Speed99

Thanks guys. Yeah, I probably should get more info together for you guys. I did most of it from my head, but I do have dimensions, basic designs, and materials written out. I will put it together on the computer and get it out here for everyone.....give me about a week. In case you are interested, I did this project for under $500....not including stools. In fact, the stools cost more than the freekin bar. :grin:

Judy and I have talked all year about building a bar on our back porch for all the parties we have. Seeing as how I had no idea what to get her for Christmas, I took advantage of her being in California to tackle the project. She left for CA on the Thursday before Christmas and was to return on the Tuesday before Christmas. That gave me six days to design and build this thing and get it done before she got home so it would be a total surprise. Surprisingly, it only took me three straight days of building to complete it...which was good since I needed to clean up the house for guests coming over on Christmas Eve. It is a standard 43" bar top height. I sketched the design on paper, made a materials list and built it totally from scratch with no plans other than my drawings. It was exhausting, but well worth it. Judy was completely surprised. LOTS OF PICS: The porch before the build. The patio table only supported 6 people comfortably. The bar was built to fix this problem: The porch cleared of stuff: Basic 2x4 framing: Framing with Shelves: Added the siding and foot-rest: Began work on the marble top. Got marble squares from Home Depot for $1.60 a square foot: Finished bar: Marble Top: Wrapped for Christmas: Judy and Oldest Girl-Child after opening bar! Judy is telling he mom in CA about the gift: We found some stools on Christmas Eve to prepare for the party. Judy on the phone again: The bar is open for Christmas Eve party:

OK....back on topic. Here is a thought and I only preface it with the fact that I mentioned previously that I have no knowledge of exhaust. My original thought is to run the exhaust as mocked up in the picture. My initial thought is to hide them in the rear cowl to the LEFT and RIGHT of the seat frame, but inside the body work. Cut holes in the body work for a custom slashed exhaust tip. My picture above looks like I have them UNDER the seat, but I would actually run the NEXT to the seat. Some of the problems are clearance....canister size (can't be too big...must be small actually).....heat, etc. So.... Space: What is the major difference between the exhaust we run with the big cans and the exhaust on a Harley that are straight pipes? Internal baffles? If so, what if I were to go with a straight pipe-ish type set-up? If it could work, this would solve the size problem. Thoughts? Heat: Ceramic coat and shield the set-up. Clearance: I honestly do NOT think this will be an issue based on where I propose to run the pipes. The pipes would enter the rear cowl on either side on the OUTSIDE of the swingarm. Imagine the pipes exitting at the same spot as the tear drop turn-signals:

:shock: That is awesome! Now just add a single-sided swingarm and you have a winner! :grin::grin::grin: I love that tail!

Actually? Yes! :grin: That is a lot of good information. thanks a bunch.

Smart ass!

The ad I saw for the R1 solution said it used Cool Ceramic technology...or something like that. If that is the route we would need to take, then I would imagine the cost goes WAAAAAYYYY up! :grin: As far as melting goes.....how are the bike companies getting around that with the new exhausts sitting under the tail right up against everything? (CBR1000 and VFR for example)

Sweet...thanks beag! I would like to keep the dual exhaust and hide the cans in the side of the rear cowl like a squirrel with a nut in each cheek. :grin: (Kinda makes me picture Dave when I really think about it.)

Holy shit on the price!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :grin: :grin: :grin: Damn! So, can a stock Honda Arm from a VFR be adapted to work? I doubt it personally, but I don't really know one way or the other.

