GS 550L Gets a make over

[Redneck]

After much struggle some heavy sanding on the inside of the upper tree I got the forks in. then I threw on the front tire from the parts bike. Went to put on the swing-arm when I realized that I had not removed the needle bearings prior to powder coat. Yep they are gummed up from the grease getting so hot. Then it took almost an hour to knock out the bearings. They just did not want to budge. Now I need to go order new bearings for the swing arm. The wheels i am going to try and sneak into get them sandblasted. Moving along slowly, no rolling chasis this weekend.

Paul

[pete]

Bummer on the bearings! At least you'll know you have good ones once they're replaced

[Redneck]

Here are some pictorial updates

Here is my low rider frame .. okay so it is just missing a back wheel


Here a couple of the shock caps with the holes drilled in them for air fittings


The ones that don't have holes look much better and will probably go on here.
Here are the current state of the wheels... going to clean them and hopefully get some caliber paint on them tomorrow


Same thing with the Center stand then I can put the engine in when the paint has cured.


Paul

[Hoosier Daddy]

Here are some pictorial updates

Thanks for that! So much better to see your awesome progress!

[Flyboy]

About bloody time Paul, pics were way overdue, looks bloody nice so far, keep up the good work.
That is going to be the sweetest JD west of the Atlantic.

[pete]

Nice work Paul, that is gonna look sweet when you're done

[Redneck]

Well let me say prepping the darn carbs takes a heck of a lot longer than painting them. I think I taped and stuffed paper towel wads in holes for almost an hour this morning. After I had boiled them for 30 minutes. Then spent another hour painting them while prepping my front wheel and entertaining my little helper. Right now the carbs are in the oven getting heat cured. Going to leave them in for about 2 hours then going to see if the wheel will fit in. Here are some pics pre-baked.









Started prepping the back tire but it is going to take a little bit longer hope to have it done by mid week and if the weather holds painted by Friday.

Hope to have the Carbs together by then also. I need to find somewhere to order the needle bearings for the swing arm because I am tired of paying cycle nation $23 for a shipment no matter how big or small.

Paul

[Hoosier Daddy]

Stuff looks great! You just hit on a couple of my personal delema's ...
Black, silver or stock colored wheels. Then, to paint them with the tires off for the best coverage or with the new ones on to keep from nicking the paint on installation.
Last time I mounted the new tires but deflated them after I set the bead, then painted them. That allowed me to actually mask off the tire and get the paint right to the edge.

[psyguy]

Lookin good Paul, looking good...

[Flyboy]

Looking good Paul, playing with paint is so much fun.

[Redneck]

Stuff looks great! You just hit on a couple of my personal delema's ...
Black, silver or stock colored wheels. Then, to paint them with the tires off for the best coverage or with the new ones on to keep from nicking the paint on installation.
Last time I mounted the new tires but deflated them after I set the bead, then painted them. That allowed me to actually mask off the tire and get the paint right to the edge.

Hoosier you know... I thought about that after I put the paint on yesterday. Though for the record the original plan was to get them PCed but that fell through. Should have probably had them put the tire back on before paint. If I have to I will throw on some touch up after they put the tires back on.

Thanksy Psy and Flyboy.... Anyone notice what was missing at the front of the bike.... My headlight ears. I did not notice that till after I was done fighting with the forks. Guess the fight is not over yet.

Paul

[pete]

Hoosier you know... I thought about that after I put the paint on yesterday. Though for the record the original plan was to get them PCed but that fell through. Should have probably had them put the tire back on before paint. If I have to I will throw on some touch up after they put the tires back on.

Thanksy Psy and Flyboy.... Anyone notice what was missing at the front of the bike.... My headlight ears. I did not notice that till after I was done fighting with the forks. Guess the fight is not over yet.

Paul

Bugger on missing the ears, but the upside is you'll be able to change your forks in 5 minutes flat once you're done

Paint is looking great!

[Hoosier Daddy]

I have seen it both ways. I just know how bad I am when it comes to not scratching a good paint job.

[Redneck]

Last night got the Carbuerator put back together mostly. Still need to get the choke lever installed and the spring for the throttle. Thank goodness i had two Carbs to work with. I will say I used the original carbs they were in better shape but the parts and pieces may not have gone in the right carb. I am going to treat this like I replaced the jets in everything and hope I get it right.

Also pulled the forks and put the headlight bracket in and the little decorative piece across the lower triple. Overall a productive night so much so that I did not realize how late it was till I went to get the camera to snap off some pics. So I will have to upload those this afternoon and post them this evening.

Paul

[kcorbin]

Nice work on the rebuild, Paul; keep the pics and updates coming.

It's so close you can almost taste it right? Geez, I know the feeling but 'done!' will be here before you know it.

Heck, it's not even July yet! There's still plenty of riding time left this season! (I say that to myself as much as I say it to you...)