gutted

Gutted the VX today. slightly pulled a muscle in my back getting the engine out and onto the workbench:
Poor beast is stripped.

Had to pull the jug since I ripped the block/jug gasket while pulling the head.

Piston crown with maybe 10 miles on it:

Photos from the past 2 weeks

Surgery on the KTM. Carb rebuild, jetting and modifications, replacing the rear sprocket.
Doing the valves, oil change, air filter change, coolant change, and cleaning the V-Strom, getting ready to sell it:
Lots of bikes in the garage:

Nathan and Shai come over to get the VX running. It was a gathering of the Suzuki v-twins. We've got a SV650, two VX800's and one V-Strom:

Tuning the carbs:

more RT3 stuff for sale

Seat:


Chain guard:

Yamaha RT3 parts for sale

battery box:



speedo:






carb boot:
gauge mount bracket:

stash box:

fork ears:

side to side - Right side

Original design vs. my design:

video - 2nd ride

Here's the footage from my second ride. no major problems other than the coolant leak at the rear cylinder head gasket. I know that's major, but all other systems are functioning well.

http://www.vimeo.com/28638984

2nd ride on Project Suzuki VX800 from Stephen Freskos on Vimeo.

Problems at the finish line

Here's a couple of glamour shots I took prior to starting the head rebuild...

I'm distraught. I've got coolant leaking externally from the head gasket on the rear cylinder, just above the starter motor... Can't see any other possibility than pulling the engine and installing a new gasket and determining what went wrong. Everything was put together by the book, including torquing to spec. Ugh.

final hour

Put the tank, seat and rear on for this shot. I'll be fabbing the license plate and rear turn signal mount tomorrow and taking it on my first ride. She runs and runs good! Got the bike started last week with the help of Shai and Nathan.

Final paint turned out a bit different, but I feel this look suits the lines and style the best. No yellow on the top half after all!


I'd say I'm pleased at the end of the day. I never had a final image in my mind. I constantly changed details along the way, following the flow of the bike where it led me. I'd say I accomplished my original goal of drastically changing the look of the bike. Video from tomorrows ride will be posted tomorrow.

-Stephen