You get a good view of the reflectors also.
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Mailman’s XS2 a full on restoration
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Yeah, thanks! That’s what I want to do.
I think that the mounts on top of the forks tend to droop and not look straight also.
Well I did dig out the reflectors today but I don't think there are any better if as good as what you have. I know the chrome mounts for them are not as nice! If for some reason you do find you need one or more let me know.
Also on the fork lock front. I went through every box that should or might have had the key and no luck. I also was not able to find the key switch so it is a possibility that at some time I sold that to someone and would have naturally included the key. Just a thought, there was another guy down south who was also restoring a 1972. I believe you had been in contact with him one time about parts for front forks. Maybe that is where the key switch went.
Also on the fork lock front. I went through every box that should or might have had the key and no luck. I also was not able to find the key switch so it is a possibility that at some time I sold that to someone and would have naturally included the key. Just a thought, there was another guy down south who was also restoring a 1972. I believe you had been in contact with him one time about parts for front forks. Maybe that is where the key switch went.
Thanks for checking Ken. I was working on the better of the two that I bought today and I think it’s going to clean up just fine. I should have a set ready to go, very soon!
Thanks for checking Ken. I was working on the better of the two that I bought today and I think it’s going to clean up just fine. I should have a set ready to go, very soon!
The rear ones off my `72 are red.
Every once in a while I am trying to pick the lock on that old frame. Never can tell someday I might just get lucky!
Get some "jiggler" keys and you might just "crack" it. You can also make some useful picking tools from the stainless steel strips found in old windshield wiper blades (thanks to gggGary for this "tool tip") .....
REFLECTORS ARE DONE!
This turned out to be quite a bit of work, and really is a good example of the way things have gone for this whole build. Original parts damaged or missing, so I shopped around for replacement parts, usually having to rely on used original or NOS parts since so much of what I’ve needed is obsolete or no decent new parts are available.
Original reflectors were mismatched, so I found a set of TX750 reflectors that looked correct online and ordered them ( and they weren’t cheap ) only to receive them and realize they were wrong.
So back to eBay again and this time finding a correct set and having to do a bunch of work to them to bring them back to usable condition. There are very many components on this bike that have required parts from donor bikes, sometimes multiple donors for one component, such as my forks, I bought a complete set of used forks for parts and STILL had to buy more used parts for things that were too damaged to use. And don’t even get me started on the brand new parts that I’ve bought that were unusable.
Anyways, back to the reflectors. Derust the chrome housings, spray paint the insides with clear, wax the outer chrome part. The reflectors got scuffs and scratches removed from the lenses and then polished , as well as the aluminum housings.
Before and after....
All the parts that either came on the bike or I purchased to get one usable set.
These were holding up production, since the forks slide up through these, they have to be installed at the same time. Now I can move foward with the front end assembly, and get back to that blistering pace I’ve been keeping!
Later,
Bob
This turned out to be quite a bit of work, and really is a good example of the way things have gone for this whole build. Original parts damaged or missing, so I shopped around for replacement parts, usually having to rely on used original or NOS parts since so much of what I’ve needed is obsolete or no decent new parts are available.
Original reflectors were mismatched, so I found a set of TX750 reflectors that looked correct online and ordered them ( and they weren’t cheap ) only to receive them and realize they were wrong.
So back to eBay again and this time finding a correct set and having to do a bunch of work to them to bring them back to usable condition. There are very many components on this bike that have required parts from donor bikes, sometimes multiple donors for one component, such as my forks, I bought a complete set of used forks for parts and STILL had to buy more used parts for things that were too damaged to use. And don’t even get me started on the brand new parts that I’ve bought that were unusable.
Anyways, back to the reflectors. Derust the chrome housings, spray paint the insides with clear, wax the outer chrome part. The reflectors got scuffs and scratches removed from the lenses and then polished , as well as the aluminum housings.
Before and after....
All the parts that either came on the bike or I purchased to get one usable set.
