Adding another 6 to the mix...

[desertrefugee]

Yeah the tank will be coming down at least an inch maybe a bit more. That’s “if” I can make it work. Front tank mounts are the 9 inches between bumpers on the voyager. Not many tanks out there with that spacing. I probably looked at 100 or more yesterday at the salvage yard. This is a zephyr tank and needs some expensive hardware to complete - in addition to frame modifications on the voyager. It is very close, but a little more trouble than I intended to go to on this project. I may ditch it and go with a different one. I do like the shape.

Even though I really like it, I’m pretty sure it is the seat that’s throwing everything off. But this crazy voyager frame creates another set of problems there too! Not straight frame rails but with a deep dip over the battery tray. Again, it leaves options fairly limited. I may need to go with a different seat and perhaps a rear fender instead of tail treatment. Probably reduce my frustration quite a bit. But I can’t keep throwing funds to the wind like that on a supposedly budget build.

I got to tell you, this customization is real work and can be a PITA. Hats off to those who have the vision and abilities to be able to pull it off effortlessly. My problem is that I have some gaps in the skill set. Namely serious metalworking. That skill is really crucial when you’re off in the weeds on a project like this.

 

[desertrefugee]

Well, I know this is a Honda board, specifically a Goldwing board, but things have been a little quiet and I thought maybe I would add another installment to this saga.

My hat is off to skillful builders and fabricators who can create something out of nothing with just a few basic shop tools. I am struggling with this thing. Even with off-the-shelf parts. I thought I had chosen some nice pieces, but in committing to using them I have painted myself into a corner a bit - but I’m trying not to buy things more than once if possible. The tail section in particular has caused me some scrap, but I’m hoping that it will be worth it.

Anyway, I picked up a rear fender from a Vulcan, and thought I was going to have to scrap yet another experiment. But I hacked about 8 inches off of it, and I think it just might work. Put it this way, it’s going to work because that’s what I’m putting it together with. Dan mentioned the aesthetic need to lower the fuel tank some, but the bottom of that thing has already been heavily “modified” and I can’t get it to ride any lower. It’s just a fundamental incompatibility between the tank and frame. Trust me when I tell you, there are not many options for tanks that will fit this frame. I regret it, and may eventually change seats, but it’s gonna have to be like this for a while.

So, I am going to finalize the mounting approach for seat and fender, clean up some imperfections, get my return line bung welded to a plate for the fuel tank, and send these pieces off of paint. Corvette Red. There are a few more electrical bits to tidy up, deal with the handlebars, and it will be close to being done. Way quicker than I expected.

Of course I may be counting my chickens before they hatch… But that’s the plan.

 

[joedrum]

Wow it’s looking nice to me

 

[Ansimp]

+1 :good:

 

[saganaga]

Looks fine to me. Is the tail light going to mount below or above the license plate?

 

[desertrefugee]

I have the factory Vulcan light that goes with it. Above the license plate tucked in just below the curve of the fender lip. That was one of the reasons I chose this approach - it avoids the (in my opinion) untidy side light/side plate setup.

 

[saganaga]

desertrefugee » Today, 11:29 am[/url]":1naofvay]
I have the factory Vulcan light that goes with it. Above the license plate tucked in just below the curve of the fender lip. That was one of the reasons I chose this approach - it avoids the (in my opinion) untidy side light/side plate setup.

Nice! In our state, we can get a vertical text side plate (for $100 more), but I prefer the brake light above the license plate on most bikes.

But as long as the brake light and turn signals are visible, it's all aesthetic.

 

[desertrefugee]

Nothing like fresh paint to ratchet up the excitement factor a bit. And remind me that I’ve still got a few things to button up before final assembly. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel on this one! Then I turn my attention to the Hondas.

Here’s a preview:

(Rotated Pics, DF)

 

[dan filipi]

desertrefugee » 19 minutes ago[/url]":i65evqh9]
Nothing like fresh paint to ratchet up the excitement factor a bit. And remind me that I’ve still got a few things to button up before final assembly. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel on this one! Then I turn my attention to the Hondas.

Here’s a preview:

View attachment 1


(Rotated Pics, DF)

Looks great. Love the color!

 

[saganaga]

That's a nice looking paint job.

 

[julimike54]

Looking good from here :good:

 

[joedrum]

I can see you and the CBX in the paint job ....saw no runs looks good ...

 

[desertrefugee]

It’s not really ready for final assembly, but I could not resist sitting some pieces on to see how it looks. Hate the gap between tank and seat. Will be looking for an alternative. And one with a pillion pad or contoured one-piece.

Still need risers and bars. For now, I’ll be trimming about 5 inches off the ends of the stock bars. Need to replace a few new connectors. Two inline fuses. Mirrors...and fork seals.
I think that’s it.

Now back to doing Hondas!

 

[Ansimp]

Looking good :good:

 

[desertrefugee]

Well, I'll be danged. It has run under its own power! Still not ready for prime time, but I couldn't resist an <illegal> ride. No reg/ins, so I had to play nice. Sorta.

Before I could get out of the driveway I had to:

a) adjust the clutch. waaaayyyy out of whack.
b) address two fuel leaks.
c) fritter an hour away fettling to see why it was running like carp. Turns out the vacuum line was not seated on the run to the petcock. Wasn't getting fuel!

There's an oil leak way down low. Can't tell yet where it's coming from and not enough to drip (yet), but I can smell it. Still looking for fittings that will allow use of the Voyager air shocks with manual fill (rather than hard lines from the former on-board air compressor). If anybody knows of a source for a Schrader valve that sits on a 6 mm machine thread, let me know. Having a bit of trouble sourcing that widget.

But, oh boy, is she a runner. Like the CBX, the grunt comes on well into the rev band. No instrumentation yet, but I'd say around 6 or so it gets on its horse and rides away.

Gonna be fun. (BTW, I did put on the side covers before being seen in public).

 

[desertrefugee]

Just noticed I lost one of my exhaust turn downs. Dang it. They've been kicking around in the parts bin for the better part of a decade and I finally found something to use them on. Now I lost one on a maiden voyage.

Dang it.

 

[joedrum]

LOL OH WELL ...that happens ...love it on road ...wish I could have rode it ...

 

[mcgovern61]

She looks fast just sitting there!

 

[Ansimp]

Not long now! :salute:

 

[Tom_Charlton]

Shrader valve - maybe NAPA, or bicycle shop for Presta valve

Presta valve stems are 6 mm in diameter, whereas Schrader valve stems for bicycle tires are 8 mm.

EBay for fill valves for Gold wing air shocks (no pump on bike) 51456-469-013. Pricey on EBay!!