Topic: Epwna

[B]

Having sorted out most of the GL conversion specifics, I was left with just a few bits to figure out. One of which being the fact that the dash no longer mounted to the triple tree, so I decided to try my hand at a custom one! Still needs polish and I need a bigger bit to mount the usb charger underneath the ignition switch (for when I need to download updates to the ecu  ), but I think the result is simple, effective, and will look pretty good shiny



And lastly I took care of another thing and couldn't possibly be stoked...er with the results!



Dat spray-bomb job doe! The to-do list continues dwindle!

[Restoration Fan]

I'm loving the look of this bike.  Did you do the paint on the tank yourself?

[FunJimmy]

I'm a bit late to the party but I made it!
B, your trials and tribulations should earn you a reward in BOTM when you're done.
Great build and commentary.

[RainsongCB750F]

I LOVE the tank! What a creative use of the best symbol in the world.
Keep it up

[evanphi]

Hey! Listen!

.
.
.
.
.



Looks like a great looking project. I am also partial to the silver fin tips with black inside.

[RainsongCB750F]

Hey! Listen!

.
.
.
.
.



Looks like a great looking project. I am also partial to the silver fin tips with black inside.

HA! shut up Navi just let me play my game!

[B]

I'm loving the look of this bike.  Did you do the paint on the tank yourself?

Thanks, I sure did! Many layers, much wet sanding, and max 2k clear coat! Bad news though... after laying down the final coat of clear I set it on blocks to dry, and while continuing to work in the garage, proceeded to knock it off the blocks upon which it was drying! My own dumb fault, but I will need to re-sand and re-clear.

[B]

Thanks for the general encouragement, and of course the Zelda love! I have much to report, and the first bit is right on topic! Got those custom gauge faces printed, and back-lit with red LEDs!



Decided that a bike like this deserved to be dressed in gold chains...


One of the last things standing between me and starting was rebuilding my carbs, so I ordered rebuild kits (quantity of 4 in the shopping cart) online. The good news is I received one correct kit! The ones they sent me for the pre PD carbs, and two sets for Kawasakis however, were less useful to me...

Having learned not to be disheartened by such setbacks, I ventured on the line once more in search of perhaps a more comprehensive carb rebuild kit. I found one by Mikuni that seems to have pretty much every conceivable part included...
 

I think they called it the RS34s... Only thing it didn't come with was the ratchet straps it took to get them onto the cylinder head (thanks for the idea tweakin). The original carb boots even cooperated for me, so I didn't have to order a new set!

[B]

'What then' you might ask yourself, 'is standing between you and starting this bad beast up now? Is it that she needs a muffler? Brakes?' You may not be wrong to think such things, but ask yourselves this! 'Why would one want to restrain the roars that proclaim the fruits of such a long and trying labor of love? And why would one install so many bad-@$$ go fast parts?? Cuz they wanted the bike to stop??' 'NAY' I say to you! 'For it was to be loud and go fast that this bike was built, and be loud and go fast she will!'

I drained the battery getting the oil pump light to go off, so she was going to have to be kicked into action the first time. The video begins on the 3rd kick

http://vid792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/brianwvogt/IMG_2543_zpstkrzg5zo.mp4

She purred like a kitten, and maintained a steady oil pressure of about 65psi

Ok so disclaimer... Obviously I didn't ride sans-brakes. Also she will get a muffler, the right tank as soon as I finish re-finishing it, and a proper tuning/timing/syncinc. I just couldn't help myself. Also I can fully admit that five seconds after initial start-up is not the best time to be revving it, but I settled down pretty quilckly (with a little convincing from the great Jer-tendo) and we set it to idle at 2k just after the video ends. Plus hey, I was pretty freakin pumped!

So now the only thing standing between me and my first shake down run, is brakes. We have spent a literal 14 hours total trying to get this MC to bleed. From a pneumatic bleeder, to a vacuum pump, to the good old fashioned method, and even and attempt at a gravity bleed... nothing seems to work. The lever just continues to bottom out without convincing the pads to so much as budge. I rebuilt the calipers and the MC, brand new stainless brake lines and copper washers, and it doesn't seem that we have a leak, so I think I am just going to order a new MC and get this baby on the road! From there it is just a matter of waiting for the seat back from Mamma Bear Upholstery, and finishing off the gas tank! I couldn't possibly be more excited!

[JoeHip]

Sweet bike & great build report!

[evanphi]

Great look on your face!