My Road to 'Bob'
2
* Special note as of December 2019: Some of you may have noticed in various threads (not just mine) the "blurring" or deletion of Photobucket linked pics. Well, we all know as of late that Photobucket's policy changes and strong-arming subscribers into "upgrading" their account is causing internet catastrophe as it relates to our sharing visual information. I have been going through many of my older posts and changing pic links so I can be done with PB once and for all. They will not get a dime more of my money. In any event, please let me know if you see any issues with my pics and links. *
This started when I sold my Nissan 240SX. Not thrilled as it is an awesome car and was nowhere near stock, so yes it was fun to drive. It also had sentimental value as some of the money to build that car came from my mother's inheritance after her death in '99. Sigh.
But, my wife and I discussed many possibilities and since the 240 was pretty much a toy and I had WAY too many expensive dreams for it, we both decided that maybe I could have more fun in modding another bike. ...... I love her. 8)
In any event, I hit Craigslist here locally and went to look at a few bikes knowing damn well that it's for a "project" and I'm not spending too much. I put a limit of $1500. Here's what I snagged for $750:
'91 Honda Shadow VLX 600
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35,000 miles, new rear tire, front bald (so bald I'm trailering her home), starts up good, stock pipes gutted, pops a bit with blue flame from front cylinder (out exhaust), needs fork springs and new chain, and other minor imperfections ... I mean, check out the tank on the right side.
In any event, it doesn't look to have been dropped while in "motion" and the dude's parents told me that he dropped it while loading it onto a trailer. Oh well. Guess it's time to put some amateur skills to the test here in Chappy's garage, lol!
Wish me luck fellars and gellars! ... I'll make sure to include you all along the way. ?
This started when I sold my Nissan 240SX. Not thrilled as it is an awesome car and was nowhere near stock, so yes it was fun to drive. It also had sentimental value as some of the money to build that car came from my mother's inheritance after her death in '99. Sigh.
But, my wife and I discussed many possibilities and since the 240 was pretty much a toy and I had WAY too many expensive dreams for it, we both decided that maybe I could have more fun in modding another bike. ...... I love her. 8)
In any event, I hit Craigslist here locally and went to look at a few bikes knowing damn well that it's for a "project" and I'm not spending too much. I put a limit of $1500. Here's what I snagged for $750:
'91 Honda Shadow VLX 600
35,000 miles, new rear tire, front bald (so bald I'm trailering her home), starts up good, stock pipes gutted, pops a bit with blue flame from front cylinder (out exhaust), needs fork springs and new chain, and other minor imperfections ... I mean, check out the tank on the right side.
In any event, it doesn't look to have been dropped while in "motion" and the dude's parents told me that he dropped it while loading it onto a trailer. Oh well. Guess it's time to put some amateur skills to the test here in Chappy's garage, lol!Wish me luck fellars and gellars! ... I'll make sure to include you all along the way. ?
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Goin' to bobberville with her. I don't particularly like the big plastic rear fender at all. The thing I like about this frame is the rear swingarm having the 'look' of a rigid frame and that it's chain drive not shaft. Nothing against shaft drive, I just prefer the look of chain.
I'll find ways to add my own flare and I do have a few ideas. Gonna work on some mechanical and safety issues first and then pursue the custom.
As usual, it probably won't be a fast process. But I will most likely be buying some needed tools along the way.
Coming home, and just take a look at some of the "surprises" I've come up with:
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Nice, eh? Let the hacking begin and how she sits today:
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Parts I've ordered so far:
. Front tire (Kenda K673 Kruz to match the almost new rear tire)
. Front and rear wheel bearings/seals (All Balls)
. Front brake pads (BikeMaster)
. Fork springs (Progressive)
. Fork seals (BikeMaster)
. Fork oil (Maxima 10WT)
. Sprocket set, 40T rear/16T front (JT Sprockets)
. 525 BMOR Series O-Ring Chain (BikeMaster)
. Hardtail lowering kit (Scootworks)
I've got a lot to do still. I'm contemplating seats, and yes it will be a sprung seat because if you didn't catch it above, I'm going rigid. Why? Because I can get it lower. That also entails cutting the spacer in the front forks when I install the new springs. I have a lot to do, such as stripping the flat black rattle job off of nearly everything, yanking the stock intake, dismantling the carbs to see what's in'em (cleanliness and jet sizes), locating another stock exhaust system (the innards of the front pipe are broken ... yes broken. The inner pipe somehow separated itself from the top of the pipe at the flange area (leading into the head). Oh yeah, and fixing the tank.
