plugged triple tree mod: removing the handlebar risers reveals the dampeners. the ryca cs-1 kit picks up these two dampeners, running bolts through them, facilitating the mounting of the speedometer and tachometer brackets. seen here in the middle of this photo


i decided that i wanted these holes to be filled and flush with the rest of the surface of the top triple trees. ill use the two holes located on the underside of the top triple trees to secure a custom bracket when i mount the tachometer.

dampeners removed:


removing dampeners reveals a small lip that is slightly higher than the surface of the top triple tree. there is a slight taper to the holes as well:



drilling out the lip reveals a small recessed lip:


the only way to flush this recessed lip is to drill it out:


both holes after removed dampeners; removed lips; and removed recessed lips (notice the holes do not go all the way through the top triple trees. the taper of the underside of the holes were left alone):


two plugs machined down from over size aluminum bar stock; one-thousandths bigger than diameter of fresh holes:


top triple trees with plugs in holes before pressing and machining:


pressed plugs:



machining plugs to be flush with top surface of top triple tree:


plugged top triple trees ready for powder coating:


very much worth the effort! so tight!!!

second time's a charm or practice makes perfect or i use butter-fingers as my excuse to huff fumes:

apparently i thoroughly enjoyed painting my headlight. so much so that i decided i needed to drop it when i was finished, laying a deep gigantic scratch in the fresh paint job! no worries i know how to fix it! ill strip it and redo everything i just did! awesome! and who says practice doesn't make perfect?

i followed this guide: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1302663006

and will follow it the second time around as well

two other inspiring videos from the guys at twinline:

http://vimeo.com/10019309

http://vimeo.com/17061373

and yes i agree we are indeed winning.

when i was visiting the ryca shop i noticed how ryan had his license plate mounted on his cs-1. its a dope idea and murders my bobber-esque license plate mount. i will have to copy ryan and save my license plate mount for my next build (yamaha xs 650 hardtail thank you very much!) AND THANKS RYAN!

mine:


his:

You've been busy.  

With your machining skills, you could spin those hubs to clean up the casting marks and other roughness. I had to settle for some grinder work and a lot of hand sanding.

exhaust (revisited):

nothing sounds like a ferrari. they have the best tone i think ive ever heard and believe me, i love the sound of a 454 super sport. who doesnt? the ryca upgrades to the jets, air filter, and exhaust which come with the cs-1 kit change the roar of the bike from a huey helicopter circa vietnam era sounding thumper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRd-yMT_5NE (@ 5:10) to a mean street racer.

unfortunately i was too excited when ryan fired up the cs-1 promo bike that i forgot to record and  capture the sound of its exhaust. it definitely contends with carpy's custom 4-to-1 exhaust system which is probably the ferrari equivalent of cafe racers in terms of exhaust tone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfv5F6K19yw

however i still believe the bike featured here http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/406169-new-project-cb450... has the best looking set of exhaust pipes. they remind of the weapons Javier Bardem's character in the film no country for old men uses to reek havoc...and they sound pretty good too!




the no country for old men style exhaust can be heard here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDmEXzLLZfE&feature=player_embedded