Another VN800 bobber project - Page 6

Thullan · 03-31-2008

Hi Jase, that's a nice bike you got in your avatar, keep us updated on your projects. I have applied a few more layers of clear coat since the last pictures were taken, but it still looks pretty much the same as before.

Thullan · 05-03-2008

The last layer of clear coat has hardened for some time and was wet sanded with 1200 paper, rubbed and waxed last week, which gave it a duller finnish. Looks like bare brushed metal IRL, as wanted. The tank and nacelle is back on the bike where they belong, whereas the rear fender is only test fitted yet.

Did some wiring to the new Sparto taillight and indicators today:

CowboyBob · 05-04-2008

Thullan, that ride is lookin great! Can't wait to see it done!

El Skitzo · 05-04-2008

Yeah looking fantastic. Good to see that tail light does uliminate the license plate with white light, I'll definitely be getting one of those next time.

Thullan · 05-04-2008

Thanks. I finnished of the wiring today and everything seem to work so far, we'll see how the connections handle some shake down later on.

Thullan · 05-28-2008

The lights worked fine for some days. I then put on an old tank bib and the front left indicator suddenly stopped working. First I was afraid it had to do with the wiring I did at the tail, like mixing up (+) and (-) or so. Turned out to be a strap from the tank bib that put some stress to one of the connectors or wires up front below the tank, or at least I think so. Took it of again and everything is working fine.

I have been debating with myself for two weeks on wheter to use the hinged Ultima seat, if I should mount it with springs or bolt it directly to the frame, or if I should buy a GTS/Granucci/Falcon solo seat. I lost an auction for a used GTS on the Bay this week which made me decide for the Ultima and springs. Ordered a set of 2' springs and white waffle grips today. I thought the waffle grips would look even more old school than the more common bottle grips that I first had in mind.

And I switched back from the Sportster bars to the original hugger bars again. Thought they would look more like mini apes but they didn't so I think I will change them to something else. Thinking of something lower, wider and more swept, like old school knucklehead bars:

ben98 · 06-10-2008

where do you guys go to order your bobber seats and back fenders

El Skitzo · 06-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben98

where do you guys go to order your bobber seats and back fenders

I made my seat pan from steel plate, and the rear fender was a generic 6" wide flat fender you'd get from any bike shop. Thullan is modifying the stock units to suit his.

Thullan · 06-30-2008

New grips and seat springs arrived last week. The grips required some minor modifications to the throttle sleeve, but they fits like a glove now. Will start working with the seat this week.

El Skitzo · 06-30-2008

Nice grips! It's a pain keeping them clean but it's worth it. My white grips are pretty much at the end of their life after the best part of 12 months, and numerous times cleaning them. So I'm about to replace them, and I think I'll order a few sets this time instead of just one pair.

Thullan · 07-01-2008

I can imagine that, they are dirty already just from putting them on. But I don't want them to look sparkling new, I want them to look as if they were 60 years old. You now dirty, greasy and dried out. And they will be easy to replace at a low cost anyway. But you're right, ordering several pairs at a time seems like a good idea otherwise.

I test fitted the seat today and wasn't very impressed with the look. I think I'm gonna scrap the spring seat after all and go for a VN800 specific aftermarket solo seat. Anyone interested in an almost new Ultima solo seat and a pair of seat springs?

(Hosted on Flickr)

h0003010 · 07-01-2008

Try orange hand soap to clean the hand girps, very easy to remove dirts

El Skitzo · 07-02-2008

I agree on the seat, it just sits way too high. A low profile solo seat will flow nicely between your tank and rear fender.

That rear fender turned out great by the way!

CowboyBob · 07-03-2008

Its looking sweet...I would check out the seat that West-Eagle has, it is available from J&P Cycles...don't know if they would ship over there. You could always remount the solo you have on the frame.
WEST-EAGLE

Bad Dad 1 · 07-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by skewterdewd

Check out WEST-EAGLE MOTORCYCLE PRODUCTS
lots of parts for the 800 (if you can read the catalog)

Thanks for the link...

Tony

Thullan · 07-19-2008

I'm not sure if the front fender will be there all the time, but Cardinal Red was never an option any way. Black rattle can paint was.

El Skitzo · 07-20-2008

Why did you go with black and not bare metal like the rest of the bike?

