Beginner Honda Build

[Jareth]

Introduction -
Hi, so I have purchased my first bike after passing my L's.
The lucky bike for this build is my Honda Spada or VT250 to others.

It had done to it before purchased the following,
- moved ignition
- single headlight
- modified controls
- aftermarket exhaust
- single dial speedo
- faded paint
- aftermarket indicators
- aftermarket mirrors
- carbon fibre look tape

Picture Time -

Unfortunately I did not get photos before i started laying down primer, I have sanded down the panels and applied two even coats of primer.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0877_zps6kw9efyi.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0877_zps6kw9efyi.jpg.html)

Check out that masking.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0878_zpsahq8zo76.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0878_zpsahq8zo76.jpg.html)

Primer time
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0879_zpscrpnbpqj.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0879_zpscrpnbpqj.jpg.html)

The masking held up
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0881_zpsqthjl3px.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0881_zpsqthjl3px.jpg.html)


Conclusion -

So I am just learning as I go with bikes at the moment and it is my daily commuter, so ill posy when things are done on my days off.

To Do -

- lower fairing
- short exhaust / exhaust tape
- new indicators all round
- gloss black panels / matte black frame
- larger flatter head light
- new controls
- digital speedo

I am new to this all so any advice or help is welcome.

[Gix11]

Welcome aboard mate. Nice little project.

[ozzy1100]

Welcome

[slingy88]

Yep. Welcome, and have Fun .Putting your stamp on it is what its all about ;)

[Jareth]

Update -

So I am back again and a couple more pics to show. With such poor weather over here at the moment I got the paint and clear on.
Will take some more pictures tomorrow once buffed the panels, but otherwise got 4 coats of paint and 3 coats of clear.

Next of things to do will be the indicators once they arrive in post and sourcing a lower fairing from a wreckers. Any suggestions of which bike to get it off?

Pictures -

Heres the panels
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0891_zps7y8ab61t.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0891_zps7y8ab61t.jpg.html)

Now the tank.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0892_zpswvvpdm1e.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0892_zpswvvpdm1e.jpg.html)

And this bike I park to never moves, sucks cause it looks like fun.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0893_zpsnpszlmvf.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0893_zpsnpszlmvf.jpg.html)
Till next time . . .

[Gix11]

Tank painted in situ? That's a new one on me. Did you leave it on for any reason or are you just unfamiliar with how to remove it mate?

[Jareth]

@Gix11 Unfortunately I don't have the knowledge/tools/space to remove it completely, I am doing this whole build in the shared garage of my apartment block haha. So a lot of strange looks as people come and go.

Its alls painted in duplicolor high gloss, if you look under the tank you'll actually see its blue/green from previous owners attempt, after a good polish today the clear came out nicely.

Now just gotta figure out painting the frame in matte black without pulling it to pieces, and after that the engine :/ alot of research to be done.

[Tony Nitrous]

Personally, from 35 years experience of doing dumb things the hard way,
I'd be spending my coin on some tools and a manual rather than paint,
but I'm sure I've done worse in my time. At least your having a go.

Actually I'd be more worried about getting a smack from the guys who's
bikes it looks like your spray painting next to ? Is that not an issue ?

To be fair, your doing more to your bike than I have recently so keep at it.

Tony.

[Jareth]

@Tony Apart from the Ducati owner (who I've never ever ever seen urban myth haha), the other bikes owners parked around me are okay and shown interest in the bikes ongoing work, but on top of that I am 2-3 yards away from them and on the other side of me its literally nothing there. All caution is being taken haha.

Looking online and asking questions I am just gonna leave the bikes paint alone for abit, and install all the hardware over time then send off to the right people for the finish of it all. All you've said is fair and I got some more tools today which will make work easier, and found a Original Spada manual PDF online and have been reading it back too front :)

Hope all is well buddy.

[Tony Nitrous]

All good.

Keep posting. You might make me feel guilty and ill go back down the shed.

[ozzy1100]

All good.

Keep posting. You might make me feel guilty and ill go back down the shed.

How are you supposed to visit other people's shed if u don't visit your own.....

[Tony Nitrous]

Couldn't do anything today.

I'm English.

Today is the first Monday in May.

Mayday is a public holiday for the Englsh.

Therefore I decided I didn't have to go to work today.

