The Kawa is coming home very soon. But if you had read the thread before, it seemed like I was taking on an awfully large task. If I weren't a neophyte, this would be no big deal. But I AM a neophyte.
The first thing to change is the seat. I was going to farm out the work; however, it was going to cost an arm and a leg for the privilege to have the mechanics do this. I told them I was going to wait until the entire bike is painted; but I know I could do this myself. Since my mechanical knowlege on motorcycles is limited, I am going to have them replace the throttle cable while the bike is in the shoppe (it is frayed). I did change out the stock bars for a pair of super-strong Renthals. Bar-end mirrors won't fit, but I am not worried. I know that with a little help, this seat could go on quite easily, and it won't cost $300 for the labour. But the vinyl on the stock seat is torn, so the seat will have to be dealt with soon.
The headlamp was going to be a BikeIt Falcon that would have been heavily modified to fit inside of a Bultaco Metralla America fairing; however, I have decided on something a little more suited: A Thruxton-style flyscreen. I will switch to a modern 7" headlight (with H4 hi/low bulb) for safety. I have also ditched the idea of using the Pigspotter2 mirrors. These will go onto something more suited (like a modern sportbike). These extra parts will sit around until the next project comes along, so I am not worried that I won't use them right away. I will get a chin spoiler, as these are particularly suited for four-cylinder '70s bikes.
I will do a Vance and Hines 4-1 exhaust, as a bolt-on is available for this machine. These are cheap-as-chips ($375 USD), as well. The bummer is that they are only available in chrome. I will utilise the expertise of skilled mechanics to get the jetting, etc. correct until I can learn how to do this myself.
While I may change out the turn signals and mirrors, the machine will only be mildly modified. I think I might have gone way too far had the machine been worked out the way I was going to do it.
When she gets home, there will be pictures.
The first thing to change is the seat. I was going to farm out the work; however, it was going to cost an arm and a leg for the privilege to have the mechanics do this. I told them I was going to wait until the entire bike is painted; but I know I could do this myself. Since my mechanical knowlege on motorcycles is limited, I am going to have them replace the throttle cable while the bike is in the shoppe (it is frayed). I did change out the stock bars for a pair of super-strong Renthals. Bar-end mirrors won't fit, but I am not worried. I know that with a little help, this seat could go on quite easily, and it won't cost $300 for the labour. But the vinyl on the stock seat is torn, so the seat will have to be dealt with soon.
The headlamp was going to be a BikeIt Falcon that would have been heavily modified to fit inside of a Bultaco Metralla America fairing; however, I have decided on something a little more suited: A Thruxton-style flyscreen. I will switch to a modern 7" headlight (with H4 hi/low bulb) for safety. I have also ditched the idea of using the Pigspotter2 mirrors. These will go onto something more suited (like a modern sportbike). These extra parts will sit around until the next project comes along, so I am not worried that I won't use them right away. I will get a chin spoiler, as these are particularly suited for four-cylinder '70s bikes.
I will do a Vance and Hines 4-1 exhaust, as a bolt-on is available for this machine. These are cheap-as-chips ($375 USD), as well. The bummer is that they are only available in chrome. I will utilise the expertise of skilled mechanics to get the jetting, etc. correct until I can learn how to do this myself.
While I may change out the turn signals and mirrors, the machine will only be mildly modified. I think I might have gone way too far had the machine been worked out the way I was going to do it.
When she gets home, there will be pictures.
