Cousins of Organization - A two-wheeled build

[Capt. Obvious]

Paint is delayed, I decided to get the frame media blasted first instead of just spraying over the old finish. After spending this much time on the bike, it'd be stupid to skimp on something so minor.

[Capt. Obvious]

Got delayed with the paint work a bit more, my friend who is doing it for me had to get caught up on some other projects first, but I should be getting everything back this week.

In the meantime, I've been working on detailing the engine, and it turned out pretty darn good. I always manage to screw up painting things (I have a tendency to be impatient and lay it on too thick. Every. Damn. Time.), but not this time!

When I opened everything up, I was stoked to find that the inside of the engine looks brand new still, which is awesome considering it's almost 20 years old at this point.

The covers are going to get gloss black powder coat that matches the swingarm, triple tree, and other peripheral parts.



And because I didn't have anything else better to do with my life, I spent my evening yesterday polishing all of the bolts for the engine covers. Man, I **** polishing things.

[Capt. Obvious]

Powder coat is almost done. Hoping to start final assembly next weekend.

[DER E30]

Nice! You'll be riding that soon!

[Capt. Obvious]

Getting closer.



The swingarm is assembled and ready to go as well.

[Miroteknik]

if the next post isn't the bike assembled, imma merk a nga

[Capt. Obvious]

Soon. But not this post. Color is Audi Nardo Grey, by the way.

[Capt. Obvious]

Paint is done. Assembly begins this evening.

[JeremyN]

Your bike is coming out fantastic, and I love the color choice! I can't wait to see it in one piece again. When I saw the rear swing-arm, I was all like "Honda Hawk GT!", which happens to be what I have, and strangely enough - mine is similar in style as to what you are building, and my engine could even be the same color. You are making me want to start over though.



1 more pic here.

oh fine, another pic.

[Capt. Obvious]

Ha, small world. I've read your build thread on the Hawk forums, as I came across your bike several times when I was doing research on swingarms for my bike. A coworker of mine has two NT650s in her garage that she wants to get rid of on the cheap, I'm super temped to pick them up for another project.

If you're interested, I have a spare 1200# spring that should fit your rear suspension if you haven't upgraded it yet.

[JeremyN]

Wow - I'd say we have similar interests! As for your coworker with the Hawks - how cheap are we talking? I see no reason for you not to buy both! Hawks are absolutely awesome fun because of the short wheelbase and V-twin factor. People have no idea what the heck it is too, which is a hoot at bike events. It sounds like a Harley, and corners crazy fast. I love mine. I should ride it more than I do.

I actually do still have the stock spring on the back of my bike, and it feels like it is made of pudding. In fact, it may be.

[Capt. Obvious]

As for your coworker with the Hawks - how cheap are we talking?

$2000 for the both of them. Both of them have been sitting for awhile and need the usuals like tune up, fluids, tires, and some general TLC. One of them smokes, she thinks it needs new piston rings.

I really want to do a Virago next, though. So much potential as a custom bike.

As for the spring, I went with a 1200# spring since that is what guys my size (6'4"/200lbs) seem to go with on the Hawk forums, and I more or less replicated the suspension geometry of the Hawk on my bike. We'll see how it rides when I get it back together.

[Capt. Obvious]

It's almost a complete bike again!

I picked up everything from paint on Friday evening, then went home and got right to work. With a little help from the wife, I got the engine in the frame without incident, and got the bike sitting upright before I went to bed.



I was like a little kid on Christmas morning the next day, and I was up at 5:30am ready to get back to work. Saturday involved doing a lot of smaller, detail items so the visual progress wasn't quite as apparent, but it looked like a bike by the end of the day.



On Sunday, I filled it with fluids, bled the brakes, put the hand controls on, and buttoned up most of the rest of the little things that needed attention.

The only thing the bike is missing now is the wiring harness. I decided I'm not 100% pleased with the new harness I made, so I'm going to make a few changes to it before I put it back on the bike.

And here are some other random pics. This color is really difficult to take pictures of, the bike is different color every time I take a picture of it! There isn't a part or bolt on this bike that hasn't been modified or reconditioned to like-new condition.

[TruTaing]

Man, those orange highlights REALLY pop! Cant wait to see it all together.

[Capt. Obvious]

I am achingly close to having this bike done. Just waiting on a few of the "shit, I forgot to order that!" parts to show up. Bike is wired up, and I turned it over this weekend. All electronics work as intended (except the blinkers just turn on solid, they don't blink, I'm guessing the new LED-friendly blinking relay I bought was DOA).