Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Member's Rides Piper's reborn -02

Hi there everybody!

Haven't been active on the boards in a while, but more so in the workshop. Celebrating it's tenth summer, I decided to do something radical (at least a little) to my bike. I got myself some used and not so nice looking tins and here is the result. Apart from de-consoling the tank (boy was that a PITA cutting, rolling the inlay on the English wheel, tinning ((led)) and reshaping to adapt the badges from the 60's) I also powder coated most of the chrome parts and got rid of the extra lights, the windshield, the lowers and the bags. Everything except the powder coating is done entirely by yours truly. The turn signals are Lucas copies and the T on the side is a decal from the early 60's. There still are some minor things to do, like finishing the LED console in the handlebar and I'm also considering powdering the lower legs black as well.

Here is my hommage to the early 1959 Bonneville. What do you guys think?









Can you tell the lawn is soft in the picture above?

Bengt, I like it!

WOW Bengt!!! I love what you did with your America. Looks great!! Nice job especially the tank!

What do I think? I think I see a homepage feature in your future! More/bigger pictures! Submit your story here! http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/administrative/submit-your-bike/

Looks great Bengt.....winters are way too long in Sweden

Looks absolutely great, Bengt!

So this is what you've been doin' while you were hidin' out, eh?! I'd say time very well spent!

(...and yeah, I think you should black powder coat those sliders too)

Fantastic!!

Love it, good job.

Very cool and different.

Sweet! Love it. Definitely one of a kind. Big fan of black powdercoat.

sweet!

I think I saw a glimpse of that on the facebook page and was dying to see more. Sweet Ride!

Love those colors! Nicely done!

Very cool, Nice work. I'm glad to see a pic of a lowered luggage rack, I've been debating on doing that to mine, you've ended the debate... wonder if I have any cut off wheels.

I liked your original, I really like what you have done here.

Dang.......

jh

Piper just gave Freedom spank material for the rest of the year... #orangesiclenuts

Your original Cardinal inspired me... now, this version does even more! Very, very nice Bengt!! (Maybe think about added that fake kick start for added authenticity, lol!)

AWESOME! Nuff said.

Awesome!

Thank you all for the kind words! The whole thing took it's time, but I'm satisfied. There were many new things I learnt this year and that's always good. One of them was fine shaping the tank using (mostly) led bars, heat and oily sticks. Not familiar with the English word for that. Like I said there are some minor stuff needed fixing, but when that is done I'll take some nice pics and write the story for sure.

Hmm... Fake kick start... LOL!

I really liked the first incarnation and this is just as fine. Very nicely done. Now, whatcha gonna do with those fine Shoei hard bags?

Well, the jury is out... Not sure yet, but before starting this project, I bought some black stretch vinyl to dress them with. I had already covered the lids with that material and it turned out just perfect. Since the Shoei bags didn't play well with Easybrackets, I have to think about an easy way to make them easy on - easy off. With this I don't want them on all the time, but why not on longer trips? And if I decide to use them, the rails have to be powder coated black. You know, for me black really has become the new chrome LOL!

Well, Bengt... when you figure out how to mount those hard bags with an easy on, easy off system let me know. I still haven't mounted mine, although I've tried numerous times to make it work.

Also... that stretch vinyl sounds interesting. Is it self adhesive? I'd like to know a bit about that too if you will.

This stretch vinyl is a great product. Quite easy to use together with this special glue (we call it contact glue, not sure what the Eng. name is) and if you warm it up with a hair dryer it stretches even better. The lids came out almost perfect, gotta take a pic of them...

I'll start thinking about a smart mounting system. Using the Easybrackets the bags were sitting way too high on the bike, making it extremely uncomfortable for the mrs. You'll be the first to know if I figure it out ;-)

If you can do that great job on the tank you're talented enough to cut out some extended 'keyhole' brackets and fit them to the easybracket posts and bend them to suit those to-die-for Shoei bags :-)

Well Ed, that's an interesting idea. Sounds doable. Thanks!

Wow Bengt, Fantastic

I had it a little easier with my Tank, found somebody here in Germany who wanted to swap and i just happened to have a spare Tank

regards,

Nick

Looks great Bengt! Very nice. What size front tire you running?

Great! Well done!The lower legs would look good powder coated black if you decide to as you thought IMO.But it's terrific as is.

Thanks Dave! The front is 120/90-18 just like my whitewall was. In this incarnation I thougt all black tires would look best, so I went with Avon Venom-X. Excellent tire so far.

Thanks Paul. I've already photoshopped a picture to see what it would look like and yes, the legs will be black. Question is if I can wait until next winter??? Probably not LOL!

You've done a fantastic job there! That is a fine looking machine!

So this is why you have been so quiet all winter!

Really nice job Bengt, classy and unique, a true one of a kind

Now get yourself and the bike down south and I will take some decent pictures for you

Johann

Are your pipes powdercoated Bengt?Did you do them or buy them like that? they look great.
If you were doing the lower fork legs,what about the rims?Just an idea.

Quote:

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what about the rims?

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Nope. Want to keep the retro style and keep some shiny bits.

The pipes are ceramic coated both inside and outside. Sturdy coating and gives you an extra 5bhp (if you believe it) No, not really, but these BUB's had become a little rusty so the decision was easy. And it improved the look of the headeras as well IMHO.

I just might take you up on that Johann. Would be a nice weekend trip. And the best photographer I know...

Do it! You and Anki are welcome anytime...

There is a new art/design center in town just opened so one more reason for you to come here

Vandalorum


I am having a photo session next thursday

Two Bonneville´s a Street Triple and a Moto Guzzi

Will be fun!


Johann

Looks great as is anyway.
I'll look at ceramic coated pipes in the future.

Great looking bike and excellent work. Few things I don't like but it has nothing to do with your fine craftsmanship.I like it over all things I don't are stuff like the mirrors and blinkers but that is just a matter of taste. The over all bike is outstanding.

I'm not all convinced either these are the mirrors I want for this bike. The blinkers (Lucas) are there to stay though. Could use some good ideas for the mirrors. Maybe even the lollipops would be better...