Topic: Mischief - a 1976 K6 Cafe build

[Gordon]

Enjoying the pictures, keep them coming!

I hope you don't mind, but I'll move this thread to the "Project Shop" forum.

[grcamna2]

I love how the frame "stands out" & is very noticeable in white;it makes it more important looking...& it IS the most important component because w/o it you wouldn't have a bike:it IS the bike & everything else adds to it.That exhaust..is it stainless ?
I think it would be nice if you got different color paints & matched all the colors on the wiring harness; paint all the places where they hook up w/  single or multi-colored dots to identify one wire from the other...it will make it a lot less work when you have to disconnect the electrics & make sure the paint doesn't make contact w/ the metal connectors on the ends.   Beautiful  Project !   

[Artf0rm]

I built a chop-top VW once. The P.O. had wired the whole Bug with house wire. He did use two different colors. I cursed him for a month. Do yourself a favor and get a proper wiring harness or, at least, some colored wire.

 I'll withhold judgement on the whitewalls, but other than that, she looks great!

I hear yea.  I did it with primary wire that I had tons of that just happened to be white.  When I finished I was like "yeah, this is not a permanent solution".  When your on a budget things you already have get a big plus in the usage department that they probably don't deserve.

Also, white walls make it go faster :-p

love how the frame "stands out" & is very noticeable in white;it makes it more important looking...& it IS the most important component because w/o it you wouldn't have a bike:it IS the bike & everything else adds to it.That exhaust..is it stainless ?
I think it would be nice if you got different color paints & matched all the colors on the wiring harness; paint all the places where they hook up w/  single or multi-colored dots to identify one wire from the other...it will make it a lot less work when you have to disconnect the electrics & make sure the paint doesn't make contact w/ the metal connectors on the ends.   Beautiful  Project !   

Thanks, I really wanted the frame to stand out.  The geometry of the triangles and really the whole frame in general is too pretty to hide.  I did have the exhaust scratch it on one side when I was installing it so I will have to find a way to touch that up but so far other then it getting dirty faster I love it and have no regrets on the color choice.  The exhaust will get ceramic powder coated this week.  It's already been removed and will head to the coater today or tomorrow depending on when I can sneak out of work. 

[jgmmgood]

Good to see another budget project that looks like the care is being taken....
For the wiring, as long as the gage is correct, there shouldnt be a problem using wire markers.  I would suggest using the plastic type that clip around the wire and mark the diagram you have to reflect the numbers.  I have had my hands in many industrial controls that have cabinets full of the same color wiring....If marked, no problemo..
On the rear wheel, you installed a dual shielded bearing.  Is this standard?  I cannot recall....

[Artf0rm]

Good to see another budget project that looks like the care is being taken....
For the wiring, as long as the gage is correct, there shouldnt be a problem using wire markers.  I would suggest using the plastic type that clip around the wire and mark the diagram you have to reflect the numbers.  I have had my hands in many industrial controls that have cabinets full of the same color wiring....If marked, no problemo..
On the rear wheel, you installed a dual shielded bearing.  Is this standard?  I cannot recall....

Thanks Jim, it's been a load of work and what started out as budget is certainly creeping up there.  The rear hub had dual wall barrings I just put upgraded quality ones in there since I didn't really know when they had been replaced and as I remember one looked like it had been hit with a flathead screwdriver a few times.

[Dimitri13]

I'm lovin this artf0rm. Not sure if I caught it, but what color were you planning to do the tank/seat/covers?

The white frame is beautiful. I was thinking of doing mine in that color whenever I got around to it.

Can't wait to see it finished!

[Artf0rm]

I'm lovin this artf0rm. Not sure if I caught it, but what color were you planning to do the tank/seat/covers?

The white frame is beautiful. I was thinking of doing mine in that color whenever I got around to it.

Can't wait to see it finished!

Thanks Dimitri.  I almost didn't go with white but in the end I think it was the right choice.  The seat and the tank are going to be British racing green or a little darker. I'm going to do the seat pad itself in cross-stitched dark tan leather.  The exhaust went to the coater today so I should have it back in a week and the Tarozzi rear sets should be in the mail in a few days as well.  Hoping to have more pictures up early part of next week and be finished with the build in full by around Christmas.  Great gift to myself.

[Artf0rm]

It's been a few months.  Flash forward a few months and a moving experience later and here we are... The bike is defiantly getting there.  Here's what's happened since the last update. 



As you can see I have had the pipes powder coated and attached to the bike!  She runs great and screams down the road.  I put her first 100 miles on her just around town while I have waited for out parts to come in.



I put a seat together from a 30 dollar closed cell foam exercise mat from Dick's sports and some gorilla glue.  I cut out the rough shape with an x-acto knife and then shaped it with a medium grinding stone on my grinder. 



I had a local upholstery shop add some auto vinyl to the seat pad I made in the shop.  I think the tan turned out awesome.



I also picked up some tarozzi rearsets at a great price.  Unfortunately they were powder coated black when I got them...  Nothing that a couple of over night soaks in oven cleaner and a polishing wheel can't fix.



On my shake down rides I noticed an occasional slip going into 1st when down shifting so I decided to go ahead and pull the clutch.    My first long ride is less then a month away and it's to the mountains so I figured more safe then sorry.



I had the guy from victory girl create this custom design based on the old HM wing and a redhead that I fell in love with off his site.  After putting some clothes on her and 32 emails back and forth I think we came up with something really cool.



I think the bike is really coming along.  I hope to have the clutch together next weekend and have the tank and seat off to paint as well.  I have learned so much from this bike and the experience of building it and learning to ride it.  I can wait for it to be finished and for warmer weather to enjoy it.

[seanbarney41]

I would strongly recommend doing something different with your license plate mount...I had one mounted similarly low and it scraped in a tight turn causing me to lowside faster than I knew what had happened.

[Artf0rm]

I would strongly recommend doing something different with your license plate mount...I had one mounted similarly low and it scraped in a tight turn causing me to lowside faster than I knew what had happened.

Sean,

Where did you move it to?

[dagersh]

Move it up above the swingarm end, and you will be fine.

Gorgeous looking bike, man!  Glad to see it has given you good things over the last year.  Congrats on all your success!

Also, I love the white frame.  I had heard somewhere, probably here, that in earlier days they would paint the frames white in order to easily ID any stress cracks from racing.

Keep it up!

Gersh

[seanbarney41]

I would strongly recommend doing something different with your license plate mount...I had one mounted similarly low and it scraped in a tight turn causing me to lowside faster than I knew what had happened.

Sean,

Where did you move it to?

I ended up moving mine to the top shock mount...but this kinda sucks too as I'm always scraping my leg when mounting and dis-mounting.  I plan on fabbing something to put it in the center, above and behind the rear wheel.