Long story short, I haven't been able to find a bike in my price range that meets the requirements of what I'm looking for. In a nutshell, they are- fuel injected, not an inline, naked, more comfortable and less intense than my canyon bike, and good for an occasional two up. I've been thinking about building an ST1300 for about three years as I was inspired when I saw Butch Demerle's bike online and after speaking with him through email.
And so, I have a complete engine kit, headers, rear shock, swing arm, final drive, frame, rear axle and all the engine mount bolts on their way to me. I have an '05 CBR600RR front end laying around that I'm hoping will bolt up (stem bearing dimensions are the same), and just need a rear wheel to make it a roller. The parts will all be here by the end of the month, and I should have it roughed out in May. After that, it'll just be a matter of buying all the little stuff, overcoming any hurdles I run into, and updating this thread.
The plans are to go with superbike bars with bar end mirrors and a Vrod headlight, and since it's a two up machine, am thinking either a VFR800 or CBR600F4 tail because those bikes have nice looking tails and use banana seats. If I go with a VFR800 tail, I'd like to use the '02+ for the undertail exhaust, but am not sure if I'll be able to tastefully route the exhaust from the ST headers up to the VFR tail. I won't know that 'till I can see the bike sans tail in person. The color scheme I have in mind will be gloss black wheels with polished lips, black calipers, radiator, frame, swing arm, fork tubes, triples, handlebars, rear sets and engine, chrome the headers and various bits to tastefully accent, and am undecided what to do for the tank, tail, front fender, headlight bucket and valve covers. I may pay homage to The Big One and do a white/ red scheme that accents the lines and curves of the tank.
But, talk is cheap. I'll post some pictures as the parts start showing up and I have a chance to introduce them to each other.
And so, I have a complete engine kit, headers, rear shock, swing arm, final drive, frame, rear axle and all the engine mount bolts on their way to me. I have an '05 CBR600RR front end laying around that I'm hoping will bolt up (stem bearing dimensions are the same), and just need a rear wheel to make it a roller. The parts will all be here by the end of the month, and I should have it roughed out in May. After that, it'll just be a matter of buying all the little stuff, overcoming any hurdles I run into, and updating this thread.
The plans are to go with superbike bars with bar end mirrors and a Vrod headlight, and since it's a two up machine, am thinking either a VFR800 or CBR600F4 tail because those bikes have nice looking tails and use banana seats. If I go with a VFR800 tail, I'd like to use the '02+ for the undertail exhaust, but am not sure if I'll be able to tastefully route the exhaust from the ST headers up to the VFR tail. I won't know that 'till I can see the bike sans tail in person. The color scheme I have in mind will be gloss black wheels with polished lips, black calipers, radiator, frame, swing arm, fork tubes, triples, handlebars, rear sets and engine, chrome the headers and various bits to tastefully accent, and am undecided what to do for the tank, tail, front fender, headlight bucket and valve covers. I may pay homage to The Big One and do a white/ red scheme that accents the lines and curves of the tank.
But, talk is cheap. I'll post some pictures as the parts start showing up and I have a chance to introduce them to each other.
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