Project Not Very Original

Westers · 09-20-2009, 4:15 PM

I have succumbed to temptation and got myself a project. As this is my first ever bike customisation project, my self inflicted rules were pretty minimal, but sensible: Buy a complete bike and convert it - absolutely no ground up builds

I looked at Bandits and Fireblades, but settled on a Bandit as water cooled engines, no matter how much you tart them up, just don't look the same as a good old oil / air cooled lump. So a Bandit it is then But.....

They're fugly.
Fugly can be rectified by lobbing the rear end into the nearest skip/mineshaft/pond.
I really, really, really tried to like the tank, but it sucks - the shape just doesn't do it for me.
And the frame is too spindly.

So I bought myself a Slingshot 750. Well, ahem, some of it. Actually, just the frame. And then a Bandit 1200 motor. And then a set of k5 750 forks. And then an SRAD swingarm (actually I've ended up with 3 - I only wanted one, but people kept giving them to me

). And a set of SRAD wheels. And a CBR600RR shock. And soon to be purchased set of custom yokes.

And remember, absolutely no ground up builds involving bits from all sorts of bikes.

Oops.

Anyway, progress so far: Hacked off the subframe, ready for a new one to be made at some point. Lessons learnt today: aluminium doesn't really like angle grinders - it just sort of chews itself up into snotty little bits and doesn't really give back a satisfying grind.

Still, got most of the subframe off, but I'm going to get some 40 and 80 grit flap wheels to finish it off. I reckon they'll be better.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4271971...85668/sizes/l/

Just messing about with possible height levels. Nede to find a top shock mount as my frame didn't come with one. Anyone got one? It's the bolt in type.

The swingarm has already been sleeved so that the original spindle will fit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4271971...86336/sizes/l/

And this lot will have to be fitted in somewhere

Going to have a go at creating my own tail section out of foam, pulling a mold from it and then laying up some fibreglass. How hard can it be.....

And can someone please explain how I post my Flickr photos as proper images in this thread rather than links.

Sideshow bob · 09-20-2009, 4:23 PM

Shame I can't see the pics*

*gunna have to register with them now

bladeracer · 09-20-2009, 4:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westers

And can someone please explain how I post my Flickr photos as proper images in this thread rather than links.

Flicker sucks.
If you aren't a supporting member, you're limited to a total of 1Mb of attachments I think so pics will need to be small.
The paperclip above the text box allows you to browse your drives for files.
Otherwise, try Photobucket as it doesn't require registration.
I've got 652Mb on mine (42 videos and maybe 1000 pics) but they just made a 500Mb limit so I can't put anymore up without paying a fee.

Westers · 09-20-2009, 5:09 PM

Try this:

http://s673.photobucket.com/albums/v...t=IMG_0412.jpg

and this:

http://s673.photobucket.com/albums/v...t=IMG_0413.jpg

bladeracer · 09-20-2009, 5:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westers

Try this:

http://s673.photobucket.com/albums/v...t=IMG_0412.jpg

and this:

http://s673.photobucket.com/albums/v...t=IMG_0413.jpg

Much better :-)

Westers · 09-26-2009, 3:30 PM

Another day, another dollar and time on the bike.

Six hours on it today, but you wouldn't think so when you look at the pics. Nothing major has changed, but I have concentrated on sanding down the stumps of ali left on the frame when I cut the subframe off.

24 grit sanding disk on the grinder, followed by 80 grit sanding disk, and then finished off with 400 grit wet and dry on a sanding block, and then rounded over the edges of the frame with it. And I'm dead chuffed - still haven't ****ed up the frame

Took me time on it though - slowly, slowly catchy monkey, 'n all that. Still more sanding to be done, but I ran out of wet 'n dry, but at least I got it pretty much spot on in terms of flatness. The old finger test over the frame can just pick up so slight humps, so a bit more work and it should be good to go.

Then spent an hour or so degreasing a petrol tap I scored off fleabay (it's was lagged in grot), followed by hacking up an old chain and chucking them in the petrol tank and giving it a good shake. And kids, don't forget to tie some string to the bits of chain so you can pull them out

But then a slight mishap - thought I'd smooth off the rusty pitted area where the tap sits so got the grinder out, sanding away nicely only to notice that the back end of the disk had sanded through part of the tank. Bugger.

It's only a small hole so should be fixable, but looking at the tank it is a bit grotty so Imight just use it as a guide for mocking up the subframe, etc and buy another one.

Finally, topped the day off with a bit of measuring of spacers for the rear shock mounting points and also the shock pivot. Got to keep me father busy now that he's retired so he'll get those drawings soon so he can turn them up on his small lathe

So here's some pics of the smoothed frame:

Sideshow bob · 09-26-2009, 3:39 PM

Nicely done Westers

... It looks good

Westers · 09-26-2009, 3:49 PM

Cheers SSB - Have to say I'm dead chuffed with it too

Sideshow bob · 09-26-2009, 3:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westers

Cheers SSB - Have to say I'm dead chuffed with it too

dont think I'd have had the patience.. a quick rub* and I'd wanna do summut else....

.... I'm thinking I should polish my blade frame, but know I'll get bored.. and fear it'll end up with one shiney side and one half shiney

* oooo, errrr! Fner Fner!!

Westers · 09-26-2009, 4:25 PM

I'd love to say that the bling work was me, but alas no. The original owner did all that hard work and guess what, I'm going to powder coat the mother....

My patience is ok when it comes to making sure things are sanded smooth (5 p's and all that - perfect preparation prevents...), but not for frame polishing.

929ADAM · 10-11-2009, 1:13 AM

i dont know if you're interested...but our current 91 gsxr 750 project on CustomFighters is ****ed . . (long story) . . so I may be selling some parts from the bike and I thought that this 07 Gsxr 750 gastank custom cut to fit the 91 frame by remaking the belly of the tank. The pic i have doesnt have the front plastic section of the tank cover, but we have it.

soupnazi · 10-11-2009, 3:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 929ADAM

i dont know if you're interested...but our current 91 gsxr 750 project on CustomFighters is ****ed . . (long story) . . so I may be selling some parts from the bike and I thought that this 07 Gsxr 750 gastank custom cut to fit the 91 frame by remaking the belly of the tank. The pic i have doesnt have the front plastic section of the tank cover, but we have it.

That is hot!

What's the long story? Got a thread to link to?

Westers · 10-11-2009, 7:16 AM

Mmmmmm - that is nice. What sort of cash would you be looking for it, plus any idea on freight charges to the Uk ?

radiobloke · 10-11-2009, 6:26 PM

pleeeeeease send me the wheels!!

Westers · 10-12-2009, 6:15 AM

Oiy Tupac, your budget's dead

radiobloke · 10-12-2009, 6:19 AM

didn't say I could pay for em....just to send me em

929ADAM · 10-17-2009, 5:33 AM

sorry bloke, im keeping the wheels lol.

soup, lemme see how much shipping will be. i'll have the parts in hand in a couple weeks.