GS1100- "Project NimRod"- Shafty

[Octain]

We'll have to start a shafty cafe club.
Keep going...

Who was that said ya cant make a cool cafe from a shaft drive bike again?

[Awall]

Thats right! A shafty can look just fine. And even though the purists think you shouldn't chop (and they are just as entitled think that way, these are nice bikes) ..doesn't mean that you can't and have a nice final product that is still a GS.

[Awall]

Battery mounting done. I cut up the old battery box then shaped and pounded on it. Coat of paint..and it mountes the battery width wise in the frame against the air box.

I'm using an old leather belt to secure the battery. I've seen it before in other bike applications. I've always got an old belt hanging in my closet if I notice this one wearing. The look fits with my cafe look I think.

[Awall]

Back side. I wanted to keep the stock mounting hook to secure it to the rod between the frame. The battery sits more shallow in the mount than stock...so I straightened it out and rebent it.

I better check my water levels in my battery from what I see in the last pic.

It's been in and out of the bike alot, so I probably have been responsible for the low levels.

[Awall]

IT"S ALIVE!!!!!!

Put in 2 hours of test riding today. Front wheel clearance is good with being dropped around 1 inch in the trees. I have a bit of popping/farting once I let off the throttle. I need to replace intake boots and clean the ouside of the carbs. Carbs have already been rebuilt. I added a mount for my Sprint Evo to run "Speed Pro" for odometer, speedometer, telemetry and GPS.

Tomorrow will be full of taking care of little details such as zip ties on all loose wires, polishing and figuring out some mirror placements.

I added new 5/16 high pressure fuel line that I got at a marine store by the foot (they didn't have low pressure). I didn't want to spend $30 on 7mm oem line. I actually had to force it on pretty good on the carbs and the Honda CB petcock. Leaving the non-vacuumed Honda petcock in the on position and have no problems with the bike loosing fluid.

Wired the cone trailer light to the brake light switch for now. I want to discreetly mount an led bar above the license plate for brake and rewire the cone for running tail light. Maybe just get a small duel filament bulb and rework the tailight bulb assembly. I mounted the license plate under the tail but am thinking of moving it to the swingarm.


I really wanted to get the bike washed and polished before I post the final pics of the bike. I hope to do this over the weekend.

[Hoosier Daddy]

WHOO-HOO! Congrats!

[FreshStart]

congrats. now ride it to death

[Awall]

Details, details,details.

I sealed up the open ends of the cut frame (under the seat) with JB Weld. Sanded and painted. Polished fork tubes and case covers as best I could while on the bike. When I replace the front tire I'll finish the missed areas. Zip tied wiring, touched up some paint and figured out the mobile phone mounting. I'm using one of those universal auto phone mounts on the bendable rod attached to triple tree.

I checked the fork tube pressure and found there was none. I don't know the PO so I don't know what has been done on the suspension. It does have progressive adjustable rear shocks that I'm unsure if they are stock (i'll post a pic) Maybe the fork springs were replaced. Forks feel good and on a normal ride it appears they compress 3 inches at max (measured with a zip tie around tube).

Tomorrow engine gets a good degreasing and I'll finish polishing.

I'm really happy with the way the GS has turned out. It's my first GS and I do like the platforum.

[still_bluenoser]

Details, details,details.

Pictures pictures pictures

[Awall]

Definitely will get you some pics tomorrow evening. I wanted to get some up today but still want to be sure everything is ready and clean.

[Awall]

Nice day to take pics and take a long ride

[Awall]

I still need to polish and do some final touches

[Awall]

Long view from tail

[Awall]

Still want to put mesh over headlight.

[Awall]

I like the look of the old CB gas cap.