CruxGNZ's '98 Superhawk
05-25-2016, 04:42 PM
#361
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
I tried mounting my Ohlins resevoir, but the line is at the wrong angle. I'm assuming that since this shock is under pressure, I can't loosen that banjo fitting and swivel it 90 degrees, then tighten it. So, I temporarily zip tied the resevoir to the sub frame. The place that rebuilt and dyno'd this Ohlins shock is 45 minutes from me. I hope I can ride there, move that fitting, and then have them recharge the shock. I sure hope they can recharge the shock while on the bike. What a hassle.
05-25-2016, 04:44 PM
#362
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
While the paint dries for the coolant system parts, I pushed the bike outside and I am working on the custom dash. The old custom dash is installed in the picture below. That's what the rats nest is of red wires.
I have a sheet of carbon fiber that I was going to lay over the custom dash I have already made, but after seeing how the exhaust looks with a brushed finish, I decided to use stainless steel to make the dash. Once built, I will do a brushed finish on that as well. However, this means I need to rebuild the dash from scratch, which means more time. At this point, I don't know if I am going to make this upcoming trip. It is going to be very close.
I have a sheet of carbon fiber that I was going to lay over the custom dash I have already made, but after seeing how the exhaust looks with a brushed finish, I decided to use stainless steel to make the dash. Once built, I will do a brushed finish on that as well. However, this means I need to rebuild the dash from scratch, which means more time. At this point, I don't know if I am going to make this upcoming trip. It is going to be very close.
05-25-2016, 05:39 PM
#363
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 2,312
I worked on the throttle a little bit today. I have a Vista Cruise throttle stop and I wanted to retain that for this build. However, the Vista Cruise was a little sloppy for my taste. So, I drilled and tapped the drain hole (?) underneath the throttle for a M6 bolt and now it is solid. No slop.
Dash will be complete this weekend.
I let my cousin know that I won't make the trip around Lake Michigan over this coming weekend. My bike has way to many items to get done and not enough time. Sure, I could slap it together and make the trip, and I seriously thought about doing just that, but then I would need to take it back apart when I got home. I can always make this trip next year, because they do it yearly.
Dash will be complete this weekend.
I let my cousin know that I won't make the trip around Lake Michigan over this coming weekend. My bike has way to many items to get done and not enough time. Sure, I could slap it together and make the trip, and I seriously thought about doing just that, but then I would need to take it back apart when I got home. I can always make this trip next year, because they do it yearly.
05-26-2016, 01:45 AM
#364
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New South Wales Australia
Posts: 1,544
Crux,
with the amount of effort you have gone to it would be a shame just to slap it together now.
I can see a lot of test rides before you are happy with it as evidenced by this build you want it right.
Totally in awe of this build and your skills and am waiting anxiously to see it complete.
Keep us posted.
with the amount of effort you have gone to it would be a shame just to slap it together now.
I can see a lot of test rides before you are happy with it as evidenced by this build you want it right.
Totally in awe of this build and your skills and am waiting anxiously to see it complete.
Keep us posted.
05-26-2016, 09:02 PM
#365
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
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Thanks guys!
I decided to see what my bike weighed the way it sat. And, exactly like it is in the last picture (+1 qt. of oil) Front: 156lbs, Rear: 156lbs.
I accidentally put a scrape in the right engine cover. So, the engine cover needed to come off and get repainted. Luckily I have several gaskets for just in case.
I decided to see what my bike weighed the way it sat. And, exactly like it is in the last picture (+1 qt. of oil) Front: 156lbs, Rear: 156lbs.
I accidentally put a scrape in the right engine cover. So, the engine cover needed to come off and get repainted. Luckily I have several gaskets for just in case.
05-27-2016, 02:53 AM
#366
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New South Wales Australia
Posts: 1,544
What do you think it will weigh when finished.
I have removed soo much weight from mine that it has become skittish, especially when my tires are nearing the end of their life.
As for the scratch on your engine cover I am glad to see that you are rectifying that. The bike is too nice to have a mark on it. I am expecting Hi Def pictures when you are finished and a bonus would be a video so that we can hear what it sounds like.
