Response to Ty's new project!

Not trying to steal your thunder Ty and post your pics before you get the chance... but I have several comments and I need visual aids.

1. It is really amazing what just CLEANING something can do for visual value. The black frame is pretty scratched up, but still an amazing improvement over the barn dust. Ha. I am so excited by the clean frame that I want to start working on it myself right away!!! Give me a wrench and turn on the Pussy Remix CD!

2. You are talking about going from 16" rims to 17"...I have never thought of doing such a thing, and I wonder...is that only possible because you are talking about ordering new spokes? Or are you thinking about putting wheels from a different bike on it? Chrome or aluminum? I would go with aluminum rims and spokes if you are going to do a black/gray or black/white bike. Or even a pure white bike. If you are going red on red, or a black-n-chrome look, I would do chrome rims with chrome spokes. Depends on the mood of the bike right?

3. Skipping ahead, I like the black one and the red one the best....and it is pretty much that way with me with all classic bikes. I am kinda stuck on black, chrome, off-white, or red...almost exclusively. It is always tough for me when faced with a choice of red on red or simple black with a lot of chrome. If you decide on black...a partially chromed tank and chrome fenders are my pick. Though black and white are also very nice. Speaking of tanks...do all 3 of these have differing tank shapes?

God this red one is hot. If you go with red I recommend painting it like this one...frame, fenders, headlight bucket. Red here has the side cover I like best. Small. The seat really does have to go doesn't it? Again, while I like the seat on the black one, I would choose the simple flat seat like on the red bike. It is simple and looks good, but practically speaking I personally like to be able to sit farther back when I need to shift my riding position.

4. The straight exhaust pipes on all 3 finished bikes here -- and the look in general -- are great.

5. I do like the ass-end of the yellow one you showed me. I dunno why, but if the bike looked like this, I would almost demand that it be extremely fast.

6. Kick start only could be very, very cool! That is the way the Yamaha SR400s are. Very simple design, probably lightens up the bike nicely to get rid of a battery and starter motor...BUT! It really depends on the temperament of the kickstarter. My CL450 was a total fuck in the ass about starting, and the tiny kick start lever did not help one bit.

7. Round headlight. LED winkers and taillight. They look awesome and being seen is a good thing.

8. What about being totally queer and getting a digital speedo? I think that just one bit of high-tech could be seriously cool...mounted in a chrome shroud or....embedded into the tank? You know, you were really fucking fabulous with tank work...you never did one for yourself did you? Maybe you should just "stomach the pain" in making one, just to have such a wonderful thing to ride?

9. License plate sideways and to one side?

10. Bore the engine because you can. I wouldn't but that is because I never have jobs that afford me such nice toys.