Hello folks
I got the storm a few months ago for £900. It was fairly standard aside from a rear hugger and scottoiler.
I love the bike. I had a silver one prior to it but this one made me feel better. As such I decided to spend some time, effort and money turning the basic bike (which had spent a long time in a garage due to the previous owner) into something that I really enjoy.
I wrote a list if things needing done and it turns out there are 40 plus things on the list. Theae range from oil and filter changes to rogered forks.
It is definitely a project for me. I thought I would create a post and update with progress as I make it. I have done a few things already and am in the process of getting others sorted.
Thanks for having a look!
Project Blue Belle
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StormyRob
- Posts: 1565
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:33 am
- Location: Northern Ireland. The place of legend
Project Blue Belle
If you don't try you never know if you can do it.
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lloydie
- Posts: 20928
- Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:16 pm
- Location: In the garage somewhere in Coventry
Re: Project Blue Belle
It's all ocmd from here in .
Good luck
Good luck
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StormyRob
- Posts: 1565
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:33 am
- Location: Northern Ireland. The place of legend
Re: Project Blue Belle
This morning I came home from a night shift. I have been receiving encouragement in relation to a braced swingarm and have seen how a few people have done it.
I have purchased a 97-98 swingarm and it should be here tomorrow.
Not the actual I purchased but the same kind.
On speaking to people there was nention of having to use the blade mount and move it etc. However one I have seen which I quite liked had a bend in the brace on the caliper side which required no modding.
It wont be to everyone'a taste. However I like practical and it is quite practical. A local welder is doing the cutting, bending and welding for me and it will be costing 60 quid which is pretty reasonable.
Today I started the process by removing the swingarm. Credit is due to others here as I was unsure of how to balance the bike etc. They know who they are.
I put the bike in both stands and removed the front wheel. I then destroyed an old chair. It was padded. I placed it on top of a trolley jack and jacked up a little under the sump. I jacked just enough for the front stand to come away. I then lowered the front to the floor which allowed the back end to raise nicely with the wheel removed there also.
I just removed these two bolts which allowed the shock to come free from the arm.
While doing that I was not overly satisfied with balance to the bike's right so I did this.
That sorted the problem. The bike is now well balanced. I then simply removed the spindle and dropped the swingarm out. It was a lot easier to do than I thought.
Bike currently sitting...
Swingarm off and ready to be braced. It will eventually be powdercoated satin black but that may be a little while. Depends on funds.
I appreciate this will often be fairly boring for the experts and half mechanically minded. However its a good way for me to record progress and show people not very mechanically minded how I managed it.
I have purchased a 97-98 swingarm and it should be here tomorrow.
Not the actual I purchased but the same kind.
On speaking to people there was nention of having to use the blade mount and move it etc. However one I have seen which I quite liked had a bend in the brace on the caliper side which required no modding.
It wont be to everyone'a taste. However I like practical and it is quite practical. A local welder is doing the cutting, bending and welding for me and it will be costing 60 quid which is pretty reasonable.
Today I started the process by removing the swingarm. Credit is due to others here as I was unsure of how to balance the bike etc. They know who they are.
I put the bike in both stands and removed the front wheel. I then destroyed an old chair. It was padded. I placed it on top of a trolley jack and jacked up a little under the sump. I jacked just enough for the front stand to come away. I then lowered the front to the floor which allowed the back end to raise nicely with the wheel removed there also.
I just removed these two bolts which allowed the shock to come free from the arm.
While doing that I was not overly satisfied with balance to the bike's right so I did this.
That sorted the problem. The bike is now well balanced. I then simply removed the spindle and dropped the swingarm out. It was a lot easier to do than I thought.
Bike currently sitting...
Swingarm off and ready to be braced. It will eventually be powdercoated satin black but that may be a little while. Depends on funds.
I appreciate this will often be fairly boring for the experts and half mechanically minded. However its a good way for me to record progress and show people not very mechanically minded how I managed it.
If you don't try you never know if you can do it.
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StormyRob
- Posts: 1565
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:33 am
- Location: Northern Ireland. The place of legend
Re: Project Blue Belle
lloydie wrote:It's all ocmd from here in .
Good luck
OCD I am assuming you mean?
I have never felt like this! Gonna be some changes over the next three months in time for some great riding!
If you don't try you never know if you can do it.
