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Classic Bike latest issue, they included my bike! Culmination of a dream, thank you all for your comments and support.

All done!

DONE. Final fluids check, final adjustments, fuelled it up and checked for leaks, washed it (I wish I had not compounded the tank within reach of the bike, I got tons of compound specks in very hard to clean places) and set off for a test ride. For one moment in time, the bike is finished. I...

Compounded and buffed the paint again, and installed the tank and side covers.

Thank you Ridesolo! I'm grateful for your support. I've owned cb550s and 750s in the past, but I don't really remember what they ride and handle like. When I built this bike I tried to copy SV650 geometries, so the front end has the same rake, trail, and tyre diameter, and the wheelbase is about...

First look at the tank and side covers actually on the bike. Very happy with how it's turned out. I do need to do some more compounding and buffing, but it's very very close. Left to do: Compound and buff the tank a little more (happy with the side covers) Install tank and fuel lines Final...

Not quite done yet, had to make some bushings to better support the fuel level sensor. I made some brass bushings on the lathe and installed them, they fit into recesses in the sensor body and spread the load out better. I'll put the sensor on with aerotight nuts when they arrive tomorrow.

Tank and side covers finished, all compounded and buffed and waxed. The bits have been installed in the tank and it is ready to go back on the bike.

Ok, almost there. It's still not as glossy as before I sanded it, but it's getting there.

Sanded from 1000 to 1500 grit, then started on compounding. By the way I have no idea what I'm doing. Just watched a lot of YouTube videos.

And after the 2K clear! Wow, the gloss in incredible. But, there are some pretty bad defects from dust and dribbles and stuff. It will need to be sanded.

And the side covers.

Sanded back to correct some defects, then more base colour.

Color! It is Mazda 46V paint, Soul Red Crystal. It's a 3 stage paint, so it requires primer, base, pearl clear, and final clear.

Still some worrying ghosting by the badges, but that will get sorted.

Final body filler and sanding, then etch primer. I did about two coats of etch primer, then switched to high-build primer to help fill in the corrosion spots. Oh and the side covers, too, don't forget about them.

Polyester filler, sanding, guide coat, etc. I filled the tank badge hollows, but then sanded down too much. All in all this took several days of re-application and sanding. By the way, I bought some really cheap cutting boards from amazon, they do a great job for mixing the body filler, and...

I stripped the tank and sanded down to the base metal. The tank was much more pitted than I had remembered, especially under where the original decals went. After much work it smoothed out enough.