(On ANZAC day / Queens birthday etc I will be using my Austrlian Citizenship...
I'm also considering any other religions / nationalities based on what their public holidays are like)

[ozzy1100]

Couldn't do anything today.

I'm English.

Today is the first Monday in May.

Mayday is a public holiday for the Englsh.

Therefore I decided I didn't have to go to work today.

(On ANZAC day / Queens birthday etc I will be using my Austrlian Citizenship...
I'm also considering any other religions / nationalities based on what their public holidays are like)

You sir are a ideas man

[Jareth]

Advise/Suggestions -

Hey guys, I am heading off to the wreckers one day soon to get a few parts.

I need to get a undercowl/lower fairing and so far like the look of the kawasaki's z1000. But if there is another bike you can think of that has a undercowl thats not too sharp and not too rounded. As my bike is old, but it has a sporty element to it.

But also I have been looking for a short exhaust to creep out of the lower fairing to keep it minimalist, but again my bike is old and so just unsure to what to purchase, any suggestions are welcome.

Picture Time -
I do not own these pictures.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/under 2_zpspkmlx3dk.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/under 2_zpspkmlx3dk.jpg.html)

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/under 1_zpse63hd0sc.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/under 1_zpse63hd0sc.jpg.html)

I like the sneaky exhaust out of the fairing look

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/exhaust 1_zpsakdn62kc.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/exhaust 1_zpsakdn62kc.jpg.html)

Anyway any suggestions are welcome =]

[Yella]

What part of skidney are you in?

[Jareth]

@Yella Just in the Innerwest so not too far out of the city.

[Yella]

Cool I am out need WSID , making good progress

[Jareth]

Bad news -

The keys are gone, they have been misplaced and will not be found. Any ideas on how to get a new set cut without changing the ignition etc?

I know I am not the first to do this or will be the last :/

[Jareth]

ALL FIXED -

Today I went into to the city to retrieve my bike from the Multi-storey carpark I pushed too. Called Honda and they offered me $550 for new set of keys if I brought the bike in, I politely said no thankyou.

From there I remember there was a old school locksmith on Pitt Street, I called them up and he said no problems and I got the bike to his store its only a block away, 30mins later with great little chat all new keys cut.

All in all I payed $7 for parking, $130 for the keys being made from scratch no original set to go off, but also threw in a second set aswel, so 4 keys and clip all up.

There Info -


http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/Screen Shot 2015-05-07 at 3.59.54 pm_zpsh8e6bvpn.png (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/Screen Shot 2015-05-07 at 3.59.54 pm_zpsh8e6bvpn.png.html)

Just to finish this post off, the store also gave me the codes for the keys so in future I am in a pickle haha

Five Stars *****

[hyofighter]

Top stuff and a good outcome

[Jareth]

UPDATE

Hey everyone sorry for not posts of the bike of recent, Ive been stuck working and had an accident.
The damage wasn't too bad just a scratched exhaust and snapped the front brake lever off, but got that on and running like a champ.
Big thankyou to Silverwater Motorcycle Wreckers for helping me out with parts, and walking into that store is like christmas everytime.

But rego time is coming soon and need to get things sorted.
-Replace rear brake a disc and pads.
-Fit choke
-Clutch adjustment
-New indicators
-Fluids all round
-Good clean

Im kinda to nervous to touch the carbs and was curious to anyone in the Sydney InnerWest would be able to help me install the choke. I have all parts needed and tools aswel to do the job, just lack of knowledge.

Anyways will be posting pictures over the week.

[Gix11]

Fit choke? Do you mean a new cable or is the whole assembly needing replacing?

[Jareth]

@Gix11 The assembly is non-existent, I've purchased all the parts off another of the same bike, so the cable, the control for the handlebars/wiring that are attached. I will get some pictures and show. Cause where the cable should be i have a rubber grommet covering the hole and it idles a tad high but runs smooth, but I'm sure i will be shocked to see the difference it makes once fitted.

Hope all is well.

[Jareth]

Okay So

I have got a picture of the parts and all other little things ill be doing over the next few days.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0923_zpszzfacmnx.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0923_zpszzfacmnx.jpg.html)

I have sat down and looked at everything, from what i can make of it, I have to move the tank for access but apply cable to correct holes in carb (with needles springs etc) then guide rest of cable to grips on controls, attach and taa daaaa :) I'm probably wrong but ill give it a try tomorrow if not ill just return to way it was for time being. Fingers crossed,it shall go smoothly.

