Two years with my Vaq... - Page 2

RACNRAY · 04-25-2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rider

You really been enjoying your bike with so many miles in only 2 years. Thanks for sharing Ray! Great looking custom work. Also had been wondering what the non-Special Edition Vaquero would look like with Special Edition wheels. I like! Those are SE wheels aren't they? Is there now an SE running around with blacked out wheels?

Some time last year I removed the wheels and using paint stripper removed the paint from the wheels. Very time consuming job as I bought some weak stripper. It was also lots of work masking out the areas where paint was to stay. Overall was worth the effort. Thanx for the compliments. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jestephens

I love it! I wondered at first why it wasn't a lathe project, then I how small the lathe was - you did a great job processing a such big part on the machines you had available. further impressed

Funny you mention about the lathe. Thru the whole process of machining this end cap I was commenting to my mechanic that I really did miss the big lathe that the motorcycle machine shop had when I worked there many years ago. A full size heavy duty lathe that would have been able to handle all of this project with no problem.I guess there is that old time American ingenuity runnin in my vains! THANX!!

RACNRAY

**jestephens** · 04-25-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

.....I bought some weak stripper.

What was the matter, she couldn't make it to the top of the pole?

RACNRAY · 04-25-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jestephens

What was the matter, she couldn't make it to the top of the pole?

OH that's so funeeee...I havn't been to one of those strip joints in over 17 years...THANK GOD!!

**Jared** · 04-25-2013, 04:04 PM

It's refreshing to read about someone who's being innovative and appreciates their Kawi Bagger. You've got one sick Vaquero, Ray.

RACNRAY · 04-25-2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

It's refreshing to read about someone who's being innovative and appreciates their Kawi Bagger. You've got one sick Vaquero, Ray.

THANK YOU SIR!!

My 1991 ZX11,1997 TL1000R, 1998 ZX9R, 2000 & 2003 BUSA's, 2006 and 2009 ZX14'S have all recieved the same "can't leave well enuff alone" treatment!! Matter of fact all of my skoots goin back to the beginnings of me ridin skoots, have been subject to the same treatment.

Me thinks we can all agree...it's fun and one of the best parts of motorcycling!! I do enjoy learning about what others have and are doin to their skoots too.

RACNRAY

Kevinhyland · 04-26-2013, 01:53 AM

Great mod, and who cares if it took two days, that's half the fun and think of how many days of enjoyment you will get out of it. 36,000, right on! I have put 15,000 on my Vaquero in the last nine months and loved every single mile. Now that's the weather is warm I'm going to ride even more. Great pics.

1700Buddy · 04-29-2013, 05:38 AM

Great pics and an awesome looking cap for the exhaust! Now I know exactly what you were describing to me on Saturday. Hey, do you think you'll have the 'finished' product back before I come down to pick up the Nomad later this week? It'd be nice to see it up close and personal!

By the way, I really missed the bike this weekend . . . the weather was beautiful! I'm really looking forward to riding the new and improved version!

RACNRAY · 04-29-2013, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevinhyland

Great mod, and who cares if it took two days, that's half the fun and think of how many days of enjoyment you will get out of it. 36,000, right on! I have put 15,000 on my Vaquero in the last nine months and loved every single mile. Now that's the weather is warm I'm going to ride even more. Great pics.

THANX...I have to admit that I had lotsa fun in those 2 days, figurin out how to use my primitive pete machines to make it. Were not the typical methods used as I had to use my mill as a lathe!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1700Buddy

Great pics and an awesome looking cap for the exhaust! Now I know exactly what you were describing to me on Saturday. Hey, do you think you'll have the 'finished' product back before I come down to pick up the Nomad later this week? It'd be nice to see it up close and personal!

By the way, I really missed the bike this weekend . . . the weather was beautiful! I'm really looking forward to riding the new and improved version!

The weather was nice, I am not gonna say I rode 300 miles yesterday...oops I did...BAD ME!

I am hoping the platers will have it done by at least the time I go out of town Friday, if I get it b4 you pick up your skoot you'll see it too!

THANX
RACNRAY

RACNRAY · 04-30-2013, 10:29 AM

Picked up the end cap today...YIPPEE!!!

Now remember the before image with the original sheet metal end cap...

The satin finished end cap...

And the plated end cap installed...

Having it plated allows it to blend in better. Another b/day present I gave us was a stainless steel braided rear brake line, which makes the rear brake sooooo much better! The Vaq now wears s/s brake and clutch libnes all the way around.

RACNRAY

Old Bear · 04-30-2013, 10:59 AM

Wow Ray, that looks like it was made by someone that knew what they were doing!