Ah yes, fixing the tank ... I tried locating a replacement and they are not cheap, nor are they available in mass quantities. So I'm going to be experimenting with popping those dents and doing some bodywork. Yeaaaaaaahhhh ... we'll see how that goes.
I have come to realize that the bike was laid down, but not too bad. Even though I've thought about the whole 'flipping' idea, I don't know yet as it will be cutting a close edge between money spent and market value weighted against a unique piece. So this is my experimental bike as it stands now, and I'm just going to have fun making it mine.
I have a lead on an exhaust, and it really doesn't' matter the external shape nor the shape of the 'mufflers' as they'll be cut off. And, as a bonus to myself I'm also looking at welders.
I'll find ways to add my own flare and I do have a few ideas. Gonna work on some mechanical and safety issues first and then pursue the custom.
As usual, it probably won't be a fast process. But I will most likely be buying some needed tools along the way.
Coming home, and just take a look at some of the "surprises" I've come up with:
Nice, eh? Let the hacking begin and how she sits today:
Parts I've ordered so far:
. Front tire (Kenda K673 Kruz to match the almost new rear tire)
. Front and rear wheel bearings/seals (All Balls)
. Front brake pads (BikeMaster)
. Fork springs (Progressive)
. Fork seals (BikeMaster)
. Fork oil (Maxima 10WT)
. Sprocket set, 40T rear/16T front (JT Sprockets)
. 525 BMOR Series O-Ring Chain (BikeMaster)
. Hardtail lowering kit (Scootworks)
I've got a lot to do still. I'm contemplating seats, and yes it will be a sprung seat because if you didn't catch it above, I'm going rigid. Why? Because I can get it lower. That also entails cutting the spacer in the front forks when I install the new springs. I have a lot to do, such as stripping the flat black rattle job off of nearly everything, yanking the stock intake, dismantling the carbs to see what's in'em (cleanliness and jet sizes), locating another stock exhaust system (the innards of the front pipe are broken ... yes broken. The inner pipe somehow separated itself from the top of the pipe at the flange area (leading into the head). Oh yeah, and fixing the tank.
Ah yes, fixing the tank ... I tried locating a replacement and they are not cheap, nor are they available in mass quantities. So I'm going to be experimenting with popping those dents and doing some bodywork. Yeaaaaaaahhhh ... we'll see how that goes.
I have come to realize that the bike was laid down, but not too bad. Even though I've thought about the whole 'flipping' idea, I don't know yet as it will be cutting a close edge between money spent and market value weighted against a unique piece. So this is my experimental bike as it stands now, and I'm just going to have fun making it mine.
I have a lead on an exhaust, and it really doesn't' matter the external shape nor the shape of the 'mufflers' as they'll be cut off. And, as a bonus to myself I'm also looking at welders.
10
Latest update ...
I visited a local paint shop today after doing some research. Discussed things with the counter rep; young guy, very knowledgeable. Looking at painting the bike myself, but not a rattle-can job this time. Metal flake and such ... stay tuned!
Interesting things during the disassemble. First, you don't need to have nor order special tools. Sometimes a broken shovel handle and simple leverage does the job:
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Damm that fork oil was NASTY! Smelled gawd-awful and the consistency was just short of water.
Second, Kleen Strip is AWESOME!
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Third, I don't know if this is right. These are the Progressive fork springs I received. The box indicates the right bike. However, maybe I'm confused but I guess I do not use the long tube spacer. Correct? It's the only thing that makes sense, haha! I'd like to lower the front end a bit, so cutting an inch or two off the springs might be necessary. I'll look into it. the stock springs are on top and way out of spec. One is even shorter than the other.
