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Post by dusty350 on Oct 1, 2021 20:26:49 GMT 1
Busy week, so haven't really done anything to the Gixxer. I did take the underseat exhaust off today though. The biggest negative on the bike is the exhaust link pipe - from the Micron part up to the end "can", and allied with the rear sub frame and mesh panels, really spoil the lines of the bike. If I can remodel these areas I think it will transform the bikes looks no end. The end can is baffled, and made from stainless, and has the rear numberplate rivetted to it as well; 20211001_093750 by dusty miller, on Flickr 20211001_094129 by dusty miller, on Flickr 20211001_094141 by dusty miller, on Flickr The outlet on the Micron seems to be a standard size - 2" - so I'm hoping a link pipe and an end can will put the exhaust back in a more acceptable position; 20211001_094151 by dusty miller, on Flickr I'm also planning on some better side panels, to replace those awful mesh covers. They will hide the sub frame tubes from sight, and hopefully blend with the seat unit. Probably make them from a thin ali. It will mean finding a new home for the remote reservoir for the shock, but that shouldn't be too difficult. It will also mean remaking a rear light/numberplate mount, but the subframe , although a bit "Heath Robinson", is very strong, and will allow some sort of mount to be added to it. Time for some CAD I think Dusty
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Post by dusty350 on Oct 1, 2021 20:48:32 GMT 1
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Post by donkeychomp on Oct 1, 2021 21:27:34 GMT 1
Side panel idea seems a good one mate. Shame the zorst has to go. I know you can't stand it but I think it's fantastic! But I hope you can find what you need and for a good price (ie cheap!).
Alex
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Oct 1, 2021 21:32:13 GMT 1
Is there much under the area the side panels cover?
Steve
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Post by dusty350 on Oct 2, 2021 10:00:15 GMT 1
Hi mate Yea, battery box, CDI, fuse box and a bunch of wiring all hide under the panels, and the shock remote bolts on a frame tube; 20211002_093703 by dusty miller, on Flickr If this was a long termer I would get a new subframe made, fit a YSS shock without a remote res and possibly resite the battery, but I'm planning on working with what I've got, so will tidy up and improve as much as I can. Hopefully a solid panel each side will look a bit neater. I did think about original side panels, cut down, but I dont think they will be long enough to go as far back as I need them to. Dusty
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Oct 2, 2021 10:09:56 GMT 1
Ah right, it is a bit busy in there
Is there enough to fit a Matt black panel on the inside of the frame tubes so just the subframe and remote are showing?
I like the slim look of the seat unit. Maybe try each and see how it looks π
I have done 2 bikes now that I never intended stripping but just tidy up and sort
At some point I end up looking at a pile of parts and bolts all over the place and wonder how the he'll that happened π€£
Steve
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Post by dusty350 on Oct 2, 2021 11:41:54 GMT 1
Yea, I know what you mean - been there too !! Trouble is, if I start I wont stop - engine out for a full cosmetic, then engineers/painters etc etc. Very aware that at the end of all that it will still be a Streetfightered Gsxr, and not worth the money spent, which then means a next project is even further out of reach. I could easily spend 2-3k on this without going mad, but I haven't got it so wont be doing it unfortunately. Now the link pipe is out of the way. I can play around with some side panel ideas. Anything will be better than the cheese graters that were on there before Dusty
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Oct 2, 2021 13:22:25 GMT 1
Cheese graters π€£π€£π€£
Steve
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Post by dusty350 on Oct 2, 2021 18:26:02 GMT 1
Bit more done for the front end today. When I got the bike it had a single horn, bolted to the frame in a poor position, and it didn't work. The spares box turned up 2 better quality items, so I made 2 brackets to mount the horns under the single headlight, which is an old and ropey Lc bowl - fitted for mock up purposes. At least there will be some Lc influence on this Gixxer 20211002_145301 by dusty miller, on Flickr 20211002_151810 by dusty miller, on Flickr Dusty
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Post by donkeychomp on Oct 2, 2021 21:32:06 GMT 1
Headlight is the right choice! Twin horns are a neat touch too.
Alex
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Post by yamark on Oct 3, 2021 15:08:27 GMT 1
Headlight is much better. Fab work on the horn brackets, really neat mate. The bike will end up a minter
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Post by JonW on Oct 4, 2021 23:42:08 GMT 1
Its a billion times better each time i look at this thread, more good work Dusty. What is it with the wave of 'custom builders' who all thought side panels were fit only for the bin That rear subrframe looks beautifully made... er... I guess they couldnt weld alloy. hmm... Are the top rear spars only held with weld on one side? might be worth improving the fixings if keeping it. Im not sure i want to sit my weight on that and im not that heavy :/
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Post by dusty350 on Oct 5, 2021 7:47:17 GMT 1
Hi Jon Yea, the subframe is truly awful, but surprisingly sturdy, considering how it's been made. That's the weird thing about this bike. Some parts have obviously been pro fabricated - the exhaust, although not to my taste, has been made by someone who knows what they are doing and has the skills and equipment to bend stainless tube and make a baffled end can. The paint looks a pro job, but again, metalflake was for the early to mid 70's !! I wonder if it's been attacked by different owners - some better than others when it comes to the quality of the work carried out. The last time the logbook changed was 2011, so someone has had it 10 years, if that's correct ? The cheese grater side panels are a cheap fix and easy to bend to the slightly awkward shape of the frame below the seat - doing something better wont be easy for sure. The clocks were terrible to look at, but again, someone has fabricated stainless surrounds which were really neat, but then go and rivet the surrounds directly through the speedo/tacho body, and roughly hack off the trip knob to get it to fit Only good thing about that is it proves no miles since that was done, providing the speedo works, which I'm pretty sure it does. How far I go with it is still an unknown. If I was to do it properly I would need to sell the 400 to fund it, and I would only want to sell the 400 for another viable stroker project, not this. I have a list of what I would do, which includes new seat rails, exhaust, rear light, plus lots of other bits, but for now, project CAC (cheap as chips !) will get cosmetics and a few simple tweaks. The bike had a lot of interest when it was ticketed at 1500 quid, so I reckon I can get that for it with some sensible mods, and a good service Dusty
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Post by JonW on Oct 8, 2021 23:00:57 GMT 1
I hear you Dusty, it is a mish mash of quality. I wonder if it was an unfinished project and the next owner put it together?
