Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Lucky Strike - Nearing Completion

I finished most of the small projects that always seem to eat up time.  The Lucky Strike Suzuki is 99% complete - it needs the gas cap and needs the carbs synched.

I made an aluminum turn signal/license plate holder to replace the old one which was made out of perforated metal.  The signal lights are also installed and they work great.


I attached the front fairing stabilizer and windscreen.  The front end is pretty much done.  I just have to fix a wire loom and that's it. I took a picture of it in the garage at 12:45 am
I am kinda mad that the rear fairing and rear seat covers are slightly different colours.  The paint match is a shade off.  Ah well.


There wasn't much I could do about the muffler - it was pretty shoddy.  And the paint is supposed to look like a big red Lucky Strike dot laid across the middle of the bike - but the Chinese fairings have the wrong angles on their paint job so the dot looks a little wonky.... but the effect is still there.

I need to recover the seat and tune the motor and then it goes up for sale.

Overall I am happy with how it turned out and wish I could keep it.  I really like the Lucky Strike theme.  Maybe I will get to do another in the future.

This is what we started with -

And this is where we ended up -

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Lucky Strike - White Wheels

I got the new rim to replace the dented front rim.  It's nice that I bought a white one.  That meant I only had to repaint the back rim.  With the white wheels and white fender the bike is starting to come together. 

Tomorrow I make the rear turn signal/plate holder, finish the wiring, attach the front signals, re-attach the muffler, polish the rear seat cover, and attach mirrors and fairing upper bracket.

It's getting there.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Lucky Strike - nearing completion

So today I sanded the tank with 1200 grit to remove a few runs.  Then I buffed it with a compound - it is pretty much ready to go back on the bike.


I have some wiring issues to clean up - the main wiring loom was just laying in behind the radiator - which meant it was touching the exhaust.  So some of the wires are melted together. It's a wonder it even ran.


I also replaced the broken rear brake pedal with a new one.


We are getting there.  Once the new front rim and gas cap come it will be full steam ahead. Hopefully they comes in next week sometime.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Lids - can't live without them (in Canada at least)

I bought a new helmet.  Made by Suomy and was a limited edition of 500.  It's a little bit of a different fit that the Shoei - a tad bit shorter front to back.  It is size 3XL and fits tight.  For the record I wear a 7 1/2 hat size and this helmet says it fits 8-8 1/2 . . . . . . . yeah right.

You can't even buy a size 3XL here in town - not even from the Suomy catalogue.  I tried a 2XL and it was way too tight.  So I was surprised to find it on Ebay and it was a bit of a gamble that it would fit.  It does.

The artwork is very cool.  Never hurts to have mermaids around.



Goodbye profit margin

So I was tearing into the Suzuki and it has been going good.  I have it mechanically running good and the bike mostly painted and shiny.

I pulled the rear tire and front tires to paint them white and discovered that the front rim is bent ever so slightly.  CRAP!


I have no doubts that the bike would run ok with the rim like this - In fact I'm pretty sure the previous owner was driving it like that because the area had been painted over. Caveat Emptor.

Kids - always always always pay as little as you can for a used bike.  Especially if it is in an area where you can't really inspect it.

I don't need to sell a bike that has a chance of crashing because of a bent rim.
Sooooooo I bough a white rim on Ebay.  Annnnnd goodbye profit margin.

This project was never going to make a ton of money.  The plan was always to flip it for at least 10% profit. I'm not so sure that will be possible now.  Again we'll see when it sells.

The rear rim I did get painted white.  It looks ok.  There were some dings in it that wouldn't sand out.  And I wonder how well the base/clear paint will hold up to chain cleaning fluid.  I guess we'll see.


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Lucky Strike Paint finished

So I finished laying down the graphics and the clear coat on the Suzuki GSX-R tank.  I particularly like the little Lucky Strike logo I put on top of the tank.  And the Suzuki decals look good and are evenly spaced.


I still have to sand a few runs in the clear and buff it out later.  I hate shooting clear - I never seem to get it right, either too heavy or too light.  Hard to do.

Here's a shot of the whole bike mocked up for the picture.


So far so good.  I still need to paint the wheels white and then she's done.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Project Lucky Strike Continued

So I have most of the parts in for the Suzuki.  Ram air tubes, bodywork, lights, etc.

I built a spray booth using PVC tubing and plastic sheeting in the shop.   It has a zipper door and uses 3 20" fans to vent out the overspray.  I copied some guy who has this setup on YouTube.  It works OK - there are still a few nibs in the paint.

It kinda looks like Dexter's kill room : D


I got the tank painted white and marked out where the red will be.  Here's a mock up with the fairings on.  I will paint the red tomorrow, lay down the decals and clearcoat the tank.


The wheels still need to get shot white as well.  So far it is looking good.