GS 550L Gets a make over

[GateKeeper]

And I probably even did less, and nothing at all today....LOL

but do tell me, how the paint will hold up on these parts....the chain tensioner...



I painted mine, and the first time I put them in place, and tightened up the big long bolt, it cracked the paint and made the part look like crap, so I took them to the wire wheel and took all the paint off, one does not see them anyways once they are on the swing arm, and the small little covers are put back on, so I will leave them unpainted.....

[bakirkwold]

It will flake off on the bolt threads. And maybe the inside where the axle spacers go. Especially when you put the rear wheel on. Even my powder coat chipped a little on the axle spacers for my bike. But for the most part it should be fine.

[cowboyup3371]

Paul, I know the feeling. I went to Denver on Saturday to look for parts knowing the kids had friends over and I'd be gone all day. The plan then was to work on the carbs on Sunday and then go get new shoes for my 10 yr old. Well, one of the kids' friends came back over Saturday evening and since we were already going into town I felt it was better if their dad didn't waste their gas coming out our way. Then the missus decided we'd go see her dad so yea, no work on mine either today.

One other side note, do you know how hard it can be to find shoes for a 10 yr old girl with size 6 1/2 women's feet (one foot is flat footed, the other is a very low arch)? Frustrating day today.

[Redneck]

One other side note, do you know how hard it can be to find shoes for a 10 yr old girl with size 6 1/2 women's feet (one foot is flat footed, the other is a very low arch)? Frustrating day today.

No.. Its hard enough to shop for girls at that age because they have started getting picky about there shoes then throw in the other stuff.... I do not envy you my friend... I figure I am safe for a 3 more years from picky shoe buying because mine is only 7.

Paul

[Redneck]

And I probably even did less, and nothing at all today....LOL

but do tell me, how the paint will hold up on these parts....the chain tensioner...



I painted mine, and the first time I put them in place, and tightened up the big long bolt, it cracked the paint and made the part look like crap, so I took them to the wire wheel and took all the paint off, one does not see them anyways once they are on the swing arm, and the small little covers are put back on, so I will leave them unpainted.....

I did get a little flaking around where it tightened up on the axle pieces but not too bad, for the wheel adjusters. I figure they will be coverd up like you said well enough but I also figured it couldn't hurt and initially it will look good. The clutch piece is PC and actually it should hold up well enough. The only bitch i have about that right now is I can't find where I put the hinge dowel and the cable screw. I have torn apart the garage twice and still no luck I know about the time I order them they will show up. It does help that I can't find the one off the parts bike either. Grrr.

Paul

[Redneck]

Okay so I got over to Adam's tonight got to work for about an hour on the bike. We got the front sprocket on removed the carbs again ( forgot to put the oil pressure sensor back in) so we could get starter cover off and verify that starter gear was installed since I found another one in a baggie. Apparently though it was the one off the parts bike because I had already installed the starter gear after much trouble to get the starter cover loose to slacken the stator wires that run through it. Installed the clutch gear and put on the covers. The handle bars have been installed and now I just need to find that adjuster that goes on the clutch handle and the pivot bolt that holds the actual clutch lever to the body of the clutch switch. Pictures..





Paul

The lighting is shop lights because it was well after dark will try to get some daylight pictures sometime this week.

[pete]

Oh so close Paul! Can you feel it yet?

[Redneck]

Feel it!! Its driving me Insane. I have it over in Adam's garage because he has the lift which makes life so much easier and the extra set of mechanical hands and eyes to make everything go back together a little smoother but man I want to bring it home so I can run down stairs and sit down and just get it done. Then the reality of that is the little Princess will demand her time and the wife will tell me she needs me to come up stairs to do this an that.... oh the agony of it all.

Paul

[pete]

Feel it!! Its driving me Insane. I have it over in Adam's garage because he has the lift which makes life so much easier and the extra set of mechanical hands and eyes to make everything go back together a little smoother but man I want to bring it home so I can run down stairs and sit down and just get it done. Then the reality of that is the little Princess will demand her time and the wife will tell me she needs me to come up stairs to do this an that.... oh the agony of it all.

Paul

Hahaha yeah I feel your pain... but it is so worth it... oh yeah!

It was bad for me when I was without it for a couple of weeks getting the exhaust made...

Won't be long now Paul!

[Flyboy]

Jeeez, Paul, you have been going at it for sure, you should be riding come spring, you sure do have the time management thing down better than I do.
Looking really good, can't wait for the start up and see the finished product.

[Redneck]

Well for the most part I believe I have everything I need to put her back together, now it is just a matter of getting the time to do so. I did get over there last night but the little Princess went with me, so I was not able to concentrate as well as I would like, his garage is not heated so she was complaining of being cold, which I remedied by making a small tent like enclosure over the space heater and so she was happy till a bug decided the tent was a good place to hang out also. That ended my night because then she was looking everywhere for more bugs.

What I did accomplish was I picked up some more allen head screws to replace the foot pegs. Bought two to make sure that they would fit. So after work I plan on going by and picking up two more for the other side. My progression of removing all bolts that are not allen heads is slowly coming to completion. That and I have very few original bolts even left on this bike. The internal engine bolts and the long mounting bolts for the engine are about the only ones left that are not allen heads. Also managed to get the gas tank mounting hardware installed. If you remember I had stripped out the bolt previously upon removal of tank. I went in last night re-tapped the welded on nut and replaced the hex head bolt that came with the kit with an allen and she is good to go.

I have pictures to which I will post later.

Meant to get the oil pressure switch installed last night but realized after I got to adam's house that it was not there so I have to go look for it in my garage after work today. Pictures will also be posted after work to prove to all you nay sayers that I actually did what I said I did. (PETE)....

Paul

[pete]

Hahahahahahaa nice Paul... glad to see you're getting stuff done

And yep, looking forward to those proof pic's... hahahhaaha

[Redneck]

Okay as promised pictures. Here is the nice allen head bolts in the foot peg.



and here is the bike with the gas tank on seat and black wheels and handle bars. Adam is going to try and take her out in the sun and get some good pictures during the day today. I unfortunately have to work till way to late.



Sorry bout the crappy quality. I emailed them from my phone and i guess the quality is reduced when done this way.

Paul

[SVSooke]

I'm not seeing pics,just a blue circle with a slash

[Redneck]

I tried to copy and paste from my yahoo account so I don't know if everyone can see them. I can, but I will upload to photobucket tonight. Last night I was just a little too tired so it did not get done.

Paul