| Author | Message | ||
     Gnutlethal |
Hi folks, since my tranny has been missing a few teeth lately and winter here in Germany surely isn't what it used to be, I've found a few days to plow through the next set of modifications on my bike.  While replacing the fifth gear wheels, I also had the cam side opened and replaced all gaskets on both sides plus the top end.  In lighter news: Since using the S20 from Bridgestone I simply needed more leaning angle without grinding down my footpegs anymore.  Next on my to do list was powdercoating a few items that either were worn after 10 years of use (i.e. sidestand). Or simply for looks, like the motor holder or the rear brake caliper mount.  While wrenching on the bike, I noticed why at the end of summer it suddenly got a lot louder. License plate holder was ripped apart from the vibrations, too.  Here you can see me installing new progressive fork springs. And you can see the removed oil tank, since I replaced each and every oil and fuel line on my bike with red anodized braided lines.     The project almost finished. Now I'm just waiting for my replacement license plate holder and a few new rubber hoses for the VOES and the Hypercharger. Another change of motor oil and I'm ready for spring. Oh, and here's an attempt to record my bike with the phone camera. As you can see, electrics are still working. Even if the battery seems to be a little low on power for the horn. Please let me know what you think! I'm still looking for new ideas to improve my old lady. Thanks | ||
| Jayvee |
Wow, that's nice! Is that rear pulley a cut-down stock pulley? | ||
| Radon30 |
Looking good!!!!, a lot of detailed parts. I guess the only thing I see is the tranny breather hose, maybe run to a catch can or something different and maybe the oil lines, I don't know why but for me some reason it sticks out to me . | ||
| Gnutlethal |
@Jayvee: Thank you. Yes, this is a 61 tooth stock pulley that I've had machined down to almost half its initial weight. The front sprocket has been lightened, too. Technically both are illegal here in Germany, since the original gear ratio was 29/55. @Radon30: Thank you too. I'm sorry bout the breather hose. Since my license plate holder was toast, I had no way to finish this one before doing a few pictures. Here's a pic from last summer. You can see that I usually do use a small K&N to plug the hose.   | ||
| Rsm688 |
Great job, that sprocket looks incredible.... You've got me thinking now. Did you just have a machine shop do it or did you do it yourself? Also, where did you get the anodized oil lines from and how much did they run you? I've been thinking about doing the same thing but worried that they would rub the powdercoating off the frame and let it rust there. Looking great -spencer- | ||
| Rsm688 |
Also, what brand front pulley cover is that? | ||
| Gnutlethal |
Like many other parts on my bike, the cover is from LSL. Sadly most of these parts are now long out of production. Four years ago I've had the pulleys done. I did a few before/after pictures for my website (buell-m2.net). These were done by the German Buell guru: Luckhands.   | ||
| Brinnutz |
Looks good! What color/brand of powder coat did you use and did it match stock color? | ||
| Gnutlethal |
Thanks. Well, I don't know which brand my powder coating workshop was using, but they sure did a good job matching the colors. Officially I've ordered RAL 2008 color (bright red orange). The first batch of items I've had coated two years ago (Hypercharger parts, crash pad mounts, muffler clamp) were done by the same workshop. Initially the newly coated parts are looking just a slight touch too bright, but after a few weeks of exposure to sunlight, they will match the frame to almost 100% like the first set of items. | ||
| Gnutlethal |
Dang, forgot to mention it: I got the anodized lines from a reseller here in Germany called W&W Cycles. Everywhere the lines are touching precious metal, I've either wrapped them with the original protective tubes or applied a little red heat shrink. Hope this will prevent my frame from being victim to corrosion and my battery from any short circuits. | ||
| Hootowl |
Coating the swingarm to match the frame would sure look nice. Beautiful work. | ||
| Goody |
Duuude, yur killing me over here! Just when I think I have it almost done, you post more color options. LoL Dam, now I'll have to do some more color changes. Copying is the most sincere form of compliment. | ||
