Took the way-too-shiny spring shrouds off yesterday and painted the springs black. I also flipped the springs upside down, they are just prettier that way. Actually the real reason is that after I flipped the springs I noticed that I don't have to use cargo straps to compress the spring (and mess up the paint). I just pressed the spring top cap in place screwed it for couple full turns, and inserted open end wrench thru the spring for tightening.

I've never been a fan of flat sidecovers, but yours has a really pleasing shape. Could you post a shot of the other side as well? And maybe from further away?

D&Ds look good also. Having just changed my oil, however, I can't get past the idea of having to remove them for this simple maintenance.

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Ogle my bike here.

Here's couple quick pics of the covers
http://www.beachfinn.com/images/photos/RSide whole.jpg
http://www.beachfinn.com/images/photos/Lside Cover.jpg
http://www.beachfinn.com/images/phot...Cover Back.jpg
http://www.beachfinn.com/images/photos/Rside cover.jpg
as you'll notice there are actually couple bends on them, it took a couple sqft og cardboard to come up with an shape I liked.

**** -- that looks awfully nice. Mind posting a little more details on the products used, how you did it, etc? Is this something a novice could do or did it involve a spray gun w/an air compressor, etc.

Thanks! Great lookin' bike!

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Good judgment comes from experience - experience comes from bad judgment.

2007 Black Thruxton/AI Removal/StainTunes/Boots/Custom Accessories/Bar-Ends ... what next?

(it bleeped out d-a-m-n...RAT - little conservative are we?)

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Good judgment comes from experience - experience comes from bad judgment.

2007 Black Thruxton/AI Removal/StainTunes/Boots/Custom Accessories/Bar-Ends ... what next?

wow, those shocks look great.

I may have to do that to mine at least until i can afford to upgrade.

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2005 Bonni Black; Reverse Cones, Pods, No AI, 140, 42, Thrux Needles, 3 Turns Out, Iridium's, EBC Brakes, Speed-Bleeders, and a pile of stock parts.

Mind sending me a link for those rear turn signals too? I recently switched mine from the newthruxton FEK, and I'm not crazy about the inside bracket set up. Seems kind of half-a$$'ed.

PS - here's a couple pictures of the bike w/the latest mods

__________________
Good judgment comes from experience - experience comes from bad judgment.

2007 Black Thruxton/AI Removal/StainTunes/Boots/Custom Accessories/Bar-Ends ... what next?

beachfinn,

if you could give us the run down of how you removed the shroud and painted your shocks, that would be much appreciated.

j_

Signals are these: http://www.british-customs.com/bulle...-pr-16574.html
Now, on the shocks, (I think RobNoBrakes did the same thing some time back):
1. work on one at the time (no jack needed), or jack it up.
2. Mount the bottom on a wise between two wood blocks.
3. wrap a cargo tie around the top of the coils (at least couple times) and loop it from the bottom to the wise, snug it.
4. Repeat 3 placing the ratchet on the opposite side from the previous.
5. start tightening ratchets one at a time, trying to keep the spring straight while it compresses.
6. you will see that the top of the shock has an thread with an lock nut. As soon as it is visible grab you open end 17mm (or 18mm) wrench and put it on the nut. Grab a larger wrench and start turning the top of the shock (where it mounts to the bike) counter-clocky-way.
7. After the top has twisted off, release the ties one at a time. The mechanism won't let the sprin go any where fast.
8. ta-da it's in pieces.

I sand blasted my springs with a Sears $40 sand blaster lightly and rattle canned them, because i am a busy pant and didn't get them powder coated.

Put back:
1. I realized that my paint job will not survive the whole ratched tie tratment, so I flipped my springs so that the loosly wound end of the spring is on the top.
2. Put some happy thread lock goo on the shock threads.
3. I took the top, placed it back on the shock pressed down, while squeezing the spring down with my other hand. word of caution: be darn sure you get it on the thread and turn it as far as you can while keeping pressure on the spring.
2. Place your open end 17-18mm on the lock nut between the coils and tighten the top back on, don't over tighten.

There you have it. Just take your time with the ratched ties making sure they are wound around couple times. Keep your HEAD and FINGERS away from the top of the spring. Thru the process, keep the preload setting at the lowest setting

beachfinn, thanks for the instructions.

are you seeing any of the paint chipping from the cyclical compression of the springs? I would think that the paint would chip or crack with this movement.

j_