Checking back in!

Wow, it's been almost FOUR YEARS since the last update on this.

I've had a few people dig up the build and ask me to update the pictures as several links were broken, so here you go! All done...

Also, I never posted back up that the bike did win an award for Most Complete Theme in the CustomFighters.com 2007 Buildoff. I did sell the bike to a local fella and have heard many rumours about it's current state from write off to blown engine so who knows where it actually is. I know it got spray bombed gun metal grey shortly after I sold it but it's his bike now, he can do what he wants!

The bike was also featured in a British online magazine called Sub-Zero Magazine. Scans of the article will be placed at the end of this post in a few days, along with pictures from the photoshoot.

This blog will be migrated soon to my new site, www.redefyned.com where you'll also be able to follow my current build which has been ongoing since 2008...it's a 1989 Suzuki GSXR 7/11 with nitrous. This build has taken a long time but the end result will be worth it for me, it's a no compromises build I've been planning for years!
Current progress can be seen here:
http://customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12491



Thanks for checking in and thanks again to Jeff (Sevulturus) for his hard work in chronicling Project Monster!

Chapter Closed

The day has come and gone---

Project Darkside, now known simply as Monster, has gone to its new home. It is in good hands I trust, with a great and excited new owner. My GSXR was also sold a few months ago...

Thanks to everyone who has visited this corner of the interweb to follow this, and keep an eye out on Customfighters.com for my next build---a nitrous injected, big bore GSXR 7/11.

FOR SALE - Project Darkside/Monster and my GSXR

The time has come to part with Project Darkside/Monster. While I'm sure I'll regret it, there are future projects that require my attention and finances. I'm sure through reading this website, you will understand what has gone into this bike, and appreciate it as so many have. This will NOT be my last build, I'm just not rich :D

Please scroll down to see pictures and specifications.

Well, that's all for this build...for now.

I am very proud to see what I started with and where it's come, especially for my first ever build. I hope you all like it, and thanks to all those who followed this build.

There was a lot of work done, not all cosmetic either The bike was completely stripped, all bearings and seals replaced, wiring redone (including stator outputs), and a lot of other "get it running" type stuff. When I bought the bike it didn't run proper (was dropping a cylinder), and the chain was misaligned by an inch (among other things). Now she's all straight, running great, all tuned up and ready to go. It still needs some jetting, but it's rideable! I'd estimate I have well over 250 hours into the bike and probably 90% of that was maintenance and rebuilding. The other 10% being cosmetic.

Here's the Spec list!
Acerbis Flyscreen
Acewell Gauges
Drag Style Handlebars
Barend Mirrors
Harri's ZX Racing Grips
Harley Davidson 883 Sportster Fork Mount Signals
Yamaha Virago Handlebar Clamps
Handlebar Risers (old valve springs)
Single Stage Gloss Black Paint
Frame painted Gloss Black
1999 Yamaha R6 Subframe/Plastics/Seats/Taillight
R6 subframe modified extensively
Custom Monster Energy Coolant Overflow bottle
Sprockets used for frame/subframe gussets
Chopped Bandit Exhaust Canister
Vortex Sprockets/RK Chain Set (stock/+5)

One-off owner/friend built parts include:
Exhaust Hanger
Exhaust Can
Subframe/Frame Gussets
Stainless Undertail
Subframe Mounts/Lifters
Bellypan Joints
Battery Box


All Mechanical Work Done by Owner and Friends
- Steering Stem Bearings
- Fork Seals
- Wheel Bearings and Seals (front and rear)
- Carbs cleaned. rebuilt, and sync'd
- Valve adjustment and timing adjustment (don't get me started)
- Swingarm Bearings and Seals
- Stator Output Wiring (thanks Brad!)
- All other wiring and electrical


Now, because it's a long post already, here's my Thank You's.

Melinda, you rock baby, thanks for putting up with me! And thanks for cutting the "endo" decals on the tank.

To all the friends that have pitched in to get this done be it with screwdrivers, cameras, words, or inspiration.
- Joe Dunderdale (BritJoe) - the brackets, the support, the garage space and tools, the guidance, the inspiration and the friendship. This bike would not have been completed without your help.
- Brad Chorney and Dan Bruce - My instructors at school. Fountains of Knowledge and two of the most ingenious people I have ever met. Thanks for the knowledge, guidance, the input and for staying late more than once in shop so I could continue to work. Thanks for everything you've provided, including the career. It was a pleasure being your student.
- Jeff Dewald (Sev) - the moral support, the mechanical help at school, the blog entries and their excellence, the input, and the friendship.
- D McCormick - more moral support, a great friendship, so cool ideas, the extra set of hands and the cool Exile Cycle hat!
- Ernest Barbaric - the addiction...what more can I say? You got me hooked on this concept!
- Lanny Irwin - The plastic welding, great job man, the bellypan looks like new!
- Brad Ewing the Welding Instructor - ummm....the baking? No, the finish welding you did for free, on a tight timeline to make everything come together.
- Derek Pauletto at Trillion Industries - The inspiration and passion for custom work, the fabrication, the input.
- The crew at Universal Cycle - getting me the parts on time and the extra set of hands that was always available, you guys rock.
- Ryan Jarmaine - the paint and bodywork...someone else fell through on their commitments, but whether you hated the job or not, you did fantastic work for what you had to work with (a 4x6 room in a dirty quonset), and you did it on a tight damn deadline. Thanks for everything man!
- Ian and Amanda Tong of Signetix - the local team who did awesome in a short time frame to hook me up with the Monster Energy themed graphics.

