feliks

Got the tank and seat mounted back up...also rebuilt the petcock while I was in there and had it apart, this way it's fresh and hopefully I won't need to take it apart again. Preventative maintenance I say! Here she sits as of tonight... waiting on my rear cowl and tail light to come in. already looks better... by feliks.ca, on Flickr

Picture! back end re-mounted by feliks.ca, on Flickr

Thanks buddy, and you're right, always good to have spares! Mounted the back end back up...looks so much better already without those ghastly foot pegs and bungee cord holders.

lol! Finished up the paint for the back piece... now to remount it! Also got my battery strap cable and some exhaust gaskets in from Parts N More in Stratford - only took a few days for shipping and they have almost anything you can think of for vintage Japanese bikes! AND got my entire petcock rebuild kit in but since I last took it apart it hasn't leaked...so now I have a spare kit for when it does again. Here's how the paint looks, turned out OK: Paint complete... by feliks.ca, on Flickr Paint complete... by feliks.ca, on Flickr

For the cost the powder coating place wanted to do this job I just picked up some rollbar and chassis paint...stuff is pretty durable, we'll see how it lasts. When / if I take the engine out, I'll get the entire frame powder coated black along with the back piece, but for now this should work. I sanded and grinded what rust off I could, washed it really good with some scrub pads and dish soap, and started painting.... doing this in my basement and my wife is already yelling at me, LOL It's too cold for the paint to stick good outside right now though...she said wait till spring, I laughed.... And I can weld, but I don't have a welding machine here, but....my brother in law does.... Anyway the bracket should look ok when the exhaust in the way, we'll see once I get it mocked up on the bike! Yeah this week's not looking good... I'll take a cruise around in my truck and see if any crazies made the trip. First coat of paint is on: 86 Yamaha FZ600 Tail End Mod by feliks.ca, on Flickr 86 Yamaha FZ600 Tail End Mod by feliks.ca, on Flickr

Looking at the rust on that piece, I might just sandblast it and get it powder coated....

Got the rear end apart for some modification! Yamaha FZ600 Rear End Mod by feliks.ca, on Flickr First I marked off where I was cutting: Yamaha FZ600 Rear End Mod by feliks.ca, on Flickr Then I cut! Yamaha FZ600 Rear End Mod by feliks.ca, on Flickr Other side is next, then grind & sand the welds smooth, then paint!

Blasphemy!!!

Time for a garage!

Good luck with the wife.

This bike does look great naked...however, it's so small that it just looks funny when you ride it with no fairings. I may play around with some options as I build...it won't end up looking exactly like his anyway, I'm using a different rear piece and tail light as well as mine will be black!

Can't wait to see how this one turns out! I like the colour scheme you're goin for.

Welcome! Post your photo on photobucket.com or a similar site then paste the BBCODE here for it.

Welcome Pete!

Welcome (back)!

Welcome to the forums!

Yeah that's where I found it, the build thread: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32042 I personally love it....but to each their own right?

Carbon monoxide anyone?

Got the rear cowl on order, and I have my new winter project now....

Oh man, I think I found a new direction to go in....this guy did a really superb job on this bike. To me, it's what it SHOULD look like. Modified 1987 FZ600 by feliks.ca, on Flickr

I've been playing for years.... and I'm always learning something new! I play a little bit of everything.

Downshifting is easy once you get the hang of it too... clutch in, rev up with just a little blip, kick down a gear, clutch out. Don't dump the clutch, but don't release it slowly either. Keep practicing...it all gets easier. Sounds like you've got enough advice for upshifting here already!

What could car drivers do better to make the roads safer for motorcyclists?Check mirrors and blindspots before making a lane change Where do you get riding tips from, other riders, forums, government advertising?Everywhere I can learn something good, I take it in - government advertising is probably the last place I would go to for advice on riding List 5 words which would describe how you think car drivers see you?Awesome, annoying, dangerous, fast, asshole How would you like them to see you?Someone enjoying themselves and causing no harm to others while doing it What’s the best part about riding?The feeling of freedom - almost like you're flying, but you're still on the ground. What’s the best part of the riding community?(almost) Everyone is helpful and respectful of other riders If you could tell drivers 1 thing, what would it be?Please don't hit me.

I got a couple of months of riding in before winter came here, I'm a complete newbie rider and I was hitting neutral quite a bit in my first few weeks....but during the last few weeks I didn't hit it once (unless I wanted to!) - it all comes with practice and experience. Just take it easy out there and get to know your bike, and watch out for blind cagers!

I think I was better BEFORE I got my motorcycle. I think better drivers are the ones who buy motorcycles, because I have friends who drive cars that I would actually talk OUT of buying a motorcycle because I'd be scared for their life, because they suck at driving.