[Wigit]

Hi all! My name is 'Wigit', and I've been a very bad boy...

Over the winter months, I have been collecting parts and tools to do a Sumo-X conversion on my '08 1300c. My plan is to show everyone here my progress and possibly ask for advice along the way. I've been a little busy in the garage for the last few days, and although I'm no mechanic, I do feel much more comfortable out there turning a wrench than in here, typing with two fingers.

First off, I would like to thank everyone here for providing all VTX owners with valuable advice, as well as countless hours of laughs and entertainment! I have been around for about five years, and really haven't contributed much, besides a comment here and there, but I do consider the Cafe as my 'go to' source for technical info and inspiration where my bike is concerned.

I will do my best to keep up with this thread, including pics(I know, I know!) but please keep in mind my work schedule is very different than most, and my computer skills are embarrassing at best!(it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to start a new thread, LOL)

Here's what I'm starting with:

(That took me forever to figure out how to post a pic!):banghead:

Yes, that ******* bike stand was built from plans I found here on the Cafe, cost me next to nothing, and is about as rock solid as I've seen.(Thank you to whoever posted that thread!)

There are Tornado warnings at the moment in my area, so I'll submit this before the power goes out.

Cheers!

 

[Wigit]

Ok, the ominous clouds have passed, and the power is still on. Here is what I have been doing for the last few days.(keep in mind I am going by memory only here, as this was a few days(and countless beers) ago. If you realize that something is missing, PLEASE point it out for the benefit of the next guy to do this mod)

Cobra speedster slashdowns removed.

Shocks removed.

Strut/fender removal. (disconnect rear wiring harness)

Now, for whatever reason, I forgot that I was supposed to be taking pics and left the camera on the bench for the tire removal.(in my defense, my hands were full) The axle nut is removed and after getting my boy to lift the tire a bit, the axle pulled right out. Tire rolls away. EDIT: my bad, you have to remove the four bolts that hold the final drive to the swingarm shaft. Then the tire rolled away with the final. The final pulls out from the wheel with a small tug.

Remove the rear brake bracket stopper bolt from the swingarm, and the brake assy. comes off.

Now we're at the swingarm bolts. You will need two specialty tools at this point. One special socket for the right lock nut, and a 17mm allen socket for the left side. They're on there pretty good, so it took a bit of lube, and a breaker bar to snap them loose. The lock nut socket is for sale at the Honda dealer here for $112. I was lucky enough to borrow one from a member here.(I won't 'out' him for being one of the good guys, but I will tell you his handle rhymes with 'Boozer1300c'. LOL, sorry buddy)

At this point, the arm tilts out of the frame, bearings fall out, and you're off to the 'races'. (pun intended)

Cheers!

 

[Wigit]

Teaser Pics!

:choppersm

 

[Philscbx]

We Will be Checking in from time to time -

Yes - It looking pretty good. That rear wheel missing from view has to be killer.

Nicely Done.

 

[Wigit]

It does suck not having a bike to ride after work! Luckily, I picked the perfect week for this, as today/tomorrow we are expecting huge rain, possible tornadoes. Still, life is good!

 

[Philscbx]

Yes, in Winter, you guys send all the unused cold down here -
Sharing our tornado's is all we got.

 

[Wigit]

Haha, thanks for the laugh, Philscbx! This has been a particularly long winter for us so I expect a lot of more sh!t weather back! LOL

 

[Coyotevols]

I'm watchin...

 

[Philscbx]

Wow, Not everyday you see a Propane Ice Chest.

 

[Wigit]

Haha, in all honesty, this was my buddy's place a couple of years ago. He spent more time taking photos than fixing the eve trough. He died unexpectedly two years ago, but his 'art' and sense of humour live on!

 

[Wigit]

Ok, I just got 'weirded out' a bit. My friend took a pic of his propane BBQ after a particularly bad winter rain storm a couple of years ago. He was likely stoned out of his mind, and snapped a cool photo of his BBQ. It wasn't until now that I saw the VIKING face. Perhaps it's a soldier. In any case, my buddy passed away two years ago, so we won't be able to figure this one out. Maybe I'm just stoned, and it's just ice! RIP, Greg! Awoooooooga!

