The new (20 year old) ride and the progress thread

[leathel]

I thought I would chuck in this section....not to many Mods done yet more just updates and Maintenance, as I find time I will update and do more Mods

The dirt bike trailer comes in handy again …. Picking up the bike from Papamoa



Back at the workshop


The saddle bags removed, I will fit them better again but make them removable without going over the seat and make clips to sit in the frame better. I may update them yet but they will do for now.



Striped the tank, then drained the water and put fresh antifreeze in, New K&N air filter. It was at this point I realized my bike lift is no good so that will be the next project





Jack frame built, I used this as an opportunity to teach a young part time worker to weld so its not anything flash but works a treat






Then it was fit the rear bag for the wet weather gear and spare visor and gloves, it is the top bag for a pack so had not frame to supports to hold its shape so a quick frame made, 2 bucket lids and some alloy tread plate sorted that







Next it was the fork springs, fork oil and rear shocks, Badly needed!



Next oil change, oil filter and drive oil change, I didn’t expect that to change much as it wasn’t due to be changed….apparently, and to be fair it looked ok but after the change the bike runs smoother and revs easier…… I don’t know what was in it but the new oil was better

The bike still was far from smooth, well it is a V twin….but so is the other bike, I had the factory exhaust for this bike and it has a balance pipe with will ease the “pulse” of each fire by spreading the load over both pipes unlike the pipes on the bike, I like the look of the pipes (apart from they are rusty as well) but I thought I would try the factory pipes to see if it does make a difference, Easy to fit….right?
Well maybe not quite as easy as I thought but got them fitted, fired the bike up and well….. the sound was…..shit! Oh well time to remove the rear baffle to see if that helps





The removed baffle



I like the sound with the rear baffles out, less like a 4 cylinder running on two sound and more smoother like a v8...well almost. The big surprise was how much difference it made to the vibes in the bars, I can actually see in the mirrors

I still have some bits coming for the carbs, brakes and new seat coming so will update as it progresses

While I had it up on the stand after doing the exhaust I had a quick go at tidying up the rims... well one side


the other side still looks like it did :P



Will have to find some more time and do the rest.... may black the non polished bits yet... not sure on that.

[nzspokes]

Nice. I do prefer the that shape of Cruiser. Its good to mod bikes, love the bag idea.

If it were mine I would look at a bigger headlight, looks a little small to me. But thats the fun. It doesnt have to be what others like.

[leathel]

Nice. I do prefer the that shape of Cruiser. Its good to mod bikes, love the bag idea.

If it were mine I would look at a bigger headlight, looks a little small to me. But thats the fun. It doesnt have to be what others like.

That is on the list to mod.... but I may keep the light but shift up so it tucks under the speedo, will look less like a pimple on the front and give it a longer "chopper" look... Indicators will likely change too... so many ideas so little time ATM, need to finish the maintenance upgrades first then it will be more looks work

[leathel]

One side effect to having an older bike that sat with no use for a few years.... the oil seals can get dry/hard

I went for a ride the other night and the rear started to give a little on left corners, Now I am not used to the commander II tires slipping at all so figured something was up.... Yup LH side covered in oil, I am surprised at how little it slipped

A tad oily



the oil was pouring out when I started it for about 30 sec...nice puddle under it. More coming out than when the bike was hot!



The oil seal around the rod but behind that case was the culprit







Got all the bits sorted a day later and back on the road for a F/all coin Clocked up 130's and not a drip so ready for the ride I had planned to join Saturday


Fitted the heated grips last night but still to fit the controls and wire them up so not sure if they will get as hot as the oxfords yet but they sure look better



Fitted the comfort wrist control too

[husaberg]

Can you do me a favour and measure up the rad core and see how it matches to this.

350mm x 168mm x 30mm

[leathel]

I have a new grille to fit to mine so will do when I do that ...Monday? I may look at the bike tomorrow if I head in (Not stored at home)

[husaberg]

I have a new grille to fit to mine so will do when I do that ...Monday? I may look at the bike tomorrow if I head in (Not stored at home)

thanks..........

[Tazz]

Lucky you made it home by the looks of that leak.

Bling heat grips too btw, what brand are they?

I have an annoying question too, what sort of car is that on the hoist?

[leathel]

Lucky you made it home by the looks of that leak.

Bling heat grips too btw, what brand are they?

I have an annoying question too, what sort of car is that on the hoist?

The car is a 39 Mercury... Back with its owner now, They had it sent up from ChCh when they moved up, the shipping company used a fork lift to load it and damaged the sills and guards

Grips were not very cheap but are solid, quite heavy and they take out quite a lot of vibe, Nice steel cased switch (now mounted but not wired yet, no pic taken yet) throttle side comes with the throttle tube to hook to the cables so std grips are there to go back on if I sell the bike

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/co...art/BBP-17-381

Bike still had loads of oil in it but I wouldn't have wanted it to happen on todays or last weekends ride through twisties and around 300 k's each ride

[leathel]

Can you do me a favour and measure up the rad core and see how it matches to this.

Doh... I am still in my leathers= Bike is still at home :P

420x 200x 40 give or take (guard is still on)

[husaberg]

Doh... I am still in my leathers= Bike is still at home :P

420x 200x 40 give or take (guard is still on)

Thanks........

[Tazz]

The car is a 39 Mercury... Back with its owner now, They had it sent up from ChCh when they moved up, the shipping company used a fork lift to load it and damaged the sills and guards

Mate, I feel like punching whoever did that in the face myself. Can't imagine what rainbow of emotions the owner went through.

Cool looking beast though, reminds me of a Willys in some respects (same era I guess).

Anyway, sorry to fill your thread with crap, cheers for the grip link.

[leathel]

Mate, I feel like punching whoever did that in the face myself. Can't imagine what rainbow of emotions the owner went through.

.

You would be spewing at the other one that went wrong...

Chevy wagon getting unloaded of the top deck of a transporter with a forklift....... as they cleared the truck the car rolled of the forklift while still at full height and landed on its roof... a hard to find classic destroyed!

[leathel]

pics of the controls for the grips and switch block for the LED's etc fitted

[ruaphu]

Nice work on the bike this far, looks good and a nice model too. The heated grips are very cool, way better than the oxford units. Those led switches and brake top mount set up is very slick. Can i ask where these are sourced from?? Wouldn't mind a set for my bike.

Good thread, cheers Ando


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