Great work and good luck as you move closer to the finished product.
P.S Get a bit more weight over the front if you can! Don't know why I said that but I remember the difference to the way that my bike handled when I put the shim in the back shock!
Keep going mate!
I have removed soo much weight from mine that it has become skittish, especially when my tires are nearing the end of their life.
As for the scratch on your engine cover I am glad to see that you are rectifying that. The bike is too nice to have a mark on it. I am expecting Hi Def pictures when you are finished and a bonus would be a video so that we can hear what it sounds like.
Great work and good luck as you move closer to the finished product.
P.S Get a bit more weight over the front if you can! Don't know why I said that but I remember the difference to the way that my bike handled when I put the shim in the back shock!
Keep going mate!
05-28-2016, 07:29 PM
#367
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 2,312
What do you think it will weigh when finished.
I have removed soo much weight from mine that it has become skittish, especially when my tires are nearing the end of their life.
As for the scratch on your engine cover I am glad to see that you are rectifying that. The bike is too nice to have a mark on it. I am expecting Hi Def pictures when you are finished and a bonus would be a video so that we can hear what it sounds like.
Great work and good luck as you move closer to the finished product.
P.S Get a bit more weight over the front if you can! Don't know why I said that but I remember the difference to the way that my bike handled when I put the shim in the back shock!
Keep going mate!
I have removed soo much weight from mine that it has become skittish, especially when my tires are nearing the end of their life.
As for the scratch on your engine cover I am glad to see that you are rectifying that. The bike is too nice to have a mark on it. I am expecting Hi Def pictures when you are finished and a bonus would be a video so that we can hear what it sounds like.
Great work and good luck as you move closer to the finished product.
P.S Get a bit more weight over the front if you can! Don't know why I said that but I remember the difference to the way that my bike handled when I put the shim in the back shock!
Keep going mate!
I will post a YouTube video of the first time I crank over and hopefully start the brand new "hot rod" engine.
With the Ohlins shock, I cranked up the preload, so the back end came up the equivalent of putting a 10mm spacer in the stock shock.
I saw that scratch and could have let it go, but noticed a couple other imperfections in the paint. So, now was the time to take it off and redo it. Cost me a gasket and a little time, but it will make me happy to have it perfect.
I would've loved to get my engine cover powder coated, but I removed the "Honda" label and I took off a little too much in a few spots and had to use filler.
The pictures below show the finished starter and how the thermostat housing turned out after removing the "carb" nipple. Turned out nice except for one very small fish eye.
I'll be working on the dash soon.
Last edited by CruxGNZ; 05-28-2016 at 07:33 PM.
05-30-2016, 12:59 PM
#368
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Middletown, CT
Posts: 416
Crux
Just my 2cents on the rear shock. The Ohlins measures 1mm longer than the stock shock. Ride height should not be confused with preload. Preload compensates for weight of the rider(s) their safety gear and/or luggage and allows you to properly set the suspension sag (about .75 - 1.00" in the rear should work). Altering the length of the rear shock through shimming changes the static and dynamic suspension geometry. It alters chain pull, weight transfer, how the bike finishes a corner, blah, blah, on and on. What I am saying is, shim the shock, then set the preload to suit your weight. My basic calculations have me at 5mm up in the rear, .75 sag, 2mm down in the front, with 1.25 sag... I'm 201 in my gear... Your mileage may vary!��
Just my 2cents on the rear shock. The Ohlins measures 1mm longer than the stock shock. Ride height should not be confused with preload. Preload compensates for weight of the rider(s) their safety gear and/or luggage and allows you to properly set the suspension sag (about .75 - 1.00" in the rear should work). Altering the length of the rear shock through shimming changes the static and dynamic suspension geometry. It alters chain pull, weight transfer, how the bike finishes a corner, blah, blah, on and on. What I am saying is, shim the shock, then set the preload to suit your weight. My basic calculations have me at 5mm up in the rear, .75 sag, 2mm down in the front, with 1.25 sag... I'm 201 in my gear... Your mileage may vary!��
06-05-2016, 06:27 PM
#369
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 2,312
Dash #2
I will keep editing this post with pictures of the new dash. Same design as the last one, but a little better and all done in brushed stainless steel.