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Note to self: I've gone seriously over budget. But then, that also includes a few items for the garage. I'm having some fun with this lil' scoot though. Haven't done anything with the tank yet. I stripped everything off her that is getting powder coated. Got a couple quotes from local 'companies', but ended up just down the road at a guy who's number I got off the back of a stop sign at the exit of the local Home Depot - haha! Let's see ... oh yeah ... HALF the price of the companies. Cool guy ... ends up he does a lot of coatings for some local motorcycle dealerships. He operates from his house, but no he's not using the Eastwood DIY powdercoating system. He's got professional stuff; all the powders and colors imaginable and uses an industrial oven, shown here behind the VW just over the car's roofline:
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BTW, the VW is for sale - 1968 with some 'upgrades' that make it appear older, 4W disc brakes, freshly built 1800 and some modern touches. Some rust, not much - slick car! He's asking $5,500 and is open to offers. Let me know. More pics here (nevermind my other weird pics - haha). Misc Photos by exit39 | Photobucket
Anyway, here's what I gave him:
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Lastly, I had to grind out the rear race section of that front wheel bearing that was in pieces. Apparently it was fused to the wheel. No problem, a few Dremel cuts and a pounding later and it came out ... in pieces. I smoothed out the inner bearing housing and installed the new bearings temporarily to spin up the wheel on my homemade wheel horse. Good news on that end, it spun nice and true.
![]()
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Pretty much just waiting on parts and such. I've got a few things to weld up and experiment with. Slow going is approaching.
Poor baby. Yee shall ride again:
![]()
I visited a local paint shop today after doing some research. Discussed things with the counter rep; young guy, very knowledgeable. Looking at painting the bike myself, but not a rattle-can job this time. Metal flake and such ... stay tuned!
Interesting things during the disassemble. First, you don't need to have nor order special tools. Sometimes a broken shovel handle and simple leverage does the job:
Damm that fork oil was NASTY! Smelled gawd-awful and the consistency was just short of water.
Second, Kleen Strip is AWESOME!
Third, I don't know if this is right. These are the Progressive fork springs I received. The box indicates the right bike. However, maybe I'm confused but I guess I do not use the long tube spacer. Correct? It's the only thing that makes sense, haha! I'd like to lower the front end a bit, so cutting an inch or two off the springs might be necessary. I'll look into it. the stock springs are on top and way out of spec. One is even shorter than the other.
Note to self: I've gone seriously over budget. But then, that also includes a few items for the garage. I'm having some fun with this lil' scoot though. Haven't done anything with the tank yet. I stripped everything off her that is getting powder coated. Got a couple quotes from local 'companies', but ended up just down the road at a guy who's number I got off the back of a stop sign at the exit of the local Home Depot - haha! Let's see ... oh yeah ... HALF the price of the companies. Cool guy ... ends up he does a lot of coatings for some local motorcycle dealerships. He operates from his house, but no he's not using the Eastwood DIY powdercoating system. He's got professional stuff; all the powders and colors imaginable and uses an industrial oven, shown here behind the VW just over the car's roofline:
BTW, the VW is for sale - 1968 with some 'upgrades' that make it appear older, 4W disc brakes, freshly built 1800 and some modern touches. Some rust, not much - slick car! He's asking $5,500 and is open to offers. Let me know. More pics here (nevermind my other weird pics - haha). Misc Photos by exit39 | Photobucket
Anyway, here's what I gave him:
Lastly, I had to grind out the rear race section of that front wheel bearing that was in pieces. Apparently it was fused to the wheel. No problem, a few Dremel cuts and a pounding later and it came out ... in pieces. I smoothed out the inner bearing housing and installed the new bearings temporarily to spin up the wheel on my homemade wheel horse. Good news on that end, it spun nice and true.
Pretty much just waiting on parts and such. I've got a few things to weld up and experiment with. Slow going is approaching.
Poor baby. Yee shall ride again:
Really enjoy reading your write-up's AcedIt, Keep up the Good Work Man!
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Thanks guys. Fair warning though, this is not going to be so much of a budget build like my ACE was. Having fun traveling into some uncharted territory.Really enjoy reading your write-up's AcedIt, Keep up the Good Work Man!
![]()
Thanks guys. Fair warning though, this is not going to be so much of a budget build like my ACE was. Having fun traveling into some uncharted territory.
I hear you. Waiting to see how those Powder Coat Parts turn out, cool how you met that guy from the "back of a Stop Sign" ... LOL
The Portable AC, The Welder and Tools really shouldnt be counted on the Bikes Fabrication cost/budget as I am sure this will not be the last time you use them:wink:.
But I still hear you, Parts arent cheap and some cannot/should not be fabricated, like those sprockets for example.
It's in your Blood to create and fabricate and refurbish, that's apparent...
and I thinks its a great way to use your Brain and spend time.
Until next time dude..... bye
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