Getting rid of the trash.

Last post: January 12th, 2012. Today's date? June 29th. What's good.

So I finally have my motorcycle permit, took the test just yesterday. Thanks to Jason Frick we got the beast fired up and in running condition. Only took some some either spray >.< We (when I say "we" I mean Jason either did it or told me what to do) also removed the airbox which opened it up beautifully. It was damn near impossible to remove the airbox with the carbs in the way, and they too had to be removed completely.

After putting the carb back on and starting it back up, I officially rode my bike for the first time ever. Granted it was only about 10 feet at a time, and never broke 5mph ... still a first ride though. The weather was getting cloudy and decided against taking it out to a parking lot. Poor Jason had to ride home in the rain, but he claims it was refreshing.

Below are some images from the day, no particular order.

Here is a quick photoshop mock up showing the bulk of the intial work I would like to see done to the bike (bottom being the original). The list, roughly, includes:

1) Club or Clip handle bars (didn't add to top image)

2) Frame shortened at the seat, and replaced with a cafe seat

3) Fenders removed from both front and back

4) Battery "triangle" area gutted and moved to seat hump

5) Air box replaced with cone filters

6) Exhaust wrapped in black fiberglass tape

7) Rims blacked out except for spoke lines (forgot to black out back wheel)

8) New rear shocks and front springs (not pictured)

9) New master cylinder. Not pictured, would be on handle

10) Gators on front fork (forgot to add)

11) Less bulky gauges

12) Paint the seat & tank themed (to be determined, but think 'Imperial', credits to J.Ford)

13) Fabricate a new seat (fiberglass)

List is in no particular order. If I were to finish everything on this list, I would be extremely happy with the bikes state. The items I hope to focus on first would be the seat and handle bars. Doing the handle bars would also include the gators, master cylinder, front springs for the simple fact of doing it in one shot.

The style of bike I am going for is this cafe bike below. The main objective will be the styling and shaping of everything. The colors will most likely be similar as well, but that is for another post. This is the same frame/model of bike as mine, originally an XS750 with an 850 engine put in.

Here are the starting pics! It's a 1981 Yamaha XS850. The goal will be to convert this bike to a cafe racer style. I have a general look and feel of what I like, it's just a matter of deciding and making it happen.

It has ... BEGUN!

I have a blog, so obviously I am serious now.

What's this blog for? Well it's not for hipsters and Mac users. If you are either, please leave.

Ultimately this blog will serve as a documentary as I gradually upgrade my bike. The end goal? A sweet ass cafe style motorcycle. For those who know me well, I don't have much of a mechanical inclination. This will indeed prove as an adventure for me. I probably won't be doing much work during the riding season, simply because there would be a lot of down time due to my lack of knowledge to do things efficiently.