First Street Bike Project - with a few questions

[Sci85]

(Note: see the post just prior to this one as they go together).
This is after pushing the major dents out with the rebar and the first round of bondo work. It took me awhile to get a handle on the bondo process but after a lot of trial and error, I got the hang of it I think.


And finally after all the bondo work was done and the first coat of primer...




Shes looks real good. The pics don't do it justice and I saved a bunch of money to boot!
I'm really having fun with this little bike. Can't wait to finally get to ride it. Now, time to order some rubber plugs and get to work on the plastics...

[GateKeeper]

Excellent work on the tank......and you saved some cash, and learned a new skill...

way to go....

[Good Times]

Makes you feel good to see those lights come on for the first time doesn't it?!

Wow, that tail light was a mess. Good job on the build so far. Can't wait to see how the tank turns out.

[7981GS]

Very impressed with your skills.

Eric

[Sci85]

Thanks guys. Little by little. And yeah GT, it does feel good to see those lights and hear the starter turn the engine over. But seeing that tank and the money saved feels even better lol.

[Good Times]

But seeing that tank and the money saved feels even better lol.

[Sci85]

Ok, got the carbs in finally last night. Then, realized I forgot to hook up the throttle cable. Doh! I almost cried realizing I would have to take the carbs out after a hard fought 30 minute battle to get them in. Oh well, live and learn.

Ordered some Spraymax 2k urethane clear as I'm getting close on the tank.

Oh, and having spent a year now working the little kat with no other bike to ride, it was killing me now with the beautiful weather. So after pestering the wife constantly, she finally broke down and gave me the go ahead and I went out today and brought this baby home. I'm so stoked to be riding again and a kick arse bike to boot! Rides like a dream. Couldn't be happier with it so far.

[Good Times]

Nice purchase. I like the Strikers. 1500?

[Sci85]

Thanks GT. it's 1300cc. Plenty enough for me. It felt so good to ride finally. It did take some getting used to slow speed maneuvers. I have never ridden soemthing that raked out. But once underway, she rides real good.

Yamaha had a special going on the leftover 2011's. Out the door for under 10k. More than I have ever spent on a bike but compard to the costs of some ofte other bikes I saw, it was relatively cheap. I couldn't passit up is was the last one n the store.

[Missile99]

Cool new bike you have there. It's good that you can ride now while working on the old GS and then have 2 to choose from when you go riding. It looks like your new toy can gobble up the miles with ease. The 550 is great on slow speed stuff and loves to lean.

I forgot to hook up the cable the first time the carbs went back on too. I decided to try and connect it with them on because of how frustrating it was to carefully work the carb rack into the boots. It worked and was equally a pain to accomplish but saved me from stressing the boots out any more. Having a second person would be great to hold the throttle wide open but I did it myself using a good screwdriver to guide the cable. Your hand muscles will get a good workout. Took about an hour to get after having the screwdriver slip off the cable end a couple dozen times.

[Sci85]

Well, after lots of work I finished the tank dent work and it came out really nice. I am quite surprised how nice and smooth and accurate it was. So, I went to finally lay down the silver today. I was a little worried because the spray can nozzle was the standard red nozzle affair which is usually too tight a pattern for anything large but there was no other way to get the better blue nozzle on the can so I was stuck.

Anyway, after going through two cans on the tank and front fender it looks like ship. I am really dissappointed with the results. I need a better fanned out nozzle to get a good lay of the paint. So, I will wet sand it and see what she looks like afterwards but probably going to have to find a different silver that uses the better blue nozzle which sucks because this particular silver (Duplicolor high gloss) was really nice and metallic. Will post some pictures tomorrow before I wet sand it.

Until then, off to ride the Stryker. Great weather we are finally having. Woo Hoo!

[Sci85]

Ok, here's the finished tank from my wet sanding thread. I changed my mine and went with black instead of the factory silver. I hope it all comes together ok. I am amazed how good a rattle can paint job can be. I used Duplicolor primer, Duplicolor Factory Match GM Black Metallic and Spraymax 2k Clear (3 coats). And that's not dust in the photo's thats just the metallic showing up in the light. From afar, it looks nice and deep black but up close in the light it has a beautiful, subtle metallic shine.




Anyway, I now have the side panels, front fender and taillight assembly primed up and ready for the next warm, dry day. I can't wait! Until then, here's one for the folks like me who like shiny bits.
And this is what I found under a couple of layers of flat black paint after a half hour under the polish wheel. Looks nice yes? I think I will leave it. Might add some nice contrast against the black tank. We will see.





Getting close to attempting to fire up the engine for the first time too. I just need to build me a make shift tank. I'm getting itchy...

[GateKeeper]

Very nice work......tank looks really good, and I love the cap, I couldn't get mine that shiny, so I painted mine black.....

keep up the great work, hope to see you riding it soon.....

[Sci85]

Me to GK. We are getting close...

[Flyboy]

Awesome work Sci......
Now, for the cap....my shipping address is ......
I will just need yours so I can send Jennifer's clothes to you for the same treatment.
She really is going to look super sweet, cannot wait to see the finished product.
Get that motor fired up, we need video.