It's that time again.....

[Shauned71]

Hello everybloody..... after working on, around or playing with bike stuff solidly for a couple months now (mostly on other folks bikes) I have finally got an itch to crack on with my next project. The difference this time, where before it was what I call a quick couple weeks makeover (mainly because I didn't want to be without my bike) this time I have a back up bike in place to see me through the winter meaning I have a good 6 months to tinker away with the bike which in turn allows plenty of time for me to chop and change my mind on what I want to achieve come the end result. Although I will update with progress as I go I expect that to start with things will be slow going so updates will probably be slow too.

Ofc any following ideas will be subject to change but right now my plan is to build a very clean bike so I am intending on stripping it down completely.. Besides the wheels which I have a plan for but wont indulge just yet (not sure if it will work) I want everything else finished in satin black/dark grey including frame and swing arm, going very stealthy you see. Not sure what colours will go where but I like the look of the satin black finished R1's so that I will confess was my first inspiration as far as colours go. I may add a touch of carbon but any bling I add will be minimal.. Nice new bolts all round but no stainless.. want a darker looking bolt so i'm guessing titanium.

As plans go so far... bike will be pretty much standard body wise with just an added pyramid belly pan which i'll rob off my other bike when the time comes. The main body work mod I am thinking about... I really fancy having a cbr600 nose blended in and fitting the twin headlamps but right now.. I'm not sure I can be bothered with the extra hassle. I have fireblade 918 forks at hand, have both cbr600 and fireblade front brake set ups plus armstrong discs all round. Have the choice of standard or 6 spoke wheels here.. really can't make my mind up which to go for yet though. Have a blade s/a so will be bracing the storm swingarm too. Have the undertray from my old bike so will be tidying up the rear end. I will still look out for a few extra treats.. nice rear shock wouldn't go a miss but what else... we'll see as time goes by. Oh and my black race scorpions will be going on as I have yet to see another set like them and the noise they make... well it just doesn't get old

I'm sure money will help decide many choices... time and effort I have plenty but I won't allow myself to to go overboard on the spending and ofc I am limited as to what I can do.. I don't fancy painting the bike myself which is a problem because i'm also very tight when it comes to paying others to work on my vehicles although going down the self prep route could be an option to save a few bucks.... that said, if needs must as in funds *cough* I mean lack of.. I could just leave the bike panels as is seeing as they are all complete, tidy and one colour... matt black, just not the black I want to end up with. I must add I have no plans as to where to start besides the obvious stripping of the bike or in what order to do things so don't be surprised if random photos pop up leaving you thinking 'why the hell is he doing this when he hasn't done that' I will simple go with what ever I feel like doing at the time simply because I can.

I will leave you with a pic of my bike as it is right now... the base of all things to come and let the games begin

[Kev L]

Good luck with the build mate

[Shauned71]

Good luck with the build mate

Thank you buddy

[AMCQ46]

cant wait......... hope it is quicker than FlattyLiney and his projects

[lloydie]

Good luck and keep us updated [THUMBS UP SIGN]

[sirch345]

Good luck with your bike plans

I look forward to seeing what you end up doing

Chris.

[VTRDark]

Sounds like a plan. I like the idea of dual headlights, that would look cool. Why would you not want to paint the bodywork yourself

[Shauned71]

Thanks for the comments all..

Why would you not want to paint the bodywork yourself

Partly because of lack of facilities but mostly... I have neighbours that would love any excuse to have a moan at me, not that I would be breaking any laws but I just don't want the hassle. I have built a shed which is just under in size to avoid planning and i'm using it for working in at home.. again, not breaking any rules but would rather tinker along quietly without any interference. That said.... I did pop out earlier to get an idea on cost to have my panels painted for me as a self prep job.. £400 ish.. I wasn't expecting it to be that much and I think I can safely say I won't be paying that so for that reason the temptation to have a crack myself is now back with me... we will see. Plenty of time to work something out yet and ofc if all else fails I can just leave the bike the original colour.