I know I'm missing a bunch, I'll add them as I remember. If I've forgotten you directly, email me and I will give you your dues!

Lastly, the online resources that have been priceless in this build
www.zx6e.net The single BEST resource, online or otherwise for ZX6 owners.
www.groundpilots.com
and of course, the guys who started the buildoff, www.customfighters.com

It has been tedious, pleasurable, hard, and fun to do this...keep an eye out for the next one!



THANKS!
Josh


PS I am not in any affiliated or sponsored by Monster Energy, I just love drinking Monster Green!

Codename: Darkside

As so often happens in the entertainment industry a project is undertaken using a codename or psuedonym. Project Darkside was a similar exercise in secrecy. From day one inspiration has flown from one source. That little black and green can that contains the sweet nectar of the gods. Many late night building escapades were fueled merely by high hopes and enough energy drink to induce heart arrhythmia.

So without further ado I introduce to you the true face of Project Darkside: Project Monster.

So, required image for judging front right view. Take note of the monster type slash across the front fender. Not to mention endo's proud branding on the tank. Don't forget the custom fabbed exhaust hanger :D!




























Required image number two. Rear Right. I'd like to draw attention to - the subframe mounting brackets made of an old chain sprocket and the custom fabbed coolant reservoir - anodized with a monster logo. You can also make out the Acewell gauge carefully tucked in behind the windscreen. The undertail was handfabbed by endo, and the exhaust is a cutdown version off a GSXR if memory serves (I'm sure I'll be corrected here later). Barend mirrors and custom green grips tie the front to the back.




























Required image number 3 Rear Left. Again, you can see the custom coolant reservoir. The hugger itself was painful to track down, originally a sick off-teal color it's been repainted and the classic monster brand added.





































Racing stripes pulled directly from the monster can pull the entire bike together - they carry through the seat into the tail. And we're gonna rep custom fighters to the nines.





























Finally the Front Left. I don't think anything else needs to be said about the bike at this point. Just enjoy the view.





























Now for the glory/random shots.

I think this is one of my favorite pics because you can see how well the bike ties itself together. The front and back wheels mirror each other with the use of similar looking plastics. The hugger and fender look the same. The black bellypan balances out the black of the tank and tail above the engine giving the bike as a whole a more complete look. And the angle of the tail ties in very nicely with the angle of the tank. Not to mention the clean way the Acewell headlight and Harley indicators finish off the front end.


























Moooooonster!


























At this point, I would like to offer thanks to endo for including me in this build, it's been a pleasure to work alongside you. And congratulations to him. As even if he didn't win the buildoff, he's still built something to be proud of. A winner in his own right.

The astute amongst our reader base will have noticed small hints as to the final direction of this build. Small comments about monsters, or the color schematic on the page. Little things, but we had fun doing it.

Born Too Slow

What are you doing right now? Me... I just got out of the shower after a hard day at work. endo on the other hand is sequestered away in his garage wrenching like mad. Loud clangs and louder saws can be heard. And a knock at the door is greeted with the suggestion that the intruder "wander away and proceed to transition to a different state of entropy."

I'm looking forwards to seeing the final result.

Dreaming in Neon Black

So at this point in time I'm faced with what some might call a rather difficult predicament. I live in Edmonton, Endo in Calgary. That's about 3 hours between us. We're also working hours that should be considered sickening.

Despite all this he continues to make progress on Project: Darkside without my interfeara... I mean help. Which leaves me in the unenviable position of updating a blog that I have no direct access too. Now, I could make up a bunch of wild stories of daring do and exciting adventure. Or I could just let Endo do all the work... but I've already received payment for the words that flow forth from these golden fingers so let us away.

Today Endo and I met halfway between here and there (I believe it's called nohere) and he filled me in a little. Which is to say he gave me some pics and told me generally what was going on:

Darkside is running, infact she'll bring the front end up in the first three gears without trying. Though you can smell that the mixture is... a little rich. Going to take a little tuning, and she's loud as fuck. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. We continue to keep our eyes open for an orignial Z1000 exhaust. You would think that with me working at a Kawi dealership there would be lots floating around... but that is sadly not the case.

Last week Darkside went in for paint.


After careful masking a subtle coat of gloss black was layed down. I know it's tough to see, but if you look close enough you'll notice it.



The subframe received a similar treatment.




And because I'm a prick, here Haelo is why the buildoff final pics should include a sideshot.






AND, the Acewell gauge is all wired up.


The plastics are in the shop for custom paint, and we're hoping to see everything together by next weekend.

Enjoy the rest of the buildoff :D!