[TrialsRider]

You need intake stacks on that thing, I bet she has a hesitation stumble on acceleration once you get it running.

 

[makenzie71]

I wanted a simple speedometer with basic functions and didn't require a lot fiddling about with calibrating and sensors and stuff...so I got this cheap Chinese model. Don't know how well it'll work, but it's the right size. I made the bezel out of some aluminum I had on hand but I think I'm going to make another...that one ended up too large around the clock and I hate that hole in it (it was scrap). I might shoot it black first, though, as I'm a little concerned that if I make it too small it'll be too flimsy.
I think I'm going to running a small fly screen...that'll help with the wire clutter.

And I'll have it known that old road signs are among my favorite things! I've been using them for years for other projects. I needed a chain guard to lift the brake line up. This was a simple job and I think once all the sign goo is scrubbed off and it's brushed it'll look pretty slick...or I got a nice yellow sign without too many bullet holes in it I might make another one and leave the sign stuff on it. I might drill some speed holes in it haha

 

[makenzie71]

I remade the bezel. Took my time and did less with the grinder and more with the die cutter. Still not perfect but it looks a LOT better I think. Got it wired up as well. Going to play around with making a little flyscreen this weekend mostly to cover the cable clutter and the white backside of the clock, but it'll also give me a neat little place to mount the GPS antenna. I'm hoping the GPS actually works...won't find out until I'm moving, though.

Decided to strip and brush the chain guard. All my signs are too big, not enough variation in them to tell that it's actually part of a road sign. I think it looks good, though.

I was going to stick with the rough rebar shifter but I REALLY wanted the rearset to work...just couldn't sort it out when last tackled. I sat and looked at it today until I was able to find some kind of inspiration...and I was able to. I had to chop up the shift links and shifters from four other bikes to make it work but I made it work. It does have a little more "flop" than I like but it shifts and that's the most important bit. I can put a guide on it to keep it from flopping around but I'm worried it might bind the link. I'll see how much of a problem it is once I'm riding it.

 

[Classic250]

It does have a little more "flop" than I like but it shifts and that's the most important bit. I can put a guide on it to keep it from flopping around but I'm worried it might bind the link. I'll see how much of a problem it is once I'm riding it.

Speedo bezel looks much tidier.

The little ball joints on the shifter linkage of my little Chinese sports bike flogged out, so I replaced them with these. Linkage has a lot less play now.

 

[makenzie71]

It's the angle in it, even with heims it'll be floppy without a guide. Push/pull rigs like this should have a guide but I'm not sure exactly how I could rig one up without binding it. It'll be okay, it just means it'll probably rub the paint off my frame

 

[Classic250]

Maybe some adhesive (genuine) carbon fibre sheet cut to fit the frame where the linkage might rub?

 

[CaTacL1sm]

you could also consider lengthening the controls side arm in order to straighten out the linkage... obviously you'd need to figure out the new length of travel, but it should help.

 

[makenzie71]

It was a beautiful day so I rolled both bikes out of the shop (plus I expected to have some company that it pays to have something interesting to talk about or else we talk about politics).

The CX500 is a skinny little thing but it still makes the Shadow look like a toothpick.

I even took her out for a little ride to go through the gears and to make sure it all felt "right". Video ends abruptly because my GoPro is acting up...I use to love this little Hero 3+ but the last several times I've used it the video and sound quality were poor and it kept shutting off. I need a mount that'll work with my phone.

I also broke it! I was trying to keep from burning through the rod and in the end it screwed up my weld...oh well. I rewelded it but got it a hell of a lot hotter so it should be good now.

...and discovered a coolant leak! Not sure where it's coming from yet.

 

[Classic250]

That's some seriously flat country side. Are there any scenic rides with corners near by?

 

[makenzie71]

That's some seriously flat country side. Are there any scenic rides with corners near by?

How flat is it, you ask? Well...

i’m actually about 15 miles from the edge of the caprock and theres some fun roads going through the valleys and canyons. Theres not a lot of great roads nearby though

 

[Classic250]

I couldn't live there.

I spent a few years in the outback in Oz - flat country as far as the eye could see.

In summer the sun was still setting at 9.30 pm.

I hated it.

I love either mountains or the ocean/water.

Here, there are mountains close by, and I'm lucky enough to have a run down shack directly on the beach front -not the golden beach type place - but the ocean is literally at my doorstep.