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Post by veg on Oct 28, 2021 17:47:30 GMT 1
Donβt know if it is any good to you dusty but I have a spare buell lightning seat exactly the same as fitted to my bike which includes side panels.
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Post by dusty350 on Oct 28, 2021 18:55:51 GMT 1
Hi Tim Very kind mate, but I'm gonna persevere with the Duke seat I think. I've not touched this in a few weeks now - a new job means no time in the week like I had before, and busy weekends mean I've not had time. Nothing is gonna change any time soon, so I'm at a crossroads - do I carry on with cheap and easy changes, or just sell it on as is ? I have just bought a new pattern Lc headlight for it and some decals for the tank, so hopefully I will get some time on Saturday morning. I was going "great guns" at the start, but circumstances have changed considerably now. Haven't even test ridden the 400 since it came back from Mutts' dyno Did you get my Pm regards the postage on those parts Tim ? Dusty
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 11, 2021 22:46:50 GMT 1
Flogged this tonight ! A combination of new job/lack of time, and just got a little bored with it. Got my money back, plus covered the costs of the parts I bought. I'm a two stroke man at heart, and this just didn't quite tick the boxes I hoped it would. Sold to a nice fella and his Dad who are gonna build a 7/11 for Thundersport racing - the son, Luke was the 2017 Champion apparently. Anyway, I can now swing a cat again in the shed and dream of cheap two stroke project bikes Dusty
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Post by donkeychomp on Nov 11, 2021 23:46:34 GMT 1
Ah well. I empathise with the lack of time Dusty. At least you got your money back. Hopefully you'll find another 2 stroke to rebuild.
Alex
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Nov 12, 2021 9:31:23 GMT 1
Flogged this tonight ! A combination of new job/lack of time, and just got a little bored with it. Got my money back, plus covered the costs of the parts I bought. I'm a two stroke man at heart, and this just didn't quite tick the boxes I hoped it would. Sold to a nice fella and his Dad who are gonna build a 7/11 for Thundersport racing - the son, Luke was the 2017 Champion apparently. Anyway, I can now swing a cat again in the shed and dream of cheap two stroke project bikes Dusty Sorry to hear that, was enjoying the thread. It does prove that you have to love the project from the outset to see it through as they do soak up a lot of time, can be frustrating, and money pits, so without the love and/or attachment it can be better to move it on to someone who does have that. Look forward to your next one Dusty. Cheap 2-stroke? mmmm.
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 12, 2021 22:20:43 GMT 1
I do love slabbies, but to do this to the extent I normally do would have meant spending waaay more than the finished bike would have been worth, so it didn't make financial sense to start spending big - plus that would mean selling the 400 to fund it and I would only sell that for another 2 stroke project. That aside, working all week now means the weekend is my only time to keep up with all the other stuff I have to do, so the decision to move it on was an easy one really. Still, I enjoyed the little jobs I did on it, and think it left me looking better than when it arrived !! 20211031_104750 by dusty miller, on Flickr
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Post by abar121 on Nov 13, 2021 10:15:17 GMT 1
Good work!
I keep thinking about four stroke project bikes, but I'm getting older and the heft of the things does put me off. Not forgetting the 'fun' stripping and refitting four carbs.
Liking the final picture.
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 13, 2021 13:13:51 GMT 1
Yea, an Rd seems simple compared to a big 4. I did strip and rebuild an 1100 slabbie years ago - polished frame plus everything else, but it's a lot of work, and as you say, heavy. I remember laying the engine on it's side and lowering the newly polished frame over it to get it in. Getting an Lc engine in a frame is a doddle in comparison ! This bike is a parts donor for the new owner - tank, wheels and engine/ancilliaries are going into a 7/11 for racing, which is a shame, but hey ho. Dusty
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Post by sidney81 on Nov 13, 2021 14:41:52 GMT 1
Hi dusty ,let's hope a smoker pops us soon for you ππ
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Post by yamark on Nov 14, 2021 16:20:03 GMT 1
I think you made the choice mate, you're not capable of doing a bike that isn't perfect. It's why the standard of bikes on the Forum is so high, people try to replicate your detailing. Buy another 2 stroke when the right project comes along. In the mean time, I've loads of parts that need polishing mate- wouldn't want you to get bored .
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Post by Mr Kipling on Nov 19, 2021 19:13:01 GMT 1
Lets hope another 2T project pops up soon. glad you remade your funds on this one......
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Post by dusty350 on Nov 19, 2021 20:37:29 GMT 1
Hey Mr K. Long time matey - hope you and the missus are both well You still building ?? Dusty
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Post by Mr Kipling on Nov 28, 2021 12:49:13 GMT 1
Hey Mr K. Long time matey - hope you and the missus are both well ;) You still building ?? Dusty :) Hi Dusty me and mrs are fine , not building at present hope you are all well......
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