An introductory build thread...cafe style

You could go ahead and ride on it to see how it performs, but rubber ages at pretty much the same rate no matter where it is, so the seals are likely past their prime. If you think the shock will last at least one riding season, then go ahead and run it.

 

I'll go with better safe than sorry

 

I think you're jumping to conclusions. If the guy you bought the forks from didn't DRAIN THEM first, it's quite possible they puked oil all over the inside of the box despite what condition the seals are in.

Fork seals are meant to keep the fork oil where it belongs when the forks are operating in a normal "service" attitude. Go tipping a filled fork in directions it was never meant to be tipped in and it will leak. If they were air-shipped, I'm sure the pressure changes wouldn't have helped either.

I would also assume that you're going to REBUILD the forks anyway which means they'll get new seals. How old was the bike the forks came off?

 

that box doesn't look very beat up. if there was shipping damage, the box would look a lot worse than it does.

CN

 

shipped ground but good to know. Yes they prob need a rebuild. #noobproblemz

 

is that another project bike in the background???

 

mike always has projects going on but this is the first bike. Mike and I put our brains together over the past couple days and decided to not do POR 15 on the frame but go with something that will really piss all the purists off. I have never seen what I am about to on a full motorcycle frame but it should be an interesting one off bike.

 

I'm sitting here waiting on an old Jeep to show for some panel/fender work and thought I would check in Stu's thread.

We've repaired a few bikes, BUT we've never cut a bike all up and put it all back together like this for sure. So I guess it's our first REAL bike project. Hahaha.

I really like the mono shock idea. Reminds me of my YZ125 (dating myself).

On the paint job, if it goes that way, people will like it I bet. I've used POR15 many times, but it's not made for cars and bikes on the outside if you brush it on for sure. It is a great product otherwise. Stu did thin it some, and we never tried to spray it.

If his other direction on paint pans out, wait and see, it will be very slick. Of course the final bike is still in his head and changes weekly sometimes. Haha

 

sorry guys no updates in a couple weeks but the frame was being prepped for its "paint." It may be another 2 weeks before I hear back from the shop. They are very busy.

 

And here we go. Transfer printing carbon fiber with blue background. No it's not old school or classic in anyway but it's my crazy twist on an old bike.

 

Very nice.

Stu came to us for welding on this crazy idea for a bike. Ended up, he and I did other work, filler, sanding, etc. Then I mentioned a friend (Gary) that did this work with a company (mostly on pistols and rifles), so this might be the first and last one LOL. It looks great though.

I wonder how they line up the other side of the swing arm?

This bike is totally one off.

 

The frame is taking a while but perfection is a slow process.

 

Curiosity is piqued. How do you do that? Is it the thing where you have a decal floating on the surface of the water and you dip the parts in?

 

^exactly. Check out the video for the process.

 

I'm amazed at how well it's following the contours with no noticeable warping or overlapping.

 

I really don't know why with all the crazy custom things people do that this hasn't been done. I've seen tanks and fenders but not the whole frame

 

I was just informed that they are laying the clear(matte finish). Prep for PICS!

 

Gary will probably never speak to me again. lol.

That had to be a lot of work to align it all.

http://www.submersionprinting.com/ shows what they normally do.

Know one else has one for sure. For now.

It's looking good. Don't forget the shock still needs to be done and other things I am sure. It is still over here, saw it while working on the Jeep last night.

Well, it's 100% apart, now to put it all back together.

 

Ok so heres the deal. The shop says they are not satisfied with one spot on the frame so they will try to get it perfect....taking forever but expect some pictures next week.

 

You know you've found a place that deserves your money when they are just as much of a perfectionist as you are. Can't wait to see the results.

 

I'm excited too. I decided since my bike has so much work into it I might as well refurbish everything so the suspension items are now in another shop(seaside powersports in Lantana, FL) getting a once over to see if they need any/further repair. They will be doing the final syncing and mechanical certification for the bike; I kinda of need a piece of mind so I don't kill myself.

 

Some pictures of the finished product.

 

Sick work so far! Keep the pics coming!

 

That thing is going to be so sick looking really GREAT job on that mono conversion, I truely wish I had that kind of patience!!! :lol:

 

Awesome looking build, however because of people as dedicated to their bikes as you, I now feel a stronger urge to do something with my project 650...

 

Yes a lot of patience lol. Bluesbass you're from west deptford? South NJ was my old stomping ground. I live in Woodstown for 18yrs.

 

This is already shaping up to be an amazing build! I LOVE it - nice work man!

 

Sure am! Been here 13 years (and counting). Grew up in Spartanburg, SC though. Better jobs in NJ, better / less densely populated roads and hills in SC: each state has it's good and bad.

 

thanks for all the praise guys. I have the frame in my GTI now. It's not done to my perfection but still what do you expect on something thats completely experimental. It's just some little spots that need a touch up. I probably should have gone glossy or satin(it really sets off the metal flake in the paint). Mike and I are going to brainstorm some ways to cover some of the imperfections. We did put this stuff called detail doctor on it to see if it would add some shine to it and it looks good but we will see if it fades. I'll be taking the frame to get a custom metal seat done in the next weeks(english wheel and all). Then assembly begins....

 

Looking forward to seeing the bike done

 

I'm sure you will see it in person. I don't really have any bike friends in south FL

 

It would be great to have a bobber get together somewhere in Broward county like let's say Mills Pond Park, CB Smith park or Quiet Waters Park.

I've seen plenty of bobbers on the road...

I'm going to start a thread to see if there will be some interest. . Im sure that there are other forums

 

Some pictures of the finished product

 

Check or look for the thread I started to try to organize a meet in Fort Lauderdale

" South Florida Bobber and Rider Meet in Fort Lauderdale"

 

Looking good! Can't wait to see it done! If y'all ride up to north FL I'll catch up with you!

 

Panama City is too far for me to ride a bobber... murder on my herniated discs

 

Awesome man, well done, looking forward to seeing more!

 

A little update; The frame and tank were dropped off at Rusted Jalopy for the custom seat to get fabbed out of metal. I decided to turn my attention to the suspension. My local shop can do the front forks but cannot do the rear shock which is leaking. I decided to send it to Corporate Suspension in Salt Lake City, UT. Before I send it out Mike and I decided to strip the spring and put a real coating on the spring. This was my first time powder coating.



End product:


Doing things in my bare feet again :/ a nice dusting of red.

 

Here's another picture. We have a side project now, a bigger oven for power coating.

Well. Picture will not upload. Will send to Stu to upload it.

 

Loving this thread currently I will have to make one this fall once Ive aquired my part list and material needed for my build. I have my helmet water transferred wood grain.

 

Thanks, sorry no updates yet. I'm still waiting on the seat and suspension to get finished...pics soon

 

Everybody loves progress

 

Progress!

 

seat complete. tank is getting pressure tested and then paint for both. Stuffing the motor in this weekend. Yay I finally have a porch.

 

Stuffed the motor in early and of course I didn't label anything so the bolt guessing begins.


Can anybody tell me what bolt these are? M7? M8x1 or M8x1.25 don't seem to work.

 

Lol I feel you there, I didn't label half mine so I've been guessing and had to replace a lot because they're either lost or rusted up pretty bad. Those bolts are M8 I believe but they're different lengths

 

ok maybe I will try them again I didn't have time and I didn't feel like stripping anything.

 

sorted out the bolt situation and added an oil cooler since it's always warm where I live.


I still have to add these to keep everything in line.

 

Anybody think this will work with an xj?