Casey's Bike Habit

First, there are some items that will be coming off and going on the auction block...

All instruments. The ignition will be moved elsewhere. I'm tempted to go completely gaugeless. The handlebars will go too, replaced by dirt-bike handlebars. Painted surfaces will be stripped and repainted.

Stock headlight will be replaced with a 'custom' one (really just an old bucket and ring from a Vetter fairing, very cool looking though) with custom mounting. Turn signals are coming off completely (legal in Texas). The front fender will come off and the handlebars will be replaced with some steel dirt bike bars I already have. Mirrors will be replaced by bar end units.

The big screen TV that Honda calls a tail light... gone, along with the signals and license plate bracket. The Tail light and bracket will be replaced with something smaller and moved to the left side of the swing arm.

Currently a few little dents and dings in the tank, but overall, not in bad shape... the badge mounts will have to be filled.

Not good. luckily, I intend to replace the levers anyway for a stalkless variety (mirrors will be replace by bar-end types), so the master cylinder will be replaced as a result. Not sure yet what kind of levers I'll use.

The bike is covered in scratches... apparently a previous owner thought it would be a good idea to clean the bike with a wire brush. Not a big deal though as I plan to strip it down to the frame, then blast and paint just about every square inch of this bike...

Airbox will be replaced with pod filters. Not sure what I'll do with the carbs; they're pretty rough, but I don't like the idea of trying to paint the bodies. I will at least paint the diaphragm caps though.

I don't want the mufflers, at least not the stockers anyway. I could probably save 20lbs+ by whacking them off, but hate to destroy the system, especially if I can get a few $ from them on ebay. I can't afford a 4-1 though, so I guess I'll probably break out the cutting wheel.

Ah, the shocks. Not sure what I'll do here. I'd attempt to shorten the stock ones, but the shaft surfaces are probably too rusted to be reused. Options include making rigid bars (like drag bikes), going with a shorter shock such as from a Honda Rebel, or finding some OEM models from another bike that can be modded (Harley shocks sell for cheap on ebay).

I'm not real keen on the forks, but I don't have much choice right now. They'll get blasted and painted along with the frame and wheels, to match. I'll lose the front fender.

Still trying to decide what to do back here... the fender needs to terminate above the back tire, but it and the frame don't lend themselves to that.The light and plate will be relocated to the side. I'll probably cut the frame behind the shock gussets, then cut-off and replace the brace/seat mount between them with a custom curved piece. The fender will then be rotated forward, unless I find another fender that will work better. As for a seat, I don't have one... not sure how the previous owner lost something like the big, stock Honda seat, but he did. I planned to make a custom one anyway, but was still hoping to be able to create a second passenger friendly seat on the stock pan for the kiddo.