GS450 Mega Build

[pete]

Good stuff Scotty.

I'd love to have a go at that, except over here it's illegal to do anything like that because it won't be ADR approved... so that means it wouldn't pass the safety certificate inspection.

That's why I also need to find out if pod air filters are legal or not, otherwise I'll have to go with the airbox...

SS brake lines

Started reading up on making your own brake lines using Earl's fittings. Here is the thread:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=114521

So, I ordered some and man are they easy to do. It took me like five minutes or less per side. I HIGHLY recommend them. Cost about $35 each after shipping, etc...

Another idea could be a 2-1 meeting up into a single can under the rear end. You'd have to rework how your plate sits but that shouldn't be all that difficult if its something you wanna do. This option would make it a little easier to keep the exhaust lengths.

Maybe something like this? I think a carbon can would add to the modern look you've got with the forks and swinger. Plus it would make some use of all that open space you've got between the wheel and seat.

exhaust

Still playing around with the buell exhaust idea. Trying to maintain header length is key though, and it might make it look like a spaghetti explosion! I thought about some kind of mulitchambered box set behind a lower fairing, but that will take some thought. Any ideas?

Nice progress!

Tail end and seat looks fantastic!! So do the LEDs. Your pretty close to having a good running street bike here. Unless I missed somethings, you've just the exhaust, tuning and paint to sort out right?
I still think you should go for an under side collector in Buell fashion

[pete]

Lookin' great Scotty!

perfect, lights look good

Boo!

Here are some pics as of this afternoon. Got the brakes bled ok, though I am still having issues with both calipers. I've got fluid down the lines and pressure in the system enough to stop the wheel, but I cannot for the life of me get any fluid out of the bleed nipples.

Electrical is completely done. I ended up braking one of the LED strips yesterday and had to replace it this morning. Now they both light up when they are supposed too.

So close!

[pete]

You guys and your tricks

I'll try to remember that one too Leigh!

Try this one..
Get a cheap squirty bottle and throw the bottle away.
Just keep the handle/trigger section with the hose off it.
Join that hose to a length of hose to your bleed nipple.
Crack the nipple open and start squeezing the trigger.

It works a treat.

[pete]

Nice one Hillsy, never seen that one done before.

When I initially flushed the fluid on mine I got one of those one person cheapo bleeder kits that consist of nothing more than a little bottle and a little tube to attach to the bleeder valve, then the rest is up to squeezing the lever and keeping the fluid in the reservoir up.

I'll keep they syringe deal in mind though when I get up to that point.

I have a large syringe I used to fill the fork legs with oil, so I might be able to reuse that also.

[hillsy]

I've been using a syringe for brake bleeding duties for years now - it's the BEST way I've found by far.

What shops were you looking in? Over here I just go to the local chemist (pharmacy / drug store??) and get a 20cc one. Then about 6 inches of brake bleed line and you're set.

Push the fluid into the caliper and up to the MC (repeat until the MC is full), then suck the fluid back out. You can push / pull the fluid repeatedly to get all the bubbles out.

The syringe should set you back about $1 and it will do a better job than a vacuum pump once you get the hang of it.

[Charlie G]

Think I've been inspired not to work on my bike this weekend.

cg

With the bike on the center stand and handle bars straight ahead fill the reservoir to the high fill line and replace cap.

Attach a tube to the caliper bleeder (left side then right) and place the free end into a jar.

Pump the lever rapidly then squeeze the lever without releasing and turn the bleeder a quarter turn so the brake fluid runs into the jar.

When the lever touches the handle bar tighten the bleeder.

Do this till there is no air bubbles present in the tube then switch to the right side.

This is what the manual I have says.

You may want to try a vacuum pump bleeding system. You can usually get them on a loaner program from an auto parts. I use them on my cars and trucks they work great but never tried it on my bike yet. Plus you don't need a second person to use one, just make sure that you keep the reservoir full of fluid.

Good luck,
Jason

Lessons learned

Ordered a chain, should arrive by next weekend. Ok I guess, because I got into the shop and immediately noticed a broken adjuster on my NEW throttle cable. The part that adjusts to at the carbs had snapped in half? Then I proceeded to completely f-up my rear fender....too cold for paint today.

THEN I tried to put new fluid in my MC and brake lines. NO GO. How the hell do you get the damn fluid to feed down to the caliper? I know I've done this a few times before and for the life of me cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. I tried ever combination of adjuster loose/tight, cap on/off while pumping the handle. Can anyone point me to an article or website that is more than just bleeding a full system? I have heard of using a syringe to push or pull fluid, but the ten stores I went to today didn't have anything. Tricks?

I did manage to get my LED's wired up nicely to monitor neutral and oil without too much difficulty.