|
|
Post by joenson on May 22, 2013 5:31:56 GMT -6
SO... At last I've 'finished' my project. It's not completely finished, as I am going to have it painted by a proffesional - some day. For now, the rattle-can paint will have to do. This it what I had to start on. Almost standard - except for the T-bar and the SITO exhaust. IMHO a b-u-t-t ugly product of the 80's. I wanted to change that. Searched a lot on this site and on the web in general.  Stripping it:  More stripping:  Mounting the muffler to the downpipe:  Cardboard template for the plate-bracket:  Finished bracket made in one piece of a twisted roadsign:  Voila..:  Clip-on bars and single gauge ( I know they are mounted different - I've changed that now ):  Out in the first sunshine this year - the seat is from a VZ 800 Suzuki :  From the back:  Original seat mounted - that way I can still have one of my daughters with me:  Thank you to Lordnor for the inspiration. This is the first bike for me to moderate. All the other bikes I've had was sports bikes. This is WAY more fun. Simply love my 454.! |
|
|
|
Post by lordnor on May 23, 2013 23:57:45 GMT -6
That looks great! The fender is really cool and I like your exhaust, but making your own plate bracket out of a street sign is my favorite. Nice work.
|
|
|
|
Post by BenInPA on May 24, 2013 14:40:15 GMT -6
I think the bike looks great. The plate bracket is classic. Who would suave thought a road sign would look that good on your bike. LMAO Sent using Pro boards Mobile App   |
|
|
|
Post by joenson on May 27, 2013 1:19:26 GMT -6
Thanks, guys.!
I'm quite proud of it, considering that I've never done it before.
For next season I'm thinking of getting a more round front fender ( I like round fenders for round tires ).
Also I'm working on an idea regarding the paint-job - something grey/brown-ish and some "cream"-ish... (I guess it's the way to say it).. ;-)
|
|
|
|
Post by wonkothesane on May 27, 2013 5:11:34 GMT -6
How easy is it to switch between seats? Do you have any details of how the single seat is mounted? I'd like to achieve the same, eventually, as I like the look of the solo seat, but am working on the project with my 6 year old son and would like the option of taking him as a pillion when it's finished...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards
|
|
|
|
Post by joenson on May 27, 2013 12:37:47 GMT -6
How easy is it to switch between seats? Do you have any details of how the single seat is mounted? I'd like to achieve the same, eventually, as I like the look of the solo seat, but am working on the project with my 6 year old son and would like the option of taking him as a pillion when it's finished... Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards It's actually quite easy. The solo seat I just put as far forwards as I can towards the screw that holds the gas tank, and then just push it hard down/forward in the middle and the back. I took out some foam from the rear middle of the seat, to save my coccyx, and when I had it "open", I mounted a self made bracket for a 4 mm screw on the inside, where the original fastening bracket was on the outside. Then I drilled a hole in the plate under the seat so I can secure the seat from the backside:     ____ This is what I have for the two seated version - the alu-rack, the seat and the "toolbox". Mounted with the 4 screws. Changing from one seater to two seater takes about 5 minutes. From two seater to one seater takes about 15 minutes - mainly because it takes time to place the Tool-roll and secure it with strips:     Quite easy... ;0) |
|
|
|
Post by wonkothesane on May 27, 2013 14:39:42 GMT -6
Wow, thanks. A far more complete answer than I could have hoped for. Perfect. One other thing, do you have any info on the fender (mudguard here in the UK). It may not help, since the supplier probably won't be in the UK, but might give enough hints to locate something similar here.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards
|
|
|
|
Post by joenson on May 28, 2013 2:56:18 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by wonkothesane on May 28, 2013 4:13:00 GMT -6
Cool, thanks. I had a feeling you aren't in the US :-)
This project is going to be a long haul, but it's mostly a learning experience for me and my son and the worst case is I sell it for parts when they're all cleaned up.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards
|
|
|
|
Post by joenson on May 28, 2013 11:03:42 GMT -6
Well.. If you want my oppinion: If the bike is complete( or close to complete) and you're not in a hurry or lack of money, then don't sell it.
It is the most wonderful bike that I've ever owned. Although it is only a four-fifty it has a fantastic motor and is quite easy to handle.
As I said earlier: I've had some different bikes through the years - all were sports-bikes - none of them were half as fun to ride as the 454.! They were faster, but not as fun... I'll never sell my 454 - that's for sure.!
Good luck with the project - just take your time and seek inspiration on the web and at bike meetings (your son will love that too).. ;0)
I often take the whole ( me, the wife and our two 13 years old daughters ) family to exhibitions and meetings. We've done that always and we all love the sound, the smell and the people. Bikers for life.! :-D
|
|
|
|
Post by wonkothesane on May 28, 2013 16:43:13 GMT -6
It's complete, but had become a non-runner so that was the impetus for doing something with it as sending it somewhere would quickly become very expensive. I really hope to get it running again as I did enjoy riding it, but can fall back to breaking it if I have to.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards
|
|
|
|
Post by welshman on Jun 19, 2013 11:08:24 GMT -6
Hi, love the bike. Where did you get the clip-ons from and how's the riding position?
|
|
|
|
Post by joenson on Jul 8, 2013 2:55:08 GMT -6
Glad you like the bike.
Found the clip-on's on ebay - carbon-moto-ltd in UK.