I am full of questions today. :grin::grin::grin: Has anyone adapted or thought to adapt a single-sided swingarm (like from a VFR or other) to the bird? Can it be done? Is there a company that builds them for the Bird? -Rick

Has anyone here ever custom built their own exhaust system. Pipes....cans....everything? I have an idea for an exhaust project, but have absolutely no clue what needs to be inside the exhaust can to make it work properly. My idea would require a small canister with a fairly small diameter. I know this will affect performance also, but figure (maybe stupidly) that a PCII could be used to smooth out problems if there are any. OK, after reading that, I think you need a little more detail. I recently saw an after market exhaust for the R1 that fed the pipes up under the seat and the exhaust tip replaced the taillight. Pretty bad ass looking. I was thinking about something similar for the Bird that would feed the pipes inside the tail section. Essentially, High Pipes that are virtually totally hidden by the rear cowl. As you can imagine, they would need to be smaller and the heat would be an issue. I am (perhaps naively) beyond the "it can't be done stage," so I am looking for advice....ideas...help. Crude Picture...but just to get an idea. Redirect the pipe up into the bodywork...hide the cans....exhaust tip comes out the butt. Somthing like this:

I picked up a set of Xenon immitations (i think that is the best way to describe them) from a performance car place locally. $20 for the set and they are much whiter and brighter than stock. I really like 'em.

You techie geeks out there can clean up the finer points of this next statement, but: It is not so much about adding weight, but where you are adding it. There are a whole bunch of calcs to determine your wheel's moment of inertia, but essentially, any weight that is added increases the moment of inertia and thereby has a negative impact on performance and handling.....even if it is only a minor impact. Weight added to the outside (rim edge) of the wheel is worse than the same weight added to the inside (hub). Oh yea...one more thing: I don't know how much weight chroming will add. :grin::grin::grin: -Rick

Yep! I had gloves on and a little bit splashed on my arm.....seconds later I was running into the kitchen to flush the skin. Nasty Stuff, but it works. This is the kit I ordered and it worked great. All you need is a high speed drill, elbow grease, and a lot of time. Good luck! http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/alwheel.htm -Rick

I am at work and don't have my manual here. I need to order a new chain (DID 530ZVM), but need to know how many links. Haven't done this job on the bird yet. Anyone? Quickly please. Thanks a bunch. -Rick

I bought a Fieldsheer utlilty jacket with armor and lots of pockets. I am very pleased with this product and their customer service was great. I got a Mesh Mach II jacket for my birthday and it fits great. I have to test it out to see how it does in the hot FL weather, but I am sure it will be great. My girlfriend ordered it and they claimed it shipped on a Mon and it didn't actually go until Wed. am assuming this was just a mistake on their part because I order Mesh pants yesterday and they actually shipped today. Really fast turn around like I received on my first order. Their site is easy to use as well. http://www.fieldsheer.com Again, I am also very pleased with the products so far. -Rick

JOE!!! Enough ......Women .....Nation I get it now....learning and enlightenment are great things!!!! -Rick

I was given the Handy Stands (Front and Rear) for Christmas and they work just fine. I had no problems at all with them when the bike was up for a couple of weeks with the wheels off. -Rick

Is that High Performance Packing....errrr....Mounting tape? Shit what did the $et you back??? :grin:

I had a very long post about this before the board crashed. Here it is in Summary: [1] Ordered Part [2] Cancelled Order [3] They shipped it anyway (3) weeks later. [4] They charged my card. [5] I refused the shipment on THEIR request. [6] 6 to 8 calls later (and 3 months), the credit finally showed up on my card. NEVER AGAIN!! -Rick

<Hanging out and reading your responses.> I will try adjusting the cable first and see if that helps. How do I do this on the Bird? I have the Haynes manual, but not sure if it will tell me how to do it. -Rick

I have a throttle response question. Between OFF and 1/8 throttle, it seems like there is a delay and then she comes to life with a little snap. It is like there is play in that first part of the wrist twist. It can be a little scary on low speed corners when I try to give a small amount of throttle input...there is nothing there....then it snaps on. Is this normal.....do I need to clarify more. I am hoping there is a non-PCII fix for this so I don't start another Holy War. Thoughts? If there is another post covering this very problem....let me know and we can scrap this one. Thanks, Rick EDITTED: I have a '99 (Injected)....5600 miles

This is what I use as well. I stripped and polished the rims and use mother's on those parts as well. Good Chit. -Rick

Mith, Thanks for the reply. I look forward to your post after you complete the work. -Rick

Ok Ok.....we all need a little loving and Joe get's plenty, but I did NOT give this to Joe. And he did NOT take it from me and did NOT make it available to anyone. -Not Rick