| Gnutlethal |
@Hootowl: Thanks, the swingarm is a nice idea. I have long been pondering whether to polish or coat it. Currently I basically have a three color setup. Orange (aka. "Blazing Orange" aka. RAL 2008) Black (aka. "Carbon Black") Silver I don't know if it wouldn't be "too much" of a good thing, if the swingarm itself was orange, too. Guess I'll have to do a photoshop to see how that works out. @Goody: Thank you. There are lots of details on your bike I'd like to incorporate into mine. Your seat looks stunning. And I'd really like to have my windshield as the highest point of the bike. Your bike looks very compact without long mirror arms poking out above, like mine unfortunately has. Perhaps I simply try to turn my bar ends upside down below the handlebars. And I really need to get some of these beautiful stickers. | ||
| S1owner |
I powder coated my swing arm a polished aluminum color! Its like cheating! | ||
| 46champ |
I think power coating the swing arm will be going too far. And once done it is hard to undue. Your bike looks great my stocker is sure a poor comparison. | ||
| Rsm688 |
I think a black swingarm with an orange buell decal would look great. I think an orange swingarm would be a little too much extra orange. Too me it looks like you have the perfect amount of orange, just need a little more black now I think black swingarm, primary/cam cover, and front pulley cover would look awesome | ||
| Gnutlethal |
I'm still not sure if this wouldn't add a little too much "aggressive" color. Wish it was spring already.   | ||
| Jayvee |
The black swingarm goes better with the black fork sliders. Try the flyscreen orange though. Or maybe even just the mirrors. looks great though! | ||
| Lakes |
Love your work. & colour too. Bit hard to take bike off road 4 long here in australia as ride all year | ||
| Jayvee |
or orange headlight shell... | ||
| Rick_a |
Well done, though I hate the aircleaner. It does match the bike well. | ||
| Gnutlethal |
Thank you for your ideas. I'm currently facing much more mundane tasks than deciding about additional colorful highlights, though. These turn signals are a bitch to wire. Four flimsy strands per side and I had to fumble with opening up their AMP plug. Hopefully all will be working again during the next days. I really like these combined rear-light/brake-light/turn-signals.  | ||
| S1owner |
I like them to i went with a radiantz plate with all signals built in and love it! | ||
| Goody |
Gnut, here is the link on ebay where I got those Blaze orange decals. They are pricey, about 60.00 Euro but well worth it and you get two of them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-BUELL-AMERICAN-MOTOR CYLES-EMBLEMS-ORANGE-DECALS-RAISED-LETTERED-STICKE RS-/271128738201?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories& hash=item3f20883999&vxp=mtr#ht_2125wt_1170 | ||
| Gnutlethal |
Great, thank you. Much cheaper than here in Germany. You'd get one for the price of the two from that auction here. | ||
| Goody |
Gnut, here is my latest addition, a steel braided orange teflon coated front brake line. I got it off of ebay for $20, no kidding. Its for a small pit (dirt) bike but it bolts right up. I had to bend one end of the banjo fittings, I did it in a vice with soft jaws and a light tap of a hammer. Cant beat the price and easy to do. http://www.ebay.com/itm/34-Orange-Yamaha-Honda-Dirt-Pit-Pocket-Bike-Performance-Hydraulic-Brake-Line-/120914790687?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c2715491f&vxp=mtr  | ||
| Gnutlethal |
Very nice color accent. I could really see this on my bike, too. If only one wouldn't need a custom built rear one to match. | ||
| Goody |
I know what you mean about the rear brake line. I was already there looking at the fittings trying to figure out how to modify it. | ||
| Cupcake_mike |
I bet the length on that front line is pretty close to what the rear line would be...I can't remember, something like 20 inches? Then you just need a hydraulic brake light switch/banjo bolt to give the input to your brake lights and you are all set...the size of the banjos is the same front and rear | ||
| Goody |
Mike, the front is 32" long. I would have to get a used one off of ebay and see what I could build from that. Sounds like a good project for this winter to occupy my time. All I really need is the flex hose clamp tool and collars. |
