Katana progress

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BuzZz · #31 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:32 pm

Looking pretty good, Dude.

Even with that prodcedure you did or didn't do during bending....

One tip to avoid another such 'don't do this' adventure.....

Bolt down that vise. Maybe use a couple of steel plates on either side on that wooden benchtop if you ever plan on really reefin' on something you have clamped in the vise.

Just trust me on this, I can promise that will only lead to misery one day.

#32 Unread post by **Skier** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:10 pm

BuzZz wrote:Looking pretty good, Dude.

Even with that prodcedure you did or didn't do during bending....

One tip to avoid another such 'don't do this' adventure.....

Bolt down that vise. Maybe use a couple of steel plates on either side on that wooden benchtop if you ever plan on really reefin' on something you have clamped in the vise.

Just trust me on this, I can promise that will only lead to misery one day.

Thanks for the advice. I literally pulled the vice out of its box to do this project and only used it for two bends that went perfectly. The vice will eventually get bolted down when I can clean off my workspace and see about installing a better bench.

The bike is finally coming together and I'm quite happy. Hopefully all the comments from the "I just bought a brand new bike why are you fixing one up?" crew will stop when I'm done.

#33 Unread post by **Skier** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:53 am

So here is where we were at:

Mark them spots, drill 'em, hang it:

Looks close to me.

Final product should look something like this, but without the crookedly mounted plate and the turn signals not at weird angles:

I'm not entirely satisfied with the rigidity of the signals. I am probably going to see about making a brace for them under the tail. They won't fly off but a bit more support is always a good thing.

#34 Unread post by **Skier** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:04 pm

Yeah, it looks something like this:

I swear it looks significantly less crooked in person. At least until the indicators start flapping in the breeze at 70 MPH.

I will eventually clean up the wiring, but it's not horrible:

Most certainly good enough for government work:

Indicators work, hoorah! (Again, I swear it looks better in person and I am not completely inept at metalwork)

#35 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 9:52 pm

My forks have been rebuilt and reinstalled. I also borrowed a buddy's carb adjustment tool so I can adjust the idle mixture correctly. Next up is going to be tires (on the way) and a test and tune.

There's still work left to be done, but I might be riding her this weekend. Assuming the snow we just got doesn't stick around!

#36 Unread post by **Skier** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:42 pm

I swear I've done stuff! No pictures for now, I have some homework to do (boo!).

What's done:

Front forks reinstalled (again, someone forgot where the wiring/cables for the clipons went

)
New rubber on front wheel (mounted and balanced with my new tire-changer toy!)
Front wheel reinstalled
front brakes reinstalled
clipons all good to go

I do believe I am done with the front of the bike now! I will drop the front end and lift the rear to take care of that tire next. Then, do a quickie paint job so my bike doesn't look horribly clashing and I'm going to take her out for some test and tune!

(edit)
Screw it, here's some new pictures:

Hanging around:

New rubber! Metzeler Z6 goodness:

Rubber for the rear:

My tire changer and jackstands/wheel balancer setup:

The yellow stuff on the rim holders is Plasti-Dip so I don't scratch up my rims.

#37 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:30 am

On to the rear! I put the bike back on the ground, (hopefully) fixed a clutch cover gasket leak (also discovering it was dropped hard on that side and epoxyed back together) and raised the rear:

My tire changer in action! I just pulled off the old rubber and cleaned the inside of the rim. Next up is part one of balancing, mounting new rubber, then the final phase of balancing. I got a whole lot better at changing tires after that first one! I guess the thing will eventually pay for itself.

I am a little wary of the front forks. They don't seem to give quite enough, but that is probably due to me being used to my Radian, where the front fork springs from the factory assume you weigh negative pounds. I'll probably grab a buddy and have him jump up and down on the front and see what he thinks.

#38 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:26 pm

Rear tire is mounted and balanced, bike is now sitting on its wonderful new Metzelers. Side cover is still leaking, need to take another look at that. Next on my list is probably putting the seats back on, fastening down the gas tank, adjusting the carbs' idle mixtures and then fairings.

Getting there! Now if only my schoolwork was this easy!

#39 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:37 pm

Dang thing almost looks like a bike again:

I want to set the carbs' idle mixtures before slapping on the side fairings. Plus I should hit everything with some flat-black so it's not a horrible mish-mash of colors that it would be. After that, I'm good to go for a test-ride! My updated insurance policy came so I'm all in the clear for riding into Soviet Idaho!

#40 Unread post by **Skier** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:57 pm

Got the thing started up last night. With some (hopefully) minor tuning she'll be ready to terrorize the streets this weekend. Might take a while to scrub in my new Metzelers in the snow, though.