My GS1100 Project

[growler]

Nice work! I have no confidence with seat making. When I look at the lines of your bike, and this is just one person's opinion, I think the bump stop would look better with a tad bit more shaved down. Maybe it's just the angle I'm looking at...since it's on the side stand and all.

Sorry for the weak Photoshop work.

 

[Scratcher09]

Growler, I think you are right. I'm glad I read your post just now cuz I am about to start sewing up the vinyl. I am going to reshape the top first. That's why input is always welcomed. Thank you.

 

[growler]

Good luck, looking forward to your next round of pics.

 

[Scratcher09]

After Growler's suggestion, I shaved a bit off the top of the seat cushion. Towards the back a full inch came off. It is a subtle difference but it does flow better with the lines of the tank. (I really like the shape of these tanks.) So now I begin with the vinyl.

 

[growler]

that looks fantastic. nice job.

 

[Scratcher09]

I got the seat covered now. I have reupholstered seats before, but this was the first seat that I made from scratch. I attempted to use a pneumatic staple gun to fasten the vinyl cover I sewed, but the staples just crumpled against the fiberglass. So I ended up using rivets to secure the vinyl.

 

[Scratcher09]

i am liking the way this project is turning out. And the seat is comfortable thanks to the dense foam I used.

 

[jbird7262]

Great job on the seat!

 

[jbird7262]

Did you put in a Dime City hoop?, and from the finished pics, are you going to run mini signal lamps? I run them on my 750, not DOT approved but who cares. :welcoming:

 

[Scratcher09]

For tail and signal lights I have some retro looking lamps I'm going to use. I have a '59 Cadillac style tail light and just have to make the brackets for it (and license plate and signal lights).

I got the loop from Sonic on the dotheton forum for a great price.

 

[jbird7262]

Nice take on a "clubman" style.

 

[jbird7262]

59' bullet

 

[Scratcher09]

Oops...'59

 

[growler]

looks awesome. nice work!

 

[Scratcher09]

Today I made a bracket to hold my tail light and license plate. I was originally gonna use a '59 Cadillac tail light, but I decided to save that for another project. After taking some measurements, I used a jigsaw with a metal blade to cut the 1/8 inch steel. I welded the pieces together, painted it and installed it. Then I wired the lighting.

 

[Scratcher09]

I added a small gusset just in case it needed more stability.

 

[Scratcher09]

It fit perfect--exactly as I had envisioned it.

 

[Scratcher09]

I have similar retro style signal lights that I will install next.

 

[growler]

Looking fantastic. Nice job on that seat, woohoo!

The license plate bracket looks awesome too. Tucks in there really nice.

 

[Scratcher09]

Been a while without an update. Since my last post i had discovered that the tank had a few pinholes. (had not filled tank since paint job) When I rebuilt the carbs, I had cleaned the tank and soaked it in distilled white vinegar for a few days to remove the rust. It works great but sometimes there are pinholes that are plugged with rust or corrosion that you don't know about until the rust is removed. So I drained and prepped and sealed the tank. I had to make something to plug the petcock and fuel level float holes. I cut out plates of wooden siding and used rubber from an old bicycle inner tube as a gasket. With the holes plugged I then poured the liner and rotated the tank very five minutes until the inside was covered and then removed the petcock plug to allow the excess to drain. Based on passed experience I have found that allowing extra time to dry is a good idea. No more leaks.