Commit to the G!

The first thing I wanted to address was to get a perfect fit for the new seat cowl.  I also wanted to be able to remove the seat without removing the side panels and vice versa.  I had not been able to do this in the prior configuration.  This was achieved by adding another layer to the seat sub frame.  I also added an extra piece of sheet metal to mesh with the recess in the cowl to form a virtual fender and protect the electrical components.  It also raised the seating position 1 inch and relieved some stress on my knees.  A little black paint and we're looking pretty good. 

 

I said it was red and it is.   I painted the header black and covered the rust to match the exhaust pipe I had bartered with from the local bike shop.  I may change back to the chrome reverse cone shorty I had earlier.  It just sounds better.  I am not going to go into the steps involved in painting this project.  It's rattle can and a couple of coats of automotive clear coat then a lot of polishing.  I still may have to polish more but that is to be determined.  The graphics went on before the clear coat but due to the wonders of photo shop I can hide them for the big reveal.

 

The contrasting white stripe looks really sharp!  The rear view is just awesome. 

 

The seating is for me the most daunting task of all.  Comfort is important to me, so sue me.   The cowl had ridges in the base for structural strength and adding a flat seat form just wasn't going to work.  After a long search I found a tutorial on the web where a guy used tinfoil on the actual cowl to make the seat form.  I modified his plan because I was a little anxious and painted before I made the form.  This required painters tape and then the foil.   then I went back and covered everything with plastic to protect the finish.

I added some reinforcing strips to areas where I would need rivets to secure the cover.  This idea came from my upholsterer.  Five layers of fiberglass and resin.

 

Once that was finished I added two aluminium strips and covered them with fiberglass as well.. This is for strength and gives me a solid mounting surface to the cowl.

Once it had dried I marked it for shape and used the angle grinder to cut it down.

 

For a custom fit!

 

With the form positioned on the cowl I drilled through the form at the reinforcements.

 

Then on the under side I placed four screws to secure the seat form into place.

 

And now for the Grand Reveal!

 

 

 

 

 

UGA Class of 1983!

 

And now for the beauty shots. 

 

I am really excited.

 

 

 

It turned out better than I expected.

 

At some point I wondered how I would know when I was finished.  I said I would just know.  Little did I know how right that statement would prove to be.   Check back as I reflect over this journey and my recommendations for your build.  That's right your build, every motorcyclist should do at least one.  

 

 

Problem solving and soul searching.

     Riding the bike has been great fun.  The look of the bike and the moniker of the Lycan all really fit.   As a friend put it there is a certain feeling of menace about the bike.  I think people see it and are waiting to see who the bad ass is that is riding this.  The Lone Wolf that would build and ride this machine.  The machine he built to represent his character, his inner bad boy.  Then I walk out and mount up.  Total let down.

     All that is really fun but there is always that feeling that I really need to go all the way. I need to make this thing a show stopper. I need to fix the short comings and make it a real head turner.   First of which is the hand made seat cowl.  I learned a ton and had a good time making it, and it made for great content here.  The problem is my execution fell way short of my vision.  The biggest highlight of that fail was the fact that I returned from one ride and found the tag bent and on the last ride the brake light was hanging down and the tag so defaced it was not legible.  Problem, $8 for a new tag.  I had to order a new tail light and I found a really nice seat cowl on ebay for half what I had spent on supplies to make the first one.  Looks pretty good and fits really well. 

 

 

After a short discussion with local law enforcement I decided to place the tag lower on the axle.  This was accomplished by taking the destroyed brake light and tag mount and re purposing it.  A little sawing, bending, and painting and Wa La!  I had a new axle tag mounting plate.

 

I removed the new brake light from the stock mount and fashioned a custom mount from sheet metal.   Painting, drilling, and epoxy and the light looked really custom with the new cowl.  The curve fit perfectly.

 

Next came the engine.  The patina on the cases looked pretty good on The Lycan but for where I was headed it just would not do. 

 

 

 

So remove several pieces and cover and block out others, a little 1200 degree enamel paint, add back the chrome head covers and wow!

 

The next step was to clean and check the jetting on the carb.  I should have taken more pictures but I was really into it. 

 

Now that all the body parts where off I remade the side covers for a little cleaner mount then sanded and primed all the pieces.

 

I mentioned red earlier well this is really red.  PMS 200 to be exact.

We are going to hold off for the big reveal later.

 

I also wasn't happy with the side stand.  The bike just leaned way to far over.

I made a new bracket and dropped the stand down about 1.5 inches.

I also braced it to the other side of the frame similar to what RYCA does on their kit.

 

Well that takes us down to the big reveal of my master plan.  Check back next time.

Some folks are gonna love it and more than a few are gonna hate it. 

Hint:  "Commit to the G!"

 

Gratfication

 

     The statistics page with this blog gives me the number of views by page for whatever time frame I select.  It also has links to where the largest number of views are coming from.  Sometimes this takes me to a post on that site.  Some sites I have actually sought out to help promote the project others I have not.   One of the things that makes you feel good is unsolicited recognition. People asking about your project and then telling others about it.  Its even better when they post a picture of your project like the one below! 

 

  I feel like Sally Fields "You like me, you really like me!"    Well maybe not but it is gratifying for others to approve of your work.    It's a head turner and truly one of a kind.   I also think it is really true to what a Cafe Racer really was in its day. 
   
       I have a few more changes I want to make and a few more bugs to work out.  The seat and the cowl are not what I had hoped for so I am going to make some changes there.  The fork seals still have to be replaced.  The kick stand needs a little work.  The carbarator needs to be rejetted.  I have a wrap for the header and I think that might look pretty cool as well.  The front brakes still need a little work and Red paint is not a bad thing either. 

Setting at the Cool Kid's Table.

       There were FJR's, KLR's, Bandits, Super Tenere's , GS's, RT's, CBR's, Vstrom's, Harleys, Concourse's, Tridents, Bonneville's, and the list goes on all parked in a row at Rider's Hill.   What were the other riders asking about?  The Special of course.   Sitting on the porch inevitably there would be 3 or 4 or 5 riders gathered around the Special at any given time.   It was fun to tell my story and answer questions.  "If you build a bike like this you better be prepared to talk about it."  I either heard or read that somewhere before I started this project, and it's the truth.    "What is it?"  "That's a Savage?  No way!"  Then there are the guys who have worked on the Savage or other projects and they always get technical.  The conversation turns to jetting, trail, rake, suspension mods, wheels, tires, handling, and it goes on and on.  It is so much fun.  The coolest part is after doing this build I sort of know what they are talking about and can hold my own.  The little bike inspires a passion in some folks and that is really gratifying. 

       It doesn't matter what group you are talking to either.  Crusiers, BMW's, sport bikes, adventure bikes, they all appreciate the process and the fact that it's something different.  Hey, the best part is I rode it 45 miles to get there, and I'll ride it 45 or 55 miles back home.   Even if its just for a little while, I get to be one of the cool kids. 

  

 Parked in line with the other eye candy.

 

 

Last crowd of the day.

 

The really cool stuff is inside though.

MV Agusta!

 

Moto Guzzi V7's!

 

All this eye candy and riders still wanted to check out The Special! 

WOW, I had a grin on my face all the way home.