Nath's Blade Conversion.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/102272743294223.jpg
I thought i would show the progress on my fighter conversion. This is the virgin untouched after buying it a few months ago.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/102272743280923.JPG

Fairings off. Clean slate.

Jeez, that's a lot of progress mate, even put me to shame at the speed you're going. :D

Damn a second too slow, sounded better when there was only one photo up. [:o)]

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/1022727432541989.JPG

Cleaned up headstock. Painted satin black. Mounted new risers and added a set of ABM fatbars from Stu.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/1022727432540313.JPG

Switchgear now mounted . Getting the wiring sorted.

I know this is boring shit to you fighter veterans but this is my first conversion, and i am a bit bloody excited.

cheers

[Slingblade]

Fuck Chalky give me a break. I am goin as fast as i can! haha. I got rego ticking away and the rain has stopped. i wanna go for a ride.

Just need to replace a sump gasket on mine, and I'm back on the road for the weekend.
Just relaced the engine, headlight shell/spotties, and radiator brackets.

Really must get new tyres soon. Turbo wasn't too impressed with'em on the fool's run, but they're still going.

[Razorback]

Nice work Nathan, Blades make such nice fighters and I actually prefer the 1992-1997 look ones. Just as suzuki managed to completely homofy the GSXR1000 after 03 (02 really but Im being kind), honda also took some wrong turns with the blade in my humble opinion. The 03 HRC kitted blade is nice.... but whos got $35K+.... keep the pics coming!

[03gixxerpilot]

nice work so far and as razor said keep the pics comming

[Rocket]

Coming along nicely NLT
What are you doing for illumination and guages ?

You may have mentioned it elsewhere on this site but what's the program for the rest of the bike ?
Paint, body mods etc.

If that's a stock muffler, i think you need to read elsewhere here on how to cut it down.
Loud pipes save lives you know.

[fimpBIKES]

those cans are a bit of a pain in the arse to cut-down
better to find something cheap on ebay thats damaged

[Slingblade]

No, i had a moriwaki can i got off ebay for 250 before i picked the bike up! It looks good but it is road legal sound wise. Except i was off work today and the local exhaust place just cut it in half on their saw for me! Will be about 300mm long once i have refit the end cap. And nice and loud.

I am putting a Hesa type 6 fairing which Stu is getting for me. Usual braided lines as the stockers wont work. I am going to get one of the Acewell units from Ben for instrumentation. It will be resprayed black with twin white GT stripes. Stock tail section as i want it to still have the blade look. I am going to do a single swinger and car rim similar to Stu eventually but i want to get the fighter conversion, respreay, exhaust done and get it back on the road. I may look at doing the swinger etc. next year some time, as i will need a new exhaust to get a nice clear view of the big rim. And as we all know full systems are way expensive. I am thinking of getting tail risers as well but i am not sure if it will stuff up the handling. blades are pretty twitchy stock due to the 16inch front wheel and adding risers will shorten the trail even more.

So plenty to do. Just waiting on some cash now to get the bits i need. Next week hopefully.

[Slingblade]

I am also getting pods, a 2 degree advancer and a rejet to suit. So it shuld go alright as well!

Thanks for the positive reaction. Hope it all turns out as nice as the bars. I sat on it last night with the bars and it felt like MY bike for the first time since i got it.

[dane_ra]

Looking good nathan! Keep up with the pics, great to see another blade on here

[fimpBIKES]

good shit mate
project is coming around very nicely!

i took today off to work on my bikes too
must've been a good day for streetfightin' in newcastle :D

[Tony Nitrous]

Lookin' good NLT [8D]

I was looking at "tail-raisers / dog-bone links" too,
A bit of a lift at the rear wouldnt do mine any harm,
but im tempted not to go too far and instead make the
look better by raising the new rear subframe.
Keep posting the mods mate.

Tony.J.

[Slingblade]

Yeah i took it to Carline Mufflers at Belmont as the owner is a petrol head who used to have the Viper that was parked out the front. I figured someone might have qualms cutting a road legal can. He did it himself for nix and even gave me advice on how to get the end cap mounted proplerly. Nice fella. Even said it will be loud with a grin on his face!

[fimpBIKES]

come on mate,
u have been here at least a week now so you should know the rules




[B)][B)][B)]PICS, OR IT NEVER HAPPENED[B)][B)][B)]

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/102272780920074.jpg

Ok ok fimp.

Pipe before.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/1022727809543078.JPG

Pipe(s) after!

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/1022727809533879.JPG

NICE. Gotta have end cap fitted and polished back up. Its just dirty and had the name plate ripped off.

[fimpBIKES]

shit, i dunno how that can is

but on mine that i cut up the perferated center tube needs to slightly longer than the outer tube
im hoping that it isnt the same on yours...

