Stoli's 2003 GSX14 - 2018 Rebuild - A War & Peace Length Post !!

[Stolichnaya]

Hello Lads and Lass-esses !

Put the kettle on, this could be a long one !

Some of you will know I've not been on my GSX14 for some 2 years or so.  Yes yes, I hear you all gasping..  frowning etc.  It was mainly due to the fact that it was just feeling very tired (suspension) and the bigger reason was that as my biking needs & wants changed massively about 4 years ago.  I've done many Tours into Europe and this is where my heart lays.  I do very little UK riding nowadays.  Don't get me wrong, I've Toured extensively on the GSX..   heck, I even rode it from Nice, France back to Cambridge in 24 hr non-stop.  1000 miles in 24 hrs.  have a google and you're arse will hurt like mine did – took me 2 days to recover but it was a moment I'll never forget as the GSX performed brilliantly, it just hated the French piss poor 91ron fuel...  anyway, I digress.. 

Doing the touring thing, I decided that I needed a "proper Tourer" as I like to do miles.  Often I'll do 11 or 12 hour stints.  Like Cambridge to Catalunya (incl going up the Pyraneese) in 1.5 days.  So I bought a 2010 Kawasaki GTR1400.  Affectionally  called the Ballistic Sofa.  Truly a potty fast mile eating machine.  So, the GSX was relegated to sitting in the garage for a little over 2 years...  not even under cover !! (more gasps)  I'd toyed with selling the GSX but every time I went in the garage I got that "tilt of head to one side" and that smile you'll all recognise as you do it too !!  Another decision not to sell was because it needed too much work on the front end and it would be worthless, wouldn't pass an MOT certainly !  and so it was left.. and left.  The only time it has been out was June (I think) last year to a Bike show 8 miles away from where I live – and I won Best Streetfighter !  no bribes just a blind judge ! 

It became very clear that work was needed, LOTS.  And I just didn't have the interest in the GSX as I couldn't see a use for it.  I Tour, I have the GTR14.  The GSX front Compression adjusters were just knackered and the bike had little to no suspension up-front.  They would not "click" or adjust and when I tried to adjust I could see the O-Ring and oil seeping !!!  it made the handling "interesting".  The rear shocks also had the usual problems – yawn!  And in general it was tired.  So it got parked up and left.  Can't sell, can't be arsed to mend.  2 years passed...

Well..  I've been busy,  As it approaches being ready I feel it's time to share what's been going on in Stoli-land for the last 4+ months !  Some of you have a had a wee sneak-peek at my 2018 rebuild – as of course like a woman needing the OK on a dress..  I too needed the odd "nope, you look fat/ugly/stoopid/daft ...."  So I could take in feedback, stand back and chose another direction. 

So I'm going to start with a Pikkie of the Bike before starting.  This was on it's last outing where I was snapped going into the Bike Show and the last time it was out plus a pikkie of it on the drive so you can see what I started with and hopefully if you've not dropped off yet..  you'll read on as I list the mods done and show fotos as it nears being ready once again. 

Hopefully you'll bear with me as I'm quite proud of whats been done

Stoli...

[Stolichnaya]

Ready for the Tear-Down

[Stolichnaya]

Custom HEL Cooler - a LOT of Grief to get this done and to Fit due to Yoshi Headers.  Its also been custom air brushed with the HEL Logo - looks Fab

[froudy]

Have fun Stoli

I hope the exhaust header bolts behave themselves for you

[Stolichnaya]

Lots of bits removed and after many days that turned into weeks I finally chose the Colour I wanted...  Blue Chrome powder coat..  this was a big leap of faith as I thought it might be overkill

[Stolichnaya]

Wanted to move away from polished Headers so....  Exhaust Wrap.  I'm stunned by the look and how it came out.  to me this just looks brilliant

[Stolichnaya]

Ohlins for the Rear and K-Tech for the front...  yeah baby..  it'll handle now !!

[Stolichnaya]

And so to the rebuild...  Blue Chrome parts going on and on the final stretches... 
As a note, nearly all bolts have been replaced with Titanium or Stainless...

[Stolichnaya]

And so to the Rear...  Quite pleased with how this looks.  I think the Blue and Yellow goes very well...  And I'm now thinking the Callipers need to be yellow up front to even it out a tad

[Stolichnaya]

Have fun Stoli

I hope the exhaust header bolts behave themselves for you

haha..  I learned very quickly after snapping one 3 years ago and Barmy came to the rescue with info on - Marine grade bolts and a little copperslip!!!

[KiwiCol]

Looking very sweet (so far) Stoli!  You've a right to feel chuffed at that. 

[Stolichnaya]

thanks Kiwi....  hopefully ill get the bug to ride it again once done

[gsxbarmy]

Very nice Stoli, looks good now all assembled - but shame your rear axle is in the wrong way - the nut does up on the Sprocket side, not the brake side (sorry)

@Stolichnaya

[Stolichnaya]

Very nice Stoli, looks good now all assembled - but shame your rear axle is in the wrong way - the nut does up on the Sprocket side, not the brake side (sorry)

@Stolichnaya

erm..  you win a Breakfast for spotting that...  erm..  ahhh. errm it was a test !!! to see who's on the ball ! 
(cough, splutter, cough)
well done

[froudy]

Very nice Stoli, looks good now all assembled - but shame your rear axle is in the wrong way - the nut does up on the Sprocket side, not the brake side (sorry)

@Stolichnaya

erm..  you win a Breakfast for spotting that...  erm..  ahhh. errm it was a test !!! to see who's on the ball ! 
(cough, splutter, cough)
well done

I noticed it but didn't like to post a comment...It was spotted though