It has been months since I touched the bike. Between grad school, house work, work, kids, etc., I FINALLY got some time to work on the bike this weekend. Since last time I posted (my GSXR600 tail swap post), not much happened (tail still has no subframe). So when I got this weekend free, instead of actually finishing the project I was working on, I decided to make more work for myself!

Since I'm turbocharging the bike, I won't be using the factory snorkels (or airbox for the matter). On top of that, I'm going with the naked/streetfighter-esk look, so the huge holes in the fuel tank (where the air ducts come through) needed to go.

After very little debate with myself (all of 5 mins sitting on a chair looking at the bike) I finally said f*it. Grabbed the plasma cutter and started hacking away at the tank. 30seconds later, I had nice gaping holes ready to be filled (first pic... unfinished side). Then after about 3 hours of tedious trimming, welding, heating, hammering, and grinding, I'm half way there (second pic.. finished side).

To top it all off, UPS dropped off my Woodcraft 3 piece clipons and rearset! I can finally push my bike around the garage!

 

nice job!!!

 

That tank will look good finished up. Good work.

 

I'm trying to figure out what to do about gauges (made a post in the street fighter section). One person suggested mounting (frenching) the gauges "into the tank" which I'm seriously considering now. Just need to try visualizing what it will look like.

 

There's always the aftermarket LED gauge option.

 

Yeah, I just am not sure how I want a gauge mounted. I really want to avoid sticking "stuff" on my upper tree area. Another idea I came up with is the old BMWs (like my dads R75) had the speedo/tach (single unit with combined speedo/tach in one housing) mounted in the headlight. I'm tossing that idea around as well. Too many options... only one bike...

 

I fail to see the problem here... just put speedos/ tachs all over the place, that way, no matter where you are looking you'll always know your speed!!

 

Although this may sound like a good idea... Sometimes I dont want to know how fast I am going so I dont feel so bad breaking the law. lol

As for where to put the tach/speedo. The "inside the tank" method might have something there. Picturing a cluster at an angle on the front of the tank. Half way in the tank with a slight hill into it would be awesome!!!
It would take time/money/babysitters/loud music but it would look great once complete.

Cant wait to see how it turns out