I got bored this weekend......

[Mysuzyq]

Nice mods, erock! Another option would be to mount the fairing (I too think your bike flowed better with it), but use some lexan or whatever to block off the front, after taking out the stock rectangular light....the block off plate could have two round holes, to accommodate a couple bright miniature headlights, streetfighter style. Or leave off the fairing & use a Metisse dual headlight/flyscreen assembly to cover the gauges.

http://www.streetfightersinc.com/Headlightkits.htm

The back end looks cool, but moving the plate back up to the conventional position under the tail light (angled outward) will serve to deflect some of the spray off the tire whenever you happen to ride on wet roads....otherwise, expect a stripe of water/dirt on the back of your helmet & jacket. Just a thought. Visually, it might flow better too.....I somehow tend to associate the plate on the swingarm mod with Harleys & cruisers.
Tony.

[spyug]

I'm liking where this is going.

The headlight and guage assembly are at odds with each other and I think you need to either change the headlight to something larger or junk the guages for something smaller.

I'm thinking of changing my headlight and fairing on my 83/750 which is the same body style. I am toying with the idea of the dual headlights a la Buell as mentioned. I actually don't mind the stock square light without the fairing. It kind of reminds me of one of the BMWs (Rockster I think). Without the fairing it looks a little weird with the frame for the light showing but I figure I can wrap that with a band of ABS plastic or aluminum flashing . I just finished making a chain guard for my XS Tracker using .026 alum flashing. Easy to work with. If I can find lights I might have a go at making duals. I don't like the price of ready mades and enjoy doing it myself ( as a lot of us do).

Keep up the good work and of course the inspirational pics.

Cheers,
spyug

[Gargoyle081]

Just food for thought....If you are considering a shield or small fairing up front maybe you would be interested in an idea I took from Craiger's good looking bike and used on my own....

I saw his Flyscreen and ordered one up for my 700E. I thought the same thing about my gauges and I just wanted to cover them up. I like the look much better now...

I have pics in my album if you wanna take a look. Again just an option...

[briyenkieth]

don't start listening to bryienkieth, next thing you know, you'll be tearing it down to the frame and completely going over everything when you see his bike! lol (that's actually a compliment to him btw) Anyway, did you think about throwing another small fairing on there? that would work well with the round headlight and do a little coverup on the gauges.

LOL It ain't that nice man. Thanks though. Been riding it and as usual when you drag something out of it's grave, little things are rearing their ugly head. Oil leaks,shift shaft-filter cover-head gasket(damn it), timming advance unit sticking(closed and open), battery spilling acid all over stuff, gas cap leaks(ruining the paint around the filler neck), jetting issues, and the fender rubs the rear tire(didn't make sure it was fully inflated when I mocked it up).....but tomorrow is my weekend and I've got a majority of my parts to fix these things.

[erock]

I don't think one of those fly screens are a bad idea. It would obviously be better then what I have going for me now. The one thing I do miss about the fairing is being able to hunker down behind it on my way to work when it's chilly. I mainly just didn't like the rectangular light as much as I like the round ones. I think I will have to track one of those screens down.....or possibly build one out of some of the lexan scraps I have in the garage. I really do appreciate the input. Like I have said before...this is my first bike and first attempt at modding one.

[mcloud]

I don't think one of those fly screens are a bad idea. It would obviously be better then what I have going for me now. The one thing I do miss about the fairing is being able to hunker down behind it on my way to work when it's chilly. I mainly just didn't like the rectangular light as much as I like the round ones. I think I will have to track one of those screens down.....or possibly build one out of some of the lexan scraps I have in the garage. I really do appreciate the input. Like I have said before...this is my first bike and first attempt at modding one.

...throw in a chin at the same time, would look killer with a dual headlight and screen
www.airtech-streamlining.com

[Gargoyle081]

well just for reference National cycle makes the one I have...but there are many brands and prices out there...would be interesting to see what you come up with if you choose to save some cash and do it yourself...

[erock]

Well in my free time this week I made a flyscreen from this piece of polycarbonate I had lying in the garage from a different project.



Here it is test fitted on the bike before final touch-ups. I think it does help hide the lumbering instrument cluster.



Also taking some advice I relocated my plate to the rear of the bike in the typical location....I think this is more astetically pleasing.



I also did an oil and filter change and switchied it up to rotella 15w-40 and modified/refitted my chain guard.

[mighty13d]

wow that actually helps out the front a lot. It's definitely cleaner now. Maybe just a hair too flat but a huge help!!

[Mysuzyq]

Cool....back end looks more complete now!
Tony.

[briyenkieth]

gotta agree with mighty here. A bit to flat but better. +1 on the plate as well.

[erock]

Yeah....it is a tad on the flat side compared to others you can buy, but as far as a homebrewed flyscreen would go...I think I did a good job....I made a few different versions....I liked this one the best...I may make another with a little more arc to it.....but for now this works for me. The wife voiced her very negative opinion when she noticed what was in the oven on the cookie sheet........and it wasnt cookies. But I had to heat it a tad and found 275-300 degrees for 3-5 mins to be the best....otherwise it would just do everything but what I wanted when I would pick it up to form it. I wouldn't go any hotter on the oven as I didn't want to completely melt it or burn it and have those nasty fumes in the house. But it was alot of trial and error to figure out the proper heating/forming cycle to produce a uniform bend......and a touch of patience as well.

[pkbjamn]

Good job with the kitchen oven project !! I once made a taillight for a '49 Buick with plaster of paris mold and a piece of red plastic. It's amazing what you can do when you either have no money (me, at the time!) or choose not to spend money on something you could otherwise create. Cool !!

[Loki388]

Don't know if this is still active, but did you need to use new mounts to put the round headlight on, or did the stock ones fit?

[erock]

I used the mounts that came with the round headlight. They are the original suzuki mounts for that light. If I remember correctly, the stock ones for the square light would of worked, but would of needed the mounting holes drilled out slightly.