Weight loss from all the aforementioned changes in this thread:Weight gains from heavy duty engine cover, frame sliders, the paddock stand spools and mounts, etc.:
Total weight loss at this stage:

 

That's pretty good man
Keep up the good work!

 

Thanks, Atrom, there is more to come...

 

Bike looks amazing man! Read that part about you being cut-off and low-siding.. had a sad face on that one . Looking forward to more updates man. Kind of using your bike as a beacon for my goals lol.

 

Thanks, Sam.
I have a VERY good memory, so rest assured, if I'm out enyoying a ride, and see that particular Suburban again my face will go from to to to ...and an @$$-whoopin' will occur shortly thereafter!!

Some may not agree, and might think that having a desire to pay evil with evil is inappropriate and harsh, but I give ABSOLUTELY NO QUARTER to those who take their driving privileges lightly, and don't respect the power that they have, EVERY TIME THEY GET BEHIND THE WHEEL, to potentially take a life due to their carelessness - regardless of how "momentary" and "infrequent" it might be. It only takes ONE INSTANCE of yapping on a cell phone, or just being an idiot in general, to be distracted long enough to make an improper turn, or run a red light, and that becomes the ONE INSTANCE that an innocent person is killed.
It is far too easy to obtain a driver's license in this country, and to keep it - I'm glad I didn't have to pay the costs required, and spend the large amounts of time needed, for obtaining a driver's license in European countries, but I would GLADLY accept that, if it would make people take their driving more seriously.
I wish, that EVERY driver would say to themself EVERY time they start their car, "I could kill someone today, if I make a mistake while driving"....The damage one can do with a motor vehicle has got to be respected!!

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but the accident I experienced was just one that I was unable to avoid, I could not possibly count the times that I could have died, or been seriously injured were it not for me anticipating and expecting a driver to pull some douchebag move.

 

At about this stage of the work, I took a "Phase 1 photoshoot", which was jumping the gun a little, being that phase 1 is not complete, but, what the heck, there's some decent shots with some decent back drops, so I'll put a few of them up.
I am NOT a photographer, so bear this in mind, before commenting negatively on the lighting for the shots, and stuff like that - I have NO IDEA what I'm doing!!

Case in point: I clearly chose the wrong time of day, with regards to where the sun was, to take this shot:



I really liked this spot, with the "bronze" colored garage door:

 

Next, you're gonna' see decals on the bike - some people don't like this - I don't care!
I love race bikes, and I love race "replica" bikes.
So if you don't like the decals, I'm sorry (no I'm not), but I simply don't care! "I do what I waunt!!"

If the decal is present, then so is the part - properly installed and configured.
Not to mention, as anyone who knows ANYTHING, knows, an HRC decal is worth 5 HP, minimum, with each additional performance-based decal generating 1 HP each!!!!

 

Now that I have finished my attempt to preemptively quell any complaints about the decals, here's the rest of the pics from that "photoshoot".

Two more from the last location:





And, my favorite spot:

 

Time to work on the suspension - the stock shock is not as pathetic as the stock forks, which are sprung for midgets (no offense to midgets, I'm just sayin' - they weigh less).
The shock WILL be dealt with later, but the pressing issue is the excessive diving and wallowing caused by the crap forks.
I am a touch overweight, due to going back to school, AGAIN, in my mid-30's, while still working full-time - I ain't sayin' what I got up to, it's too embarrasing, but suffice it say that I am rapidly losing weight as my first track excursion this season approaches, so I can get into my new leathers.
My target weight, with ALL gear, is around 200 lb, so I ordered some .95KG/MM RaceTech springs, to better handle the front end.

Front end all torn off again, with right fork leg already removed:



The right leg's fork seal was ever so slightly leaving a tiny film of fork oil on the leg, so I decided to change out both seals and dust wipers while I've got them off.
Here's one example of the preload spacer stock, the new spring, and of course, the new copper crush-washers that seal the bolt that mounts in the bottom of the fork slider:



I want to emphasize the importance of the copper washers for the damping rod retaining bolt - this washer deforms to the shape of the recessed surface in the slider, and the head of the retaining bolt - if you don't replace these, I'm not saying you will DEFINITELY have a leak, but it is very possible you will - just do it, it's not that expensive!

 

awsome write up mate,love the photo of it by the brick wall,,,what ever you do, people will have there say,weather they like it or not,I think its stunning,and more to the point,your doing it yourself,just how you want it,so keep up the good work,and photos