I decided to give the new dash a little thickness to it. So, I cut some metal 5/8" wide to weld along the edge. Should look nice when it is finished.
Bobby,
You have me reading all sorts of suspension articles. I have learned A Lot. Thank you for showing me what is right and wrong.
I will keep editing this post with pictures of the new dash. Same design as the last one, but a little better and all done in brushed stainless steel.
I decided to give the new dash a little thickness to it. So, I cut some metal 5/8" wide to weld along the edge. Should look nice when it is finished.
Bobby,
You have me reading all sorts of suspension articles. I have learned A Lot. Thank you for showing me what is right and wrong.
Last edited by CruxGNZ; 06-05-2016 at 06:30 PM.
06-05-2016, 07:04 PM
#371
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 2,312
I will remember to do that.
My sniffer is still a little sore, but I have been going about my life as usual. I don't need Breath Right strips anymore, which rocks. Being able to sleep comfortably in any which position made the pain of the Septoplasty worth it.
06-19-2016, 07:13 PM
#373
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
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I haven't had much time to work on the bike, due to work. There has been several days that I had time, but the heat has simply drained me. I finally got the cooling system finished. The radiators needed to be relocated 1 1/4" back. The right radiator had some issues as shown in the picture.
I was going to install the carbs, but I haven't yet made the carbon plates that hold the carbs together. I have the sheet of carbon fiber, but haven't had the time yet to trace the metal plates. Soon....very soon.
I was going to install the carbs, but I haven't yet made the carbon plates that hold the carbs together. I have the sheet of carbon fiber, but haven't had the time yet to trace the metal plates. Soon....very soon.
06-25-2016, 01:43 AM
#374
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New South Wales Australia
Posts: 1,544
Glad to see some progress.
As usual everything looks great.
Time is a bastard for me too, I have things I want to do to my VTR but other bikes are demanding attention.
Can't wait to see it finished.
As usual everything looks great.
Time is a bastard for me too, I have things I want to do to my VTR but other bikes are demanding attention.
Can't wait to see it finished.
06-25-2016, 11:23 AM
#375
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 2,312
Today, I'll get the wire harness fitted (I hope I remember how it routes), then put on the carbs, and attach the front fairing. The front fairing needs to be in place for me to center the custom dash, which I will start building if I have enough time today.
Started a new business and its going very well and it has been taking up my free time. I have been thinking of outsourcing the painting of the fairings just to speed things up. I hate doing that, because I like doing things myself, but if I want to ride this thing, and there has been some fantastic weather lately, then I might have to let someone else work on my bike. Uhg...
Started a new business and its going very well and it has been taking up my free time. I have been thinking of outsourcing the painting of the fairings just to speed things up. I hate doing that, because I like doing things myself, but if I want to ride this thing, and there has been some fantastic weather lately, then I might have to let someone else work on my bike. Uhg...
08-27-2016, 08:07 PM
#377
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
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Actually got some time to work on the bike tonight. I worked on making the new dash a bit and then I bumped the TIG torch and screwed up a weld which couldn't be fixed, because the entire dash is brushed stainless steel. I knew this while making it, but crap happens. So, I'm going back to making it out of a sheet of carbon fiber. The carbon dash is 90% done. Once the dash is complete, I then need to make a bracket for the magnet speedo for the Veypor gauge. After that, I can throw all the body work on and fire it up and ride! The body work is still unfinsihed and wearing black primer, which absolutely sucks. Beautiful bike with shitty plastics. Painting the plastics will have to wait until the end of the year. I just need to ride.
08-29-2016, 06:57 PM
#380
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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You got it guys. I will take a video when I fire this beast of an engine up.
I got the new carbon fiber dash done, well, for the most part. I still need to remove the superbright LED's from my last iteration of the dash, which the wires are hot glued in place with heavy duty glue sticks. Once the LED's are swapped over hooked up, I have one more thing to do before I fire it up! Getting excited!
