VT1100-SABRE.org

Happy New Year!

One of my resolutions for this year is to spend more time working on the various projects that I have on my internal ‘to-do’ list. One of these projects is to put a new custom skin on the Sabre.

Time to get de…err…constructive! No better place to start than with cutting the rear fender.

When complete, this project will include modified front and rear fenders, rolled gas tank seams and a custom graphics job. I have used eBay to purchased used Sabre parts to complete the project with minimal down time. I was able to purchase a tank, both fenders and side covers for just over $500.

The tank will be sent to either Wild Card Customs or Badd Axe Customs to have the seams rolled. I will be contacting them both for pricing and scheduling. Since both of these places do custom paint too I’ll need to cut and prep the fenders first so they can be sent with the tank and everything can be painted at once.

I like the curves of the stock fender, I would just like to expose more of the big fat Avon Venom from the back. To duplicate the stock curve, I took a piece of paper and used a Sharpie to trace out the curve at the bottom of the fender. I then cut out the curve traced onto the paper and used that as a template to figure out where the cut line on the fender would be. What ended up looking best to me was a cut that would go between the tail-light assembly and license plate assembly. This will require a sidemount license plate bracket and relocation of the rear blinkers – funny how projects spawn other projects.

Once I had the cut lines marked, I fired up my trusty air compressor, put a new zip disk on my cutting wheel and went to work. I was originally going to try and roll the edges so I made my first cut about 1/2 inch below the cut line. While making the cut, I realized that one of the reinforcement ribs, inside the fender, crossed my cut line, making it almost impossible to roll the edge once the cut was complete. So I just made a second cut, this time following the line marked on the fender. After the cut was made, I used an angle grinder to clean up the cut.

Next weekend I’ll start sanding it down and getting it ready for paint.

larryj Mods

For those looking for a headlight modulator, www.headlightmodulator.com has one that works with most bikes, including the Sabre.

You’ll want the H4 version for a Sabre. I would recommend the 115W version, especially if you have upgraded the stock bulb (or plan to in the future).

Not sure why this inexpensive safety feature isn’t mandatory on all new bikes.

larryj Parts

Found this little goodie today while surfing around – a centerstand for the Sabre. I wonder if it would work with a lowered Sabre?

larryj Parts

Met up with some of the Dog Pack and took a highway 49 ride from Plymouth to Downieville.

It was a real nice ride between Nevada City and Downieville – will have to make sure and do that ride again. Maybe even go all the way through to 89 and come back down through Tahoe.

Talked with some locals in Grass Valley and they were saying that taking highway 20 from Grass Valley to Marysville was a nice ride too – might have to try that route next.

larryj Rides

Had a nice ride over the Mormon Emigrant trail for a 200+ mile ride today.

Took the back roads from Folsom up to Jenkinson Reservoir and over the trail to 88. Got off of 88 at Fiddletown/Shake Ridge Rd. At Volcano we took Sutter Creek Rd to the town of Sutter Creek. A quick trip up 49 to 16 and back home.

larryj Rides