Winter projects

[Guest]

I guess that purple is a reflection, but that is an interesting idea. Be glad to give you a hand polishing your GS, next time you are in the neighborhood drop in. Ray

 

[bradleymaynar]

I guess that purple is a reflection, but that is an interesting idea. Be glad to give you a hand polishing your GS, next time you are in the neighborhood drop in. Ray

After looking at the pics again, I noticed it on other shiny parts of your bike (there are so many, after all!), so I thought the same. As for polishing mine up.....well a trip to CO would be nice in the spring (that's June, right?). But, alas, I couldn't subject you to my lack of cleanliness! :lol: If only the PO's would have been happy with keeping things stock. Waaaaaaaay too much chrome IMHO. Guess I'll have to look for a smaller daily commuter, then I can break out the steel wool and elbow grease.







Naaaaah! Who am I kidding! :lol: :lol:

Brad tt

 

[AOD]

You should be able to get that filter cover off still with the header where it is, I've never had problems with my 4-1 being in the way.

If you are going to remove the exhaust often, have you considered using studs to replace the bolts that go into the block? I wish I would have done that a long time ago!

~Adam

 

[Guest]

Hi Adam, You are probably right about the filter cover, my concern was getting old oil all over everthing then cleaning and burning it off. Maybe I could fashion some sort of a drain shield/pan. Thanks for the tip on studs, I have done this after fighting bolt threading for the last time. That is one of the most difficult things to do on the gs. Your 550 is a nice looking unit is it sold by now? Have you obtained that big bore gs replacement yet? Look forward to seeing pics of it. Ray

 

[bwringer]

How the ^%$#@^% do you get the aluminum parts of the engine looking so nice? The valve cover and head look great.

I've never been able to get mine to look halfway decent even on the rare occasions when I've tried. The porous aluminum retains traces of every single bug splat and oil leak from the last 25 years. :evil:

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Hi BW, I don't think there is any one way to do it. When I started mine, it was a real grease ball. I used a lot of Big Orange cleaner and the local car wash. The cleaner turns the oil and grease into soap then it washes off pretty well. As for polishing I used Mothers Alluminum Polish and a lot of elbow grease, They don't stay that way for me either, but once you get them halfway descent it doesn't take a whole lot to keep them up. The alterantive is probably to clear coat them once they are looking ok. Ray

 

[bradleymaynar]

How the ^%$#@^% do you get the aluminum parts of the engine looking so nice? The valve cover and head look great.

I've never been able to get mine to look halfway decent even on the rare occasions when I've tried. The porous aluminum retains traces of every single bug splat and oil leak from the last 25 years. :evil:

Thanks!

Blug splatter=character.

Brad tt

 

[bwringer]

How the ^%$#@^% do you get the aluminum parts of the engine looking so nice? The valve cover and head look great.

I've never been able to get mine to look halfway decent even on the rare occasions when I've tried. The porous aluminum retains traces of every single bug splat and oil leak from the last 25 years. :evil:

Thanks!

Blug splatter=character.

Brad tt

When people sneer at my antique GS, I simply ask them why they don't also have a quarter inch layer of bug guts on all forward surfaces. Don'tcha ride that thing anywhere, Cletus?

Shuts 'em right up. :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Guest]

Well, wouldn't you know it, pulled off the wheels for cleaning and possibly powder coating. Then planned to mount the Lazertecs and do some more fiddling with the carbs. As my luck would have it the weather is looking good mid 50's for the next few days. Rats!!! Ray

 

[8trackmind]

That looks great. I really like the frame being a color other than black. Sharp!

 

[Guest]

Thanks, that was the reason I went with the silver powder coat. Now I'm trying to decide what to do with the wheels. Powder coat or spray paint, matching silver or a color like a vivid blue or red. Decissions, decissions and the weather is perfect for riding now. Great timing Ray.

 

[8trackmind]

Thanks, that was the reason I went with the silver powder coat. Now I'm trying to decide what to do with the wheels. Powder coat or spray paint, matching silver or a color like a vivid blue or red. Decissions, decissions and the weather is perfect for riding now. Great timing Ray.

I think silver, like the Katana wheels would look great.
A darker color charcoal gray with a lot of fine metallic flake (like some of the late model car wheels) would also look sharp. That way you could have a bit of a contrast without going to black. My $.02

 

[Guest]

OK, finally got the wheels blasted and cleaned up, coated and new tires mounted. What do you think? I like them like this. Ray

 

[xDUKEx]

ray they look fantastic !!!!!!! keep us up to date on your project !!!!

 

[Guest]

Thanks Duke, my project is pale in comparison to that red beauty of yours. Nevertheless, I'll continue on. Ray

 

[xDUKEx]

ghost our projects are totally different mine is mosty a newer model suspension upgrade with a few motor mods. yours is an upgrade involving restoring a classic back to its original form. both mods are about keeping these wonderful old bikes on the road. i would love to have both and when i finish this one (if i ever do) i would like to start another and go the route that you are going. your bike is as clean as any that ive seen. your hard work and dedication has gotten you a beautiful machine. keep up the good work buddy !!!!!!!

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

They look good to me.

 

[Jethro]

Nice. Love those tires, just wish I could get more than 2k miles out of them.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys, I'm sure I'll get a few more than that, I'm a slow old rider. Ask Debby, she'll vouch for me. Ray

 

[Hoomgar]

Thanks guys, I'm sure I'll get a few more than that, I'm a slow old rider. Ask Debby, she'll vouch for me. Ray

That way all your hard work stays nice longer :wink: