My Phantom Transformation

[Dcocch]

I've seen some interesting build threads lately and I've decided I wanted to put all of my "build" into one thread to organize it. I'm going through and re-posting the stuff I've already done and then I will just add the this thread when I change more (which is coming soon!). Feel free to comment, criticize, commend, and/or complain...my skin in thick.

Here we go...

[Dcocch]

Well, after hours of pouring over this forum about the hole saw mod and alternative hole saw mods, I finally did it. I was at Home Depot picking up some paint for the wife and I walked past the tools. I figured, what the ****, I'll check out the hole saw bits. Sure enough, a 2" bit was ON SALE for $10.99. I took it as a sign from above that I should buy it and do this mod.

Before I get going into the mod, I have to admit that the only reason I'm doing this instead of buying the new pipes I really want is that my wife isn't working and I can't justify spending $400-$600 on pipes and the add-ons that go with pipes.

Ok, so I bought the bit and some dry lube. I bought dry lube instead of WD-40 because I have seen some people complain about WD-40 possibly catching fire. The dry lube was the same price anyway.

I went home, told the wife I'd be "outside drilling holes in my motorcycle," and snickered as I went outside. I had watched some videos on YouTube of people doing this so I got to work. I put the bike in gear and out a block in front of the tire to prevent it from moving while I drilled. I lubed up the top pipe and started drilling. After practically tearing my elbow off, I added a ton of lube and used my knee to keep the drill from rotating. It took about 30-45seconds worth of drilling and I was through. I grabbed the plyers and pulled and the resonator came right out. I will eventually file down the inside a bit to smooth it out but it's too hot tonight. I said a little prayer and fired her up. She was deeper but not deep enough. I repeated the process with the lower pipe and REALLY prayed this time. I fired her up and despite my skepticism, she sounded deep and powerful. It's not nearly as loud as having cobras, but it actually sounds like a motorcycle instead of a scooter now!

All in all, it too me about 20minutes including clean up and I spent $14. I definitely recommend this mod. I was really skeptical and nervous but I will rest easy tonight and I am actually excited to get out and ride to work tomorrow!

[Dcocch]

I love my Phantom. Well, I love MOST of it. I can't stand the rear end. It's ugly and looks like cheap plastic crap. I was nursing a mighty fine hangover today and decided I needed to get outside and do something. It was time to destroy the rear end of the Phantom!

I bought a side license mount with a cat-eye on eBay for $30 a few weeks ago but haven't touched it until today. I forgot to take picture because I was in the zone, but here is what I did:

Removed the rear fender and cut the wiring from the base of the stock tail light. I removed the matte black plastic by removing all the bolts and cutting a slit by the indicators to let the wiring slip though. I tinkered around with the wiring for awhile to figure out how I want to wire it to the side mount. I moved the wiring over, spliced and diced the wiring for the tail/brake light and connected it. I put the fender back on and voila, a 1/2 complete rear end.

Tomorrow (or this week) I am going to cut the metal frame hanging down. After that, I am going to mount Radiantz LED strips (Red/Amber) to the rear fender that will act as run-brake-turn lights. I just ordered those so they will get mounted next weekend. Unfortunately, I have to keep the giant stock indicators for now.

So far I am pleased with what it looks like...well, what it WILL look like. I'm hoping to get the frame cut tomorrow so I don't have to ride around with a big U-shape frame sticking out. I will re-post when I get more done!

Before (already had side mount on before I remembered to take a pic):



After:



I had two strips of 4 red LEDs that I might put on the bracket for the old tail light until the new lights come. You can see the one strip the pic above. It isn't mounted, it's just hanging by wires for now, it got too dark to finish it tonight. (I wish I had a nice garage to work in...unfortunately I live in an apartment for now).


I will be installing Radiantz Integratorz Flexible LED Light Strips soon!

[Dcocch]

Alright, I got a little more done last night. I used a hack saw to saw off the U shape of the frame. Unfortunately, since my LEDs won't be here until Wednesday or Thursday I had to saw off below where the signals mount until I get my LED signals. It's not exactly beautiful right now, but it's better than the giant U-shape hanging down.

Here is where I cut:



Those red things on the bottom of the fender are the backside of my LED strips that are now mounted inside the fender at the very rear of the wheel. I wired them into the brake light so they light up my tire in red when I hit the brakes. I will get a picture that tonight when it gets dark (I need a garage so badly).

This is the fender re-mounted with the U cut off:



Hopefully by Sunday I'll get the new LEDs installed and the rest of the visible frame cut off.


I also installed clear lenses on my front turn signals. I may eventually add LEDs up front but I like the look of the clear signals for now:



I think my wife is getting sick of me always outside with the bike so after this LED install I should be done making modifications for awhile!

