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I like the work you are putting in with the GSXR front end, I am really interested in the outcome and ride quality.
The triple trees are the hardest part because most people don't have the ability to cut them. The design you went for is great, but you should definitely spend some time refining them manually and chopping out some of the blockiness. It would really change the look of the front end.
In full agreement. Functionality first though. THEN aesthetics. The process here is to get the thing functional, get it test ridden, work the bugs out, then refine the appearance.
On the trees, I think the stock Suzuki trees can be used, if the stem was replaced with one to fit the HD neck. Even so, maybe specialty bearings and spacers would get 'er done. Not much handle bar mounting option with those though. You'd probably have to use clip-ons. I'm too old and stiff for that kind of riding position!
Aside from that, I went with custom trees for three basic reasons. The primary reason...because I could! Secondly, the stock trees were bent, and finally, although there are those out there that make a nice CNC custom tree set-up to adpat these forks to just about anything, I'm much too much of a tight-wad to spend that kinda money.
Finally found some time to get this thing rolling again.
I got the frame stripped down and had PC'd RED along with the oil tank, battery tray and swing arm in satin black. I got the motor cleaned up a few weeks ago, etched the aluminum and sprayed it with satin black engine enamel.
Now, everything is going together to stay. At least till I get it running for a while.
I have a couple questions....
In order to keep the electrics as simple as possible, I've converted the ignition to a simple points system. The question on that is, Does it need a resistor on the hot side of the coil? A lot of cars do. I don't know about theses thing.
And then there's this gizmo that attaches to the head to frame mount between the cylinders. What is it? It has a vacuum line and two wires. I "think" it might be a tip over solenoid. The electrical system has been totally rewired. Bare bones, essentials only. Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention to where this was hooked up, but then the wiring when I got the bike was nothing less than a disaster, so hardly anything from the original wiring exists anymore
Hi Mike, I'm glad you revived this thread or i may have never seen it. Looking forward to it.
I think that gizmo is a VOES (vacuum operated electrical switch)...just googoo "harley VOES" or "sportster VOES" and you'll get all the info you want.
As a side note...I like the inverted fork set-up, but aren't those fork assys shorter than the Sporty's? May be what you're after?
I know that some Tree makers have made "drop" trees to address that when lowering wasn't desired
Also...I see it's a Karmann Ghia...when you have referred to your VW
Thanks Multi. Since it's been converted to point ignition, I reckon it's pretty much useless. More excess weight gone!
You're right about the GSXr forks. They're about an inch and a quarter shorter than the stock sporty forks were. If you look at the top clamp you can see that is is stepped. This brings the fork length back to only about quarter to half inch lower.
The next step will be getting the oil tank plumbed back in, getting the carb cleaned and kitted, and then get enough of the electrical hooked up to see if the dang thing still runs!
Nice Shot of the Ghia...doing it's thing Pretty light up front I would imagine
Thanks!
Lighter than a conventional car, but it's still all steel and street legal. 400hp to the wheels and sticky tires and a well scienced out suspension is the key!
Do you have any idea as to whether a point type ignition needs a ballast resistor on the hot side of the coil?
I can appreciate you prior posts referencing "Automotive". I can remember "back in the day" (but little vaguely ), having a Resistor Wire or a ballast resistor that would be bypassed in the "Start" position and use the resistor when returned to the "Run"
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Last edited by multihdrdr; Jul 18, 2016 at 11:09 AM.
I remember having to convert my Sportster to points because the ignition module crapped out and I was stationed in the Philippines at the time (1990). That VOES gets tossed. If I remember the points were the Chevy Blue Streak or something like that. Once I got stateside I never went back to electronic. I always had a spare set of points with me so I would never get stranded.
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), having a Resistor Wire or a ballast resistor that would be bypassed in the "Start" position and use the resistor when returned to the "Run"