These were holding up production, since the forks slide up through these, they have to be installed at the same time. Now I can move foward with the front end assembly, and get back to that blistering pace I’ve been keeping!
Later,
Bob
Wulfbyte
XS650 Addict
Nice rehab on those reflectors,what did you use to remove the scuffs,scratches,and to polished them! I have a couple I would like to do!
Never paid too much attention to those front reflectors and the way they mount. Sure would suck big time if one got broke after bike was completly assembled.
As always they look great, especially when one sees the before and after photos.
As always they look great, especially when one sees the before and after photos.
Would a 40 foot semi trailer fit in your driveway?
Haha! Thanks guys! 
I don’t know what there is about bringing back the shine that I enjoy so much. I can’t save everything though. One of the chrome cover I bought was too far gone to bring back, but fortunately I had an extra.
I did some gentle sanding with wet sand paper, first 800 grit, then 1500, then finished up with plastic polish applied with small buffer that came in a headlight restoration kit.
I talked about it here.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/mailman’s-xs2-a-full-on-restoration.51520/page-82
I don’t know what there is about bringing back the shine that I enjoy so much. I can’t save everything though. One of the chrome cover I bought was too far gone to bring back, but fortunately I had an extra.I did some gentle sanding with wet sand paper, first 800 grit, then 1500, then finished up with plastic polish applied with small buffer that came in a headlight restoration kit.
I talked about it here.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/mailman’s-xs2-a-full-on-restoration.51520/page-82
Ah,
The famous turd polisher strikes again!!!
My mother used to say that "you cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear" but, you Bob. "You Da Man"
Geedub
Scripto VU
Dukes Speed and Custom
"for it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be. what is once well done,is well done forever"
(somebody famous must have said this )
Bob, i am amazed ! woodstock 50 year reunion coming up you are blowing my mind now.
(somebody famous must have said this )
Bob, i am amazed ! woodstock 50 year reunion coming up you are blowing my mind now.
Thanks guys! I appreciate the kind words, now if the darn thing will only run when I get it back together I’ll be thrilled!
So goes the restoration saga of buying parts and parts. I am working on a little 76 RS100 I bought several years ago for $70. Well I now got about $500 into it and I still need to get the frame powered coated. $25 here $35 there and it adds up. It keeps us out of the bars anyway. Probably never recoup my money on it but the next project is the RD350. Cant wait to start that. You do know I was so close to pick that 650 up before you snagged it. All I can say is better you than me (LOL). You are doing a great job. It will be a nice addition to the other one you have.
Thank you! You know I was thinking about you yesterday and the fact that you nearly bought this bike. I was wondering what your plans for it would’ve been? Another full blown resto like your other XS2?
By the way, I had a ‘73 RD350 back in the ‘74.
What year is yours?
RD's Had a 200 and then a 400, both fun bikes. Worst problem with the 200 was when the little gear that powered the Oil Injection pump fell off! For some reason the rod bearings did not appreciate that one bit!
Went to dealer to see about buying a pair of rods and getting them installed in the crank. Dealer's wife who was the main parts person said, "Rod kits are $25 each and the shop price to replace them is another $25 each, but I can sell you a brand new factory assembled crank for $125" As the factory crank came with new center seals and bearing it was a no brainer for me.
Don't think you could buy a new crank for a RD350 for that these days if one was even available!
Not being a restoration purist, I found some reflectors at our local bicycle shop. In their junk box. Got 'em for free.
What really bugs me is the reflector mounts will slowly rotate/wander about +/- 20°.
I haven't seen anything to keep them perfectly straight.
Just nit-pickin'...
What really bugs me is the reflector mounts will slowly rotate/wander about +/- 20°.
I haven't seen anything to keep them perfectly straight.
Just nit-pickin'...
Oddjob
adsgads
Hi Mailman, great progress... sorry if this is off topic as to where you are at with your build... just curious as to your post #602, have you resolved the caliper rebuild issues? was kind of surprised that others would not have experienced similar issues using MikesXs rebuild kits/parts on the early calipers.
