This project started as a high-idle repair job. While I had the tank down, I decided to powder coat it. When done, I brought it home and sat it atop the frame. The frame was just too crappy for the freshly painted tank. So, I decided to go major and tear the hole bike apart and powder coat the frame as well. It ended up taking me about four months of chipping a bit at a time most nights.
I decided on a theme about a month into the project. I follow a certain Nascar driver, so that is the theme. I anticipate that this would be something of an acquired taste. I make no apologies for it; I just say that I really enjoyed the work, and I love how my bike looks now, I feel a huge sense of acomplishment, and if that wasn't enough, I was able to fix my idling problem as well!!!
I intent on enjoying the bike through summer, and at some point I'll deal it to move on to a 650. At least that's what I think now.
This is the bike as it was back when I bought it:
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/427281_10150545137946619_679986618_9233363_213085660_n.jpg)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/420213_10150545133186619_679986618_9233346_847976269_n.jpg)
Most of the stuff already out of the bike, motor on the floor, bike parts on the table...
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/407386_10150545123391619_1080199010_n.jpg)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/422414_10150545123956619_679986618_9233314_1465452633_n.jpg)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/395664_10150545123481619_679986618_9233307_1523920737_n.jpg)
Sandblasting the frame, and washing it in preparation for powder coating
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/402680_10150545137996619_679986618_9233366_923568666_n.jpg)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/395390_10150545137971619_679986618_9233365_1901999484_n.jpg)
Working on valve clearances
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/428310_10150545130241619_679986618_9233330_842378829_n.jpg)
Frame back home, both wheels back on...
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/424947_10150545131331619_679986618_9233336_649545628_n.jpg)
...continued...
Plastics Primed
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/423116_10150545124046619_679986618_9233315_2110635891_n.jpg)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/418911_10150545123781619_679986618_9233313_1730516846_n.jpg)
Pic out of sequence... Frame with swingarm and front end on.
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/394116_10150545130611619_679986618_9233333_700412_n.jpg)
Close-up of powder coated spring.
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/419925_10150545130276619_679986618_9233331_1362567542_n.jpg)
Rear wheel on
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/425869_10150545131731619_679986618_9233339_1210129309_n.jpg)
Motor up!
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/407393_10150545138051619_679986618_9233367_781093480_n.jpg)
And this is the result. I hate that I didn't have my "good" camera with me yesterday, when I took these pics with my phone. I still want to do a more decent photo shoot, probably next weekend by the beach.
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/431199_10150574084416619_679986618_9332769_1151487380_n.jpg)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/113.jpg)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/423355_10150574083361619_679986618_9332765_611769631_n.jpg)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/112.jpg)
This last pic is a total rip-off of a pose done recently by a member of this forum. I hope you find this a tribute to your pic composition...
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/vasama0/428764_10150574084736619_679986618_9332771_1270848442_n.jpg)
Cool man :thumb:. Now go enjoy that thing. If you ever want to swap wheels, I have white wheels for ya.
+Cool. Add white rims with red reflective tape.
I've got an extra NOS OEM white front rim - never even had bearings in it. Rear whites are used, but look good.
I love the frame. The red on red takes away from how nice the frame looks though. I mean, great job (applause), but I'm not a big fan of the white/red on red frame. Honestly I had to go back and read the summary to see what the theme was. But fzantastic job and I hope you enjoy it thoroughly! (great pics too)
Nice Job :thumb:
Red rocket. Very nice.
Really good job, well done man!
Quote from: cbrfxr67 on March 05, 2012, 01:43:38 PM
I love the frame. The red on red takes away from how nice the frame looks though. I mean, great job (applause), but I'm not a big fan of the white/red on red frame. Honestly I had to go back and read the summary to see what the theme was. But fzantastic job and I hope you enjoy it thoroughly! (great pics too)
I like the bike but i agree with cbrfxr67, i would have just went with black and red, but thats just me i like things simple. i'm going to do mine in black and white this next winter.
Quote from: knowles on March 07, 2012, 09:47:58 PM
Quote from: cbrfxr67 on March 05, 2012, 01:43:38 PM
I love the frame. The red on red takes away from how nice the frame looks though. I mean, great job (applause), but I'm not a big fan of the white/red on red frame. Honestly I had to go back and read the summary to see what the theme was. But fzantastic job and I hope you enjoy it thoroughly! (great pics too)
I like the bike but i agree with cbrfxr67, i would have just went with black and red, but thats just me i like things simple. i'm going to do mine in black and white this next winter.
White frame, white wheels, black tank and fairings. Do it!
Personally, I'd like to see a GS with a red frame, and matte silver plastics.