I'm wrapping up a new build this week based around a Yamaha TX500 we've been calling the Jailbird (long story). It's a dual overhead cam inline twin that absolutely rips when you give it a bit of throttle. I'm using a small lithium-ion battery mounted in the tail feeding the bike with thicker 16ga cloth-wrapped wire, and I re-purposed the stock shocks in a cantilever configuration using a custom fabricated swingarm. Aside from that, everything else that's functional was left mostly stock. We trimmed off some excess fat and even saved weight over stock with the custom sheetmetal. The body is all steel and I don't think I could bring myself to paint it. In fact, I'm not really inclined to "finish" the bike at all. I like the way it looks as-is and it rides great...so if it ain't broke... And here's a before shot of the bike when it first came into the shop: There's a couple more shots at: www.coopersmithingco.com/pjailbird.html
Looks like you've done it again mate! Nice clean lines, I like the shapes and curves of the seat/tank, and that headlight reminds me of the cartoony "Ironman" mask, very cool. Please don't paint it.....
Thanks a lot, here's a video kicking it over, ready to road test and tune soon as the rain clears: <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EF5fP0jIlOQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>
Of course, there had to be one of these: <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5pHvx6Zuz8E" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>