Thullan · 07-20-2008

The front fender is made of plastic, like the side covers. It would be difficult to find a silver paint to match the real metal parts and it wouldn't have the right texture. I also considered a dull black to blend in with the tire but it wouldn't match with the glossy side covers.

Thullan · 07-24-2008

I got the new 38 teeth sprocket yesterday so I started by removing the wheel, which isn't that easy without a bike lift. I didn't brought my shop manual either so it was a pita to figure out how to disconnect the wire that goes into the hub.

The old 45 vs. the new 38, both from JT Sprockets. This will reduce the RPM with 16% and it should move the wheel a couple of cm further back.

Took the oportunity to clean up the rear tire while it was removed. No before shot to compare with but I can tell you it was all covered in 13 years of black and sticky chain lube and grease, felt like tar. I also painted the lettering on the right side as I only did the left side last year. Not that it gives the old school look I'm after but more of a Hot Rod or racing look.

In case someone is wondering why my bobber project takes so long? Because is freakin' impossible to get anything done in this damn tight and dark garage space...

I'll continue tomorrow.

Thullan · 07-26-2008

The new sprocket is on but it didn't came without a problem. I have an extensive chain slack now and the wheel is already moved back as far as possible. This has to be fixed ASAP as the bike is unrideable untill then.

The easiest solution would be a bigger front sprocket. I have a 16 teeth today and I would need an 18 to tighten up the chain. Don't know if there is room for a 19 and it would put the sprocket ratios down to 1:2.00 which is to low. The 18 would give 1:2.11 which is also very low but fully acceptable. I'm still not sure if an 18 would be sufficient to get rid of the slack, will need to make some calculations first. The picture below shows how much space there is around my current 16.

But the main goal is achieved, to stretch out the rear a couple of cm. I also installed the front lowering kit and the shorter kickstand today, but I'll tell about that later.

03-31-2008	#101 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	Hi Jase, that's a nice bike you got in your avatar, keep us updated on your projects. I have applied a few more layers of clear coat since the last pictures were taken, but it still looks pretty much the same as before. __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress

05-03-2008	#102 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	The last layer of clear coat has hardened for some time and was wet sanded with 1200 paper, rubbed and waxed last week, which gave it a duller finnish. Looks like bare brushed metal IRL, as wanted. The tank and nacelle is back on the bike where they belong, whereas the rear fender is only test fitted yet. Did some wiring to the new Sparto taillight and indicators today: __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress Last edited by Thullan : 05-03-2008 at 05:34 PM.

05-04-2008	#103 (permalink)
CowboyBob Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Catasauqua, PA Posts: 1,558	Thullan, that ride is lookin great! Can't wait to see it done! __________________ Milwaukee Twins Drag Bars Cobra Fatties http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/949862/

05-04-2008	#105 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	Thanks. I finnished of the wiring today and everything seem to work so far, we'll see how the connections handle some shake down later on. __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress

05-28-2008	#106 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	The lights worked fine for some days. I then put on an old tank bib and the front left indicator suddenly stopped working. First I was afraid it had to do with the wiring I did at the tail, like mixing up (+) and (-) or so. Turned out to be a strap from the tank bib that put some stress to one of the connectors or wires up front below the tank, or at least I think so. Took it of again and everything is working fine. I have been debating with myself for two weeks on wheter to use the hinged Ultima seat, if I should mount it with springs or bolt it directly to the frame, or if I should buy a GTS/Granucci/Falcon solo seat. I lost an auction for a used GTS on the Bay this week which made me decide for the Ultima and springs. Ordered a set of 2' springs and white waffle grips today. I thought the waffle grips would look even more old school than the more common bottle grips that I first had in mind. And I switched back from the Sportster bars to the original hugger bars again. Thought they would look more like mini apes but they didn't so I think I will change them to something else. Thinking of something lower, wider and more swept, like old school knucklehead bars: __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress Last edited by Thullan : 05-28-2008 at 12:32 PM.

05-04-2008	#104 (permalink)
El Skitzo Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 557	Yeah looking fantastic. Good to see that tail light does uliminate the license plate with white light, I'll definitely be getting one of those next time.

