An Overdue Update
Hello, everyone!
I posted a
large update about my progress on ADV, but I'll post it here as well for your convenience and entertainment.
Bohdan
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So this is a while overdue, but I want to update this thread with some info and pics.
First, remember the damaged ADV tank I bought? Well,
Stephen has been doing a lot of work on it for me. Up to this point, all the work has been spent on just getting the previous paint and body filler off. Yes, I said body filler. It seems the damage was a bit more extensive than we could see initially. But rather than me going on about it, I'll just insert part of Stephen's most recent e-mail about the tank.
First, update one...
I got the GS Adv tank mostly down to the metal today... at least on the top and sides... issues under the evercoat. I had to grind away a lot of filler, and I still don;t have it all off. Have to do it more by hand detail... chip it out of the dents, etc. I'll then pull those dents out so we don't have to use so much damn filler!
OK... so... Big swells and dents both. THAT why they had so much coat built up.. they did not bother to knock down the 'walnuts' in the tank.. just built up and built up and built up the body filler.
There were like, 3 paint coats and 3 primer coats on that sucker... LOTS to remove. Man... it took some AGGRESSIVE tactics to get all that off. I couldn't believe it. The lot outside my shop looks like a 40lb dust bomb went off!
...and the update from the next day...
OK... your tank got lots and lots and lots of love today. 6 hours worth, in fact.
Knocked down all the crowning spots and leveled and reshaped both 'side panels of the tank. BIG project, but it came around. We now have to only use a skim of filler.. nothing like before.
I went ahead and put my first coat of filler onas well... on both sides of the tank.
I reshaped both top sections of the tank where it contours to the sides.
Found a crack in a weld that was where someone's nuts would hit and dent the tank (you know... the back part where there was filler). I re-welded then brazed that fully, filled it in with body solder as well.. and it should be good to go. Will still require a bit of plastic filler, as I can not 'pull" on that weld and braze now... and was afraid to do so even before the repair. Regardless, I got it out about 1/4" before... and only noticed the crack when I had a light inside the tank.
So that work is going along fairly well, I think. As far as the work I've been doing, well, the drivetrain is all re-installed (I figure no need for a pic, since you all know what that looks like), and I'm currently working on electrics. No exciting pics there, either.
But, to keep all you boys and girls happy, let me post a whole slew of pics showing various bits and pieces that are going on or already on the bike. Sort of a bit of a tease to whet your whistle about what the final thing will look like...Ready kids? Here we go...
[cue fashion-show catwalk music]
Let's take a look at what fashionable GS riders in the Upper Midwest will be sporting this spring, shall we?
As we start at the top of the bike, we'll find these first...
...on which the ends will have these...
...all of which will be mounted in these...
Now while it's wonderful that our rider's hands will be enjoying the comforts of the new set-up, let's not forget the rider's butt. We wouldn't want anything to be jostled around too much, would we? No, we wouldn't. So let's take a peek under the front fender. Oh my, what's this?
Hmm...I'm not sure I believe my eyes. Let me rub them and take a look under the rear fender.
Well, that pretty gold colour looks familiar. What's that you say? You can't place where you've seen it before? Maybe this will help.
Ah, yes, now I remember...Geez, with such a cushy ride how do we suppose our rider will feel about his control over the bike? Maybe these will help...
On the front, some SS brake lines in a beautiful blue colour, reminiscent of the BMW blue.
On the rear, we find something similar. After all, we want to make sure things match.
And as we take a peek at something poking out from underneath the airbox, we see this...
a beautiful custom-made, SS clutch line.
Now having all those SS lines wouldn't do our rider much good with old wheels now, would they? So let's add a pair of these...
A set of wheels, freshly laced with SS spokes courtesy of
Woody's Wheel Works, and a new set of ABM brake discs. My, aren't they sexy?
With such beautiful mod's to the bike, we wouldn't want anything to happen now, would we? So to make sure that nobody tries to get too close a look while travelling, our rider will have the luxury of a noise-maker.
And last, but certainly not least, we should be proud of our new bike because of the extra weight she lost. Now, with her ass-end a bit smaller and lighter, she'll look -- and sound -- oh, so very sexy!
[end fashion show catwalk music]
So there you have it, my friends, most of the new toys going on the bike. Not sure what I'll update with next. Maybe some pics of the new lightbar and lights as I get them wired up.
Or maybe I should just keep all of you in suspense and wait till its all done [cue maniacal laugh]
Bohdan
I'm going to have to put that on a t-shirt or bumper sticker!
