Frankenbike

I haven't been watching this thread... but am subscribing now. I found a picture of that original fairing/configuration (a couple of days ago, forgot where I saw that now and although I think that fairing is worth the dollars, the bummer is the lower fairing is missing and windscreen will have to be recreated. You'd have to recreate those. I was looking at that fairing thinking it would go great high-speed long distance bike configuration, so the rear seat would have to be much more comfortable obviously. But then realized this is the top half and removed it from my watched list.
 
Conrad said:
I haven't been watching this thread... but am subscribing now. I found a picture of that original fairing/configuration (a couple of days ago, forgot where I saw that now and although I think that fairing is worth the dollars, the bummer is the lower fairing is missing and windscreen will have to be recreated. You'd have to recreate those. I was looking at that fairing thinking it would go great high-speed long distance bike configuration, so the rear seat would have to be much more comfortable obviously. But then realized this is the top half and removed it from my watched list.
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Great point. I’ve been looking at a lot of GK racers and the majority of them have the smaller Dunstal fairings.

The windscreen I have may work, but the lower half is missing.

I’m actually more concerned with the brackets. They will be hard to reproduce
 
I have been looking at this seat for probably two years and now I own it. The gel coat is in amazing shape, it shines and I haven’t even polished it yet. It has the same weight and heaviness as the tank

I think it looks great, the problem is, the fairing would look great also..

The fairing is definitely a Gus Kuhn and and if you look at a GK catalog, it wasn’t supposed to have a lower fairing. I’m still thinking about it.

Anyway, here it is...

What do you guys think?

Frankenbike


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Frankenbike
 
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Here’s the original GK catalog. They call it a 3/4 fairing and it clearly is the same one.

Frankenbike


Frankenbike


Frankenbike
 
Is it worth $765.00 to my door or should I wait until a JPN fairing becomes available? The problem with a JPN fairing is that I love my GK tank and I would have to change and buy a different tank which is more $$$.
 
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I'm weird so don't consider my opinion - but the condition its in with the stickers would be worth 765 to my door. Where are you going to find another one? Sorry about thinking there was a bottom half, I thought there was, but the description says 3/4 so... Every time I think I can't believe what something is worth, I find out that the price is right - I would bet the fairing wasn't cheap in the first place, so you have that point of view also.
 
Did you try to haggle with him? Can't imagine there is a large market for old fairings of dubious origin.

Will 800$ break the bank or will you forget you even spent it in a months time?

If money is important, it is better spent elsewhere, say... the engine, gearbox, suspension, etc... It is going to get expensive.

If you finish the bike, the fairing is still available and you haven't changed your mind ;) then buy it. I know this isn't the fun route, but it is probably the most responsible.
 
Conrad said:
I'm weird so don't consider my opinion - but the condition its in with the stickers would be worth 765 to my door. Where are you going to find another one? Sorry about thinking there was a bottom half, I thought there was, but the description says 3/4 so... Every time I think I can't believe what something is worth, I find out that the price is right - I would bet the fairing wasn't cheap in the first place, so you have that point of view also.
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I actually agree 100% with you and don’t apologize about the lower fairing, I think everyone else thought that also.

And you’re right, it’s a piece of history. The camel race series I believe came from the early 70’s. Where are you going to find another one.

It’s only credit card payments right?
 
NPeteN said:
Did you try to haggle with him? Can't imagine there is a large market for old fairings of dubious origin.

Will 800$ break the bank or will you forget you even spent it in a months time?

If money is important, it is better spent elsewhere, say... the engine, gearbox, suspension, etc... It is going to get expensive.

If you finish the bike, the fairing is still available and you haven't changed your mind ;) then buy it. I know this isn't the fun route, but it is probably the most responsible.
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Pete, you’re a practical man.

I tried negotiating but he won’t move a dollar.

I don’t have the money, but I have a credit card. Is this the most responsible thing to do with a credit card? Absolutely not, but these aren’t practical hobbies. Most of the decisions we make I would have to imagine are on impulse and emotion. And haha...I change my mind a lot! It may be different next week. I’m not known for my decision making when it comes to designing and planning what you want. I think you get there eventually, but it is a process.

I’m leaning more now about getting it, but I’m going to sleep on it.

Next weekend I’m getting the trans and I have a lead on an engine. I have matching number engine and trans cases that go with the frame and title. I just need the internals. This trans is going to do the trick!

I have to be patient on the engine. I have a guy helping me. I’m getting it from the guy who’s selling the brand new in the crate JPN colored Commando, but it could take a little while.
 
Practical on the internet yes...
In reality, I'd have bought it already!

Good luck with whatever you decide. Money is for spending, buy what you like.
 
Norcoastal said:
Pete, you’re a practical man.

I tried negotiating but he won’t move a dollar
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If you are in no hurry to get it, I would sit on the sidelines for a whole month, then get back to him with your offer. If he has had no other offers he might accept. Patience is sometimes a virtue.
I hope hes not reading this, then your tactic is blown right out of the water! :(
 
Norcoastal said:
Pete, you’re a practical man.

I tried negotiating but he won’t move a dollar.

I don’t have the money, but I have a credit card. Is this the most responsible thing to do with a credit card? Absolutely not, but these aren’t practical hobbies. Most of the decisions we make I would have to imagine are on impulse and emotion. And haha...I change my mind a lot! It may be different next week. I’m not known for my decision making when it comes to designing and planning what you want. I think you get there eventually, but it is a process.

I’m leaning more now about getting it, but I’m going to sleep on it.

Next weekend I’m getting the trans and I have a lead on an engine. I have matching number engine and trans cases that go with the frame and title. I just need the internals. This trans is going to do the trick!

I have to be patient on the engine. I have a guy helping me. I’m getting it from the guy who’s selling the brand new in the crate JPN colored Commando, but it could take a little while.
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I'd say if you haven't bought it yet and you CAN: 'Sleep on it'..... then you don't really want it that badly! A 'must have' you wouldn't think twice about, and would have kept you awake!
Just my two cents worth, no shame in sticking with plan A.... But, your call, of course :)
(Would there be a sense of relief if he said: 'Sorry, it's gone?'
 
EstuaryBoy said:
I'd say if you haven't bought it yet and you CAN: 'Sleep on it'..... then you don't really want it that badly! A 'must have' you wouldn't think twice about, and would have kept you awake!
Just my two cents worth, no shame in sticking with plan A.... But, your call, of course :)
(Would there be a sense of relief if he said: 'Sorry, it's gone?'
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I think if it was gone I’d be upset not relieved. Where am I going to find another 45+ year old GK fairing?

I may try to haggle.
 
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