Miss November XS2 tribute

Well, it looks as though the compromise with the mudguards (fenders) will be as follows.

The rear will be painted orange along with the tank and side panels.

And the front will be a brand spanking new Yamaha chrome item. This was less expensive from Yambits.co.uk than some of the tired s/h ones on ebay.

I will probably hang on to the 'old' front one. At the very least it must be worth something to somebody . . .

Before fitting them, both will be treated to a coat of RustBuster 2-part epoxy. I have nothing to do with that company but am well impressed with the product. Painted under both 'guards on W800 before I took her out on the roads and now, five years on, both are perfect with no rust. Mudguards can be a weak spot on Kawasaki W800. In fact, probably on most bikes. Especially if you take them out on the roads during the Great Salt season.
 
In line with plans to go for the XS2 look:

PICT1808.JPG


Done to my spec by very obliging vinylcutuk for a very reasonable price - I have no connection with the company. Nice domed gel finish and flexible so should be easy to fit.

Now all I need is to get the restored tank back. And then have it painted.

And then start the bike. And then start to fettle . . .
 
In line with plans to go for the XS2 look:

View attachment 143831

Done to my spec by very obliging vinylcutuk for a very reasonable price - I have no connection with the company. Nice domed gel finish and flexible so should be easy to fit.

Now all I need is to get the restored tank back. And then have it painted.

And then start the bike. And then start to fettle . . .

Those badges are beautiful!

Could you possibly post a linky to that firm so that others could give them a try?

Pete
 
What color options were you considering Pete?

I'm likely going very dark green (like British Racing Green or perhaps the "black-green" colour that Honda used on the GB500) with silver striping and logos. I have found a couple of cars painted that shade of green at a car show and I have the paint codes recorded so I should be able to get some mixed up at our local body shop supply house.

I've got those beautiful cast "XS650" logos done by Resto and I've always like the contrast of a dark colour and silver.

Pete
 
- - - I've got those beautiful cast "XS650" logos done by Resto and I've always like the contrast of a dark colour and silver.
Pete

Hi Pete,
me too
IMG_0024.JPG
Had to epoxy mine onto the XS650's Standard tank as it was from a year that had decals instead of screw-mounted badges.
Filled the badges' lettering with ivory model paint, the outside with black, polished the lettering edges then clearcoated the entire tank.
 
Hi Pete,
me too
View attachment 143851
Had to epoxy mine onto the XS650's Standard tank as it was from a year that had decals instead of screw-mounted badges.
Filled the badges' lettering with ivory model paint, the outside with black, polished the lettering edges then clearcoated the entire tank.

Very nice Fred - snazzy!
 
Raymondo, what I have read and tried myself when painting over chrome is to sand it thoroughly and prime using a 2K Epoxy primer. It sticks very well. I then sanded and used a metallic gold base coat followed by a 2K isocyanate in a spray can (Pro XL 2K) to give the high gloss and scratch resistance. Of course you need to sand the epoxy and possibly apply a high build primer to ensure any scratches in the chrome do not show through for a high quality finish.

You can brush apply 2K epoxy but you are often left with brush marks and a lot of sanding to remove them. Best to add epoxy thinner and spray apply.

When using the 2K Epoxy or the Pro XL 2K isocyanate make sure you have excellent ventilation: Even spray outdoors weather permitting. I also wore a 3M white disposable suit, gloves and a good mask with organic vapour canisters (better still the isocyanate canisters). You do not want to get sensitized to isocyanate.
 
Thank you all for your comments. Paul, very helpful on the way ahead to overpaint the chrome, which has already been ruined by past attempt to paint. I might not do it myself - found a guy I'm going to ask to paint the tank, so I'll have a word with him. Don't feel I have the experience to paint the tank which is visually almost all important on a bike.

Of course, what I really want to do is get the bike fired up and start riding. But patience is required - there is a logical sequence.
 
Slightly puzzled that there's no oil sight glass in the r/h cover. Does this mean the cover is from an earlier bike?

Not much progress as I'm still waiting for the fuel tank to come back from the restorer. He said there were lots of holes - but you knew that? Er, no I didn't. Had to explain to him I've never actually ridden this bike

Been reading Mailman's thread on XS2. Wow, what a find - 46 years old and no rust! Impossible in the UK. I find it heart warming, almost life affirming, to know there's people happy to put so much love and work into an old bike.

There is a lot of interesting reading on this forum.
 
Been reading Mailman's thread on XS2. Wow, what a find - 46 years old and no rust! Impossible in the UK. I find it heart warming, almost life affirming, to know there's people happy to put so much love and work into an old bike.

Yeah, that’s life in the desert. One thing we we have plenty of here is Dry Heat! And thank you for the nice comments.

There is a lot of interesting reading on this forum.

That there is! Almost anything that can be done to these old bikes has already been done by someone here!
 
Today, plastered some RustBuster epoxy under the old rear mudguard and the new front one:


View attachment 144188


It ain't purdy, .

You're sure right there ;)

A little bit of time spent with some masking tape would have given a perfect finish.
Its the sort of job I would do cos I'm lazy lol:)

I've only just been introduced to the merits of Epoxy products and I'm looking forward to using some myself.
 
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