Simple old school + new school, call it pre skool

[ironsheik]

[B]

So I do this just for myself, which is fine. It makes me happy. I just wondered if my build was a case of “we have seen this all before”. In which case, I would hold off posting until I am finished. Seems like we all like pics and details, so I will keep it up. Thanks again.

Cheers, Erick

No build is the same so even if the finished product looks the same, we all want to see the process because it can really aid in another even unrelated project. Keep the posts coming!

josh

[doctorgonzo]

No build is the same so even if the finished product looks the same, we all want to see the process because it can really aid in another even unrelated project. Keep the posts coming!

josh

Absolutely agree. I know a lot of us subscibe to "ANYTHING can be made to work with the right time, skill, and money", but the details of HOW to make a wide variety of things work, is very interesting.

[doctorgonzo]

As far as "support", I think the attitudes you talked about are pretty common. I'm also with you on valuing my life and limb. I guess what I want (and maybe you share this) is a bike that's fun to ride (isn't that what it's all about), that is MINE, there is no other exactly like it anwhere, that when you look at it, you KNOW it's fast. I don't even need to prove it to you because you will know, it will ooze fast.

[jwhelan65]

As far as "support", I think the attitudes you talked about are pretty common. I'm also with you on valuing my life and limb. I guess what I want (and maybe you share this) is a bike that's fun to ride (isn't that what it's all about), that is MINE, there is no other exactly like it anwhere, that when you look at it, you KNOW it's fast. I don't even need to prove it to you because you will know, it will ooze fast.

I tend to agree on having a bike that is like no other, I personally think the idea of blending new with old if done tastefully, produces killer looking machines. These conversions get the creative juices flowing and it has almost become an art form.

By the way this build is looking fantastic!

[doctorgonzo]

Have you ever looked at the old school drag racing porn on the oldskoolsuzuki site? If not, you should. It's a sticky in the air cooled section. Picture after picture after picture from the 80's mostly of these bikes built in every flavor from slightly modified to pro stock all the way to funny bikes. It makes my heart flutter just thinking about it.

[jwhelan65]

Have you ever looked at the old school drag racing porn on the oldskoolsuzuki site? If not, you should. It's a sticky in the air cooled section. Picture after picture after picture from the 80's mostly of these bikes built in every flavor from slightly modified to pro stock all the way to funny bikes. It makes my heart flutter just thinking about it.

Yes sir, I am a member over there, same screen name.

[Zweihammer]

Yes, oldskoolsuzuki.info is great. I just started to cross post over there to get their take on my build. They seem to have a different point of reference being largely British and Euro based. They don't worship at the altar of Harley like so many of my friends.

Seem to have no problem with building with what they have instead of needing the latest widget. Very creative.

Then of course for air cooled, though not Suzuki centric, there is oldskoolperformance.com, which I may be mistaken but seems to have been started by Aussies. This thread I find especially inspiring;

http://oldskoolperformance.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=271&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I loves me the interwebs.
Cheers, Erick

[doctorgonzo]

The euros and aussies are different for sure, so are Americans. Euros (especially the brits) love that naked streetfighter look, and love to trick these bikes out with all kinds of crazy frankenstein components. The Aussies seem to love bone stock, paying crazy prices for beat up OEM exhausts they can salvage. Americans are just cheapsaktes with a mix of both .

All stereotypes of course, tons of exceptions, I just mean as a general vibe.

[Zweihammer]

Happy New Year Gents,

With my wife recovering from her surgery, family and the holidays I haven’t made time in the shop these last two weeks. Since I suck at the Photochop, I made a few minutes to get out tonight to start mocking up the tail section and seat pan. After looking at my options, rather than trying to make loose side rails to tie the plastic tail section with tank and seat, I am going to replicate the ’80 tail section in aluminum, incorporating the rail sections up to the back of the tank. I don’t know if I will try to incorporate the electrics pan as well, I think it would help structurally to tie it all together.

So I started to pull a tape pattern off the ’80 tail section then use poster board to make the filler piece. I will mirror the pattern for the right side. I will pattern out a seat pan as well once I figure out how I want it all to work together, as I need to access the electrics easily as well. I believe there will be enough room in the tail for the battery and under the seat for the rest. So what do you gents think?