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/1022727894542494.JPG

Mine WAS road legal so has this baffle set up. I am going to grind the tubes back a bit with a dremel so the end cap doesnt cover the tubes and it should be sweet.

[fimpBIKES]

wtf?
thats just wierd, bloody hondas :D

[Slingblade]

Its a Moriwaki after market road legal can. They use various length tubes to keep the noise down . Gasses run through all three tubes one after the other. Keeps the noise down. DUMB.

[Slingblade]

I would love to keep it open with the three tubes exposed. Looks like a bloody missile battery!

[fimpBIKES]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/1022727954257209.jpg

ewwww,thats some serious baffling Nath,ram a broom handle up each tube and let it breath

[Slingblade]

now that blade i like!!

Yeah Davo one of the tubes is straight through now so it should let out some gas . Believe it or not it has three divider plates along the length of the can and the tubes all end at different spots. No wonder it was quiet, its like a bloody maze in there. Surprisingly it did help the mid range quite a bit compared to stock. Now it should be right!

quote:Originally posted by nathanleetaylor


I am thinking of getting tail risers as well but i am not sure if it will stuff up the handling. blades are pretty twitchy stock due to the 16inch front wheel and adding risers will shorten the trail even more.



I'm running a 16 front wheel as well Nat, and one thing I have noticed is that all the twitchiness has gone from the front end sonce going to drag bars. I've lowered the front end (1.5cm) and raised the rear (3cm), and it just goes through corners better than before. The extra width of the drag bars gives me much greater leverage on the front end.

[Slingblade]

What are you riding chalk? cant find your bike in a 'my ride' search. Interesting what you say about the 16 incher. I would like to raise the rear. Riding the blade has never felt dangerous in a corner, it just feels like it wants to 'drop in' too quick once you get past a certain lean angle. Makes some people nervous. I think i will get her back on the road and see what it is like with the new bars and decide from there.

I'm on a ratty GPz9, it's in the Gallery/Kawasaki section.

Mine 'falls' into corners quicker, but it doesn't feel out of control anymore. I can also move around on the bike a lot more easily, makes for much more knee-scraping :D

[Slingblade]

I hear you mate. I cant wait to chuck it around with the new bars. I have been sitting on it for 10 minutes at a time in the shed!

Gotta admit, I did that a few times while the engine replacement was being done [:I]

[Slingblade]

Start paint on the weekend. Boring prep anyway. Dropping it over to my uncle who is going to do the job for me.

[Rocket]

Nath, I'm picking up my paint tomorrow. Black with a GT style stripe down the middle.
Keep an eye out for pics on Monday, that's if I get around to putting it all back together.
But it'll give you an idea of how yours will look anyway. cept mines a suzuki.....and it doesn't have a motor yet :(

[Slingblade]

Nice rocket. what colour stripe??

[Rocket]

Silver to match the stickers

[Slingblade]

quote:Originally posted by Rocket

Silver to match the stickers


NICE.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/15796502018794.jpg

More parts ordered from Stu. Got one of these on the way and some black braided lines. Hope its not the slow boat from Germany.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/57585385795424.JPG

Did all the boring but necessary shit today. Degrease and scrub engine and headers. I wish i got a before pic as it was a mess after 10 years of punishment. Took ages but it was worth it. Pics dont really do it justice.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/57585385785282.JPG

Headers copped 3 coats of engine enamel. Just can stuff. Dont know how long it will last but they looked shocking after i pressure cleaned them and needed a touch up. The flash of the camera picks up every imperfection but in flesh they look alot better.

Like i said. Boring stuff, but necessary.

[fimpBIKES]

engine enamel or manifold paint?
i dunno if the engine stuff will handle the high temps?

[damo1]

ah fimp is there a site for the blade with the gattling gun pipe
wouldnt mind a closer look at it

[fimpBIKES]

its on angryguys site
www.angryguystreetfighters.com

[Slingblade]

Just engine enamel. Didnt know there was dedicated manifold paint. Might have to look into it.

[gibbo]

Good idea Nathan, that engine enamel is gonna start smokin pretty quick. VHT or por15 make manifold paint which should last a while.

[Slingblade]

cheers guys. I hope it will be ok putting it over the top of the enamel now. Not much choice. I aint strippin the shit off!

[gibbo]

Putting it over the top won't help mate, the enamel will still burn. It should come off pretty easy as it will still be fresh.

[God]

Hey NLT,

spied on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-Fireblade-Streetfighter_W0QQitemZ110014754532QQihZ001QQcateg oryZ10460QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Slingblade]

quote:Originally posted by God

Hey NLT,

spied on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-Fireblade-Streetfighter_W0QQitemZ110014754532QQihZ001QQcateg oryZ10460QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Gee i nearly went with that fairing. I have ordered the hesa instead . Hope i made the right decision as that looks pretty cool. Paint makes all the difference doesnt it. That looks like a bitza , but with a lick of paint it would all come together.

