My replacement frame turned up today.
Here it is before it gets the grinder.
I have been thinking a lot about the finished bike and what I want it to be. I have previously said that this is important for me to be able to plan and focus the project. I will post a design spec before I begin but in the meantime I have decided on a daylight only MOT so no lights etc.
Bodywork: I thought about ducati carbon but it's too complicated and fussy for my taste. Standard rgv is awful, I didn't like it in 1990 and it's not got better with age.
Tyga is and obvious choice and one I keep coming back to. It is simple, contemporary and, at the end of the day, designed to fit the rgv. I see Mark Dent is offering tyga subframes for 500 conversions that include oil tanks. I have no intention to build something different for the sake of it and so tyga kit seams to suit my needs. I will see when I've done my final design spec.
I have done a project plan ( geek project manager) and it shows the project to take 7 months and cost £4160 on top of what I've already spent. This includes a tune and paint but not a crank rebuild so I'm hoping to get away with my current bottom end. I will see when it comes apart.
One thing I have decided to sort out with or without a spec is the back wheel. I'm going to fit a 5.5 wide rim to run a 170 or maybe even a 180. It will be close. I want a wheel to match the gsxr k6 front I have so need a wider rim and need the spokes to match. A 180 is going to look great but will take a bit of warming up.
One other thing I like and will be putting on the spec is a polished frame. I know it's old fashioned but I'm tired of everyone powder coating frames and I still think a polished rgv frame looks great. My engine will be unpainted alloy too. Lots of shining bits please!
Lastly it was decided in the pub on Tuesday that proper attire must be observed when working on the 500. A shirt a tie MUST be worn at all time when addressing this bike. A flat cap and cardigan are allowed if it's a bit cold in 'the damp garage'
Sadly Suzuki don't do a tie. I asked Martin Crooks (Crooks Suzuki) if he could get one and he told me about his very own 20 year old tie but he wasn't for letting a tyke like me near it. He gave me some workshop gloves and sent me on my way. Cheers Martin.
looks like my old leather piano tie might be making a comeback. I will spec the tie with the bike design. Maybe I should wear a tie under my leathers when it's finished?
Imagine this as a 500 and the bird showing her Windsor knot.
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