I have a sheet of .125 Alum or I can make it out of .065 304 SS. Depending on how this goes I may attempt to replicate the GS tank in Aluminum or SS as well. I was thinking of polished side sections like an old Husky or BSA with color up over the top.

As always comments are welcome!

[isleoman]

Quite nice, really like the look of "short skirt" sides tied directly to the tail.

Only thing I worry about and I have the same issue with some of the Katana specials I've seen is can you make what's behind the "Side Panel" curtain sexy to look at. Relocating the battery, R/R and solenoid will help. Open space is fine to a degree, and the mono shock should be fine to look at as well. I think your on target, and with your design skills it should be top notch.

[Charlie G]

Zwiehammer,


Now your talkin!!!!!!! I only wish I had the skills. I'd replicate my side covers and tail section out of aluminum. The old BSA tanks were my favorites as a kid. I like the lines your devloping. They flow nicely from the tail to the tank. I hope you can fit the battery in that tail. I've seen some rear cowls which are oversize to accomidate the battery and spoil the visual balance. I suspect that you and GUSTOVH have skills in common. Keep us posted.

Charlie G.

[Turtleface]

Happy New Year Gents,

With my wife recovering from her surgery, family and the holidays I haven’t made time in the shop these last two weeks. Since I suck at the Photochop, I made a few minutes to get out tonight to start mocking up the tail section and seat pan. After looking at my options, rather than trying to make loose side rails to tie the plastic tail section with tank and seat, I am going to replicate the ’80 tail section in aluminum, incorporating the rail sections up to the back of the tank. I don’t know if I will try to incorporate the electrics pan as well, I think it would help structurally to tie it all together.

So I started to pull a tape pattern off the ’80 tail section then use poster board to make the filler piece. I will mirror the pattern for the right side. I will pattern out a seat pan as well once I figure out how I want it all to work together, as I need to access the electrics easily as well. I believe there will be enough room in the tail for the battery and under the seat for the rest. So what do you gents think?

I have a sheet of .125 Alum or I can make it out of .065 304 SS. Depending on how this goes I may attempt to replicate the GS tank in Aluminum or SS as well. I was thinking of polished side sections like an old Husky or BSA with color up over the top.

As always comments are welcome!

I thought the tail was an interesting idea when you first started this thread. The more you flesh out the bodywork, the more I like this build! I really like the lines you're developing. It'll be interesting to see what it looks like with a seat installed That K8 swinger looks awesome. I'm going to have to start saving and keep my eye out for wrecked Gixxers now. With our constant riding season and plethora of dangerous canyon roads, combined with the proximity of a large college campus, I'm sure I'll find something.

You should have someone fab you a proper MPF emblem/sticker. Or have it painted on the tail section. "ghost" style.

[Ogri]

What a great build! The panels tying the tank to the tailsection are going to be fantastic. Nice work!

[80GS1000]

That tail section is gonna be the hotness when it's all done. Nice work.

[Zweihammer]

Thanks for the comments guys!
I am juggling my time between several unrelated projects (aren't we all!) and though I have pulled my tape pattern off and transferred it to the roofing paper I use as pattern stock (I took pictures of that process and will upload them later) I stopped there and spent the rest of the weekend routing wiring on my CNC plasma table, a project I have had near completion for far too long (I have to balance business and pleasure!).

I stopped before cutting any material because I still haven't decided which material I want to use. I am far more comfortable working in stainless. My day job is engineering industrial food processing equipment, almost entirely utilizing stainless. I have a sideline making reproduction medieval armour for those who like to play knights on the weekend (here is a couple of pics of one of the helms I have made, a gothic sallet)



My experience with aluminum is much less, I use it a good deal for brackets and such, but the last welding job I had with alloy was over ten years ago. My TIG is air cooled. I don't like complex shaping much with it as it work hardens so quickly and I lack the patience to do multiple anneals. I know it is quite possible, I just don't have the experience. I also know I can't leave it bare, it must be protected with a clear coat or constant attention with the polish, something you don't have to do with stainless.

However, I haven't had much luck with painting over stainless. Perhaps it has been my prep, or lack of it, but I want to combine bare metal, either polished or perhaps engine turned, with painted accents. What secrets, if any, does anyone have with successfully painting over stainless? Or should I put on my big boy pants and deal with the alloy? Thanks!

Cheers, Erick