I wouldnt mind getting my hands on that pipe either!.

[Slingblade]

As for the exhaust paint. the shit can burn off, and i will do it with manifold paint at a later date. Thanks for letting me know though. I would have been looking for burnt wiring wondering what that burning smell was!!

[WATEVR]

nice work so far NLT. im just wondering as im doing my 1st fighter conv. is that the original top triple with the bolt on clamps or an entire new setup? if original did you get the original ones filled underneath with weld to strengthen or just drill and bolt?

[Slingblade]

quote:Originally posted by WATEVR

nice work so far NLT. im just wondering as im doing my 1st fighter conv. is that the original top triple with the bolt on clamps or an entire new setup? if original did you get the original ones filled underneath with weld to strengthen or just drill and bolt?


It is drilled and bolted, but i have put some real hefty washers underneath to try and spread the load. This is not an ideal solution and i will be going to a dedicated top yoke once i can afford it. If you can swing the extra dollars then definately get the proper kit. Stu has them on sale i think.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/84951021694355.JPG

Can is done! 300mm of roaring inline four! Came out nice. Needs a good hit with polish. Hope the neighbours are understanding.

[fimpBIKES]

um, FUKTHENEIGHBOURS :D

look good mate
i think we have the same heater ;)

[Slingblade]

quote:Originally posted by fimpBIKES

um, FUKTHENEIGHBOURS :D

look good mate
i think we have the same heater ;)


That heaters in the squids room. Keeps the little bugger from freezing to death.

Yeah i dont really care about what the neighbours think. Next door has an old range rover that sounds like the world is coming to an end, so he should be sweet.

[pt]

that heater is from kmart.


PS can looks good:)

[Slingblade]

Hang on how the fuck did we get onto my heater again??

Can is gonna be loud. I practically gutted it. I wish i could start it, for a listen, but alas no tank.

[Large]

looking good....shoulda gone 250mm but;)

[fimpBIKES]

u can always cut more away,
adding length is harder :D

[WATEVR]

i,m going at it the same way as you have done with the top triple with the washers until i can afford a purpose made one. The can looks sweeeeeet by the way, has anyone seen one that has been mounted underneath as this is what ill be doing with the zx7r

[Slingblade]

quote:Originally posted by WATEVR

i,m going at it the same way as you have done with the top triple with the washers until i can afford a purpose made one. The can looks sweeeeeet by the way, has anyone seen one that has been mounted underneath as this is what ill be doing with the zx7r


Good luck with it then. I am only repeating advice given to me by other members. Their advice is on the forum elsewhere.

Stu's blade has a cool underslung exhaust. Look in the gallery or on his website for pics.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/102947190767784.JPG

Bit of an update. Got one of Bens dash units last week. rewired the loom for the dash and for the new headlight unit thats on order.

Dash looks the goods. Lights up a nice blue colour. Still have to mount the sensor and magnet which will be the interesting part as they have to be 8mm apart.

[fimpBIKES]

how is it mounted?

[Slingblade]

The unit came with the mounting bracket you see. I used a large washer over the old ignition hole and bolted it through to a steel tab that braces it from the rear. Pretty solid.

[fimpBIKES]

got any front on pics with the new headlight unit?

[Slingblade]

No headlights yet.

I am refusing to look at the front at the moment. I just put the radiator back on and i am shattered how it kills the look of the bike. It didnt look that bad before but after having it off for two weeks, it now sticks out like dogs balls.

Getting close now. Just waititng on my indicators, brake lines,headlight fairing and pods. Paint is in progress. Wiring is done and waiting and i have everything as together as i can before the parts arrive.

[fimpBIKES]

so the rad black?
if not hit it up with some heatproof matt black

might "shrink" it a bit, visually speaking

[Slingblade]

Yeah its black. The 96-99 blades have a curved radiator though. So its pretty ugly. I am thinking of looking around for a flat one off a 92-95 or a 900 hornet. I will see how it looks once the painted tank and plastics go on.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/5141800390287.JPG

Pods arrived. With the shortened pipe and the pods i cannot wait to start it again.

[fimpBIKES]

that'll sound GREAT!!!


u will need to rejet her though

[Slingblade]

Yeah once its finished i will take it to Jamie at Bikecare and get him to sort it on the Dyno. Should be a bit easier to get to the carbs without the airbox.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/495859281542141.JPG

A streetfighter is born! Went for first ride today. Stage 1 is done. Still some small things to do like the rear indicators that i am waiting for, but its running and is like a lounge chair after the clip ons. Booked in for a rejet on the dyno next wednesday as the pipe and pods have left a huge flat spot, but it starts and idles well, so i am happy.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/495859281535191.JPG

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/495859281319626.JPG

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/495859281179856.JPG

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/495859281271201.JPG

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/495859281541706.JPG

OK opinions???

