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

[KiwiCol]

Looks like you're on to another winner Stoli    Bet ya can't wait to get her out for a wee blast.

[Stolichnaya]

Looks like you're on to another winner Stoli    Bet ya can't wait to get her out for a wee blast.

I was trying really hard to have it ready for next Sat and MOT but that's not going to happen.  spent 2 days of the Bank Hol days on it but I'm nowhere near.  Issues with the Oil Cooler and the top - the U bends are fowling the forks so need adapters.  Plus the Callipers need painting and I'm now waiting for new Foot rests and front heel plates as ive decided I'm not fitting by ones...  maybe 2 weeks and it will be set.. but then weve 3 weekends of party-invites too so...  sigh - may be longer!

[Andre]

Did you jinx yourself by choosing that title?

[Stolichnaya]

Did you jinx yourself by choosing that title?

always knew it would be a long one !! 

[Blubber]

All that work to get it ready for sale 

[Stolichnaya]

All that work to get it ready for sale 

maybe miss read Blubber.  The work needed doing anyway..  no MOT and no chance of passing one due to front end being completely in need of renewing.  bottom adjusters not adjusting and leaking fluid out the seals....
wasn't prepared to sell with no MOT so started the work and it snowballed... 

ill decide if to sell or not when its done and with MOT - the issue is that it would sit in the garage for a further 2 years hardly used.  Ive a GTR14 too that I use mainly as I Tour but even that may be going as I want an Africa Twin / CRF1000

[Sweaty]

Hi Stoli,
After reading your last post, I might just pass on my un asked for opinion 
I thought you were doing this to have a personalised 14 that is a little different and to you liking, which is great to see.
But if you are not thinking about keeping it, I would be very wary about putting so much money in to it & personalising it with exhaust wrap etc, as this will probably limit your target sales audience to 5%.
Don't take this the wrong way, but just something to think about if you are more likely to be selling it. 

[Stolichnaya]

Hi Stoli,
After reading your last post, I might just pass on my un asked for opinion 
I thought you were doing this to have a personalised 14 that is a little different and to you liking, which is great to see.
But if you are not thinking about keeping it, I would be very wary about putting so much money in to it & personalising it with exhaust wrap etc, as this will probably limit your target sales audience to 5%.
Don't take this the wrong way, but just something to think about if you are more likely to be selling it. 

Hi Sweaty
Thanks for the feedback and its cool - all feedback is good feedback !  I would never mind anyones opinions as if I don't want it..  I cant really comment on anyone elses posts! 

My 14 was fairly heaving personalised when I got it 5+ years ago.  ive added and added to it over the 5 years as its my bike and put simply - I wanted it how I want it.

When you go really deep into it, whats been done this year is 75% overdue work anyway.
The exhaust wrap by the way was £15 for 15m !!  The rear shocks were toast and I got the Ohlins for less than a refurb of the Std ones, i'd consider Ohlins as a selling plus.
The swing arm and fork legs were OK but I'm no polisher..  there were 3 or 4 different kinds of Silver all going on at once and that to me is horrible - so to save Polishing costs I've gone for Powder.  Its the same Blue Chrome as the wheels I had done 2+ Years ago, its a fantastic colour.
Yes I splashed on the Oil Cooler - that's a given
The KTech front End - well that was the main problem with the bike - originals bottom adjusters we now know were completely buggered when the previous owner put Progressive Springs in.  plus the Seals had started leaking so it really was like riding something with solid tyres ! Ive complained of its handling at length..  for Years!  its only know I know why.  ive simply ridden over the handling.  The KTech was £75 for both adjusters and then oil etc etc..  same as a usual front  end refurb.

The larger part o fthe dosh has been on changing tired nuts/bolts for Titanium and yes..  its a bit OTT but they lift the bike overall. 
It has so may addons and upgrades that the sad thing is..  nasty parts bring the whole overall  bike down..

I must admit also....  I fully intend to ride it when its done.  I'm NOT doing this to sell it definitely..  but 80% of the work needed doing before I could ride it anyway....!

Hope explains
Stoli

[Sweaty]

No need to explain anything Stoli, but good to hear you are planning to get some fun out off it after all your hard work. 

[Blubber]

All that work to get it ready for sale 

maybe miss read Blubber.  The work needed doing anyway..  no MOT and no chance of passing one due to front end being completely in need of renewing.  bottom adjusters not adjusting and leaking fluid out the seals....
wasn't prepared to sell with no MOT so started the work and it snowballed... 

ill decide if to sell or not when its done and with MOT - the issue is that it would sit in the garage for a further 2 years hardly used.  Ive a GTR14 too that I use mainly as I Tour but even that may be going as I want an Africa Twin / CRF1000

I know..  i was taking the piss...hence the stir [emoji11]

Keep up the good work 🤙

[Stolichnaya]

No need to explain anything Stoli, but good to hear you are planning to get some fun out off it after all your hard work. 

I'm actually really looking forward to a good ride...  it'll be the 1st time in 5 years it'll handle..  at all !!!!!

I'm also really aware that its completely wasted sat there doing Nowt, as it has been for 2 years.. its just a waste !! 
so ultimately it might just be a decision based on the fact that it doesn't get used much..  as 95% of my bike riding is in Europe..  and while the GSX is OK at Touring..  there are far far better bikes out there for the purpose..

if I wasn't married to a 6ft 1" feisty German woman it would be in the house, pride of place! but she's bigger than me and considerably more violent !!

[Sweaty]

if I wasn't married to a 6ft 1" feisty German woman it would be in the house, pride of place! but she's bigger than me and considerably more violent !!
[/quote]

Love it 

[rollerfish01]

.... Issues with the Oil Cooler and the top - the U bends are fowling the forks so need adapters....

Hi Stolichnaya, just exchange an idea about the oil cooler setting, how about/ is it possible to put the cooler core upside down like this to avoid the fowling ?

[Stolichnaya]

.... Issues with the Oil Cooler and the top - the U bends are fowling the forks so need adapters....

Hi Stolichnaya, just exchange an idea about the oil cooler setting, how about/ is it possible to put the cooler core upside down like this to avoid the fowling ?

Cheers for the Post.  I have some nice 45 degree and 90 degree fittings to see if I can get over this issue.  ive talked to HEL today and we will this option and then if still no joy, new lines will be made..  They had to best-guess the line length!

If its turned upside down it wil be a LEH oil cooler !!
hehe

[Kiwifruit]

If I wasn't married to a 6ft 1" feisty German woman it would be in the house, pride of place! but she's bigger than me and considerably more violent !!
[/quote]


Had you ever considered an older grey/greenish BMW with a sidecar ??
They were used to tour Europe.