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So winter has arrived and the bikes are cozied up in the garage. In the workshop sits the Phoenix, an 82 GL1100 Interstate, now naked and half chopped. She was a full bagger when I bought her for a whopping $500. She was a good running rig, but left much to be desired cosmetically with faded wineberry paint job that looked more like day old plum pudding and rusty chrome bits all over. Luckily, I had just the opposite in an 83 aspencade "Gloria" parts rig, great cosmetics and a seized motor. The bike lost the bags, fairings and bells n whistles in a crash a few years back. After stripping down Gloria, I was able to get the bike back on the road in decent shape. It has been a half baked project for some time now, so I've decided to roll up my sleeves and finish the job. On the menu is a fork swap, with upgraded 11 spoke wheels, hydraulic clutch, bump seat, redesigned tail fairing, new levers, switches, single carb conversion, and sportster pipes, a deal quieter than the glass pack shorties I had installed (I hope). Looking forward to documenting the project and sharing with some fellow wingnuts! Here's the bike as she sits today.

Sounds like you've got a plan, and a good looking, solid bike. I'm kind of partial to the 1100's myself, and I do like the '83 wheels. Gitrdun!

Bring on the build! I feel as though there’s going to be a lot of winter builds coming our way. Best of luck.

Ok, first up is some new slip on mufflers. No sweat, right? Well, there is a minor clearance problem. I had an up sweep for the shorties I had on previously, to flow with the frame rail. The sportster pipes I am installing dont quite fit under the passenger peg mounts. BUT since I dont plan on having any passengers, I decided to make them disappear. A little bit of surgical grinding and viola. The clearance is tighter than I'd like. A heat shield may be in necessary under the master cylinder?

I like the upswept pipe look as well. It does follow the frame lines of the bike better as a naked. Did you modify or replace the existing headers and connector pipe? I look forward to watching your project.

Yes. I chopped up the headers and had some pipe bent up an welded on. I cut the mounts off the old pipes and welded them onto a pair of glass pack shorties I got from Summit Racing, but when your ears ring after every ride, your pipes may be too loud. I think I need to straighten out the ends so the muffler sits more flush at the clamp, but I do like the way it tucks right under the frame rail.

So I painted my engine a few years ago with the worst paint ever produced by man: Duplicolor engine enamel. It chips super easy and does not like fuel. I've decided to pull the motor and start fresh. Any suggestions on engine paint? How about a brush on enamel?

I've had few problems with the DupliColor paints, but ... You might look into Eastwood products. I've heard good comments about their stuff from a few of my automotive friends, but never used them myself...

I used Duplicolor on my 78 engine in 1980, and with almost 500K on the bike, and engine, the paint still looks good. As in al painting, the prep work is the most important part of the process,,,and the most time consuming

I used POR15 engine enamel un the Hunley. Brush-on. Leveled real well and very resistant to damage after a couple weeks cure. Brush-on was actually easier, I think. Two coats gave a very solid layer.

Thanks pidjones. I think I will try the brush on enamel. Any suggestions for stripping the old paint? Also did you hit the engine with an abrasive before adding paint?

So I've made some progress on the project. I've sold my perfectly good set of carbs for a single carb/manifold conversion. I'll probably live to regret the decision, but I've always wanted to try the mod and these things dont pay for themselves. The exhaust fabrication has proven to be very tedious. A lot of man hours for a few inches of pipe. I think I've got my angles just right now. I'll weld in the left side tomorrow after I install the '84 clutch cover and I can conclude my exhaust fab. Center stand: Do I stay or do I go now?

I like the angle of the exhaust. Nice job!

Please share your thoughts on the single carb once you get it going.