I am trying to source a better front guard as i this one looks like a pound of shit.

I am planning to paint the engine covers black and put braiding and fittings over the hoses but i am out of cash for now. I will put stainless bolts right through as well. Suspension needs doing and while this is happening i will be putting a 35mm riser kit on the rear.

All in all i am happy with it so far.

[fimpBIKES]

front gaurd eh?

maybe another contendor for my german groupbuy :D

gotta be happy with that though mate, going from bog-stock to that in a few weeks aint bad in my experience!


is there any way to possibly drop the headlight down a touch?

[fimpBIKES]

shit, there is a lot of rise on those bars too

perhaps u could go a flatbar if you think its a bit too upright

[Slingblade]

Shit fimp is there anything you do like? hahaha. I had the light bracket down lower, resting on the bottom yoke but it was lower than the dash. I am going to lower the angle of the dash bracket and lower the screen to match. The bars are perfect comfort wise. Flat bars do look cool but i would rather these. I would have to change the risers anyhow as these are fatbars.

[Slingblade]

I just noticed that on my ride the light unit swiveled down a bit. Mustnt have tightened it up enough. The top of the screen does sit alot closer to the dash unit, it had dropped down which is what makes it look like it is way too high. If this is my only teething problem i will be well happy!

[Gix11]

Farkin' 'ell Nath. Nice work mate! You're a man of action and not just words. Good on ya mate! That looks shit loads better than when you first showed it to us.

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/102272743294223.jpg

Doesn't this motivate the rest of you?

[fimpBIKES]

didnt mean to hurt your feelings mate :D

just putting in my 2cents

im with gix11 though, its a million time better than where it started from!

[fimpBIKES]

this is the fender for right-way-up forks

no doubt about it!!
http://www.gemo-fighters.de/Onlineshop/docs/pd-1655468124.htm

[Booster]

What about cutting the guard to a shape thats yours .
Whole new bike now looks great.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/704812924140601.JPG

Here is a pic before my ride which shows the screen angle as it should be.

Thanks Gix. It came together ok. It is amazing how much work is involved in simply "rippin off the fairing and chucking on some mx bars". Stu and Ben were a big help for advice and getting parts to me double time as well.

Thanks for resizing the pics. I forgot to reduce them before posting.

[Iceman]

It came up alright for a Honda.

[Iceman]

Just remember it's not what everyone else thinks of it, it's what you think that counts.

You should be happy though, not many people can change the look and style of their bike so dramaticly in such a short period of time with professional look'n result like you have.

[Slingblade]

I fuckin love the look of it!

I like getting the feedback as its my first crack at a fighter.

Jesus fimp that german guard is smaller than one of molly meldrums g strings.

Booster i have been putting alot of thought into reshaping the stock one but i just dont think i could get the look i want. I may have go at it though as its no big loss if i stuff it up.

Thanks for the comments Iceman.

[Slingblade]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/70481292462064.jpg

This is the guard i want to put on it. Just have to wait to find one at the right price.

[fimpBIKES]

that angle looks shit loads better

it would be pretty easy to dremel a nice pattern out of the stock one and repaint

[gibbo]

Good on ya Nathan, looks cool mate. What dash do you have on it?

[Slingblade]

Is that an offer fimp? I have had bad experiences with dremels. One slip and its rooted. I thought maybe a coping saw?

Its an acewell dash gibbo. Contact Ben(EXBEN), he sells them.

top job Nath,that thing has just elevated your status amongst the streetfighter community.you've only been here for a few months and youve already built a quality fighter. 10/10 for your dedication mate.hopefully this inspires a few of the slower project streetfighter wannabe's to pull their finger out and spend more time in the shed and less time surfing faggot porn sites on the net.
if this post offends anyone its probbly coz its true.

[pt]

looks tops i wish mine was done. nearly nearly! yours looks very neat and pro, unfortunately i couldnt get that look in a million years. i like the stock blade rear end and with your planned 35mm jack up it will look SCHMICK:D

[Rocket]

Great work Nath.
Came out a real treat.

[Slingblade]

Thanks for the positive comments fellas. Now i need to get out and give it a thrash. Anyone who is keen for a ride let me know. Be good to put some melons to names.

[Hillsy]

Great stuff NLT.
Suggestions to take or leave....
Get the Dremel out for the front guard - I'd probably cut it back to where the top of the tyre is.
The tailpiece looks pretty big without the fairing - don't know if there's much you can do other than replace it (looks pretty awkward to cut down with those vents).
I know what you mean about how much work there is in "just ripping off the fairings". Worth it, but....looks tops!