Phil's Bike

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After a looong 16 months, the beast finally breathes fire  . this project has certainly had it's ups and downs from the absolute ridiculous (having the tank dropped and dented by the mob who were treating the inside for rust), to the down right annoying (ordering parts from the States that have slight differences to our models eg-rear guard, aftermarket blinkers and so on) Then being faced with an exhaust system that was made in Warrnambool VIC for a substantial amount of money and having to modify the brackets so it will fit properly, and finding that the header pipes that were chrome platted stainless steel (their specialty, as it's supposed to stop the pipes from discolouring) only had the nice new chrome finish last for ten minutes after firing this beast up. But thats enough of the negatives as the positives sure out way the mishaps and false promises that have come along with this project. I can sit back and feel a sense of achievement and downright proud of the finished product, even though I still need to get the accent strips attached to the seat along with the grab rail (my one has a dent in it so I am on the hunt for a decent one - if anyone has a spare)  Don't be fooled by the rego plate either as I have had that plate sitting in my garage for quite some time, and it is the identical plate that I have on hold waiting for me at the RTA. Long story but I sold a bike with this plate attached and the new owner handed it in after 7 years so it was put into circulation once again, and I happened to be looking for it around the same time. I am waiting on a set of horns (Chrome plated) to arrive from the States, and a set of Metzeler marathons (should be in within a couple of days) and then she will be ready for her Blue Slip. Can't wait to sit my ass on her and clock up some serious miles  here are a few pics of how she looks.

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Just a further heads up on the "Techshox". *( sorry if hijacking your thread, Mate)
Had a couple of trips into work since fitting them (120k's round trip). Keith had stated issues with springs rates VS. heavily laden XS's. I can say that they felt slightly oversprung with a naked XS with rider (66kg) so am fitting my pannier/ topbox frame / towbar assembly on the weekend to give it a run. Can't see any forseeable problems there. Will let everyone know the results ASAP.

P.S. Phil, Is that one of those UK site seats that we've seen on Ebay (UK)?

P.P.S. You know you've got everyone searching for that elusive " super extra illustrious shine polish" since you put those pics up.

Hey Eveready, good to hear you got yourself a set too, and I really don't mind you hijacking the thread mate  I hope our choice in shocks will be a good one but only time will tell.
You are 100% correct in spotting that seat of mine, It was a Christmas present from my lovely wife and the guys in the UK were very helpfull when it came to asking lots of questions about it. The quality is outstanding and the heat treated stenciling is damn bloody close to the original, the padding is firm and I am sure after a while it will settle down and feel just like the OEM. The way it hugs the tank and sits in the "Keeper" slot on the frame is perfect, it comes with the holes to attach the sliding bolts that hold the seat to the frame. But the rear cowling holes had to be drilled into the base and I must say that whatever the material is that the base is made from, it was rather brittle when I tried putting a self tapper into the hole that I drilled. I obviously didn't use the right size bit, but it was only a small piece that cracked off so no real damage. After drilling the holes with the correct size drill bit, the screws have a very strong hold and I am sure they will stay there forever.
Now as for the "Supershine"   

[Eveready1100]

Just a further heads up on the "Techshox". *( sorry if hijacking your thread, Mate)
Had a couple of trips into work since fitting them (120k's round trip). Keith had stated issues with springs rates VS. heavily laden XS's. I can say that they felt slightly oversprung with a naked XS with rider (66kg) so am fitting my pannier/ topbox frame / towbar assembly on the weekend to give it a run. Can't see any forseeable problems there. Will let everyone know the results ASAP.

P.S. Phil, Is that one of those UK site seats that we've seen on Ebay (UK)?

P.P.S. You know you've got everyone searching for that elusive " super extra illustrious shine polish" since you put those pics up.

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$36 so not much difference at all, but they are a lot stricter  down here :-(

[Jonesy]

33 big ones,
how much for one down the hill?

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in NSW when you go for a "Blue Slip" (needed for any vehicle that has been unregistered for longer than 3 months) The RTA demand that the exhaust system needs to have a manufacturer's stamp and also the amount of decibels that the system omits stamped on it.

G,day Phil
I was lucky last week then. When I roccked up to get mine done I must've got the" blue slip shop" on a good day. didnt even start the bike or get it off the ute.
Most technical thing they did was measure the wheelbase.

Jonesy.

How lucky are you Jonesy, gee it might pay for me to get a Blue slip from Bathurst 

What was the cost of the blue slip mate??

[Exs1.1]

You don't change that one cos it's a banjo bolt that feeds the primary drive bearing. Bad things would happen if you fitted a plain bolt in there. It'd be easy enough to do if you were in that mode and just pulled bolts and swapped them without looking closely.
Here's a link to the story I found the info on - CLICK

I just didn't want anything bad to happen to your new baby.

Thanks Eveready, it's nice to know that someone's watching over me as I am no expert by any means and can certainly learn from others experiences. That thread is an interesting read that's for sure and the end result would have been "Gut wrenching" to say the least. Thanks again mate, 

[Jonesy]

in NSW when you go for a "Blue Slip" (needed for any vehicle that has been unregistered for longer than 3 months) The RTA demand that the exhaust system needs to have a manufacturer's stamp and also the amount of decibels that the system omits stamped on it.

