The Not So Silence of the Starter

Well, at last the solenoid arrived! Along with the slightly less important, new hand grips. After ripping the package open, I went straight to my "workshop" and attached the new solenoid. It was smooth sailing attaching all the wires and bolts. After everything was ready I turned the key, pressed the power...... and nothing, not even a click from the new solenoid. I figured the issue must be in the wiring, so I traced the wire all the way until it split into two paths one to the starter the other to the clutch!! I realized I have to squeeze the clutch to start the bike!!! I tried it this was and the solenoid click!! But still not starter, at this point I walked off annoyed.
The next day I came back to the bike refreshed and realized the starter motor had no negative current, so for a test I placed it on the engine case, pressed the button, and.... IT FIRED!!!

 The new solenoid waiting to be installed.

 Nice new hand grips, half waffle grip.

 The backs.

 Experimenting with possible paint ideas, of black and white. The whole tank would be black except where the tape is, with white pin strips.

 How I think it would connect to the side cover.

Thanks to my friend Brien, toying with the idea of a nice Union Jack on one of the side covers.

Beginning the "Make Over"

It's been a while, sadly I'm still waiting on the solenoid to come in, however I have not been idle. The gas tank was completely stripped of paint, no pictures because my camera was dead at the time. Now it has a coat of primer, and I'm starting to fix the dents.

 primer on the gas (petrol) tank.

 Also side cover primed for a colour test.

 I'm thinking a dark silver grey could be quiet nice. Thoughts from everyone (all 5 of you) would be great.

 First layer of dent fixer putty stuff.

Way more dents than I originally saw.

Work work work

So recently I have been extremely busy, sadly not working on my motorcycle. However the starter did arrive, and ran when I bypassed the solenoid, so it looks like the solenoid is also dead. So that's on the up coming shopping list. This brings us to what I've been doing lately, working, this motorcycle is eating my money. So I thought I'd put together a budget so far.

Part                                Cost in dollars
Suzuki GS450               550.00
Manual                          38.95
Paint Stripper 1             9.84
Battery                          131.22
Paint Stripper 2             8.47
Babcock's service         14.95
Starter Motor                50.00
Clutch Lever                12.99
Front Break Lever       14.95
Total                             831.37

Handlebars

So while waiting for the new starting motor to arrive, I have not been slacking off. I managed to attach the new clutch control, after about two hours of frustration. I also had to take both hand grips off, the left one came off with little issue, however I the throttle grip had to be cut off.

 Home made tool, made out off a coat hanger, used for removing grips

 The top is the new clutch control, bottom is the old one, you can see the difference, now both levers match

 Left had grip, about ready to come off

 New front brake on, still need to attach the brake line, and bleed the hydraulic system.

 one grip off, could be reused, but I'll probably just buy new ones.

 End off the grip, seriously dirty

 Inside of the grip, pretty nasty

Lastly the handlebar itself, with all the glue still on, really could do with a clean