here i go again.. project: 'too late to go back now'

[Good Times]

It looks great. I like going through your post remembering the same stages of the rebuild with my bike. Thanks for sharing the pictures and the story.

[08rangerdan]

As of today.. Trying to decide what im doing with the wheels. Either coat them or polish..? Brake piston and seal kits are in the mail and should be here next week

[08rangerdan]

Just a couple little updates

Calipers are all rebuilt and installed. I got some grips and a set of mirrors. Also fitted something different for foot pegs to replace the ugly lugs that were there before. Im just finalizing some last options for the wheels before i follow through with those. Then i should be able to get some rubber on it.. Exhaust is also on my mind now.

[steve murdoch]

What are the new footpegs from?
I like the look.
also...name and pic of your dog.

[08rangerdan]

In pretty sure the pegs are just some generic units for the newer sports bikes. Im sure these were for a gsxr.

I call the picture with my dog. 'man cave' orr 'one mad wife' lol.. i always preferred to have a nice chrome motorized centerpiece over a bundle of decorative twigs in a vase any day. My significant other could dissagree.

[08rangerdan]

After a long search for an affordable no labour method to bring new life to the wheels.. I come back with nothing. My initial plans were powder coat, but several factors including cost were stopping me to go that route. My next professional method would have been to peen blast the finish to a nice satin aluminum finish in a natural state of the metal. I was really set on this method and i was looking all over for the right price. But over $130 for both wheels was still beyond my budget for this part of the project. So being high ended everywhere i decided to try another method to remove the faded finish and stains in the original finishes. I used various strengths of degreasers and several non abrasive types of scotchbrite. Maybe this will look all right?. Once i get rubber on it ill keep it all wet looking with some tire and trim shine to keep the black nice and black in the sun. Then i might polish some of the visible aluminum.. But i likely wont bother since its not overly visable.

I got the bike on its centerstand.. First time its been there in some months!




I dont have a very good picture of the wheel before but you can kind of see what i was working with here


And then





After i played around with some 400 then 800 grit paper to remove some pitting.

[08rangerdan]

Rear tire i just mounted to be balanced and installed on the bike

[08rangerdan]

Got some sidestand action tonight! Wheels are done and brakes are bled. Next to do is a rear tag mount, tail light and blinker configuration

[GSXR7ED]

Lookin' good!

Can't wait till I get to my wheels...and get em' pretty like your's.


Ed

[08rangerdan]

I dont really know where im headed with this but im going to try some effort in making something work with the remains of an exhaust i currently have. I picked up some dei wrap for the heads tonight.. We will see how this evolves.. Ive got to modify this header for clearances around the rear brake then i may cleanly re route its output more rearward.. Possibly enough to get an actual muffler on it... Time will tell.

[08rangerdan]

Uhoh i broked it good. Now i gotta make something pretty out of it.. Hmm

[08rangerdan]

Just whipped up a tag mount. It will go above the rear caliper.. Its the only real spot i can keep it out of the way and not snag it on everything.. Ill see how it looks/works on the bike later on

[08rangerdan]

On and functionable. Doesnt look too bad either..

Im working on an integrated LED strip for under the seat. It will have an accessory brake light and both rear indicators on a 5" length. Im hoping for success on that..

Im doing a couple mods to some exhaust interference, then Im going to start navigating some pipe into place. I might likely go check out some slip on mufflers at the shop tonight.. I dont think Im going to find much in a 2" slip on. But the biggest diameter i can get will designate the piping for the head

[jabcb]

Good idea to add the LED strip.

Those side-mounted brake/tail lights can't be seen by some drivers.

Given the bikes I've seen in Pennsylvania, I'm a bit surprised the state hasn't imposed rules governing them. We have proposed legislation for vertically mounted license plates but that's all I've heard of.

[08rangerdan]

Being seen was my worry too. I think the light strip worked out well last night. Its quite a bit brighter then the side mount itself. Makes me feel a bit better about the safety aspect of things.