[Dcocch]

The new lights came today but I had a long day at work and tomorrow will be an early morning so they will have to wait until tomorrow night.

Here are the pics I promised the other day. I got the red LEDs at Advance Auto Parts for $12 and wired it into the brake light.

[Dcocch]

I finally got it done! Well, I finished yesterday but the wife and I decided to take the bike to Nashville for the day instead of me posting on here.

If anyone wants the write up let me know. I don't really feel like writing all of it out unless someone actually wants it.

I had to put the Radiantz LEDs vertically because they don't bend up and down (smile/frown) they only bend back to form a circle. I either had to move them up higher on the fender so they could go straight across, or cut my fender. I didn't want to do either so I went vertical. Some won't like it, but I do and it's my bike so I don't give a rat's ass! haha

Here are the pics. The turn signals and brake lights work great and are bright during the day, the running lights not so much. I will take a video when it's dark out sometime soon.

[Dcocch]

I've gone and done it now. This is what happens when the Army decides to give soldiers the day off after the Super Bowl. I was home alone with the dog and my bike with nothing to do...so naturally I HAD to mod something on my bike on a sunny 57 degree day!

I've used PlastiDip a couple of times on tools and small parts on my Jeep, but never on the bike. Well, I did today. I have been tinkering with the idea of either painting or powdercoating the fork covers on my Phantom. After realizing it wouldn't be easy to "just take 'em off and paint 'em" I came up with a different plan. I decided to mask everything and PlastiDip them. That way I can see if I actually like the look of them being black, yet it's fully un-do-able if I don't like it.

For those who haven't seen or used PlastiDip before, it's a aerosol spray that is essentially liquid rubber. It dries and becomes hard but flexible and it's actually very durable. I know quite a few buddies who "paint" their nice rims with it during the winter to keep the salt and crap off. Come spring, they peel it off and have shiny chrome rims still.

Enough talk, here are the pics!



Masking:





Plasticizing:



Almost forgot...I also grabbed some Hi-Temp 1200 degree spray paint to finally paint this cover:



Five coats later:



Five or six coats of "plastic" later:




And I can't forget to add a picture of the extremely bored and ready to play, pup. Meet Bentley:




I know what all the nay-sayers are thinking. "This is going to tear off after one ride." Yeah...well, it might. I hope it lasts until I move to Georgia in April and finally have a garage. Either way, this isn't permanent. It's my temporary way to deciding if I like them black or want to keep them silver.

What does everyone think? Stock or black??

[Dcocch]

The weather (and my schedule) finally cleared up! Got these babies installed this AM. It took me about 2 hours to do the pipes and Fi2000r. Now that I know what I'm doing it SHOULD have taken about 45min. Oh well, I learned a lot.

Here is a picture of the crush gaskets in case anyone was wondering what they look like before living up to their name:


Here is video after the install of the pipes w/V&H quiet baffles installed and Fi2000r:

Honda Shadow Phantom Vance & Hines Short Shots Quiet Baffles - YouTube


I absolutely love the sound. Feel free to ask if you have any questions about the install of either. Time to go ride!

[craig s.]

looks good.

[Dcocch]

I know there are several people on this forum who are not fans of the blacked-out look. This thread is not for you. I am a huge fan of the blacked-out look, in fact, that is the #1 reason why I bought a Phantom in the first place.

Unfortunately, the Phantom isn't completely blacked-out. So I've been slowly chipping away at the chrome and grey on my phantom. My most recent "blacking-out" was much more of a PITA than I expected, but it's done and I'm glad I did it. Enough chatter, here are the pictures...

I hate these grey covers on top of the engine:



I decided they needed to be black, so I took them off and sanded them down:


Where is the 4th cover you ask? Well, that is where the PITA comes in. I couldn't get the screw out of the front right cover because it's behind the air box and under a coolant hose. I tried some make-shift allen keys to wiggle in there, but it didn't work. Next course of action, remove the tank. (The plastic is there because I didn't want anything getting in my hoses, air box, etc. while I was working on the paint)


If you saw my other thread you'll know that I completely failed at removing the tank and learned the hard way. This time "the hard way" just happened to be about 2 gallons of gasoline all over me, my bike, and the ground. Note to self, buy the damn repair manual!

I got the cover off, sanded it down, and started painting. After about 6 coats, the covers are drying:



Since I had the sand paper and spray paint out, I decided to re-spray my speedo frame because I had some orange peel from the first time I sprayed it. Fast forward: the covers and speedo frame are dry and ready to be re-installed:



She's all put back together and ready to roll. Again, here is the before picture:


And the after:






I couldn't get a decent picture of the left side because the sun was washing everything out. Hopefully some fellow Phantom riders will benefit from this in case they were considering doing this. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.