 

[Wigit]

Anyhoo, there's a big downside to throwing caution to the wind, my friends. MONEY! I went a bit overboard with my choices on this mod, but I don't regret any of them. My dad passed away a couple of years ago(I miss him dearly) He was the funniest, happiest, and coolest man I've ever known. (and best guitar player I've ever met). When he passed away, I made a decision to live my life. I will chase my dreams, I will support my kids in whatever they do, I will love my wife. (Haha, and I will embarrass myself on the internet, I'm sure he wished that for me!)

 

[Wigit]

Back to the bike.

I have a tubular swingarm from Sumo-X. It is a work of art. I was under the impression that I could re-use the bearings from the stock swingarm, but I quickly realized that the inner races for the bearings could not be removed.(at least not with the limited skill and tools in my garage) No problem, I found a replacement Allballs set for $26.

Initially, I thought I might have to get a shop to press the races into the new swingarm, but after speaking to the mechanic, I decided to try it myself. I had a 30mm socket on the shelf and it fit perfectly into the swingarm. After dropping the grease holder(small disk) into the swingarm opening, I lubed the race, and used a 2 lb sledge and the socket to lightly pound the race into the opening. It is important to keep everything level when doing this. As the race seated against the grease holder, it was easy to tell by the sound change. You don't want to damage the edge of the race.

All in all, this was much easier than I expected it to be.

(Ok, well after trying to load a pic for 10 mins, I am giving up) :banghead:

 

[The Chief]

Welcome to the Club - If you need or have questions - PM ME!

 

[Wigit]

Thanks, Chief. I'm almost there!

 

[dumbcomputers]

Back to the bike.

I have a tubular swingarm from Sumo-X. It is a work of art. I was under the impression that I could re-use the bearings from the stock swingarm, but I quickly realized that the inner races for the bearings could not be removed.(at least not with the limited skill and tools in my garage) No problem, I found a replacement Allballs set for $26.

Initially, I thought I might have to get a shop to press the races into the new swingarm, but after speaking to the mechanic, I decided to try it myself. I had a 30mm socket on the shelf and it fit perfectly into the swingarm. After dropping the grease holder(small disk) into the swingarm opening, I lubed the race, and used a 2 lb sledge and the socket to lightly pound the race into the opening. It is important to keep everything level when doing this. As the race seated against the grease holder, it was easy to tell by the sound change. You don't want to damage the edge of the race.

All in all, this was much easier than I expected it to be.

(Ok, well after trying to load a pic for 10 mins, I am giving up) :banghead:

Interesting, I reused the stock inner races and bearings with my Sumo swingarm. My Sumo arm already had races pre-installed. But this was >5 years ago so I guess Kurt could have changed it.

 

[Wigit]

This was my first unexpected issue. Thankfully, it was a quick and easy fix.

I gotta' say, you're a bit of a legend here,DC. I must have read through your build thread at least 5 times. LOL
I've spent hours drooling over your bike. My bank manager would like to thank you!:cheers:

 

[Wigit]

Let's try this again.....

Not sure what's happening here. This pic took 15 minutes to upload. My internet sucks!

 

[dumbcomputers]

This was my first unexpected issue. Thankfully, it was a quick and easy fix.

I gotta' say, you're a bit of a legend here,DC. I must have read through your build thread at least 5 times. LOL
I've spent hours drooling over your bike. My bank manager would like to thank you!:cheers:

LOL...I'm sure you'll have 1-2 more unexpected issues along the way

One of mine was not getting rotor bolts with my wheels/rotors, but it looks like your set there.

 

[Wigit]

I had the same issue, actually. I called Kurt, so he sent me 6 (I needed 10). No biggie, just went to the local fastener store and bought new ones. I'll need to pollish them, though. I try not to sweat the small stuff. The quality of his product far outweighs a few missing bolts!