G,day Phil
I was lucky last week then. When I roccked up to get mine done I must've got the" blue slip shop" on a good day. didnt even start the bike or get it off the ute.
Most technical thing they did was measure the wheelbase.

Jonesy.

[Eveready1100]

You don't change that one cos it's a banjo bolt that feeds the primary drive bearing. Bad things would happen if you fitted a plain bolt in there. It'd be easy enough to do if you were in that mode and just pulled bolts and swapped them without looking closely.
Here's a link to the story I found the info on - CLICK

I just didn't want anything bad to happen to your new baby.

[Exs1.1]

a very cheap solution {to get you registered, for the baffles}

slip down to your exhaust shop,,, they will sell internal fluted pipe, pretty cheap, measure nessisary lenghts of course,, and a box or 2 of steelo wool pads make for packing

Hey Steptoe, thanks for the tip mate but unfortunately it wont work as in NSW when you go for a "Blue Slip" (needed for any vehicle that has been unregistered for longer than 3 months) The RTA demand that the exhaust system needs to have a manufacturer's stamp and also the amount of decibels that the system omits stamped on it. The dodgy system that came with the bike fails in both departments    So it's time to tighten the belt and save save and save, or get very lucky with Lotto numbers 

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Hey Phil, I was having a bit of read back through this thread and i came across something that had the alarm bells going off. It was when you wrote

All engine bolts have been replaced with a "Stainless Steel" set.

which concerned me somewhat as I'd read on Shapper's build thread on the UK site where he'd replaced all bolts with stainless allen heads. Miti picked up that he'd changed one that he shouldn't have. I've been scrutinizing your pics and I can't for the life of me see clearly the bolt in question.

^^ Shapper's motor pic ^^

Did you leave the original banjo bolt in there or did it get changed? Just to put my mind to rest.

Hey Eveready, you can put your mind to rest mate, I should have stated that all "Dress Bolts" (non critical ones) were replaced with "Stainless Steel" ones. Now the fact that I didn't replace that particular bolt doesn't come down to any prior knowledge or anything - it was only because there was not a replacement bolt supplied in the kit. So I will count myself as being very lucky as I certainly would have replaced it if one was supplied . Do you know what the reason is as to why you shouldn't replace that one??

[Eveready1100]

Hey Phil, I was having a bit of read back through this thread and i came across something that had the alarm bells going off. It was when you wrote

All engine bolts have been replaced with a "Stainless Steel" set.

which concerned me somewhat as I'd read on Shapper's build thread on the UK site where he'd replaced all bolts with stainless allen heads. Miti picked up that he'd changed one that he shouldn't have. I've been scrutinizing your pics and I can't for the life of me see clearly the bolt in question.

^^ Shapper's motor pic ^^

Did you leave the original banjo bolt in there or did it get changed? Just to put my mind to rest.

[steptoe]

a very cheap solution {to get you registered, for the baffles}

slip down to your exhaust shop,,, they will sell internal fluted pipe, pretty cheap, measure nessisary lenghts of course,, and a box or 2 of steelo wool pads make for packing

[Exs1.1]

I'll bet that was a satisfying blat up the road, mate.
Speaking of exhausts, did you see the thread about the Aussie made Stainless replica systems posted here? - CLICK
I had a couple of email discussions with the fella and he said they were very close to the originals, though they have a balance pipe like on the Specials / RH's instead of the boxes as per original Standard specs. Might be worth looking into as you wouldn't be up for the shipping for those German pipes.

BTW. Just fitted a pair of shocks from your fella on the Bay - Techshox. Keith was a most helpful guy and they look great (I went for the traditional chrome springs with the spring covers on mine). Going to trot her out for a run tomorrow to see how they feel.

Hey Eveready, it sure was satisfying mate that's for sure. Now I am itching to get some serious miles on her  I did check out those pipes when you put up the link the other week and I most probably will go with those ones as the postage would be a lot less than from Germany. The pipe option instead of the box shouldn't be a problem, as ideally it would still allow the use of the centre stand. So I will be busily saving my pennies over the next few weeks so I can order a set for the beast.

I am glad you found Keith from Techshox to be so helpful, he certainly shows genuine concern and is more than helpful when it comes to answering any questions that are thrown his way. Keep us posted mate with any feedback you have regarding how the shocks performed 

[Eveready1100]

I'll bet that was a satisfying blat up the road, mate.
Speaking of exhausts, did you see the thread about the Aussie made Stainless replica systems posted here? - CLICK
I had a couple of email discussions with the fella and he said they were very close to the originals, though they have a balance pipe like on the Specials / RH's instead of the boxes as per original Standard specs. Might be worth looking into as you wouldn't be up for the shipping for those German pipes.

BTW. Just fitted a pair of shocks from your fella on the Bay - Techshox. Keith was a most helpful guy and they look great (I went for the traditional chrome springs with the spring covers on mine). Going to trot her out for a run tomorrow to see how they feel.