My first bike project!

[snot]

Looks really good. I actually don't care for naked bikes but this looks really good.

[Kruse08]

Snot, no worries everyone likes and dislikes their own things. I know not everyone is into the naked/cafe/streetfighter bikes. I enjoy the looks of those bikes and wanted to travel down that path. I did some work over the weekend to the bike. Added a new coolant overflow tank and painted the sprocket cover. I am sorting out parts and figuring out everything I will need so I can paint both engine covers and the radiator pipes. If anyone has removed these items let me know if it is a pain. I am also currently making out a list of everything that is going to get done, this is going to take the next year to complete as some jobs are more expensive. Anyways, here are some pictures.

[sumdawgtwigg]

That coolant overflow is awesome. Looks great on the bike.

[RogerPapaMike]

Originally Posted by Kruse08

I saw that you put the regulator rectifier (black metal thing with cooling fins) in between the sheet metal and seat. Does it get enough airflow there to cool it? I put mine on the frame under the seat, but i want to move it somewhere less conspicuous. I'm just worried that it will get too hot.

[Kruse08]

Thanks for the heads up about the heat. Next time I go out for a ride I will check to see if it gets hot as I never knew it would or could get hot. Still learning new things about the bike.

[PF1]

What headlight did you use?

[Kruse08]

I used a headlight from a 1980s suzuki gs550 which I bought off ebay.

[Kruse08]

So it has been awhile since I have updated this. I have done some work to the bike since late summer, maintenance and different parts. I am going to be buying some new items here soon and installing them over winter. Also have some large maintenance happening in the spring. I will get pictures updated here sometime soon.

[Kruse08]

Anyone want to come over and have a bike working day? I will provide beer and we can tackle the things needed on my bike. Granted it would take more then a day but I always prefer having someone more knowledgeable there.

[Kruse08]

Bike is hanging out in my space in the garage with a list of work that I need to do but I am waiting until spring. I did decide to cut the front fender and have been doing a lot research on maintenance. Just wanted to share a picture of the fender.

[Chicagobob]

Looks really good! I'd turn the rectifier so that air flows through the fins, rather than across them. Here's how I recently remounted my Vapor. This is a little rough, but I'm going to make a slicker looking bracket, now that I know how it fits:

[Kruse08]

Yeah I plan on moving the rectifier underneath my headlight and unless i get new handlebars i do not mind the gauge being where it is. It was cheap and effective. Thanks the bike still has a lot more work needed but it is slowly coming.

[Jetfoi]

where did you get the coolant overflow tank from?

[Kruse08]

It is an orange juice bottle i bought from the gas station. I think it is a 100% cranberry juice bottle.

[crazymadbastard]

I enjoyed reading your build. the rectifier in the stock location is under the plastic, not sure it got any flow there.

[Kruse08]

Thanks, yeah it is a work in progress.

[ironcitybikes]

I'm new to the site but if you look for my post it's under ironcitybikes.

[FvnnyL3tt3r1ng]

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

I enjoyed reading your build. the rectifier in the stock location is under the plastic, not sure it got any flow there.

The front fairings have a rectangle cut out of them so I think air did move towards the rear tire through that. Regardless, a device with cooling fins should be put where air flows best.

[FvnnyL3tt3r1ng]

@Chicagobob How'd you hook up the speedometer/odometer? I'd love to lend a helping hand but I'm too far. Internet will have to do. Here's a pic of mine I'm selling:

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2015-01-26 14.16.22.jpg

[Kruse08]

I have been torn between keeping the rear end of the bike but it is to far in for me to put rear fairings and tail light back on so I found a picture of how I want a shop to cut the lower frame brace this spring. I would do it myself but have no welder or experience. Your bike looks really good and makes me want a single side exhaust.

Originally Posted by FvnnyL3tt3r1ng

@Chicagobob How'd you hook up the speedometer/odometer? I'd love to lend a helping hand but I'm too far. Internet will have to do. Here's a pic of mine I'm selling:

Attachment 34921

Attachment 34922

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[Kruse08]

I will update you more in a few days but tomorrow I plan on doing some well needed maintenance. Putting on new tires, new chain, 15t and 45t sprockets. Cleaning and painting the swing arm, possibly painting the wheels. I may also do a full over haul on the brakes as a bought new sintered front pads and organic rears. If I do over haul the brakes I will install the ss lines I have. Oh do I love spring.

