Say hello to ‘Dixie’

A forum for stories, pics and updates of your resto's. Be it a barn find, Grampas hand me down or a bike being brought back to it's former glory.If you are restoring it, show us your stuff!

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Rednaxs60
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#46

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Nice colours. Interested in the exhaust header painting. Finishing up an engine rebuild and fresh paint for my '85 Limited Edition. The exhaust headers are a bit ratty behind the chrome heat shields. Thinking that it would be good to remove the heat shields, media blast and paint. The way the heat shields are attached may preclude putting the heat shields back on. Did you have the chrome heat shields on your exhaust headers, and removed them. If so, do you intend to put the heat shields back on?
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#47

Post by sphen »

One heat shield was gone already. Removed the other heat shield; will not be putting back.

Soaked in salt and vinegar for de rusting inside and out, had new nipple welded on and a few issues patched, sand blasted and then vht flame proof paint.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

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Geropat
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#48

Post by Geropat »

I think the eastwood paint looks good, the durability is definitely a plus. My vote would be to leave it and continue on with the project.
'81 GL1100
'85 650sc
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#49

Post by sphen »

Geropat wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:41 pm I think the eastwood paint looks good, the durability is definitely a plus. My vote would be to leave it and continue on with the project.
Agreed. Continuing on...
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

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sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#50

Post by sphen »

Building ‘er back up...again
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Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

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Explorer
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#51

Post by Explorer »

If yours wasn't a 1200, I'd swear we where building twins!
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sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#52

Post by sphen »

Explorer wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:22 pm If yours wasn't a 1200, I'd swear we where building twins!20210208_171301_resized.jpg

Yessir!

What tires ya got - commanders?
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

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Explorer
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#53

Post by Explorer »

You bet, and I love 'em!
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#54

Post by sphen »

Explorer wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:43 pm You bet, and I love 'em!
Thought so. I just painted my rims and for testing purposes have the old badly worn tires on still. Once I get going enough to ride to the end of the driveway and back I’ll spring for tires.

I’ve narrowed it down to three:

1- commander 3 (rounder profile vs the commander 2 which seems flatter than I like)

2- Dunlop d404 nice vintage look but not as long lasting

3- Avon cobra nice aggressive look

Decisions decisions....leaning to the MC3 tho
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#55

Post by sphen »

Finally some good news.

Clutch is fixed - that has been my hold up on proceeding with buying more parts.

Brake calipers rebuilt with brake crafters kits.
Rear master cylinder installed. Rear caliper rough mounted...installing shocks this weekend...and yes I’m about to get new tires ...
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Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#56

Post by sphen »

New tires, new shocks, and calipers installed. Once I figure out a routing for the hydraulic lines and throttle cables, I’m dangerously close to a driveway test drive!
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Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#57

Post by sphen »

‘Twas a red letter day - got enough brake clutch and throttle connected to try her out for the first time - down the driveway and around the cul de sac went Dixie. She lives again!!
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Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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Whiskerfish
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#58

Post by Whiskerfish »

action1 action1 action1 action1 action1 action1 action1
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#59

Post by sphen »

Update - got a local goldwing mechanic to go thru the bike and check my work, and also tune up the carbs. She’s running great!

Also had the exhaust TIG’d up:

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Experimenting with moving the choke off the handlebar:
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And also starting the uphill climb of mocking out what I’m gonna do with the tank shelter and seat:

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Then lighting and electrical cleanup …
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

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CYBORG
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#60

Post by CYBORG »

I've moved most of my choke levers. For me, that location would be to low to reach comfortably.
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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