Project Valerie

[christianmb]

Here is my first attempt at a post, and it will probably be drawn out. I have had my Lightning since '09, and I figure it is about time to make it more unique than it is already. Here is what it looks like this season:

What I'm planning on doing to it over the winter:

Converting to R front end
Cadillac CTS V Bi-Xenon Projectors
Blue CCFL "Angel Eyes" - running lights
Crossover relay with headlight switch for HID kit and turn angel eyes off when HID on
Both lights on for low/high beam
Paint pushrod tubes
Replace top end gaskets
paint cam/primary covers black
ceramic coat header black
House of Kolor frame paint
Black main color with dark blue stripe from footpegs to front following frame shape and silver accent stripe between colors
Clean, polish, fluid change
Cat-eve turn signals (from ASB)
"pig spotter" mirrors (I'm not completely sold on these)
Blue windshield
spray tint EBR LED taillight
Inspect/replace as needed stem/wheel/swingarm bearings
New levers

What else would be a good thing? I think I have my hands full

 

[12R_FIRE]

let me know the quality of those pig spotters when u get em, ive been thinking about it

 

[Burton]

why do lightning tails look better on firebolts and firebolt tails look better on lightnings??

Bike looks fantastic. I will be excited to see how it changes over the winter!

 

[McMurphy]

Check local laws, in some states blue lights are illegal

 

[buellbradski]

I would remove the reflectors and firebolt stickers.ive only seen a few lightnings look good with the firebolt tail and youve pulled it off[up]Shes one sweet ride belongs in the frankinstein thread

 

[08levin]

Where did you get the wheel stripe?

 

[christianmb]

Thank you, all, and this is the first post in this series. I agree, Burton, and thank you for the heads up Mc! I had thought about that, and I will be sure to be careful on that one.

BTW, Bradski, that was one of the projects I had thought of, but forgot

More to come...

 

[Lesley]

Nice lookin bike[up]
In the USA amber and red lights ONLY on the rear. White or amber only in the front. This is the only legal colors for a vehicle. Some states and towns are more lenient but you CAN be cited for impersonating an emergency vehicle with blue lights and that is a FEDERAL offense. Not that it will happen but now you can't say you didn't know. BTW: I got a citation for small green side marker lights on my car once here in OKlahoma. My fine was $185.00. Ride safe and easy.

 

[christianmb]

Looks like I might have to reserve the halos for when I'm parked

 

[christianmb]

08levin, I got the tape at a local off-brand bike shop. It is just 3M 1/4" reflective blue tape

The tear-down and fitting of the new nose and headlights have started. I'm in process of draining the fluids now. There is a long way to go to get where I want to be though!

Since these photos, the tail is completely off and now starting to work on the front end

 

[xtremelow]

Chin fairing? Or going without?

 

[jmill25]

Possible other options, black header wrap, and right side scoop. Didn't appear from your last picture that ou had those

 

[christianmb]

No chin fairing. Mounting it on the custom exhaust I have doesn't look right. I tried mocking it up, and it kind of looked dumb.

I'm really torn between header wrap and ceramic coating. I like the scavenging affect I would get from the added insulation, but I really don't like the way it looks, personally. I'd love to do the RSS, but it looks like I'm already going to be over-budget on this project...paint is expensive!! [mad]

 

[ATFIII]

You might as well just buy an R

 

[christianmb]

Yeah, ATF, that is the bike I fell in love with, but now I have the advantage of the S insurance and R styling (yes, they wanted to rape me on insurance for an R)

This part was easier than I thought...now the real work begins

Then I found this. Man, those headers get hot. I guess this is a vent, but what for, and can I just run a piece of fuel line for the vent?

 

[wolfo68]

Transmission breather I do believe

 

[mc4life27]

i do believe wolfo68 is correct. there is another post on the board where another member melted his too.

 

[wolfo68]

No worries. Shouldn't hurt it

 

[christianmb]

Thanks wolfo! I didn't think it was a big deal since there was no oil residue in it. I figured while it is apart, I might as well give it a really good once over. I don't want to do this often at all. I was surprised with disasembly how loose some of the fasteners and how tight other were, and no sign of anti-seize anywhere. I had white powder on just about every fastener I took out.

Either way, I have started roughing out my headlight bracket and test fitting my projectors. So far, so good!

 

[christianmb]

Does anyone think this will work? If you see any problems with it, let me know! Thanks!