Streetfighter comfort kit Pt 2

Got a little more done on the Handlebar kit, bit of a one step forward and two steps back affair though!

Although the fitting of the kit is going fine when I removed the fuel tank yesterday it was damp underneath and to my dismay it has had a shoddy fibreglass repair!!!! so I need to find another tank, hopefully a nice solid one.

Anyway first thing I have done is bolt the ignition to the yolk with the spacer's I cut to length so that the steering lock would be usable. Then I disconnected the old clutch cable from the lever and fitted the lever and the switch gear to the handlebars, I may have to lengthen the switchgear wiring as I am not wholly convinced it is long enough, It might well be but I need to take the clocks out an see how much cable is behind them and if it can be re-routed.

The next job I tackled was threading the new clutch cable through the frame, top tip here, tape the end of your new cable to your old one and use the old cable to pull the new one through, it saves a lot of time and hassle believe me.

So that's it for now I was losing the light and the tank thing was annoying me so I just called it a day, my next task is to get some brake fluid then I will remove and fit the new longer brake hoses and bleed them and the right hand switchgear.

Streetfighter comfort kit

Just before Christmas I decided to buy a handlebar conversion kit for the Fireblade, after much deliberation I chose the one from 998cc.com, as much on price and after speaking over the phone I liked the cut of his jib and the deal was done.


So here is a few pictures of it going on the blade:

First job was to remove the mirrors and the fairing stay.

Then I removed the bolts securing the handlebars to the top yoke and separated the switch gear from the handlebars. The next job was too separate the the ignition switch from the top yoke, By god the bolts were tight, and I was pleased to get them out without damaging them.

Right off with the old yolk and on with the new! the new yolk was a bit of a tight fit over the steering stem but with a couple of short sharp shocks with a copper 'n' hide it was seated nicely

Now that the new yoke is on I have fitted the Renthal bar's that came with the kit.

That's all for now, next I will cut the spacer's to align the ignition barrel with the lock stops and remove the petrol tank so that I can fit the extended clutch cable.

Before & After

A couple of before an after pictures of the blade now I've fitted the goodies I bought for her Christmas.

Brother Allan's project

This is my Bro Allan's new project that I have nick-named eurostar, do to the fact he bought it home stuck it in the shed, it got covered in condensation and hasn't run since!!!!

I was supposed to nip over and see the beast today but the weather transpired against us so hopefully I will get over on Wednesday for a look-see and give a fuller report on it.

Exhaust,Carbs,Airbox

Modded the fuse box plug this afternoon, if I find a fuse box with the correct plug I will buy it, otherwise I am happy with the job and by modding the fuse box I haven't had to make any cuts or joins in the new loom.

I also fitted the exhaust system, I will confess to not being over enthusiastic about Motad systems and would sooner be fitting a Harris but beggar's can't be chooser's and as this system is nearly brand new it will have to do for the time being. Along with the exhaust I put the air-box in and fitted the carb's

I remember why we used to drop carb rubber's in a bucket of hot water for ten minutes before we fitted them now, they had certainly gone hard but it's not practical for me to transport water to the garage and if it was it would be cold before I got it there, so I persevered and there on but my bloody fingers are sore!

I have also made the decision to dry build it and see what it runs like, that's why I haven't painted the engine casings or spent much time cleaning the carb body's, if it's a good lump then I will run it about for a bit and then tear it down for a repaint, but if it's a pile of shite I shall rip it out and fit a Zephyr 750 motor or GPZ 750 motor, I hope it will be a good un but you just can't tell until you've heard it running, that's the main pitfall of buying blind but I knew that risk from the outset, I am not bothered with originality I just want a decent enough bike to ride in all weather's.

Chin-chin

I Need Help!!!!

I do try an resist the urge to go on Ebay honestly! But it's filled with shiny bit's and I can't help myself.

Maybe someone should set up a self help group for people addicted to the bloody site?

Proper Bike Shop

If like me you remember the days of the "proper" bike shops before fancy showrooms dripping with exotica and expensive tat you neither want nor can afford appeared, then if you happen to be in Ayrshire you could do a lot worse than dropping into J.D Morton & son on the main St in Sorn.

Jimmy does a cracking job supplying spares, servicing,s/h bikes, Mot's you name it an he will probably do it, In fact just recently he spun up his lathe (I bet your local Honda showroom wouldn't be able to do this) and modified some bar end weight's for me!

I only wish we had more of these little gems left, so if you pass by pop in a make a purchase, trust me it will make you feel good.

WTF!

I spent a few hour's fitting the new loom I acquired from E-bay on Sunday, by eck I was impressed until I came to fit the very last item, the fuse box! Why the fuck did Kawasaki change the plug? both are four pins but different sizes, so now I have to either source another fuse box with the correct size plug or cut the plug of one of the two fuse boxes I have and make it fit the new loom, everything else is just the same so did you just alter it too spite me? or is this just an example of sod's law putting in an appearance?
I think one of the fuse box's I have is going to be modified as I am loath to dip my hand in my pocket again just for the sake of a bit of plastic.

Drool!!!

Al sent me this picture, I think he robbed it from the bratstyle web page, so if you want too go a knee cap him for stealing your pic's, no prob's I will send you his address!!!!
But I have got too say I love this bike, I can't stop myself from having a look every time I check my email, it is true unadulterated motorcycle pornography and it needs to be shared with the masses, so I make no apologies for displaying it here.

Goodies

"So ", I hear you say," exactly what have you been doing you lazy b'stard while your wife has been busy increasing the Scottish population?"

Well I have been busy too, on the bay of evil collecting trophy's for when I am allowed time off shitty nappy duty and drag myself back too my den! And I have been having some success, I managed too get a great pair of S/h shocks and a new wiring loom for the wee z. Now i wasn't looking for a wiring loom, but one came up in pristine condition and considering how much the one I repaired had been cut and chopped about i would have been a fool not too buy it, and too make it even better I got it for a snip so I am well chuffed and to fit that is the next job.
I also Bought a new clear rear light lens that will go nicely with my new LED indicators for the Blade, so all in all I'm a happy Bunny

Till next time

Another motor in.....

Now prior to George Kent making an early arrival, Brother Al came over and gave me a hand wrestle the engine back into the "Z", may I just say, what a pig! the bloody thing was not for going back to where it had once rested. I know the CB750 unit was friggin heavy but that was a breeze to put in compared to this bugger, desperate not too damage the powder coat, we twisted turned, lifted and trapped fingers with the odd cuss thrown in for good measure until it was seated in the right position and a bolt was in place, I have too say Cheer's Allan I couldn't have done it with out you.

New arrival

Right had my hand's full the last few weeks and Haven't had time too update my blog until now, and the reason for this major upheaval was that my wife gave birth to a little boy who we have named George.

So welcome to the world George, won't be long before you have your own set of wee overalls and are (ahem) helping yer Dad out in the garage.