But also I have new indicators to wire up and some touch ups to fi since the crash on paint. Probabaly will just sand down and go back to matte black haha.

WIll Upload more pictures tomorrow once I've done something.

[Jareth]

I have been spending a lot of time going on big rides getting better at twisties etc, but more so than that I have cut out all the cancer of bad wiring, put stock loom back in, also have new modern levers, front brake cylinder all in a nice dark metal finish.

Last few things to do are fix the tank, fit my CBR belly fairing, moto gp exhaust and just touch up paint here and there :)

From january onwards I'm looking to build a bobber for day time cruising and use the Spada for the bends.

Sorry for lack of updates, once the new levers etc are here which should be this week ill take photos and show all up to date.

Hope all are well,
Jareth.

P.S. If anyone with Sydney Riders hit me up.

[jm88]

How'd you go with the bellypan? I want to get one for the RGV, I don't mind the look of the z1000.

[Jareth]

Hello . .

Firstly I apologise for not ever, ever being on. So where is my Spada?

I was hit off by a silly person who didn't look twice and turned into on coming traffic, which took me for a free flying lesson and a broken leg aswel bent front forks and extras on the Tempe "spada" and have spent the last few month saving building and healing.

Will upload shortly after this progress pics, but the list is as follows of what is done since the accident.
-New front forks
-New tyres all round
-New speedo and speedo cable
-New headlight
-New indicators
-New GSXR 1000 slip on
-New brake pads all round

Need
-New belly fairing
-New paint
-Tank dent repair

After all this it still goes and I have purchased a Yamaha DT250 2-stroke 1976 to build in the spare time whilst riding Tempe, working and now also studying Motorcycle Mechanics at TAFE. So please be patient ill update as I can, and hopefully get some riding in with you guys.

Hope all is well,
Jareth.

[Jareth]

@jm88 The belly pan went on with some massaging with a dermal, a few bent metal brackets and looked good until smashed off by a ford festiva haha, but will purchase another one and get back on that.

[K6Thou]

Bad news on the acco mate but glad to see you're getting back on the horse so to speak.

[Jareth]

@K6Thou haha the day after I had a drivers test in Frenchs Forest which is bit away from me, Had to borrow a Aprilia 125 2stroke to get there, still passed with a broken leg haha. But thankyou glad to be riding missed it very much *thumbs up*

[Jareth]

Pictures

Here are the pictures of where it was and is now, Ill do my best to keep in order.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0014_zpsn8r7z2gv.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0014_zpsn8r7z2gv.jpg.html)

So thats the bike after I got it back at the price of $80 off insurance as a buy back non stat write off.
You can see where the front forks are bent just under the triple tree, I removed all the fairings, seat and tank to clean carbs, gasket change, removed wheels, and exhaust.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0015_zpsyhpurrtb.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0015_zpsyhpurrtb.jpg.html)

Went shopping with some insurance money.

Got new tyres fitted and balance at MCA Sydney CBD (as always a awesome service)
Then jumped on down to Silverware Wreckers and bought new EBC brake pads and a GSXR1000 slip on, they have everything there almost and always are friendly and helpful.
But also got new front forks, new mirrors, headlight and speedo which you don't see in this picture.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0016_zps6p2xp1ui.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0016_zps6p2xp1ui.jpg.html)
New slip on
Went on with no issues not one, will get some exhaust wrap and new belly fairing to cover all that ugly clamp etc, bit louder than before but nicer than before.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0019_zpsidgo0hpv.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0019_zpsidgo0hpv.jpg.html)

Almost there

So an overall look back on two wheels, slip-on on, new forks (need to paint), tank back on, probably easier just to get a new bike haha but I like this one.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/jareth2792/IMG_0069_zpseny9s7qg.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/jareth2792/media/IMG_0069_zpseny9s7qg.jpg.html)

And finally

The new head lamp with built in indicators to clean it up abit, and all that is left is body work repair but thats just for another pay day, just happy to be back on the road.

But what is next is to get another belly fairing, clean up the body work, cut the tail off and paint bits and pieces. Hope you all like it so far its a turd but its my turd.