06-10-2008	#107 (permalink)
ben98 always wondering Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cali Posts: 17	where do you guys go to order your bobber seats and back fenders

06-30-2008	#109 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	New grips and seat springs arrived last week. The grips required some minor modifications to the throttle sleeve, but they fits like a glove now. Will start working with the seat this week. __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress Last edited by Thullan : 07-01-2008 at 06:36 AM.

06-30-2008	#110 (permalink)
El Skitzo Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 557	Nice grips! It's a pain keeping them clean but it's worth it. My white grips are pretty much at the end of their life after the best part of 12 months, and numerous times cleaning them. So I'm about to replace them, and I think I'll order a few sets this time instead of just one pair.

07-01-2008	#111 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	I can imagine that, they are dirty already just from putting them on. But I don't want them to look sparkling new, I want them to look as if they were 60 years old. You now dirty, greasy and dried out. And they will be easy to replace at a low cost anyway. But you're right, ordering several pairs at a time seems like a good idea otherwise. I test fitted the seat today and wasn't very impressed with the look. I think I'm gonna scrap the spring seat after all and go for a VN800 specific aftermarket solo seat. Anyone interested in an almost new Ultima solo seat and a pair of seat springs? (Hosted on Flickr) __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress

07-01-2008	#112 (permalink)
h0003010 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 10	Try orange hand soap to clean the hand girps, very easy to remove dirts

07-02-2008	#113 (permalink)
El Skitzo Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 557	I agree on the seat, it just sits way too high. A low profile solo seat will flow nicely between your tank and rear fender. That rear fender turned out great by the way!

07-03-2008	#114 (permalink)
CowboyBob Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Catasauqua, PA Posts: 1,558	Its looking sweet...I would check out the seat that West-Eagle has, it is available from J&P Cycles...don't know if they would ship over there. You could always remount the solo you have on the frame. WEST-EAGLE __________________ Milwaukee Twins Drag Bars Cobra Fatties http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/949862/

07-19-2008	#116 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	I'm not sure if the front fender will be there all the time, but Cardinal Red was never an option any way. Black rattle can paint was. __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress

07-20-2008	#117 (permalink)
El Skitzo Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 557	Why did you go with black and not bare metal like the rest of the bike?

07-20-2008	#118 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	The front fender is made of plastic, like the side covers. It would be difficult to find a silver paint to match the real metal parts and it wouldn't have the right texture. I also considered a dull black to blend in with the tire but it wouldn't match with the glossy side covers. __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress

07-24-2008	#119 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	I got the new 38 teeth sprocket yesterday so I started by removing the wheel, which isn't that easy without a bike lift. I didn't brought my shop manual either so it was a pita to figure out how to disconnect the wire that goes into the hub. The old 45 vs. the new 38, both from JT Sprockets. This will reduce the RPM with 16% and it should move the wheel a couple of cm further back. Took the oportunity to clean up the rear tire while it was removed. No before shot to compare with but I can tell you it was all covered in 13 years of black and sticky chain lube and grease, felt like tar. I also painted the lettering on the right side as I only did the left side last year. Not that it gives the old school look I'm after but more of a Hot Rod or racing look. In case someone is wondering why my bobber project takes so long? Because is freakin' impossible to get anything done in this damn tight and dark garage space... I'll continue tomorrow. __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress Last edited by Thullan : 07-24-2008 at 04:42 PM.

07-26-2008	#120 (permalink)
Thullan Yet another 800 Bobber... BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 357	The new sprocket is on but it didn't came without a problem. I have an extensive chain slack now and the wheel is already moved back as far as possible. This has to be fixed ASAP as the bike is unrideable untill then. The easiest solution would be a bigger front sprocket. I have a 16 teeth today and I would need an 18 to tighten up the chain. Don't know if there is room for a 19 and it would put the sprocket ratios down to 1:2.00 which is to low. The 18 would give 1:2.11 which is also very low but fully acceptable. I'm still not sure if an 18 would be sufficient to get rid of the slack, will need to make some calculations first. The picture below shows how much space there is around my current 16. But the main goal is achieved, to stretch out the rear a couple of cm. I also installed the front lowering kit and the shorter kickstand today, but I'll tell about that later. __________________ VN800A -95 Bobber Project, work in progress Last edited by Thullan : 07-26-2008 at 11:55 AM.

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