'86 1100 project

[sveinis]

Part I:

Hi there.
After several years of riding RRRR-bikes way to fast, I found out it was time for me to try something else. Nearly two years ago I got a son, and after some time I realised it was simply too risky (and stupid) to travel at 250 ++kph, so I decided to try a chopper. Borrowed a HD from a friend of mine, and enjoyed the feeling of just cruising along at legal speeds. A HD was way to expensive for me, and they are also very common up here, so I found an old Shadow that had been neglected for years, and started the process of building a bike with the look I wanted.
This is how it looked in the beginning (not my bike, but pretty much the same):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/savagecollector/21554_0_1_4_vt20110020c20shaddow_Su.jpg
*image size edited by MadDog so as to fit better into the forum thread frame*

I started with removing the back seat and sissybar, then changed the original steering-bars with a 92cm dragbar. I also flushed the engine, changed the engine oil and filter, changed braking fluids and air filter. The bike already had some loud-pipes fitted, so I kept these.
Here is a picture of how the bike looked a few weeks ago:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_btHqPnv3u2E/SwZGywErt7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/617h-hja1CY/s1600/image-upload-132-739867.jpg

The front fork is removed and rebuilt with Progressive Suspension springs, new fork oil and new sealings. Since this picture was taken I have also removed all instruments, and will be replacing these with some digital custom instruments instead. The front light is also being replaced with twin front lights (probably with xenon). I chopped avay most of the rear fender, but kept the part underneath the seat to protect the electronics. I then moved the front fender to the rear, and will weld this to the back swing to keep it as close to the rear wheel as possible. The frame will be chopped just behind the mounting points for the rear shocks, and the back end will hopefully end up looking someting like this (terribly) manipulated photo:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jJmrbIDs_DA/S0kmf-DI3uI/AAAAAAAAADQ/EuzP4s6cmJE/s1600/Shadow%2Boriginal.jpg

You might also notice I have removed all blinkers and replaced them with LED bar-end blinkers. The bike will probably be painted all matte black, with some ferrari red details, and maybe white-wall tires.
There is still a long way to go, but hopefully this bad boy will be ready to roll in summer 2010.
I will try to update this as work on the bike continues...
Any comments or ideas are welcome :)

[sveinis]

Part II:

All right, time for a small update :)
Since last update I've made good use of the angle grinder, and chopped of the back end of the frame. Also cut off the sides and part of the back end of the original seat-pan, to make it a bit narrower. Here is what I've ended up with so far:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4288547179_9851feea77.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4289256790_1d3151dfe6.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4289255504_0e863e0761.jpg


The front of the bike has also gotten some attention from me and my total lack of metal-sheet work experience. I mounted the new front lights, and since I've moved all electronics from the steering bar and original front light, I had to find a way to hide all the wires and connections. The long-term plan is to get it all hidden under the tank, but I don't have time to do this until next winter, so for now I had to fabricate a steel plate to fit between the fork legs to do the job. Not exactly a pretty sight for at the moment, but with some satin black paint it will hopefully blend into the bike a bit better. It kind of gave it a dirt-bike look, witch is a bit cool in my opinion.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4289257838_bdf678b8d6.jpg



Still a long way to go with electronics, styling and finally paint, but it's getting there!

[sveinis]

Part III:

Allright!
Finally got some time to work on the bike. Started out with welding on a new "crossbrace" or whatever you call it in English, since I removed a part of the frame earlier on. The frame is actually a lot stiffer now than it was originally.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/2471/bilde0104.jpg

Then fabricated some brackets to bolt on the front fender, which I have moved to the rear. Final adjustments will be made when I get the new 150/80-16 wheel on, since it originally came with a 140/90-16 wheel.

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/8246/bilde0102a.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8785/bilde0100.jpg

Most of the time I will be riding without a front fender, but kept a part of it and came up with a simple bolt-on/bolt-off solution in case of bad weather. A wing-nut through the fork brace will do the job...

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/7039/bilde0111.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3204/bilde0110.jpg

Started fabricating a numberplate holder which will be bolted to the rear axle. Looks big in the picture, but is smaller IRL.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2429/bilde0098.jpg

Originally there is a kind of dashboard on the fuel tank of the '86 with temperature gauge and fuel gauge. Removed this and made a new one out of sheet metal, drilled holes and fitted four new LEDS to indicate Neutral(blue), oil(red), overdrive(red) and high-beam(blue).
Original:

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/913/bilde0107.jpg

Home made:

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1930/bilde0109.jpg

Will paint the new plate black matte along with the rest of the bike. Since I have also removed all instruments fitted to the steering bar, such as speedo, rev counter and warning lights, I will fit a MotoGadget minimoto into the same plate, just above the new LEDS. It's a sweet little instrument showing speed and revs:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/278/msmblack01300.jpg

Still a lot of work to be done, but we're getting there...

