GSXR-750 Track Bike Plastics have arrived!
On the first day we started this project with just an engine block and a frame. Today, I’m pleased to share that the journey continues with exciting part arrivals and unwrapping of the Pro-Fiber plastics.
In this update, we were able to give the pare valve modification a cleaner install, swap the clip-ons around after realizing I installed them upside down, shorten the chain, install the racing air filter, and mount the stock exhaust with our new hanger.
However, the key focus I wanted to discuss was the arrival of the track-day motorcycle plastics!
The arrival of the track-day plastics
My role in this build is to absorb as much as I can about the mechanical tasks of the build from Grant. I think of myself as an assistant build technician sub-level 7. ;)
While there is much to learn, I’ve eagerly awaited the arrival of plastics to put my digital art background to good use.
A goal of this project is to build an affordable, reliable, and fast-track bike that looks good. This means holding back on buying the best of the best all the time.
We could have gone more expensive in the case of plastics, but we felt that with what we’re doing, these plastics would be perfect for the job and the wallet.
Opening of the track plastics and seeing what we have to play with was super fun. This set came with a tank cover and even a track seat!
The plastics arrived unpainted, straight from the molds, and were a bit rough around the edges—just as expected.
We were optimistic that, with some effort, they could still serve as a solid base for vinyl. Our initial plan was to simply wipe them down and see if that would create a suitable surface for the livery.
plastics on the bike
Up close the mold quality does leave room for improvement. But I will admit it starts to look pretty good once we place-fitted them onto the bike.
After bringing the plastics home, I cleaned them up, wiped them down with a cleaner, and carefully sanded them where possible.
It quickly became clear that achieving a “good-looking” track bike would require wrapping the plastics entirely in vinyl. 🤔
However, I had concerns about how the wrap would hold up in peak summer heat, especially in areas where the backside of the molds was rough.
I worried that air, dirt, and grime could get underneath, making it a constant battle to keep the vinyl looking good in those spots.
With that in mind, I experimented with wrapping the tail section entirely in vinyl. Since I’m not particularly skilled with vinyl, I added seams where I thought they’d be least noticeable.
Overall, I was happy with how it turned out. With some stickers and additional vinyl layers, it could have looked pretty decent. However, the idea of wrapping every piece with multiple seams didn’t seem practical or cost-effective.
So, Grant and I decided to pivot and found a local painter to apply a high-quality, glossy automotive finish as a base. While adding more to the cost of the bike, it was a no-brainer trade in place of the time and cost of the vinyl.
In the end, we feel it’s going to give a much more professional look to these 720 Track Bike Builds and look damn good.
While the plastics are being painted, we shifted our focus to preparing the bikes for their "Proof of Health" milestone. The first step in any build is achieving "Proof of Life" and getting the engine to start.
Once we progress further, the bike heads to a shop for a professional dyno tune.
If it survives the dyno without any catastrophic failures, (blowing up or squirting oil everywhere) we’ll consider it a pass for the "Proof of Health" milestone. ❤️ From there, we can install bolt-on parts like brake cylinders, case savers, brake lines, and some cool upgrades.
Stay tuned for the next update. Will I have photos of a fully functioning bike or just a pile of broken parts?😅🤷♂️
Until next time,
Wes