Topic: Bike update...Its been a while but here are some before and present pics.

[robdrobd]

Well, I picked this bike up last August and stripped it down the frame. Having zero experience in anything mechanical, I tried to rebuild it from the ground up. This is where I am so far. I would love to know where I can stick all of the wiring if using a small headlight. Anyway, here is the bike in August, followed by the bike now. It still needs front brakes, carbs, adn exhaust completed, as well as, the damn wiring!

ps- I changed the shocks and can't even touch the ground now. The shocks look adjustable. Can I make them spongy so I can touch the ground, or should I leave them stiff. After changing them the rear wheel does not leave the ground when the center stand is down.

[lone*X]

Looking really good.  Nice work.  Sounds like the shocks are too long for your inseam.  Softening the spring preload will let your weight lower the rear some but at the expense of suspension travel and control.  Too soft and you will bottom out on every bump you hit.  I can think of two options.  First would be to swap for shorter shocks.  If that isn't gonna happen then find a set of rear lowering blocks.  They drop the rear quite a bit and take just a few minutes to install.  Seen a set on feebay just a few weeks back.  They come up quite often.

[robdrobd]

Looking really good.  Nice work.  Sounds like the shocks are too long for your inseam.  Softening the spring preload will let your weight lower the rear some but at the expense of suspension travel and control.  Too soft and you will bottom out on every bump you hit.  I can think of two options.  First would be to swap for shorter shocks.  If that isn't gonna happen then find a set of rear lowering blocks.  They drop the rear quite a bit and take just a few minutes to install.  Seen a set on feebay just a few weeks back.  They come up quite often.

Is it bad that the center stand doesn't bring the bike off the ground. I think I can handle the height now. I am about 5'11" and can teeter on my toes while mounted. What exactly do lowering blocks do?

[lone*X]

The only time that you would have a problem with the rear tire not coming off the ground would be when you were adjusting the chain or removing the rear wheel.  It is also a lot easier to clean the wheel when you can spin it.   The lowering blocks are a heavy bracket that bolts to the stock lower shock mounts on the swing arm and provides another mounting point a couple of inches further back.  This has the affect of laying the shock down a bit, which drops the rear of the bike.  I will see if I can find a picture.

[lone*X]

A really good picture in this link:    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=34703.msg358002#msg358002

[robdrobd]

Thanks. I have heard that the longer, stiffer shocks will handle better. (thats what she said...sorry couldn't help it.) Anyway, someone said the longer shocks might handle better through corners.

[lone*X]

If it rides well and handles to your liking then obviously it doesn't need to be fixed.  Old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" might just apply in this case.  Good luck.  Bike is really turning out well.