[RamblingExplorer]

Kruse08, how has that mount for the vapor been holding up for you? Does it seem solid enough? Been thinking about getting one myself but I have no idea how I would mount it. Your solution seems easy enough for me. It is using the stock mount, right?

[Kruse08]

Originally Posted by RamblingExplorer

Kruse08, how has that mount for the vapor been holding up for you? Does it seem solid enough? Been thinking about getting one myself but I have no idea how I would mount it. Your solution seems easy enough for me. It is using the stock mount, right?

It has held up well for the few thousand miles I have put on it. Does not vibrate or anything. I am planning to change it up a bit but use the same area to mount it. It was cheap and effective. It works well for the time being.

[Kruse08]

I thought I would add some pictures of progress. I know many of you may not look at this but I am proud of the work so I am going to continue to update this.













Much more to do but I wanted to document what I have done before spring time rolls in.

[Singh2jz]

Why only some?! Why not all the pics!! I love looking at pics!!

[Kruse08]

Originally Posted by Singh2jz

Why only some?! Why not all the pics!! I love looking at pics!!

Those are the only ones I have taken so far of the progress. Once I do more I take more and post more just for your viewing pleasure.

[Singh2jz]

okay

[crazymadbastard]

Looking good there!
What size tires are you using?

[Kruse08]

I believe they are 100/90/16 and 130/90/16.

[ThomasTrain001]

Man that is looking like an awesome ride! That's the same idea I'd like to have a 250 looking like. How hard would you say it is to strip it down and mount new tail lights and all that for a total beginner?

[Kruse08]

It is not difficult at all. I was not sure of what I was getting into but it is honestly very simple. I can guide you in any help you may need with what I have done.

[Kruse08]

It has been awhile since I have updated this thread. Have been busy with the bike. Remade the speedometer mount and painted the headlight bucket black along with the brackets. Added a rubber flap to the rear bracket to protect the battery more, though it is not pictured. Have been driving a decent amount since spring has arrived. Went on a good 170 mile trip with my uncle and the bike did well. The new tires are grippy and so much better than the stock Dunlops. The new gearing is also nice, much better on the highway and makes you stay in lower gears/higher rpms in the twisties. I did notice that my bike idle wavers in between 1300-1700 every one in a while. I am guessing it is time to clean to carbs. They do not have any other issues other than that. I have more to do but my time is limited as I got a promotion at my job. I will take more pictures soon. I still need to do the brakes and a few other things. Will update again soon.

[Kruse08]

I am trying to decide if I should purchase this for my bike. I would most likely paint it black but I wanted some opinions. Let me know what your thoughts are.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-CA...4f82fc&vxp=mtr

[crazymadbastard]

Originally Posted by Kruse08

I am trying to decide if I should purchase this for my bike. I would most likely paint it black but I wanted some opinions. Let me know what your thoughts are.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-CA...4f82fc&vxp=mtr

I like it .look for others too, there's some with actual windscreens too I have eyeballed on the fleabay.

[Kruse08]

Thanks, I am just debating because of the rear frame, I am trying to find someone or a shop to cut and re weld it. Not sure if it would like right until I got the rear taken care of.

[crazymadbastard]

Originally Posted by Kruse08

Thanks, I am just debating because of the rear frame, I am trying to find someone or a shop to cut and re weld it. Not sure if it would like right until I got the rear taken care of.

Bring it to my house I got sawsall, grinders, welders and shiz to git er chopped!

That rear metal is very soft you can cut it with a hacksaw. I was able to bend the seat frame rail by hand. If I were you, I'd talk to a muffler shop, they can bend and mig weld if you bring them the materials and maybe a cardboard template of the bends.

[Kruse08]

Yeah, I have a few different options. Driving to you would be one heck of a trip. An awesome trip. I plan to have the rear cut and welded sometime this year. I will wait awhile on buying the front windscreen.