[sveinis]

Part IV:

Allright, quick little update here...
Got the wheels fitted and got the bike down on the ground. This revealed the fact that removing about 60 pounds from the back end of the bike has actually made it rise quite a bit, and the same thing has happened with the front due to the newly installed fork springs from Progressive Suspension. These are a lot stiffer and a little longer than the original springs, so I'll have to shorten the spacers quite a bit to lower it. Right now it allmost looks like a dirtbike from the 70's :)
As some of you may see in the picture, I have started fabricating the forward controls as well. Bought a pair of second-hand passenger footrests from a VTR1000, flip them upside-down, bolted them to the engine bolt and welded on another bolt for them to the frame. Will take some better pictures to show you the way it's done later. Had a major job getting it to fit between the frame and the exhaust pipe...

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2254/bilde0128.jpg

Next job is to fabrikate the links to the brake- and gearshifter pedals.
-Uh, and yeah, the pedals themselves...

[Ghost Shadow]

She looks like a beefy cafe racer in that last pic. Kinda cool.

[sveinis]

Just a few pictures from the last days work on the bike. Made a linkage for the brake pedal, using the old pedal and some bits and pieces form my local hardware store. Not quite sure if I like the look of it, but it will do for now.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5945/p4230124a.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6665/p4230123.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7499/p4230122.jpg

Also lowered the front of the bike by removing 5cm from the spacers in the front forks. Looks a little better now, and I will ride it with this hight for some time until the new springs are properly "settled in".

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/7805/p4230121.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9787/p4230120.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8519/p4230119.jpg

[Mine20]

Looks good man, I especially like the use of the pallet as a bike lift.

[sveinis]

Looks good man, I especially like the use of the pallet as a bike lift.

Thanks, man. This is a low-budget build all the way :thumbsup:

[sveinis]

So, a while since my last post, and the bike is now up and running. It's been spray-painted black matte, fitted the Motoscope (works great!), installed DynoJet, and yesterday I also modified the airbox pretty heavily to make sure it gets enough air considering the DynoJet and performanse exhaust.
Some pictures, will be back with more (and better) later.
Air-box mod. Cut the original airbox in half, and fittet three high-flow filters instead:
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/4117/imageupload25705620.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5084/imageupload17766854.jpg

Fitted under the tank, might have to make some sort of air-ducts to get even more airflow (slight "stumble" on full throttle):
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/4555/imageupload60739813.jpg

http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/629/imageupload76766542.jpg

The bike as it looks today, sorry 'bout the bad picture quality:
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5918/bilde0158x.jpg
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7821/bilde0157d.jpg

[sveinis]

All right, some more pictures.


Exhaust wrapped:

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1548/bilde0174.jpg


MotoGadget mini fitted to the tank (great little instrument!)

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8665/bilde0173t.jpg


Ignition off:

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/1847/bilde0169.jpg


Taillight:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8085/bilde0170l.jpg


Brake light:

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/549/bilde0171.jpg


From the front:

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1525/bilde0168.jpg

Still some work to do with the back end of the frame and seat, but at least rideable.

-And a good ride it is too!

[red twizzler]

everything looks good...........except white exhaust wrap with the rest of the bike black and is there any other way to mount the rear brake rod (inbetween the exhaust pipe and frame).

[sveinis]

everything looks good...........except white exhaust wrap with the rest of the bike black and is there any other way to mount the rear brake rod (inbetween the exhaust pipe and frame).

Know what? I'll have to say I totally aggree with you!
The exhaust wrap is not as white as it looks in the pictures, but it still feels wrong when everything else is black. So, the question is: paint the wrap black, or use white leather for the seat? Actually I think it might look good with a white seat.

Also konsidering relocating the rod for the rear brake. Problem is, there is no room between the frame and the exhaust. Only possibility is to run it underneath the exhaust, a bit afraid it's gonna look a bit strange that way as well...

[red twizzler]

not for sure about painting exhaust wrap. may not stick very well. if you add more white to go with exhaust wrap would help. jmo.

[95shadow1099]

Paint will stick to the wrap, my bike had that when I got it.

[stevebm29]

There is a sealer that is colored to use on wrap, I had to order it at NAPA.....about $7.00!

[Mine20]

Looks great man!!! Paint should stick to the wrap. The bezel you put together looks real nice and simple.

[a2zcustomupholstery]

Very nice. The mod is bad a$$$.:grin3:

[sveinis]

Allright, some things have happened with the bike lately.
Made a new set of controls for my forward controls. Real simple, and not very stylish, but it works and imo it suits the style of the bike. Let's face it: it's a kind of a ratbike...
Also fabrikated a cover to go from the seat and over the tail of the bike. Not quite happy with it yet, but it serves its purpose...
The seat has been upholstered with dark brown "leather", and is really comfy now. I've had ten-hour rides on this bike a few times without any problems with my back or butt. -Most comfy bike I've ever owned :)
Also added a bar-end mirror that works great.

