GSX400f - "WesCafé" - Build - Melb/Australia

[nikosg]

haha i was going to pad it out for my Ayres rock trip...

[GSNewbie]

I'm not a fiberglass specialist but have done it once or twice.
I was wondering if aluminum metal HVAC duct tape wouldn't work for the fiberglass mold? It would be like a layer of aluminum and I can't see it eating through that...

[nikosg]

I think it was just a matter of doing many layers of tape - in different directions of overlap. It didnt eat through the tape but must have somehow got inbetween the layers.

Any tape will do. Mine was blue painters tape and it held together - just didnt "seal" properly i guess.

[wally]

I think it came out great!

[nikosg]

Thanks guys!

Well after successfully failiing at filling the new braking system with fluid, Ill be down one brake calliper. Seems to be a leak at one of the piston seals in the calliper, so off to find a single banjo bolt and get this up and running on at least one brake line for the weekend ride.

Always the little things that slow things down

[Johnny Drummond]

Hi Nik,
I know this is going to seem a weird question,but why the wrap on the exhaust???.I thought you guys in the land of permanent sun would do everything to get rid of excess heat,or is it just for asthetic reasons and I now look like a right idiot.I really like the tail unit and can appreciate the work that went into it,all in all a very nice job!.Johnny

[nikosg]

Hey Johnny - mostly for aesthetic reasons. the old pipes were chrome and UGLY! However this will all be changed in about a week when my marving 4-1 racing system comes in from ITALY!!!

It was an aesthetic choice, but the point of pipe wrap is to somewhat insulate the pipes i believe... by maintaining the pipes at a hotter temperature air flow is meant to increase and perform better- some would argue this as a performance feature. Others would say its a load of Sh*t. Personally I just like the way they look and not burning my arms instantly on a raw pipe when down inspecting a hot bike (and believe me this bike gets HOT)


On a side note
We went for our first ride last night! Would not believe how much of an improvement the Ikon suspension upgrade has been. Unbelievable. I actually feel great going over speedhumps and such whereas previous they would want to throw me off the bike.

With the new progressives at the front and aluminium progressives at the back, it just wants to be thrown straight into the corners. Very happy

[pete]

I love my Ikons too Nik, they're great! Glad to hear you're enjoying her!

[nikosg]

On the down side Pete, Im having some trouble - i think with cylinder number three.

The right exhaust is reaallllyyy lumpy and one time when i started her she didnt even fire on the third. She is firing but it doenst sound great, im putting this down to all that bad fuel sitting in there when she was up on stands for 3 months.

Is there any quick-fix carb cleaner like Seafoam here in Australia?

[nikosg]

Well we had a fantastic DGR 2013 in Melbourne this year.

Approximately 150 riders all dappered up and looking the part on some amazing rides. Wide variety of bikes - everyone was welcomed (even a scooter rider :P )

Just some snaps you may enjoy. One or two GS(X) in there too in disguise

One of the most popular builds on the day - a very tidy BMW R75(?)




We have an amazingly skilled local painter who has done 3-4 of the bikes on display. This was his ride for the day












NOT just gentlemen on this ride!

[nikosg]

apologies for the few large pictures.. i resized them but obviously imageshack doesnt want to agree..




One of the "Gentlemans Jack" sponsor girls. Me in the white gringo getting ready to fight the boys for her :P





And just me leading the 150 odd strong group - no photoshop at all by the way...

[steve murdoch]

Thanks for the cool pics of what looks like a fun event.
The black and gold Darmah is one of my favourite all time good looking bike.

[pete]

Good stuff Nik, glad you got to enjoy the ride!

[nikosg]

new toy just arrived from Italy. Courtesy - Marving. Race system 4-1 chrome black... *drool*










Insentive NOT to even use the baffle - as i cant get it in without cutting the steel cap you see right there (due to the welded nut on the inside at the tip of the pipe where you fix the plastic black cap too)



not sure what this is in the package for..... replacement kick stand? :s

[derwood]

I think that's a bumper for the center stand, so it doesn't hit the pipe (when it's up)