 

[makenzie71]

There are definitely some pros and cons to being here...it's cheap is the biggest "pro". I have plenty of room around, not a lot of people. I can shoot or run my buggy or bikes on my property without bothering much of anyone. It is flat and boring, especially if you go north, but I have literally everything within a 2 hour drive from me...except the ocean, that's a 12 hour drive. But other than that I have mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, deserts, and canyons. I can go racing or climbing or paragliding or just about anything if I just get up a little earlier in the day lol

 

[Classic250]

But other than that I have mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, deserts, and canyons. I can go racing or climbing or paragliding or just about anything if I just get up a little earlier in the day lol

Ah. Ok. I thought that it was flat and boring forever like outback Australia.

Sounds like a great place.

 

[makenzie71]

You get an oil change! And you get an oil change! And you get an oil change! And you get an oil change! And you get an oil change (and a tire fill with slime)!

Also sorted out my coolant leak...couldn't get a decent picture but it was a hose clamp not quite tight enough on the forward water port. Once clamped and refilled it was mostly solid...I sorted out that I was also leaking what I thought was coolant but what turned out to be condensation being forced through a seam...as well as oil dripping from numerous points. I expected to have to do lots of gaskets. Went to check my oil, though, right after shut down and there was a very audible hiss of pressure...my crankcase was not venting. Turns out my valve covers were swapped and the PCV doesn't work on the front cylinder. I'm like 90% I got it off that cylinder but possible I botched it. Works now and that's what's important!

 

[makenzie71]

I've always hated the whole "look at my Jim Beam coolant reservoir" type stuff but my reservoir is busted (the leak) and I had to improvise. I have a proper aluminum one coming lol

I also went shopping last week! Some meth addict was selling a Predator 7kw generator for $50 and as it turned out he had a set of ZX6R forks and wheel sitting there...so I bought those for $20, too! The wheel has a little bend in it but the forks and rotors are straight. A friend of mine who deals with classic bikes picked up a ton of wheels at a swap meet and he had a K5/6 GSXR600 wheel in the mix...doesn't help him none but it'll be a little profit for me. Not much all told, but it'll fetch most of what's left in finishing out the shadow!

Best bit, though, was a found that wheel on the bottom there at a hole in the wall shop in Odessa (BTS motorworks, they sell on eBay, fun guys)...RC46 5.5" wheel in good shape for $100.

I'm looking at wrapping the tank in vinyl, but not sure yet. I like crazy abstract stuff, rust/patina finishes, but also clean solid colors. Makes it hard to pick. I keep shifting from a glossy silver, flat black, and then off to something weird. I've sent a seller on eBay a request for this print but without the skull...I like the background but the skull is silly.

I also got the horn hooked up but didn't take a picture...sorry...

 

[Classic250]

Yeah, the Punisher thing is done to death - but I do like the background, probably would look good on you bike - also, if it's just vinyl, you could try it in different colours - silver, gold, red and so on at no great cost.

 

[makenzie71]

Finally got to spend half an hour on it.

It actually handles pretty well. I expected some quirkiness but it's fine. Turn in is obviously not like a sportbike but it's not muted like a cruiser...which, really, when the geometry it's about how I expected it to be. I'm sure there's a technical term for it that I just don't know, but the back seems "heavy"...like every turn is on the rear wheel. Rear tire is old, hard, and absolute rubbish...and it rubs on the swingarm lol...I'm thinking it'll be a bit better with a fresh tire (on the way).

I will have to invest in some heat shielding for the header pipes, and probably ceramic coating as well. If you're moving at all there's a big enough air gap that it draws the heat away easily, but if you stop for more than thirty seconds you can feel it. I sat on it idling and it took five minutes to get to a "I can't do it anymore" point lol. Luckily I will not ever have to deal with traffic.

Vinyl should be here this week for the tank and fender. It's going to be that punisher skull graphic but the print is big enough that I don't think it'll show. I'll go back this winter or something and do something else.

Lots left to do but it's at a point where it's all the little things.

 

[makenzie71]

Yeah, the Punisher thing is done to death - but I do like the background, probably would look good on you bike - also, if it's just vinyl, you could try it in different colours - silver, gold, red and so on at no great cost.

There's a strong chance it'll end up turquoise lol...black frame, black wheels, black engine, subtle gold and silver accents here and there, I think a matte turquoise will mix in pretty well.

 

[Classic250]

There's a strong chance it'll end up turquoise lol...black frame, black wheels, black engine, subtle gold and silver accents here and there, I think a matte turquoise will mix in pretty well.

IMO only Goths think that there is not enough black....lol.

Maybe some tasteful colour-matching decals on the wheels to break it up a little?

Also, I like turtles....🐢

Oh, sorry.....turquoise.

(Just kidding with the turtle thing).

Some Turquoise shades are similar to Jade...not a bad choice....actually an interesting choice.

Keep us posted.

 

[knappyfeet]

View attachment 106758

Now your just showing off