2004#1 Re-Re-Store Project

[Obo]

Are all the RDL's custom for you or just ones you picked up used? (or a mix.)

 

[Sadlsor]

I'm thinking mixed.
And still, all would be an improvement.
I'm just too cheap... I still have a cheap seat.

 

[SupraSabre]

Are all the RDL's custom for you or just ones you picked up used? (or a mix.)

I'm thinking mixed.
And still, all would be an improvement.
I'm just too cheap... I still have a cheap seat.

They are a mix. This is the 5th RDL, that I have owned. My first was a used (red velvet) on my V65 Sabre.

My second was one I bought new in 2006, with black velvet, which turned white within 6 months and I had it recovered in leather. I put over 200K miles on it and sold it a few years ago.

My third was used, that I bought from a guy on the forum back in 2014. It's heated and I still have it.

My fourth was new, I bought in 2016, and I still have it.

And now this one. I bought it because for an RDL (front and rear), the eBay seller had it for $175 (shipping and tax came to $220). I couldn't resist for that price. Because it is in really nice shape, I could turn around and sell it for $400 to $500. New, it would run between $750 and $850.

They also had a set of MCL wings (forward foot rests that mount on the crash bars) that I paid $44, including shipping and tax. They didn't include the cutout covers, nor the bolts/washer/nuts for the mounts either. No big deal, I already have several sets, I just need to make some cutout covers! Again, for that price, i couldn't resist!

 

[SupraSabre]

Yesterday and today, I added the left and right belly cowl (not sure whatelse to call them) and the NOS rear fender.







After taking it around the block yesterday I might have a leaky left front fork. It the drain bolt above the axle. So I'll probably have to pull the front tire off and fix that!

 

[SupraSabre]

Okay, a few days ago I got the left saddlebag completed and mounted:



The right bag is together, but I'm still missing a few pieces for it and I need to order them.



From the rear:



Today, I took it around a large block, I might be having to get down to the throttlebody for some adjustments.

 

[Oldbikefixr]

Great work!
I always had two conflicting feelings when I finished a restoration. Both a feeling of accomplishment and a void once it was done. My current/last is our 1991 which I have stripped down and 'refurbished'. It had the typical 'sitting in the garage for 20+years' malady's.
Your work prompted me to look at my list of parts and services and their total costs. Shouldn't have.

 

[SupraSabre]

IT'S DONE

That's correct, I put the stock handgrips on it today, then put thick covers over them, then took the bike out for a romp around the neighborhood! I rode it for about 30 minutes and it ran like a champ!

Probably one of the longest projects I have ever started and finished!

Later, I'll take some pictures to post.

My next project will be the 2006 ST1300P that I picked up a couple of weeks ago. Let's hope it's a bit quicker!

 

[sirbike]

Yes!
Watching this project cross so much time put my two year 2006A into a better perspective.
Enjoy the ride. Amazing that riding another of exact same model bike can be so satisfying.

You and I have mentioned how nice it is having a backup bike, and a backup bike for the backup bike.

You went next level.
A project bike and a backup project bike.

 

[Sadlsor]

All my respect.
without a trace of my characteristic sarcasm.

 

[Obo]

.... the new one will depend on if you can find your spare side covers and gas tank...

 

[SupraSabre]

.... the new one will depend on if you can find your spare side covers and gas tank...

That's easy, they are out in the big shed!

 

[Obo]

The cables and the gears are both failure points.

This particular unit I rebuilt failed because it was really dirty and the gear and cables had a hard time pulling the dogs through the rails. Even after cleaning the rails, the slides did not go through them without me pushing them. I found a couple of other rails and cleaned them, the same slides would go through with me just tilting the rails.

I'm in the process of trying to rebuild mine. The dogs were almost impossible to move by hand. Going to try some 2 part metal epoxy to fill in the small gaps in the gear then file it, as it was still functional when I disassembled, albeit askew. I'm hoping that, along with some thick grease in the gear, will get me by for a bit longer.

When you did the rebuilds on the ebay ones pre-Bikequip kit, what, if any, did you use for lubrication on the slides & dogs?

 

[SupraSabre]

I'm in the process of trying to rebuild mine. The dogs were almost impossible to move by hand. Going to try some 2 part metal epoxy to fill in the small gaps in the gear then file it, as it was still functional when I disassembled, albeit askew. I'm hoping that, along with some thick grease in the gear, will get me by for a bit longer.

When you did the rebuilds on the ebay ones pre-Bikequip kit, what, if any, did you use for lubrication on the slides & dogs?

I've been using a Marine Grease. It doesn't wash away as easy.

 

[SupraSabre]

Update: This past Fall/Winter, I swapped the plastics on all three bikes.

I moved the NOS 2005 Red from the 2004, to the 2012. (I did replace the front fender, so now it matches the 2005 red.)



I took the and moved it from the 2010, to the 2004.



I took the from the 2012 and moved it to the 2010. (Finished in Jan 2024)

 

[Obo]

I'm getting dizzy..... Great job though!

 

[SupraSabre]

I'm getting dizzy..... Great job though!

I have to keep you guys guessing! LOL

 

[Sadlsor]

I'm getting dizzy..... Great job though!

My thoughts as well.
Face it, Mark... you're not keeping up.
I know, and it doesn't bother me any more.
(From "Conversations With Myself and Others", unpublished, 2024. Author unknown, but unconcerned.)

 

[Obo]

My thoughts as well.
Face it, Mark... you're not keeping up.
I know, and it doesn't bother me any more.
(From "Conversations With Myself and Others", unpublished, 2024. Author unknown, but unconcerned.)

Screenplay forthcoming? On the Insanity Channel?