Where there is a will...

There is a way. Of course, a boring Sunday afternoon, a roll of masking tape, and paint are required. I finally decided to do a little something with that plain ole stock front rim. Though I would like to have added a fancy custom wheel to my VStar, this little project added my own custom flair to the current laced wheel. With a little time on my hands, I removed the front wheel assembly, cleaned it thoroughly, and started what turned into about an hour of masking tape fun. I masked off the entire rim, about two inches out from the rim around the tire, and each individual nipple per spoke. Yes this was very tedious. Then came the paint. I added two or three good solid coats each of Rustoleum self etching primer, gloss black, and clear enamel. After letting it dry completely, I spent a second hour of tedious work removing the masking tape. Clearly, the tape is the hardest part of the job. I guess compared to the alternative, unlacing and relacing spokes, the tape doesn't sound too bad. So the end product is now a chrome rim with black spokes. I'm pleased with how this turned out, looks just like those custom jobs I've seen, only at a fraction of the cost. While the axle is out, I plan to have the end machined down to match the stock metric axle. If you'll remember back to when I installed the new triple trees, the axle they sent had a very large head protruding out just enough, preventing me from re-using my fork bullets. I've also stripped the fork bullets of their paint, and along with the recently purchased axle covers, and the fork tube covers, I plan to have them all powdercoated gloss black to match the rest of the powder coated items on the bike. I previously had them painted, but felt like the powder would withstand the abuse from the road a tad bit better. Hopefully I will be able to have the powder coat guy get to this next week. I plan to update with more pics as soon as I have everything back and installed on the bike. For now, I've simply posted pictures of the wheel that was just completed. So, there is definitely more to come later. Until then, ride safe....

Success!!!

After receiving the strip lights from Ebay, I completely removed the individual ones. There was a very noticeable difference between the two options. The strip was much easier to install, and is far brighter than the single LEDs. While working on the bike, I wired the singles with enough wire to try several placement options. Unfortunately, the singles just don't cut it for me. I will probably add a few more strips under the frame and at the back wheel, and not worry with the dim little singles. The switch is a push button which I've installed in the speedo housing just below the speedometer. I have included a few pics of what I have so far. The first picture shows one of the individual lights that have now been removed. The next pic shows the bike with my camera flash on, and the next is with it off. Sorry,I know the pictures aren't the best. Perhaps a new camera is in my future. I will update more later, ride safe.

Lights

Recently, the mod bug struck again. I purchased some lights on Ebay, to install under the tank, however was very dissapointed. I received 4 individual LED lights, and a push button switch. These lights are very, very dim. To remedy the problem, I've purchased a few feet of strip lighting (again from Ebay) to add with the small individual bulbs. I will probably move the smaller individual lights to the rear of the bike. I have also bought a set of Kuryakyn axle covers used that require a bit of sanding to remove the rust. Afterward, they'll get a good coat of gloss black, and a clear coat for that extra shine. The covers will perhaps be the new placement for the smaller LED lights. When all is said and done, hopefully, the bike will shine a brilliant purple around the engine, and likewise should reflect purple back off of the previously installed wheel cover on the rear tire. That's the plan anyway. We'll see how everything goes. I will post pics when it is all complete. Until then....ride safe!!!

It's been a couple of months since my last post, but I really haven't been doing any modding on the bike. After spending the time it took to cut and re-shape the front fender, I decided I liked the looks of my Vstar better without it. I seem to have reached a point where most of my little tasks are complete. I only have a few things left I would like to do. One of them is to add a front wheel, which will take modifying the front forks, enabling me to add a Harley wheel. Most of the wheels I'm interested in are only manufactured for larger bikes, or a Harley. With a little work on the front forks, and machining a new axle, and spacers, I can fit one of several available styles on the 650 Vstar. After adding the black wheel cover on the rear, I would like to stay with black and chrome for the front wheel as well. Another item is paint. Though I plan on sticking with a gloss black base coat, and several layers of clear,there is a very unique coating I would like to add over the top. It's called HolaGrafix. It refracts sunlight, creating a rainbow effect over the black. I'm still debating on the different parts on the bike I would like to paint this way. If you're interested in the coating you can find it at DNA-Custom paints. When I finally get around to a paint job with it, I will certainly let everyone now how it turns out. There are a few other ideas I've been tossing around in my head as well, along the lines of a new rear fender and side plate. I'm not too sure of what I would like to do there. Never the less, I will need to make up my mind before the paint happens. Both the wheel and paint are costly projects, and being a family man, and a Dad, I have other finacial demands that require more attention than my mods. Don't give up on me though. I have high hopes that I can get the ball rolling again real soon. As alway....ride safe.

Front fender mod.

Well, I 'm back at it again. With my trusty Dremel in hand, I went to work on the front fender... finally. I taped the front and back off, made a few quick measurements, sketched out my idea on the fender, and started cutting. I know this look isn't for everyone, but it is growing on me. At first, I thought maybe it was a bit overboard. However, I think I'm staring to like it more everytime I look at it. I'm in the process of making new mounting brackets for it now. I'm lowering the fender around 1/2 inch. I will soon be needing to replace the tires, so I think the 1/2 inch lowered distance will accommodate the new rubber. At any rate, here are a few pictures of what I have so far. Keep in mind, the fender is simply resting on the tire, and not mounted yet. I have an aluminum shed that I do most of my work in, and we've been having thunderstorms everyday now for about a week. As you can imagine, this has delayed my progress immensely. I will post more, hopefully of the completed project, when mother nature allows. Until then...ride safe.

Leftovers

Though I wasn't going to spend anytime working on the bike this summer, it seems I just couldn't help myself. With the addition of all the new glossy parts I've recently added to the front of the bike, the flat black headlight seemed to stick out like a sore thumb. So, I decided with the leftover paint from my last little project, I would remedy that issue. I removed the headlight, and was in between painting coats of gloss black when I happened to spot a small sheet of 16 gauge steel tucked away in the corner of the shed. Again, another left over from a previous project. The wheels in my brain began to spin. I've been wanting to remove the turn signals from the fork tubes, but haven't thought of a plan... until now. Using the vice, and a few well place bends, I shaped a bracket that was about 1/2 inch wider than the base of the headlight. After a little more measuring, and while waiting around to add the clear coat to the headlight, I took a dremel tool and cut the piece down to the height and depth I needed. Now, I simply took the grinding wheel and shaped the ends round, drilled holes to match the lower mount on the headlight, as well as ones for the signals, and started painting away on it as well. I'm pleased with the end results. The headlight is now gloss black and the front forks look much cleaner with the addition of the new mounting bracket for the signals. So, even though I originally said I wasn't going to work on the bike, I'm really glad I did. Until next time...ride safe!

A Little Paint

I have not been doing a whole lot in the way of mods lately. I have finally decided to paint the speedometer housing black, to match everything else. I will probably remove it later and add a few more coats of clear, for that really deep shine I'm after. I have a few things I'm thinking about, but nothing major. From the begining to now, I've progressively become more engrossed with modifying and changing the looks of my bike, and though I still have several things I'm going to do, I will probably take the summer off to simply ride. I have enjoyed searching out and finding all of the parts, as well as watching my bike take on a different personality. So, taking the summer off will be new, and a bit of an adjustment for me. If anyone needs help finding a particular part, please let me know. I'll be happy to pitch in on the search. One last thing before I go, If you happen to be traveling through South Georgia, keep your eyes peeled for me. I'll be out there, and would love to meet some of you. Until then, Ride safe.