Operation scrambler

[peteGS]

I have no issues with the pipe going round the left of the bike under my ankle, but I tend to ride with my toes on the pegs.

I only notice it on hot days when sitting in traffic with my foot on the ground.

Two things that will help... an effective heat shield and ceramic coating.

Mine is ceramic coated... and that's water after a bath in the first photo... and I also now run Avon RoadRiders rather than the dual sports but I had a Pirelli Scorpion Trail up front and  Pirelli Scorpion MT90A/T on the rear.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Was wanting a closeup of th at one. Thank you

[yamahonkawazuki]

I wonder if a pipe like that would fit onto a gs500 for a cafe race or fighter build

[J_Walker]

I wonder if a pipe like that would fit onto a gs500 for a cafe race or fighter build

im looking to do something LIKE this for my scrambler build... a gs500... 

I just don't know the best way to route the pipes, without creating hot spots over the engine. and of course, something that looks cool.

also, I agree, if I run it up the side some sort of heat-shield would be a must! especially in Florida!

[Big Rich]

Pete, I forgot about your rear luggage rack. I need to make a new one for my S, I may have to rip off.....I mean draw inspiration from yours.

Walker, I don't have a 500 so it might not be much help. But be sure to post plenty of ideas when you get to your exhaust. I'm sure Pete / myself / others might have some good ideas when it comes to the routing of it.

[peteGS]

Yama, glad I could be of service  and this is a custom one off, so you could definitely get one made to suit a 500. The guy that did this had a jig for the 450 which gets the exhaust port angles and spacing right, then he did the rest to suit what I wanted.

Rich, that rack is now sitting on the bench after I got my hands on the made-of-unobtanium genuine optional sports rack on there  but I wouldn't suggest shipping that one to you as it's a little crooked... haha

J_Walker... I would highly recommend the ceramic coating for heat or if you can't do that exhaust wrap will achieve the same purpose. The reason I didn't do that was simply that as a daily rider, I didn't want it soaking up water and rusting the pipe. I initially wanted the exhaust down the right side but my mock up showed me it would interfere with the dip stick so I moved it to the left.

Careful routing will mean no hot spots and a mock up is good for working that out. The ceramic coating helps with that as would exhaust wrap, and I don't have any issues with it evaporating the fuel from the carb float bowl or anything either.

Save your paper towel and toilet roll cardboard tubes up and do this:





There's a heap more photos in here:

http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/library/GS450/Exhaust?sort=3&page=1

[yamahonkawazuki]

THIS. Is artistry. The bike, the pipe. All of it.

[peteGS]

Thanks Yama! She's not so pristine these days but still going strong except for the carbs 

[J_Walker]

Thanks Yama! She's not so pristine these days but still going strong except for the carbs 

speaking of carbs.. I don't have access to a media blaster.. and im not about to pay 50 bucks to use one...

so, i've been trying to polish these carbs, and I swear they are driving me insane. they just aren't finishing up nicely. some areas are really shinny, while others have weird dull spots, almost like they're stained.. I tried a polishing liquid today, and returned it - because it did not work, my steel wool method has been the best, but I Can't get these weird stain looking spots out... at this rate, I'm about to paint them. lol



about as shiny as im willing to get them with just steel wool. most of the hard work comes from the little tight spaces.

who knows.. I may not even keep the "shiny" and paint over it.. its good to get the outside oxides cleaned up anyway, also passes the hours waiting for parts and such.. lol

[Ron888]

I must say i've never ever found any alloy polishing method that works to my satisfaction.In fact i'm considering building my own anodizing kit so i can make ally look perfectly new and clean without the gloss

[Big Rich]

Look into vapor blasting. It used to be unheard of (at least here in the US) but is becoming much more popular. It is a type of bead / shot blasting, but has a polishing effect on aluminum.

[peteGS]

I'm with Rich, any sort of hand polishing just isn't going to cut it on a set of carbs I don't think. Fuel and grunge all over them in tight little nooks and crannies makes for a nightmare.

I just dipped mine in carb cleaner and called them good 

[J_Walker]

I'm with Rich, any sort of hand polishing just isn't going to cut it on a set of carbs I don't think. Fuel and grunge all over them in tight little nooks and crannies makes for a nightmare.

I just dipped mine in carb cleaner and called them good 

I think I'm just gonna get all the gunk and whatnot off, and paint them. this polishing thing is a PITA and the little steel wool pieces are getting in places they aren't suppose to be...

now to choose a color! since its suppose to be a scrambler. kinda wanna go with a camo style palette with the bike over all. So I'm thinking about maybe painting the carbs either a tan or dark green color.

[Big Rich]

Be forewarned : carbs need special attention if you're going to paint them because of all the gasoline they deal with. Stripping them completely of all rubber, boiling them in water to remove any oil / gas residue, taping off all parts that can't be painted, etc.

Not to be negative nelly, just want to give you a heads up.

[J_Walker]

Be forewarned : carbs need special attention if you're going to paint them because of all the gasoline they deal with. Stripping them completely of all rubber, boiling them in water to remove any oil / gas residue, taping off all parts that can't be painted, etc.

Not to be negative nelly, just want to give you a heads up.

yeah I was gonna hit it with some quality paint. stuff that's rated for Nitro fuel [the stuff they use in RC related gas engines]

[J_Walker]

its coming along... the big work of course is the engine work.  I gotta work on the seat. of course. but the pan is cut out and ready. just gotta foam and fabric.

oh and guess the mud guard..

[Joolstacho]

Mate, regarding those 'strange' dull areas when you polish the carbs, I reckon there's a good chance that it is porous castings causing this.
You polish away, and whilst some areas come up beautifully shiny, as you polish, you abrade down into areas of the casting that have zillions of tiny air pockets within the alloy.

[J_Walker]

Mate, regarding those 'strange' dull areas when you polish the carbs, I reckon there's a good chance that it is porous castings causing this.
You polish away, and whilst some areas come up beautifully shiny, as you polish, you abrade down into areas of the casting that have zillions of tiny air pockets within the alloy.

yeah, I'm just gonna clean them, and paint em. no point in polishing as they aren't really "showing" but they show enough that anyone taking a closer look, might see them up close. so a quick paint job should just pretty em up.

[J_Walker]

today, while trying to install the engine into the frame, I figured it was easier to get it in the same way it came out..

upon removing the stud bolts, I dropped a copper washer down into the engine.. 

upon that, I opened up the oil pan - forgetting I never drained the oil.   

and upon that, the copper washer was no where to be found in the oil pan. 

I just spent the last 2 hours cleaning the mass of oil that went EVERYWHERE out of the garage. my half mangled engine sits on a palette, ready to be taken down further.   


Many words where spoken today, I think this post has been the nicest thing I've said all day. and my neighbors probably think I'm clinically insane. screaming and cursing at a half mangled engine.

[peteGS]

Awwww man I feel that pain!!!! Some days you're just better off staying in bed... 

I'm sure you'll recover nicely though!