Recent content by xsdrew

Good to know. Thanks. I actually gave them a slight tap with a plastic handle while they were still hot just to make sure they were all the way down. I can just bearly catch a finger nail on them, so I figure it should be fine.

I just powder coated my cylinders (never powder coated a motorcycle engine before) and this happened: I hung it up to cool off and the liners slid very smoothly back in place without any resistance. The cylinder is now cool and the liners seem to be firmly in place again. Is this...

I know this has been covered over and over again... But, I'm just looking for clarification on one point: How tight should the pivot tube fit in the swing arm bushings? Should I be able to rotate it by hand? I bought new brass bushings from xs650 direct, and although the pivot tube fit...

Just gave that a try, no such luck.

Quick question: I just installed my new wheel bearings. I used a large socket the same diameter of the outside race to pound them in. I did one side until seated, then I flipped over the wheel, inserted the spacer and pounded in the other one the same way. Once it was close, I used the front...

When you heat up the headstock do you use a threaded rod or do you tap in the race with a drift?

I didn't put them in the freezer. I know it is commonly recommended to do it that way, but the instructions on their website didn't say anything so I figured it was ok to do it at room temperature. I'll put the next one in the freezer for sure. As an update, All Balls Racing got back to me...

Hey guys, I was just installing my new All Balls Racing steering bearing kit... I was using a threaded rod with an old bearing race to press the races in place. Everything was going great, the top bearing seated perfect and the lower bearing was about 75% seated when I heard a crack. I...

Good points. I think I'll order some new ones.

Quick question: Is it OK to reuse wheel bearings after you have removed them and they are in good shape? I know their cheap, but every dollar counts!

Thanks very much for letting me know that. This the exact kind of experience I was hoping to find! BTW, I really like the color.

Appreciate the replies. I've done a bit of digging with what it takes to re-lace a wheel and to be honest it looks like fun. I want to give it a shot. What I really want to do is convert my front wheel to an 18" but that causes an even greater expense. So, I think this time around I might...

I'm looking to restore the wheels on my '77. I have absolutely no experience at all with wire wheels what-so-ever. Basically, I was thinking I just wanted to go with the "black out" look. Black hub, spokes and hoop. What's the best way to go about this? I have access to sandblasting and...

Bump! Bump!

EDIT: I already found one. Thanks!