A few pics of my '02 Drifter project. Almost
done. Need to get the mudflaps on and take a few better pics in the
right location.
New Project Drifter 1500
Here I go on a new project for the winter.
Yes, it’s a Drifter...again, but this time a 1500cc.
The bike is an ’02 that I picked up state-side in the
summer. Casual efforts to find the right Drifter for my next
custom project paid off. Read
More! with lots of pics.
I did a mini restoration on this Kawasaki
W650. Each bike we detail takes about 8 to 10 hours and sometimes
longer depending on its condition. I spent 30 hours detailing
this particular bike that had a number of minor imperfections
I knew I could fix. Though it didn’t look too bad to the
casual eye, it certainly wasn’t my “mint”. I
knew I could get the shine back that was once there. Mint is probably
a word that is much over used. Mint to me is a bike that is as
close to factory new as possible. Your bike is not mint if the
spokes are tarnished, under the fenders shows surface rust and dirt,
dirty swingarm, rust and corrosion in hard to clean spots, etc.
I removed both fenders to clean off the light surface rust.
I’m allergic to rust! They were pitted enough that I had to
paint the underneath flat black.The cylinders were not rusted
but faded. I masked them off and sprayed with semi gloss black.
The front of the engine cases were painted a flat silver for
a fresh look after taking a beating from rocks and gravel spun
up from the front tire. The alum cases were factory clear coated
and of course the clear coat was peeling in places making the
cases look dull, and tarnished. I used paint remover, and 00
00 steel wool to remove the clear coat. I then used an Aluminum
polish, and a small buffing wheel on the drill to get the shine
back. Of course if the alum is pitted you have to sand it first
(coarse grade, but don’t go too coarse because it’s
a lot of work to get the sanding scratches out), gradually increasing
to a finer sandpaper grade and then buff it. It's a lot of
work but the results are good.
The tank had been painted black and had some fish eye and dirt
in the paint. I had to wet sand then buff the tank. Turned
out great but was about 3 hours of work. I probably went a
little over board on this one, as most bikes I buy just need
a good detailing. This was a unique little bike that I enjoyed
going over.
Joe helping me stud a seat
Cleaning the chrome seat brackets
Joe helping me put my new chrome engine covers on
“Last summer I bought a
Canadian Tire Mini Baja to keep up with the kids...”
Go to
this page to read the story and see more images of the development
of this project - The
Mini Baja à la
Paul.
My Valkyrie
Before pic of Valkyrie
Before pic of showroom
The shop today:
Here are a few pics of my 05 RoadKing Police
bike before I started working on it, it's also looking a little sad.
I'm adding a few pieces of
chrome and it hopefully will be ready in the next 5 weeks or so.
Stay tuned.
Here are a few pics of my 05 RoadKing Police
bike all finished:
Right front brake shifted to the
left side of front wheel. ’98 to ’01
Intruders only had one front right brake. It wasn’t untill ’02
that Suzuki added dual front brakes. I wanted to show the
nice clean lines
of the front wheel when parked, which was on the left hand
side so I flipped over.
Garelli, with a one speed. I put in a
two speed Malagutti engine in it. Could almost get 50 kph. LOL
1980 VW Trike I refurbished. This
was lots of work. Hadn’t been running
for about 5 years and pretty much everything that could have been “Mickey
Moused” was. Not even one fuse in the wiring
harness. I stripped it to the frame and started all over.
Detailed engine and new tires
Paul’s ’05 Nomad 1600, bought in the
fall of ’05. Sold it the following spring in order to
finance the Valkyrie.
Paul’s ’05 Nomad 1600, bought
in the fall of ’05. Sold it the following spring in order
to finance the Valkyrie.
This is my next project that I have
been working on for the last four months. It’s a ’99 Vulcan 800 with only 8400 kms. I’m
going to make it look like an old Indian. I hope to have it
finished in the next 8 weeks or so. Stay tuned! Kind of like
Orange County Choppers but poor. LOL
Finally have the front fender on with
Honda 750 Ace handlebars and also Ace headlight. I like the long
bullet look of the head light. Next is to install the back fender
then I’m going to try and make a suicide shifter for the
right-hand side of bike. Feb. 27/09
Both fenders on. March 2/09
Hi all, well finally finished my
little 1999 800 Drifter (Indiansaki). I’ve had her for
1 1/2 years and decided that I should get the bike ready for
spring. Showing only 8400 kms, she was in a sad state when
I bought her. Front fender needed replacing as it was damaged.
Also headlight which I replaced with one from a Honda 750 Ace
which I had laying around the garage. I like the fat and long
bullet look of the headlight. I also put a set of Honda handlebars
on. I like the feel and all day comfort of these bars. Pretty
much a bikini beach bar and cheap to purchase at around $80
new. The seat is for a 40’s Harley, seat brackets are
homemade and I attached a Buddy seat rail from a 70's Harley,
fringes are homemade, mud flaps are for a Harley RoadKing,
Emblems are off a Kawasaki 1600 Nomad, The suicide shifter
is homemade from ideas I got off the Drifter forum (I like
this homemade stuff. Does the feeling I'm cheap come across.
LOL). Paint is retro 50's Chevy. Now if I could get the weather
to cooperate I would like to get out for a spin. Hope you like
the pics. 04,04/09.
An update to my poor man’s Indian.
This year I had a tear drop painted on the tank and Indian
decal. Yes I know it’s not the really thing, but I can dream.
LOL. Also for those of you that are very observant, I removed
the rear passenger pegs and install rubber covers. My next
project (when I can find one) will be a 1500 Drifter, similar
in style, different paint colors of cream white and turquoius,
solo Indian seat and maybe a little more strip down such as
blinkers in the mirrors, hidden wires around the handle bars,
and maybe a small set of Ape bars and white wall tires of course.
new chrome engine covers, valve covers,
June 28th/10
A few pics of my home made suicide shifter. A few parts from the
local bearing place (rod ends & collars) steel rod from my
local Napa store and lots of cursing, second and third attempts
and some imagination. LOL:
My first attempt at building a chopper, LOL
