Topic: 550SS near 100% completion

[JP]

I'll be riding it all day tommorrow hopefully- the loose ends always take longer than they should.  I changed up the pinstripeing a bit.  All critisisms are welcome.  This was a very low budget build for both time and money.  With that in mind, let me know what ya'll really think. 
JP

[putnaja1]

Sorry man, I haven't been following- what work have you done to the bike?

[scunny]

a pic would be nice, or did I miss something

[supersport_CB400F]

Niice 

[JP]

Boy do I feel gay   Sorry 'bout that, I was trying to get ready for some friends that where comeing over and forgot to post the pics.  Here you go.

JP

[Chris Liston]

Looks great.  I liked that you cut off the passenger peg hoops.  how did you do the tank?

[ElCheapo]

Looks great.  I liked that you cut off the passenger peg hoops.  how did you do the tank?

Same, this cleans up the frame nicely. I like the stuff you have done to this...

[prsman23@hotmail.c]

The paint doesn't do a thing for me. Kinda kills it actually... That's just my silly little insignificant opinion. But hey, you asked.

[ElCheapo]

I am a big fan of "Pop" paint jobs. Sorry to say this is not one, The colors are right... but when you look at it I am sure you will come to a understanding that the paint just does not "POP" 

[Chris Liston]

Looking at some more.  Is that a K model disguised as an F.  Looks like K sidecovers, shame on you     Where did you get the seat.  I've seen some on eBay.

Chris

[ChrisR]

Well, no-one is going to mistake you for someone else - JP I like it when people have the balls to do their own thing to their bikes - it always draws comment.  The shape of the tank is good and I bet it sounds loud. Not too sure about the graphics - bit gay perhaps

[JP]

Thanks for the resposnses fella's.  I knew the paint would be different, and that is what I wanted- I mean, how many people pick "suede" for the frame and wheels.  As far as "popping", I don't know of any other color that would pop more than this without going to floresents.  As I was taking the pics, I immediately realized that the sun was too much.  It was setting and was pointing directly on it and very few pics actually came out good because of too much glare, and you can't see the pearl in it at all.  

It has the effect I wanted in real life though.  I haven't even ridden it yet and so far I have had two people see it just sitting in my driveway and stop to come and ask me about it.  As for the questions.....

The tank was done with a dead-blow hammer, some bondo to smooth it out, and a rear floor mat glued in with spray adheasive.

The bike is a true F model, I just couldn't find a set of F side covers.  This is the reason it has taken so long to finish, I was trying hard to find a set.  I even offered money in several different posts on here looking for them.  Finally, I just modified some K's.

Yes, gay people often forget to post pics.  What can I say, it's genetic  

JP

[racing33]

 Like the bike. Do not like the pinstripes. The color is cool. Not bashing, just giving comments like you asked for. Myself, I never do pinstripes, my hands are not steady enough and I ALWAYS screw it up.
Actually if the bike is how you like and want it then our, or any one else's opinion should not matter to you that much.
Happy riding
Bruce

[74cb750]

I like the blue. Much nicer than my OEM brown.
I know I would get stopped by the cops with those pipes,
mainly because it is not a Harley with straight pipes, AND it
would not pass inspection, again because it is not a Harley.

To each his own, I like the frame color.
peace,
michel

[nickjtc]

I like it a lot....especially the non-black frame.

[tsflstb]

This is from a guy just coming off a vasectomy, so I'm very "nut conscious" at the moment.  Could you make a pad or something to fill that gap between the tank and the seat?  Looks like the boys could get in a bind there.  Otherwise, pretty cool.

[cben750f0]

top effort mate, glad you went your own way... looking real good, and i reckon it would sound unreal....though i do have to admit, something needs to be done with the gap at the back of the tank, you really dont want to be bashin into that at any speed.... but thats just a small comment....  any chance of a sound clip... wanna hear that pipe.... ..

peace

[nickjtc]

This is from a guy just coming off a vasectomy, so I'm very "nut conscious" at the moment. 

Comfort will depend on whether it was a laser job or cut 'n' slash.....

[Ratfink]

I totally dig it.....
You dont need your nuts anyways.

[tsflstb]

Comfort will depend on whether it was a laser job or cut 'n' slash.....

I think he used a butter knife or something.  Over a week later I still feel like I've been kicked by a hooker in high heels.

You dont need your nuts anyways

Didn't know my wife posted here...honey is that you?

[nickjtc]

Comfort will depend on whether it was a laser job or cut 'n' slash.....

I think he used a butter knife or something.  Over a week later I still feel like I've been kicked by a hooker in high heels.

It gets better, honest.

[ieism]

I like both colours...I they look great together. The pinstripes and graphics look good too IMO. I'm not sure that i like the black headlight with this bike though. Maybe a smaller crome one would look better.

[dusterdude]

This is from a guy just coming off a vasectomy, so I'm very "nut conscious" at the moment.  Could you make a pad or something to fill that gap between the tank and the seat?  Looks like the boys could get in a bind there.  Otherwise, pretty cool.

been there,done that

[ProTeal55]

With that in mind, let me know what ya'll really think. 

1. The pinstripping looks cheap , and poorly done.
2. The seat is ok, but the notch for the tire in it looks like crap.
3. The exhaust turndown looks as if it was just thrown on their at the last minute
4. Whats with the wires hanging down from each rear turn signal ?
5. The 550 "SS" Eblems need to go

Overall it's cool , but it just looks like it is Gaudy , and has way to much going on.

You asked , and their ya go....

[JP]

Fella's,

I have not had a single person mention the gap at the tank except for the people here, and by now, alot of people have seen it.  I guess in person, most just notice other stuff.  I agree, it would look better filled in with something, but I'm not going to do it.

I'm glad some of you like it, but I knew that most of you wouldn't.  The more I'm on this forum, the more I realize that most on here just dig a plain black bike.  Not knocking that at all, it's just that it's not my bag.  It makes sense, really.  Most on here are anti-chopper.  Which, if broken down would have to reflect the opposite of what choppers are- and that is obnoxiously loud in both audio and visual aspects.  I guess with this build I was trying to find a middle ground.  I am happy with it, and I have no doubts that it will sale and make me a profit.

But to get specific, Proteal:
1.  How does the pinstripping look poorly done?  If it is the design, then it just means that you don't like my design, and that's okay.  But if it truely looks like it was applied badly or if it is crooked, then let me know- I'd like to fix my mistakes.
2.  Do you simply not like the notch, or do you really think that there was a better way to make the notch, i.e.- laser cut?  I assure you, the notch was a necessity for the seat to work.
3.  The exhaust turndown WAS just thrown on at the last minute, but I'm curious- how could I have made it look as if I had spent a lot of time deciding on which open pipe turndown to use that would fit a 550.
4.  Well, as stated in the post title- the bike was NEARING 100% completion.  The wires are now hooked up.
5.  I like the SS emblems, but if you fork over the cash, you are more than welcome to take them off.

Not trying to be a jerk with this post, just asking for specifics.  Keep in mind PT, your bike is one solid color.  I like it and I think it is cool, but some people dig other things.  You were very specific with your numbering system and I just wanted to clarify what was opinion and what was actual consern about quality.

Also, if there is anyone out there with any knowledge about the carbs on these bikes, please, please come forth and share.  All I know is that they look just like a Mikuni VM carb, but they are a Keihin, and not a CR.  If you have any answers, I need your help!  It will run, but with the open pipe and pod filters, barely.

JP