easy to do and inexpensive. And while I was painting, I just thru them under the gun too.

I like the idea of a brown seat with the British racing green too- Think I'll get someone to recover it for me. It would seem to fit the bike better.

Thanks again for the responses and all the help thru the process. I'll post some more pix when I get the bag worked out.

peace