Also... yesterday I made some enquiries with regards to anodising. I want the frame and swing arm black but I don't want to powder coat because that's pretty much the norm and I don't feel that paint would be up for the job.. to easy to mark/scratch. So I have been told, the problem with anodising is the aluminium.. believe it's the difference in qualities, some will take some won't so the plan is to get a spare swing arm done and see how it turns out... If it comes out nice then I will get the custom swing arm done and then ofc the frame followed by a whole bunch of other bits and bobs.

[agentpineapple]

good luck shaun, I look forward to seeing how you get on....

[VTRDark]

Argh that understandable then. Got to keep the neighbours sweet.

I don't want to powder coat because that's pretty much the norm and I don't feel that paint would be up for the job.. to easy to mark/scratch.

I feel like that too. Not a fan of powder coat.

So I have been told, the problem with anodising is the aluminium.. believe it's the difference in qualities

That's right. Not easy and takes someone who specialises in anodising. Results can vary. Give GL_S_R a shout as he has some contacts and knowledge in this area. A good two pack epoxy resin maybe the better option to go down and could save on costs. Or what about some of these new chrome plating type processes. A black or Gun Metal type chrome

http://www.chromespray.co.uk/

[agentpineapple]

the lady that did kevs brake calipers is supposed to be very good, I think mark glsr recommended her.

[Shauned71]

I have been chatting to a few people local to me... seems who ever I chat too, always comes back to the same company which is quite local to me and it's them I have spoken too recently. I think before I look at any other options I will drop a spare swing arm up for a tester... they said they would do it for 20-30 quid and i'm quite prepared to gamble that just to see if this will work for me.

As far as spray chrome goes... from what I have seen/read while having a quick look about it's all shiny finishes which I don't want. Only reason I don't want powder coat is because it seems the most popular option and I just want to be different. If the anodising gets ruled out then I think I would rather powder coat than any other spray option. Have never had any powder coating done so would have to look into it more to see what finishes are available.

[Ant]

I had the same issue with the frame, couldn't get anywhere with it so I've used textured paint. With powdercoat remember you can get other finishes, not just shinny, you can get satin, matt and textured versions, might cost a little more to buy the powder but you'll likely be able to get most things in black!

[fabiostar]

Good luck with the build . keep the pics and updates coming..

[Shauned71]

The day after I started this topic I woke with a cold coming on.. that then turned into a chest infection... got over that but because of generally not feeling great and also being stuck in a 'I can't be assed' mood lately I haven't touched the bike since I took the photo of it which was the same day first posted. Have had a few days of tidying around the place plus doing some work in the garden and then today I finally went in my shed and took a spanner to my bike.

Although pointless at this stage I decided to drop the exhaust off so I could clean the headers up... have seen many of folk post photos here or on facebook and I always wondered how much effort it would take to do mine... Now bare in mind, I cleaned the headers on my old bike up a treat but back then I had a lot more at my disposal to help me do the job. This time round I was armed with a bottle of acid, a brush and a handful of scotch pads and a fine wire brush attachment fitted to my bench grinder... quite happy with the result so far plus it didn't take long at all. Will have a go at the main section tomorrow after I have painted my garden fence.. bit of work then a bit of play you see Once the main section is done I will then go crazy with the autosol and buffer.





The only other thing I have achieved lately as far as the bike goes... I managed to acquire some Harris rear sets.



One peg snapped off and they could do with new pegs on the gear and brake levers.. luckily I have a set of Harris rear sets off a blade knocking around which although had mis-matched pegs did have one to match the storms set. So another little treat for the bike if nothing else
Haven't had any motivation regarding the bike lately... probably doesn't help that there's plenty of time to do it plus I have the other bike anyway but all being well if I fiddle with a few bits over the next couple days it will kick my enthusiasm up a notch.