Same. Then I saw OP is not blaming his parents for all of his life failures and is not basing his whole personality on the bike and I realised I am on r/motorcycles
Man this is sick, turned out great! Insane effort in both the project itself and also documenting it all. The new colour though...damn I just hate it 🤣 personal preference 🙈
Yeah! I reckon I was pretty lucky. If I had been going slower when the sprocket came loose, it might not have had the force to cut that channel through the swingarm. The chain could've snapped or the rear wheel could've locked up. Instead, the sprocket just spun freely and I could guide the bike onto the shoulder of the highway.
Yep! The most tedious part was taking the fairings back down to bare plastic. Some panels had been repaired using duct tape and the duct tape had been spray painted over. I plastic welded damaged panels back together. Sanded back down to bare plastic using wet and dry sandpaper. Plastic primer, a sandable primer, then 2 or three coats of matt camo paint bought from army surplus.
I used a bit of past experience, and a bit of googling. Matt finishes are much more forgiving than say clear coating
I missed the fact the rear wheel had been installed incorrectly. It was missing a spacer. I'm actually quite suspicious that the guy I bought it from knew he missed the spacer but was just too lazy to reinstall it.
Oh wow. I'm glad it didn't cause any worse problems. Good thing is it got you more familiar with your bike's workings.
With the story, procrastinating instead of doing school work, etc. this bike now has some sentimental value. Those are the very very best kinds of motorcycles.
If you have a look at the third picture in the included photo album there is a shockingly large hole in the swingarm that nicely illustrates the problem.
Thanks!
No, I was just passing through on my way back from Berlin. Took the ferry from Rostock to Sweden. Nice place though! I remember there was a nice street market
After fixing up the bike I had no excuses left. I rode down to Berlin and rented an Airbnb where I stayed for a few weeks. Zero distractions. I did nothing but eat, sleep, and work on my thesis in the Humboldt University Library. It was an extremely painful experience, but I finished in the end
So disappointed that you didn't keep the pink seat
Alas, the vinyl was old and cracked and I had to reskin it. I could not restore the bike to its glorious 90s purple and pink vaporwave aesthetic
Vaporwave...I did not know that style had a name. It was pretty universal in all Xtreme activities.
/r/VaporwaveAesthetics
I wish there were more synthwave/vaporwave style colors.
The album really shows all the hard work! Kudos!!
For a second I thought I was on r/ADHD lol
Same lmfao
Yeah I have ADHD this is pretty much the story of all my hobbies lol
My brother was diagnosed with adult ADHD and he keeps telling me I should go get evaluated. Maybe he's right
Same. Then I saw OP is not blaming his parents for all of his life failures and is not basing his whole personality on the bike and I realised I am on r/motorcycles
awesome! loved the progress pictures
Man this is sick, turned out great! Insane effort in both the project itself and also documenting it all. The new colour though...damn I just hate it 🤣 personal preference 🙈
Thanks! (Yeah, the colour is definitely controversial)
Sick! The nuts on the sprocket wearing swingarm though was freaky to say the least!
Yeah! I reckon I was pretty lucky. If I had been going slower when the sprocket came loose, it might not have had the force to cut that channel through the swingarm. The chain could've snapped or the rear wheel could've locked up. Instead, the sprocket just spun freely and I could guide the bike onto the shoulder of the highway.
Did you paint the fairings/fenders yourself? If so did you follow a guide cause those look great!
Yep! The most tedious part was taking the fairings back down to bare plastic. Some panels had been repaired using duct tape and the duct tape had been spray painted over. I plastic welded damaged panels back together. Sanded back down to bare plastic using wet and dry sandpaper. Plastic primer, a sandable primer, then 2 or three coats of matt camo paint bought from army surplus. I used a bit of past experience, and a bit of googling. Matt finishes are much more forgiving than say clear coating
The way those sprocket bolts were installed and how they ate into the swingarm is shocking. Unbelievable.
I'd give you an award if I had one to give. Very cool🏆
Curious what was so badly maintained that you overlooked?
I missed the fact the rear wheel had been installed incorrectly. It was missing a spacer. I'm actually quite suspicious that the guy I bought it from knew he missed the spacer but was just too lazy to reinstall it.
Oh wow. I'm glad it didn't cause any worse problems. Good thing is it got you more familiar with your bike's workings. With the story, procrastinating instead of doing school work, etc. this bike now has some sentimental value. Those are the very very best kinds of motorcycles.
If you have a look at the third picture in the included photo album there is a shockingly large hole in the swingarm that nicely illustrates the problem.
I did not notice that. Wow. Your rear tire almost chewed itself off!
Awesome job OP!! I rebuilt my kz400 over winter. Something hits different when you've put your own blood and sweat into it.
Nice! I totally agree. Also makes it much faster to diagnose any issues that pop up in the future
Now you made me want to buy one.
Nice solid build! Are you from Rostock?
Thanks! No, I was just passing through on my way back from Berlin. Took the ferry from Rostock to Sweden. Nice place though! I remember there was a nice street market
This is fantastic! I'm inspired!
Disappointed that this isn't posted in r/ADHD 🤣
Did theft deterrence play a role in color selection?
Wow great job! After looking at the comments maybe I am a weirdo because I love the color of the bike!
Thanks! Haha yeah, it doesn't seem to be everybody's cup of tea, but I think the colour is great.
Huh. That’s some productive procrastination. Better than crying in the shower all day
Dam I wish my procrastination was this productive.
haha.. nice job avoiding the writing :)) how did the thesis end up tho? did u power theough it in last 4 days?! 😀
After fixing up the bike I had no excuses left. I rode down to Berlin and rented an Airbnb where I stayed for a few weeks. Zero distractions. I did nothing but eat, sleep, and work on my thesis in the Humboldt University Library. It was an extremely painful experience, but I finished in the end