British Columbia xs650 build

[FrkyMnky]

If your puller was for the stock flywheel, it will not work with the PMA. Found that out the hard way when I went to use it before double checking.

 

[truenorthmetal]

If your puller was for the stock flywheel, it will not work with the PMA. Found that out the hard way when I went to use it before double checking.

ya...do know that FM. I got the wrong one to pull the stock unit off - messed with it a bit and I am sure there are 45 backyard how to's out there when you dont have a puller.........but just ordered one so I did not wreck anything.

 

[truenorthmetal]

not done yet...but working on battery cradle

 

[truenorthmetal]

ok....battery cradle - Voltage reg housing is done

the sheet is some layer arounder that I had - prob only 20g or so - will go with 12g for final, but can now use the thin stuff as a template

The voltage reg is bolted to the bottom of the perforated metal plate, (you can see the plug welds that hold the studs, and you can just make out the yellow wire attached to the VR.
It fits right in the hole cut in the bottom floor. The wires from the PMA will connect to the VR in this space so you wont see the connection - I will increase a hole in the perf metal top and insert a grommet - wires will pass through there.

the VR fins are about 1/4 below (closer to the ground) than the bottom plate. Should get good cooling, and of course the perf metal top will help too - looks like a ground effect floor pan

The bike could do a Steve Austin crash - but the battery will remain in place !!

Better than angle iron and an old belt right ?

 

[truenorthmetal]

Engine ready... well....pretty close. Going back in frame for last mock up prob tomarrow.......maybe quickly light it by next weekend.......then back apart to get frame powdered.

 

[truenorthmetal]

Pamco Question -

Link to my question thread as I put it in electrical section

http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?p=355503#post355503

 

[truenorthmetal]

PMA in. Pamco in. Battery tray done, elect box done, carbs done, headers done, engine done....prime on tins just to help me decide on color....plug wires and fuel line in....new f brake master cyl is on the agenda....grips on the way. Wiring to do this week...maybe light by this weekend.......?

Still feel like I have a ton to do on it

 

[hard_y_rd]

Did ya do a clear on the frame or are you going to paint or powder?

 

[truenorthmetal]

Did ya do a clear on the frame or are you going to paint or powder?

planned on powdering the frame - black was intent and most likely still is.......but it looks good in natural metal look hey...

Maybe i will strip and polish it and clear powder....had also thought about doing a metal silver powder with gloss clear over top

dont know......what do you think..?

 

[hard_y_rd]

Ya, i was thinking silver would be as close to the natural metal look. I'm obsessed with the bare clean metal look. Every part on mine is down to the metal. I think i'm going to clear mine. Just got to have a few things to make it stand out.

 

[truenorthmetal]

Ya, i was thinking silver would be as close to the natural metal look. I'm obsessed with the bare clean metal look. Every part on mine is down to the metal. I think i'm going to clear mine. Just got to have a few things to make it stand out.

ya...did hear once that it is super tough to keep the metal bright under clear...like it still dulls and eventually yellows...who knows though. Guess if you spend the bucks, any look you wanted would be quality.

anyway...thats when I heard powder silver - then spray gloss clear over top - or powder clear while you were at it...course there is millions of powder looks out there. Tough to find guys in that industry who treat it like an art though........least where I am.

 

[hard_y_rd]

Right on man, sure it will look standout whatever you do. I'll be watching.

 

[truenorthmetal]

PS - I did pick up some clear powder for my Eastwood DIY powdering thingy...

I am going to give it a go this week and will for sure post a pic for you........

 

[Airwolfie]

As is looks great to me!! Flat black tins with bare metal or silver/aluminium look, that's what I'm thinking!!

 

[truenorthmetal]

As is looks great to me!! Flat black tins with bare metal or silver/aluminium look, that's what I'm thinking!!

So here is the deal....I am building this for a guy in Arizona...been sending him pics and getting input from him the whole time.......he was all about all black for an end result.

The whole time I was going....what about this...what about that.......he was like..... Black with some red !

So I primed the tins for a final test assemble before lighting the motor and painting.....hoping I could get him to have some other thoughts besides ALL black.

Sent him the same pics I posted above..........got a call from him about 30 seconds later going..........SWEET DUDE !!! I think it looks bitchin just the way it is....

Whew....I said I was hoping he would say that.

So........I have some cool translucent ruby red grips on the way that will compliment the red lines....flat black on the tins..........and raw "looking" metal frame.

Now the question is.........What is the best way to do that. Clear paint on frame, Clear powder on frame...? How do I prep frame before either of those..?

Is there a cool raw metal looking colored powder anyone has experience with....?

 

[hard_y_rd]

I'm going to spray my frame with spray max 2k clear sometime this week. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[truenorthmetal]

I have used that before on painted pieces...its cures pretty hard.

How have you stripped your frame....paint remove and brush and scotch bright or other approach...?

 

[hard_y_rd]

I wire wheeled my frame. Took a while. Got some light surface rust from sitting in the basement over a couple summers. Put steel wool to it to get that off. Cleaned it afterward with naphtha gas.

 

[lowerc]

Killer buid man.

I often peruse this forum at work on lunch break but they have photobucket blocked so I always skipped past this thread but made a mental note to check it out at home sometime. The write up sounded good but couldn't see pics.

All I have to say is, was not disappointed! This build delivers. I have a build going too and we have a couple similar ideas but I think I learned a thing or two reading this thread. Thanks

If you are interested, this is what i'm working on
flying crowbar

 

[Concrete5]

Great progress!!! Love the look of the build...

Unfortunately, I have done nothing with my build so far...How do you like the TC Bros engine stand? I was thinking of ordering one for myself...