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agentpineapple
- Posts: 15124
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:16 pm
Re: Project Blue Belle
StormyRob wrote:lloydie wrote:It's all ocmd from here in .
Good luck
OCD I am assuming you mean?
I have never felt like this! Gonna be some changes over the next three months in time for some great riding!
only someone with OCD would correct someone who spelt it wrong.........
good luck with it rob, your doing well so far. check to make sure the swingarm linkage is in good condition before you reassemble everything.
HEY YOU GUYS!!!!!!
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lloydie
- Posts: 20928
- Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:16 pm
- Location: In the garage somewhere in Coventry
Re: Project Blue Belle
Obsessive compulsive modifying disorderStormyRob wrote:lloydie wrote:It's all ocmd from here in .
Good luck
OCD I am assuming you mean?
I have never felt like this! Gonna be some changes over the next three months in time for some great riding!
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StormyRob
- Posts: 1565
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:33 am
- Location: Northern Ireland. The place of legend
Re: Project Blue Belle
My bad!lloydie wrote:StormyRob wrote:lloydie wrote: Obsessive compulsive modifying disorder
Thanks for the clarification. That fits better.
If you don't try you never know if you can do it.
Re: Project Blue Belle
Good luck with your project Rob 
it's good to see another one being started 
Chris.
it's good to see another one being started Chris.
Re: Project Blue Belle
brilliant work fella. keep the porn,ooh i mean pics coming im liking the look of a braced swingarm
the older i get,the faster i was
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StormyRob
- Posts: 1565
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:33 am
- Location: Northern Ireland. The place of legend
Re: Project Blue Belle
Thanks fellas.
I'll keep the post updated over the next three months.
I'll keep the post updated over the next three months.
If you don't try you never know if you can do it.
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monkeymatt
- Posts: 328
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:11 am
- Location: Southampton . Hampshire
Re: Project Blue Belle
I'm sure your project will be great .
Good luck
Good luck
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StormyRob
- Posts: 1565
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:33 am
- Location: Northern Ireland. The place of legend
Re: Project Blue Belle
Credit to monkeymatt for this pic.
I discussed this with a couple of guys that are endlessly helping me out. I will be going for a powder coated version but ideally it will look pretty similar. Should be there in the next week or so.
I discussed this with a couple of guys that are endlessly helping me out. I will be going for a powder coated version but ideally it will look pretty similar. Should be there in the next week or so.
If you don't try you never know if you can do it.
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StormyRob
- Posts: 1565
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:33 am
- Location: Northern Ireland. The place of legend
Re: Project Blue Belle
Managed to have swingarm welded. Similar to the one above. Aside from not being as shiny it has a gradual bend on the caliper side
Pics below. I have sprayed it black just to see how it looks. It is being powder coated in due course.
My swingarm
Brace cut from blade arm.
Took a little more cutting to fit just right.
Ready to be welded
Welding Complete! Fitted to bike. Doesnt look pretty!
Just a few more pictures! Sprayed satin black for a sneak peek of what it will end up like. Finish will obviously be better.
Still a work in progress but you get the idea. The rest of the bike is being cleaned up so hoping for a pretty bike in a couple of months.
Pics below. I have sprayed it black just to see how it looks. It is being powder coated in due course.
My swingarm
Brace cut from blade arm.
Took a little more cutting to fit just right.
Ready to be welded
Welding Complete! Fitted to bike. Doesnt look pretty!
Just a few more pictures! Sprayed satin black for a sneak peek of what it will end up like. Finish will obviously be better.
Still a work in progress but you get the idea. The rest of the bike is being cleaned up so hoping for a pretty bike in a couple of months.
If you don't try you never know if you can do it.
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lloydie
- Posts: 20928
- Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:16 pm
- Location: In the garage somewhere in Coventry
Re: Project Blue Belle
Keep up the good work and you'll have a show bike in no time
Re: Project Blue Belle
Looking good mate
Just thought I'd mention this before it gets powder coated, have you thought about smoothing the brace welds off? In my opinion it makes a big difference, I'll see if I've got a pic...
Zoomed in:
Smoothed off welds then powder coated:
Keep it up dude
Just thought I'd mention this before it gets powder coated, have you thought about smoothing the brace welds off? In my opinion it makes a big difference, I'll see if I've got a pic...
Zoomed in:
Smoothed off welds then powder coated:
Keep it up dude
Jamie 