Santander-Cat

Hi All,

After my intro on the forums earlier in the week, several members have asked to see more pics of my Cat. After scouring the forums and perusing the posts I think here is the best place to list some pics, with a few explanations as to why I chose the scheme etc but I don't seem to be able to 'paste' images into the post thread.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Chris.

This explanation should help

STAND DOWN!!

After scouring further I have found the 'instructions' sticky post ref adding pics etc.

Give me time to a. read and digest, b. prepare a stiff drink (think im gonna need 1!), then c. complete my post, whilst consuming more stiff drinks etc! lol.

Watch this space peeps.

Cheers Stevecat,

Must have been typing at the same time mate! lol.

If you are typing quite a long post it is an idea to copy it all to clipboard before hitting send as if there are any issues there is a chance you could lose it.
Once bitten twice shy.....I've been bitten about 6 times now though :(

So guys n gals, here goes with the post!

The inspiration for my project was Haga's 2007 WSB paint scheme, I looked long and hard at how the decals would go and how to over come things like the front number board, rear tail tidy and pillion passenger cowl etc.



After the last ride of the season in 2008 (still in Germany!!) she was parked up in the 'cosy' garage (you will see it was far from an ideal workshop, but needs must!) and I started stripping away.




whilst stripped, including the removal of the swing arm, she received a full service that included valve head clearance, carbs, exh headers refurb and also the swing arm and rear shock. The majority of which I did, less the rebalancing of the carbs mainly due to lack of gauges! I did as much of an engine refurb as I could without workshop facilities but since the revamp the only thing I haven't had to play with yet on the engine is the clutch, YET!! lol I completed some rear end mods, ie took a jig saw to the rear mudguard, lost the little bungee hooks from the rear frame spars and also constructed a new rear bracket to secure both the new under tray and the rear lights, tail tidy and plastics.  I repaired several panels that had succumbed to little stress cracks and prepped the panels ready for paint. I did some dry fits and with the help of a few mates, decided on decal locations. Armed with photos as 'mein deutcher sprecken ist nicht gudt' I approached a local paint shop with my plans and ideas and asked if they could help. More than accommodating and with an attitude that seemed to be 'apologising for their countries actions during ze var' (Harry Enfield and Chums!) they said that I could use their facilities, some of their trainees and only charge me Euro500! this was to include the lacquering in of all the decals when they arrived from the grand old US of A!



A few pics of her with  the plain colours ready for decal locations and fitting. The first real problem was the decal set from the US, the red was the wrong RAL that we had used on the bike. Although barely noticeable, the spray shop were consummate professionals, were not about to put their name to half a job and more so wanted some pics of her after transformation. They, at no extra cost, recut the red decals from their own stock and replaced the cacky dark red yank ones, bonus!!





So, after locating all the decals, fine tuning a few wet fit issues and completing a few more weeks hard work, I finally took receipt of my panels etc and did the final fit at home. The aim was to be ready for the Assen WSB round in '09 but due to delays in decals, unforeseen issues with previous damage repairs (you discover quite a lot about a bikes 'hidden' history when panels are removed) she had to wait until the Moto-GP round instead for her grand debut to the public.
She proved to be as reliable as ever, was as unforgiving as ever (took some time to get used to the jack up kit I fitted to not only improve handling but to show off the under tray! vein? agreed!) and turned a few heads as people could see the Cat behind the mods, brill! This was how she was fresh out of the garage, both I and the missus were chuffed to bits.







A few answers, the head light has a Velcro cover fitted with the number board on, well it did up until last year where a trip to Alston with a few of the lads became its last! It flew off, narrowly missed my head and was crushed by a van before I could get chance to collect it! She has mini inline indicators at the front with LED ballast resistors to get the correct flash. The tail tidy was from Portugal as pyramid plastics no longer manufactured it. As stated she also has a 20mm jack up kit fitted, took some getting used to but she tips in lovely!

Hope the post wasn't too boring, when I start something I like to see it through to the end, as you can see!

Cheers for the interest,
Chris.

Bloody beautiful!!

Damn nice bike that pal, really top drawer, I've gotta say probably One of the nicest aftermarket do overs I've seen. There are a lot more refurbs about and it just further goes to show how loved these cats are, god job pal.

wow mate, absolutely beautiful

The founder of this group used to have a pink can like that! 

Pink??

Me thinks your screen settings are off or checking your age maybe its time for another trip to spec savers?

Lovely job.

When I first looked at your avatar I didn't see a black 4 on a white background I saw what I thought was something similar to Ducati 999 lights.

greencat wrote:The founder of this group used to have a pink can like that! 

Thunder_Chris_47 wrote:Pink??Me thinks your screen settings are off or checking your age maybe its time for another trip to spec savers?

He refers of course to Diesel and his "Pink" (sun faded) end can.

Me thinks you could be catching a hint of Déjà vu, I said . . . Déjà vu

Think 1033 & flack jacket, just to stop those ribs getting a wee bit sore from the tickling . . . IN COMING !!! . . . . . . .

I like the number board on the front, might look into it for mine.
Great looking bike.

Think 1033 & flack jacket, just to stop those ribs getting a wee bit sore from the tickling . . . IN COMING !!! . . . . . . .

FLACK JACKET!! LOL

Er, would that be 'old timer' speak for Combat Body Armour (CBA) or ECBA (Enhanced) or Osprey (the new new stuff)??

I remember the old green flacks we wore in NI, not much good for rib tickling but were bloody excellent when my section's baton gunner had an ND and decided that I would be stopping said baton at a distance of 10m or so.
On my arse was a mild understatement!

Duly noted about 'incoming' but as I would say to any UN delegation "He started it!!" lol

Clincher,

Ebay mate, cheap as chips AND not illegal during the day, well not until we have to fall into line with Euro conformity rules!

Thanks Chris,
I now have a feeling I will be shopping today. Only drama is that the bike is in Jorge Lorenzo colours with his initials at the back etc, would mean I'd end up putting his number on for authenticity. And I'll let you into a little secret, I bloody hate that little sh#t.
Well 12 more days leave then back to work to do my last 6 months!! Loads of riding to be done!!!