The riding position is ( for me ) almost perfect - still looking for the original engine guard, so I can get my feet a bit further forward - not an easy part to get.!
|
|
lamestlame
Junior Member
So I am recovering from an accident I had on my ninja. More bonding time with my trusty ol 454 ;)
Posts: 220
|
Post by lamestlame on Jul 9, 2013 9:12:52 GMT -6
Awesome  bike did you think of painting it a dark gray? I am thinking of going green. The exhaust makes it look nice and sleek what kind of mufflers do you have? |
|
|
|
Post by joenson on Jul 12, 2013 9:50:33 GMT -6
Well - not just grey. More "brown-ish"/grey (Don't know how to explain it, but I know the color is right when I see it) and some 'white-ish'/'whipped cream'. Green will do great too. After all it's a Kawasaki  : www.chopcult.com/anonigma/albums/2461The mufflers are EMGO 12" - and they are LOUD. I took out the baffles and added more wool and 'blocked' it on the middle with a big washer with a 8 mm hole. So some of the exhaust has to penetrate the wool 2 times before it leaves the mufflers. It helped - a little... Still, I love the sound ( guess my neighbours don't, as I sometimes leave for work at 2:30 am ).. |
|
gonzo
Junior Member
For the 1st time ever I don't like the snow
Posts: 215
|
Post by gonzo on Jul 13, 2013 10:20:34 GMT -6
Thst bike is just wikid. I really dig the duel seat, so logical and your licence plate invention :-) Dude (-: It misses the ground in the corners? I guess it must?
Your rear fender looks great. And clip on bars! Since the forks are raised is the front now twitchy at speed? I'm thinking of clipons but I want to change the upper tripple tree to one without any mounting lugs for the bars. But that's later on as I keep droping cash into this machine like crazy ;-)
Wikid wikid build...... Congrats man!
|
|
|
|
Post by eaglerider on Jul 13, 2013 11:07:24 GMT -6
For the "smooth top" triple tree, get one off ebay for a 90 - 95 Vulcan 500, tho it does have the two holes for the handlebar risers.
|
|
|
|
Post by joenson on Jul 15, 2013 23:50:52 GMT -6
Thst bike is just wikid. I really dig the duel seat, so logical and your licence plate invention :-) Dude (-: It misses the ground in the corners? I guess it must? Your rear fender looks great. And clip on bars! Since the forks are raised is the front now twitchy at speed? I'm thinking of clipons but I want to change the upper tripple tree to one without any mounting lugs for the bars. But that's later on as I keep droping cash into this machine like crazy ;-) Wikid wikid build...... Congrats man! Thanks. Well, I haven't made the plate touch the ground - yet.. I've asked the wife, as she often ride behind me, if it is close. It is ! I don't think the front is twitchy - as I see it, I did not make any change on the geometry of the bike. The LS 650 shocks lowered the rear about 2" and I lowered the front 2" - all in all just lowering the bike. About the handlebar-clamp: I've had an idea of putting a rubber plug in each side and install a red, a blue, an yellow and a green control light on the flat side of the clamp. The clamp is there - why not use it ? |
|
lamestlame
Junior Member
So I am recovering from an accident I had on my ninja. More bonding time with my trusty ol 454 ;)
Posts: 220
|
Post by lamestlame on Jul 23, 2013 19:25:17 GMT -6
I just noticed that in one of the pictures there is no belt gear cover does it still ride the same or is there anything that it helps with that you have noticed? Hope to see some more pics bike just looks to sick.
|
|
|
|
Post by joenson on Jul 24, 2013 5:58:59 GMT -6
I just noticed that in one of the pictures there is no belt gear cover does it still ride the same or is there anything that it helps with that you have noticed? Hope to see some more pics bike just looks to sick. No difference at all. I removed the cover just for the look of it. |
|
lamestlame
Junior Member
So I am recovering from an accident I had on my ninja. More bonding time with my trusty ol 454 ;)
Posts: 220
|
Post by lamestlame on Jul 24, 2013 13:29:53 GMT -6
Oh lol cool man great idea I usually don't think of things like that. |
|
|
|
Post by timetraveler2540 on Mar 11, 2018 9:33:27 GMT -6
Amazing job on your 454. I recently just purchased one and want to use yours as my template . One of the big questions I have is your shock selection. Whatt did you end up using? I'm 5'10 210lbs and my shocks give a lot. Hoping to lower it and stiffen my ride without compromising to much proformace . Thank you for the great idea. Perfect job on your bike. Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by Dafske on Mar 12, 2018 16:37:38 GMT -6
For the "smooth top" triple tree, get one off ebay for a 90 - 95 Vulcan 500, tho it does have the two holes for the handlebar risers. Hello i have a Question does this Triple Tree also work for an ltd 454: THIS link? as replacement or do i need THIS one? Thx in advance i really need to know this! |
|
|
|
Post by eaglerider on Mar 13, 2018 6:09:16 GMT -6
Yes, this is the forum for the 454, so when mods are posted, they are for the 1985-1990 454. It is the bike that became the Vulcan 500. Basically, the same engine, the 1988 -1990 454 had some minor changes, due to the coming transition.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dafske on Mar 13, 2018 9:39:05 GMT -6
Okay but the first link i send is i think from a vulcan 96-09 and the second link from 90-95 but is there a difference between those two triple tree's? i like the first one more because its more flat. I need to powercoat those anyways. |
|
|
|
Post by eaglerider on Mar 14, 2018 6:32:51 GMT -6
Use the 90 - 95.....the later ones use larger diameter front forks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dafske on Mar 14, 2018 12:36:26 GMT -6
Okay thank you!
|
|
bike did you think of painting it a dark gray? I am thinking of going green. The exhaust makes it look nice and sleek what kind of mufflers do you have?
: 
