zeroxs650
XS650 Addict
Thanks Michaelo, be patient and don't rush it, your time will come.
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What have you done to your XS today?
- Thread starter I am Carbon
- Start date
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- Tags
- maintenance
Changed her dress and added a backrest.
![IMG_20160804_220515_541[1].jpg](https://www.xs650.com/attachments/img_20160804_220515_541-1-jpg.87291/ "IMG_20160804_220515_541[1].jpg")
And cleaned some petcocks. I'm so glad I decided to open these.
![IMG_20160804_202422_924[1].jpg](https://www.xs650.com/attachments/img_20160804_202422_924-1-jpg.87293/ "IMG_20160804_202422_924[1].jpg")
And cleaned some petcocks. I'm so glad I decided to open these.
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eddahenry
XS650 Enthusiast
Sporty tank was sitting to high
So I made a deep tunnel
So it can sit lower
So I made a deep tunnel
So it can sit lower
mikeh36
XS650 Enthusiast
Did some polishing today. Just got the grab bar done as I got interrupted part way through. It's not as nice as most of the polish jobs I've seen on here but I'm pretty sure it's never been polished. I've attached before and after shots even though the lighting is different. I started out with some wire wheel attachments for my drill to get the really bad crud off before wet sanding with 400 and 800 sandpaper then applying Mother's. I'm hoping to use the wire wheels on the engine covers to get through the clear coat but don't know if it'll work and don't want to mess them up.
Attachments
[QUOTE="mikeh36, post: 469437, member: 5619"I started out with some wire wheel attachments for my drill to get the really bad crud off before wet sanding with 400 and 800 sandpaper then applying Mother's. I'm hoping to use the wire wheels on the engine covers to get through the clear coat but don't know if it'll work and don't want to mess them up.[/QUOTE]
Don't use steel wire wheels on aluminum. You'll set up corrosion. Tiny bits of steel get embedded in the aluminum alloy. That's bad. If you feel you have to use a wire rotary brush use one made of aluminum or brass. Don't use steel wool, either. Use aluminum wool.
Have you ever removed a steel bolt from an aluminum case and found it covered in white powder? Since you're working on an old bike, I'm sure you have. The powder is the aluminum turning into salts. The steel bolt is not rusted because the aluminum is anodic to the steel bolt. The aluminum is giving up electrons to the steel. Your science lesson for today.
Don't use steel wire wheels on aluminum. You'll set up corrosion. Tiny bits of steel get embedded in the aluminum alloy. That's bad. If you feel you have to use a wire rotary brush use one made of aluminum or brass. Don't use steel wool, either. Use aluminum wool.
Have you ever removed a steel bolt from an aluminum case and found it covered in white powder? Since you're working on an old bike, I'm sure you have. The powder is the aluminum turning into salts. The steel bolt is not rusted because the aluminum is anodic to the steel bolt. The aluminum is giving up electrons to the steel. Your science lesson for today.
mikeh36
XS650 Enthusiast
Thank you Marty. Guess it's time to go shopping. I've tried polishing the side covers before but with the clear coat it never looks good. That's why I started with the grab handle. I've seen a lot on eBay if this one goes south.
uncle meat
XS650 Addict
Changed oil, cleaned oil filter and sump filter. Tried tracking down an oil leak on the left side, but ran out of time. Think it's coming from the output shaft seal, or shift seal.
Also got the bearings installed on the freshly powder coated front hub.
UM
Also got the bearings installed on the freshly powder coated front hub.
UM
BBQRider
XS650 Enthusiast
Trying to figure out a few wiring issues and clean it up at the same time.
pckopp
XS650 Addict
I struggled with this also but there are lots of experts here that showed me the way.
Dico Nylox brushes are invaluable. They come in three grades, 80, 160, and 240. Grey, orange, and blue.
https://www.amazon.com/Dico-541-772-4-Nyalox-Wheel-4-Inch/dp/B00004YYD7/
https://www.amazon.com/Dico-541-778-4-Nyalox-4-Inch-Orange/dp/B00004YYD8/
https://www.amazon.com/Dico-541-784-4-Nyalox-Wheel-4-Inch/dp/B00004YYD9/
Use these on your drill motor.
Get the gunk off with the Grey brush, then follow with the orange and blue.
You can follow this with some 400 and/or 800 wet/dry. Then your favorite polish. If you want a perfect chrome finish you need to invest in a buffing motor and various wheels and compounds.
I restored some fork lowers that were truly awful. I ride this bike so I didn't try for a perfect finish, just clean and shiny.
pckopp
XS650 Addict
A little summer overhaul. Rebuilding the carbs, shined up a bunch of stuff.
wrenchjohns
XS650 Addict
I noticed a NOS xs1 tail light on ebay for a hundred bucks so I went out to the garage and looked at the xs1. I think i'm gonna keep the repop light and just get the red reflector lens. A firm decision will be in the works at the end of the week. This restoration wasn't really supposed to be perfect but I can't seem to stop myself.
Doug79
XS650 Addict
LOL!! Man I know exactly what you are talking about. I do the same thing. I have done it with about nine car builds and I am am doing the same thing with a low miles 79 Special. Started out as a cosmetic build. Now there are no two pieces still bolted together, Some frame and bodywork modifications and every upgrade known to man are planned. If it works out just right, by the time I am done, I should have at three to four times what its worth invested. It is a disease.
P.S. I have an 08 Road King but can't hold a candle to the ground you've covered. 39 States is impressive.
P.S. I have an 08 Road King but can't hold a candle to the ground you've covered. 39 States is impressive.
westonboege
XS650 Addict
Ive been working on a few xs projects sparingly lately .... started this one a few years ago for the xs chopoff... Still havent finished it... lol!
Gonna have more time for this soon... but pronounced the frame and motor a motorcycle the other day and started scavenging parts from my piles!
Gonna have more time for this soon... but pronounced the frame and motor a motorcycle the other day and started scavenging parts from my piles!
0.008" TIR!!??!! Built to a price point, I guess.
djdiablo
XS650 Member
Started polishing my carbs yesterday and just ordered jets, pilots and gaskets!
Sorry, no A to compare with B. System came defective, I fixed, just installed it on my "new" project not on road.
The FJ-09 is my daily driver.
cheers
Michaelo
650Mick
How did you get the carbs cleaned? Mine look like crap.....
djdiablo
XS650 Member
Bought a metal polishing kit at harbor freight, the one that comes with jewler's rouge hit it with my air cut-off tool and the pads, used mothers after that. I'm almost done with them!
Michaelo
650Mick
Hi djdiablo, I can do the bowl polish, but the body is a different story, please, can you explain a little more in Australian as to what you did ha!
Even pm me if you wish, they certainly look great......
Even pm me if you wish, they certainly look great......
Michaelo
650Mick
Today I worked on my bike instead of someone else's, oil dump, filter clean, air filter check, polish side cover, clean rear rim, oil chain, fit new latch to tins, went for a ride, looked at carbs and thought,I need to do something about that. 
