First build, 1977 GS550

And a seat pan. I'm sure there are easier and shorter ways around this barn, this seemed the most logical at this point. My main focus was to not have the cowl bear any weight, floating between the seat and frame, maybe its overkill or I didn't trust the fiberglass not to crack. I really want the look of the exposed frame rails to work, more pictures show how it ties together in a bit.
 

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Now it was on to the wheels. The spokes were pretty pitted, was on the fence on weather to strip them down and cerekote them or buy new ones and be done with it. Once the tires were removed and I saw the nipples, there was no question, they were too corroded to salvage. Now, the big question, ebay spokes, or Buchanan. Well, why take a chance, Buchanan it was.
 

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These wheels were a bit tough to get trued. They are steel, and the weld is, well, not exactly as well finished as an aluminum excel that I'm used too. Got the runout to a few thousands, will all change after the first pothole anyways. So tempting to buy new hoops, but they were straight, and its a 40 year old bike, if I wanted something fast and modern, I would have not done this to begin with...
 

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And the seat pan. Rubber bushings between the cowl and frame, can stand on the seat and no weight is transferred to the fiberglass. What do you guys think?
 

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Finally, done welding and grinding and sanding and blah blah blah to the frame!
 

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This is the rolling chassis to date, the motor is ready to go in, but I'm waiting to have the seat upholstered. Its going to require taking the bike to the shop so the seat to tank transition can be done how I want, and if I put the engine in, why push the extra weight into the back of the truck?
 

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And that engine.... It had equal compression on all 4 cylinders. 100 psi. After the carbs were rebuilt, it actually ran pretty good. But, it leaked oil almost as bad as the carbs leaked gas. So a tear down was in order. While I was at it, pull the rings, hone the cylinders. Check all the clearances. The rings end gap, free gap and bore and what ever else were within the new speck, not the service limit, tough to believe I got so lucky. The cylinders were glazed pretty heavy, after the hone I'm curious as to what numbers will be on the compression. The valves all passed the leak test with gas in the ports, but they were pulled anyways to replace the stem seals and check clearances on those.

And as a bonus, the engine can be prepped for paint and painted so much easier when its apart.
 

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This is the project as it sits to date. Once the seat is done, its only shocks and paint, then its pretty much wrapped up. Today I have more time than money or ambition so on the internet the project goes. I'd love to hear what you guys think!

Kevin
 
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