Here's a buch of pictures. Not the best quality, but you get the picture.



http://a.imageshack.us/img832/1843/dsc00107n.jpg



http://a.imageshack.us/img576/7262/dsc00106jr.jpg



http://a.imageshack.us/img835/1593/dsc00104r.jpg




http://a.imageshack.us/img829/7496/dsc00103r.jpg



http://a.imageshack.us/img291/7024/dsc00102eo.jpg



http://a.imageshack.us/img831/9637/dsc00099m.jpg



http://a.imageshack.us/img576/4686/dsc00098rc.jpg



http://a.imageshack.us/img827/4781/dsc00109z.jpg



http://a.imageshack.us/img825/3108/dsc00097b.jpg


Had a road trip with some of my friends (HD-HD-HD-Intruder), and welded a sissybar for my bike to carry some luggage. My bike is in the right side of this picture with a bag on the sissybar, and the lavvu (a tent almost like a tipi) on the front.
This is what riding a motorcycle is all about, if you ask me...
Four days on the road with my best mates, beautiful weather and the stunning Norwegian outdoors.

http://a.imageshack.us/img839/6606/dsc00086d.jpg

[sveinis]

Small video of the bike.
Sorry 'bout the bad hair day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqXzP5Py_Us

[Mine20]

good job for your first time.

[red twizzler]

Wild Hogs part 2......hope you didnt run into any gay cops he!he!

[sveinis]

Wild Hogs part 2......hope you didnt run into any gay cops he!he!

Haha! :lol:
No gay cops, but there were some skinny-dippin'.:jamming: Feels good after ten hours sweatin' in your leathers...

Actually one of my friends, the one riding the Intruder, hit the curb in a tight corner and was thrown off his bike. The bike went down hard, and he bent his forwards, his drag-bar, got a dent in his gastank, and busted his rear brake. Still he was lucky and walked away with only some roadrash on his knees. We got the bike "fixed" with some steel wire and he could finish the last to days of the trip.

[paolohn]

Accidents on trips...not cool. What you did with your bike is awesome! Thanks for sharing the process!

[sveinis]

Thanks!
Yeah, haven't been done much work on the bike recently, been too busy riding the old bastard :jamming: Currently working on a passenger seat though. Also got hold of some old saddlebags that will do the trick for longer trips. I'll get back to you with pictures later.

Accident's are never fun, still haven't had mine on the bike yet, probably just waiting to happen...

[paolohn]

A passenger seat? Where would you put it and how? I'd really like to see that! The only reason that I refrain from chopping my '01 Ace is that I'd have to ride solo...and there has to be room for the lucky lady!

[sveinis]

A passenger seat? Where would you put it and how? I'd really like to see that! The only reason that I refrain from chopping my '01 Ace is that I'd have to ride solo...and there has to be room for the lucky lady!

Hi paolohn!
Yeah, I would really like to have the opportunity to bring my wife on afternoon rides and such, and the possibility to use the passenger seat to carry luggage for longer trips.
If you see the picture below, I have kept the ending points of the frame (where I chopped it) open, and I have also kept the rear end of the frame that I cut off.

http://a.imageshack.us/img831/9637/dsc00099m.jpg

The reason I didn't weld up or plug the holes at the end of the frame, was to have the possibility to use these holes as mounting points for a passenger seat. The passenger seat is being built around the chopped-off rear end of the frame. Then I use 30mm thick steel rods (the kind that is used when building in concrete, don't know what you call it in english...) that is welded to the rear end of the frame (with the passenger seat on), while the other end of the rods slide into the open holes at the end of the frame. This is a real tight fit, and because of the angle of the frame tubes, it will not slide out again. I have allready used this setup for my removable sissybar, and it works quite well.
Don't know if this makes any sense to you, but I will post pictures as soon as I'm done.

//Svein

[paolohn]

I can see the logic...but the picture will definitely help! A removable passenger seat/luggage rack...genius! You have the best of both worlds!

[sveinis]

Took my three year old son for a ride on the chopper for the first time the other day.
He was pretty proud afterwords :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iiBj-m4i9c

Probably hard for you guys to understand his Norwegian, though :laugh4:

[paolohn]

So how's the passenger seat project coming along?

[sveinis]

So how's the passenger seat project coming along?

Not going anywhere fast, to be honest...
Been working 15 hours a day lately (accountant), so no time to work on the bike :juggle2:
Will post pics as soon as there is an update worth taking shots of.

//Svein

[polemides]

Love the bike man. Really raw looking straight out of Mad Max. In an earlier post you called it the old bastard. I Think that's a perfect name for it. You should have it painted on the tanks sides in old English script/font.

Ride safe Polemides

[03ACE]

Old Bastard might not fit on the sides of the tank in Norwegian :D