Russ’s GSX-R1100 bobber

As you can see, this is not a motorcycle for shrinking violets. And, as it turned out, not a motorcycle for an easy loom build. Like all stripped-down bikes it had nowhere to hide the cables.

There’s not much you can do about the cables, but the hexagonal ‘tool chest’ offered the chance to hide most of the electrical hardware. So in went the ignition switch, starter solenoid, flasher unit, fuse box, and Ignitech ignition (the original ignition had disappeared in a move). It got a bit crowded in there but you can get at each item individually.

The battery lurks in the box underneath. It’s amazing how much more involved it is to fit a battery to a closed box than to a conventional one.

Up front Russ had tracked down some totally far out push-button switchgear. Once I’d worked out the best button combination it became obvious that the hi/lo switch would have to be a momentary one. That means you need a latch relay (first press gives high beam, next press gives low beam, etc). It’s a chunky thing but it just fitted in the headlight.

Like many RR bikes it ended up with Ignitech: a mere £125 for a plug and play ignition box. The bike hadn’t run for eight months, but it started first press of the button.

Russ was very pleased with his now fully functional project, and looking forward to getting it on the road this summer.