I got the new carbon fiber dash done, well, for the most part. I still need to remove the superbright LED's from my last iteration of the dash, which the wires are hot glued in place with heavy duty glue sticks. Once the LED's are swapped over hooked up, I have one more thing to do before I fire it up! Getting excited!
09-03-2016, 03:33 PM
#383
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 2,312
DASH #3
Well, here is the next iteration of my dash. Carbon fiber and stainless steel. Those three stainless steel sticks will be bent at 90 degrees and glued to the back of the carbon fiber sheet. The center will be cut out and a stainless steel structure will be bent up to hold the Veypor gauge in place. I have changed this dash so many times, but I believe this is finally it.
The stainless steel structure didn't turn out exactly the way I had planned. I had an issue bending it. I took measures by drilling the inside corners and also using a Dremel to cut a small groove on the opposite side of the metal of the corner I wanted to bend.
I will probably end up making this piece again, but cutting & welding it, instead of bending it. However, making it again will have to wait until another time. I just want to ride this bike!
Well, here is the next iteration of my dash. Carbon fiber and stainless steel. Those three stainless steel sticks will be bent at 90 degrees and glued to the back of the carbon fiber sheet. The center will be cut out and a stainless steel structure will be bent up to hold the Veypor gauge in place. I have changed this dash so many times, but I believe this is finally it.
The stainless steel structure didn't turn out exactly the way I had planned. I had an issue bending it. I took measures by drilling the inside corners and also using a Dremel to cut a small groove on the opposite side of the metal of the corner I wanted to bend.
I will probably end up making this piece again, but cutting & welding it, instead of bending it. However, making it again will have to wait until another time. I just want to ride this bike!
Last edited by CruxGNZ; 09-04-2016 at 06:18 PM.
09-05-2016, 04:46 AM
#386
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New South Wales Australia
Posts: 1,544
Crux ,
Mate,
Get her on the road ASAP .
When you do, make sure you do a vid as I want to hear that engine.
Almost there , Keep going .
I can only imagine the satisfaction when you do ride , that is one sharp bike you have. The attention to detail is second to none.
I went for a ride yesterday and there was a guy on a black VTR that had a set of Ballistic pipes on it and it sounded "FAT "at a service station I stopped at to refuel. I introduced myself and told him about this site. He checked my bike and asked questions, He was amazed at the braced swing arm, electric water pump, rear sets and the comment was , I keep finding stuff, what's this what's that ?
That's the great thing about the VTR, you can make it what you want.
Mate,
Get her on the road ASAP .
When you do, make sure you do a vid as I want to hear that engine.
Almost there , Keep going .
I can only imagine the satisfaction when you do ride , that is one sharp bike you have. The attention to detail is second to none.
I went for a ride yesterday and there was a guy on a black VTR that had a set of Ballistic pipes on it and it sounded "FAT "at a service station I stopped at to refuel. I introduced myself and told him about this site. He checked my bike and asked questions, He was amazed at the braced swing arm, electric water pump, rear sets and the comment was , I keep finding stuff, what's this what's that ?
That's the great thing about the VTR, you can make it what you want.
09-05-2016, 05:56 PM
#387
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 2,312
You guys got it. Video will be in depth and have decent audio. Short, but to the point. It won't be one of those crappy, home made videos where everyone feels they are the next Quentin Tarantino.
Give me another week and I will have 'er back on the road. I got a lot done this weekend. The dash is near completion and the speedo bracket needs yet to be made. Other than that, she'll be running soon.
Give me another week and I will have 'er back on the road. I got a lot done this weekend. The dash is near completion and the speedo bracket needs yet to be made. Other than that, she'll be running soon.
10-18-2016, 11:39 AM
#390
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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I haven't had any free time to work on it. I need to spend a couple hours wiring up the new dash and make a small bracket for the magnetic speedo pickup. That's it. A few hours is all I need. I can't let this bike sit over winter like this, being so close. So, I am blocking out this coming Saturday as a full day to work on the bike. I'm getting excited just thinking that I could fire it up this weekend!