**manban9888** · 04-30-2013, 03:26 PM

You uave serious skills and a beautiful ride. Congrats on all the miles and smiles

RACNRAY · 04-30-2013, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old bear

wow ray, that looks like it was made by someone that knew what they were doing! :d

lol!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by manban9888

you uave serious skills and a beautiful ride. Congrats on all the miles and smiles

THANX GUYS...

RACNRAY

chuckster131 · 05-06-2013, 06:12 AM

Congrats on you two years and you sure do get to ride more there than up here in Michigan.....

That end cone looks awesome, you did a fine job

RACNRAY · 05-07-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster131

Congrats on you two years and you sure do get to ride more there than up here in Michigan.....

That end cone looks awesome, you did a fine job

THANK YOU SIR...I put it on last week and have not been able to ride it as the weather down here was poo poo and I went out of town Fri morn and came back last nite. Took the Tundra on this trip so i wouldn't get wet and melt with that nasty weather in North Fla/South Georgia!!

RACNRAY

c_law23 · 05-07-2013, 08:06 PM

Every time I see the title to this thread I momentarily think that you are two years removed from gender reassignment surgery.

Congrats on 2 years!

04-25-2013, 04:04 PM	#19
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	It's refreshing to read about someone who's being innovative and appreciates their Kawi Bagger. You've got one sick Vaquero, Ray. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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04-26-2013, 01:53 AM	#21
Kevinhyland Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 158	Great mod, and who cares if it took two days, that's half the fun and think of how many days of enjoyment you will get out of it. 36,000, right on! I have put 15,000 on my Vaquero in the last nine months and loved every single mile. Now that's the weather is warm I'm going to ride even more. Great pics. __________________ VBA Member 02305 2011 Kawasaki Vaquero, Black Cobra Tri Ovals Exhaust Cobra Power Pro K&N High Intake Air Filter EOM 15 Inch Windshield EOM Aux Driving Lights EOM iPod Kit, iPod Touch Mustang Wide Touring Studded Seat Castrol Full Synthetic Racing Oil Kuryakyn Black Iso Grips Kuryakyn Stiletto Grip Ends Kuryakyn Offset Highway Pegs Kuryakyn Black Scythe Mirrors Michelin Commander II Tires
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04-30-2013, 10:29 AM	#24
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	Back from the platers... Picked up the end cap today...YIPPEE!!! Now remember the before image with the original sheet metal end cap... The satin finished end cap... And the plated end cap installed... Having it plated allows it to blend in better. Another b/day present I gave us was a stainless steel braided rear brake line, which makes the rear brake sooooo much better! The Vaq now wears s/s brake and clutch libnes all the way around. RACNRAY __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY"
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04-30-2013, 10:59 AM	#25
Old Bear Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 1,432	Wow Ray, that looks like it was made by someone that knew what they were doing! __________________ Jerry "Old Bear" Barker Clarksville, TN Americas Guardians PS MC President, Tennessee 16-A VBA #02203 "Blaze" 2017 Vaquero "Black Magic" 2011 Vaquero, 69k miles, handed down to my son for hopefully many more miles!
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04-30-2013, 03:26 PM	#26
manban9888 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sebastian, Florida Posts: 1,016	You uave serious skills and a beautiful ride. Congrats on all the miles and smiles __________________ 2008 Nomad Red/Black 1998 1500a VBA #02113 Antlers, Oklahoma '12 Blairsville, Georgia '13 Antlers, Oklahoma '13 Eureka Springs, Arkansas '15
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04-29-2013, 05:38 AM	#22
1700Buddy Jr. Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Clewiston, FL Posts: 2	Great pics and an awesome looking cap for the exhaust! Now I know exactly what you were describing to me on Saturday. Hey, do you think you'll have the 'finished' product back before I come down to pick up the Nomad later this week? It'd be nice to see it up close and personal! By the way, I really missed the bike this weekend . . . the weather was beautiful! I'm really looking forward to riding the new and improved version!
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05-06-2013, 06:12 AM	#28
chuckster131 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 1,367	Congrats on you two years and you sure do get to ride more there than up here in Michigan..... That end cone looks awesome, you did a fine job __________________ Joe (Chuckster) Norris Jackson, Michigan 2007 Goldwing 2010 Voyager (Blue/Silver)sold 2001 Nomad (gone, but not forgotten) www.chucksterscustoms.com
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05-07-2013, 08:06 PM	#30
c_law23 Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Newark, OH Posts: 222	Every time I see the title to this thread I momentarily think that you are two years removed from gender reassignment surgery. Congrats on 2 years!
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