79 Special II RestoCustom "Doomy"

I think they are available both ways - chromed cast steel and aluminum alloy. I'm an aluminum alloy fan myself. I like the look, shiny but not "chrome" shiny.
 
Good question Mailman! The last one I had was kinda polished aluminum (dull) Now this is chromed cast aluminum. Its not stamped. Its pretty nice.
If my cycle was here at the shop I could with time shape the tail light to match the fender. In this case (80+) era fender. The tail light rubber and 2 existing holes create a very well sealed and vibe free mount.
This light on a 80+ rear Special fender is a great combination. I have yet to drill the ONE front hole required for the mount.
The original blue/yel/blk wires will hide and fit well.
;)
 
Just curious... is the seat gonna hide the U-bolts you used to fasten the rear fender to the frame loop? I still think that's one of the cooler parts of your build. Would be a shame to hide them.
 
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Just curious... is the seat gonna hide the U-bolts you used to fasten the rear fender to the frame loop? I
Cool :)
Not gonna hide those loops.
The "solo" seat is giving me fit troubles but I'm still winning there slowly. The whole rear end look of the new turnsignal locations, loops, tail light and even the chrome license plate frame all work together in my opinion..
 
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:cool:
And its all so solid that if you'd kick it. Ya better have more than a tennis shoe on
 
Allright you guys, the "Lucas Style" tail light has me making more changes as the fitment test just didn't measure up to XS650ers high standards.
Its So chinese after all. I found that additional spacers are needed between the lens plate and the light housing. There is a recess there that just gets squished ? No..
And the lens itself is held on by two screws, no washers at all into over size holes? No..
So I'm shaping the radius also to better fit the fender and hope to use both the XS rubber mount piece ( shaved down) and the tail light rubber (cut to fit)
Nothing is fast . No short cuts yesterday. But, It will be improved!
More test fitting after work .
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I've noticed a few more "Lucas Style" knockoffs on pics lately. Some are seemingly a different casting all together. This one of mine has taken me a couple attempts at the shop to reshape the casting arc shape. Its going to stay low on the fender as originally planned. It now will be using the given rubber pad at least. I've belt sanded away mostly at the forward mount hole. Also at the very rear of the mounting surface. The radius is greatly improved to a state I'm calling done. The high arc area is yet un modified. If I were to continue further sanding, the license plate interferes with the fender. So its Done there.
The red and clear two piece lens itself also needed flat sanding as the edge all around was left very crude. Mold slag and uneven surfaces did not pass the fitment to the seal at all as I saw it. The lens fastening screws are even an odd size. M4×.7 and the head is barely big enough to fit the lens hole. So off to the hardware store there too to perhaps get lucky on some stainless screws with bigger dia heads and or plastic washers there..
Basically, Every component of the chinese light is being modified and the hardware upgraded. Time consuming? YES but I do like it
:)
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Lucas tail light, "last chapter"..
Sheesh I'm happy to report about the installation after several hardware store stops sorting thru the miscellaneous needed to properly install this light. Besides the modification of the added ground wire to the casting socket itself. It is seen in the following pics of the steps taken to bolt this great looking light down.
I'm just going to post pics incase others are wondering why this took a week lol.. ;)
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Now, back to the seat.. -R
 

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Thanks to all you XS XSperts :)
Perfectionists of the world unite! :)
Quite a group of cycle nuts on here to measure up to. Its very satisfying in the end to strive for the best result you can achieve. Its a challenge to get there at times. Especially these times. Yesterday in the hardware store (second visit) I was aggressively confronted by a mentally ill and clearly frustrated sort of a guy. He was cussing at me and flipping me off right there in the aisle for taking too long in his "space" Weird times now..
I restrained my own aggressions back as unnecessary and unproductive.
 
"Shelter in place" hmm, that leads to extra thinking time i suppose :umm:
In the garage today gathering seat project stuff. (tough mod) I gave Doomy a look over and discovered my fuel petcock isn't sealing up to snuff. Yup, not a 100% seal when garaged and that will not do ! Off came the tank. Got me looking around. And made a phone call to my daughters guy who is barely working at the auto body shop. Doomy is going to change in appearance ! My 78E Standard tank..
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And I blew the dust off of a cool little windshield some of you may remember from years ago. It's never been installed on anything. MaxPete, you see this?
20200503_153824.jpg

And adding this sporty windshield seemed best (edit) if the upside down fake clip on bars are changed out for "Euro bend" with bar end mirrors.
What the heck. Everything is taking longer than expected while the 79 Special II is continuing on a path to "Cool Worthy".
Wait for it.;)
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"Shelter in place" hmm, that leads to extra thinking time i suppose :umm:
In the garage today gathering seat project stuff. (tough mod) I gave Doomy a look over and discovered my fuel percock isn't sealing up to snuff. Yup, not a 100% seal when garaged and that will not do ! Off came the tank. Got me looking around. And made a phone call to my daughters guy who is barely working at the auto body shop. Doomy is going to change in appearance ! My 78E Standard tank and the custom side covers going to be painted
View attachment 166022
And I blew the dust off of a cool little windshield some of you may remember from years ago. It's never been installed on anything. MaxPete, you see this?
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And adding this sporty windshield is only possible if the upside down fake clip on bars are changed out for "Euro bend" with bar end mirrors. So that decision was made. 5twins you hearing that? I'm finally going to ditch the bars lol..
What the heck. Everything is taking longer than expected while the 79 Special II is continuing on a path to "Cool Worthy".
Wait for it.;)
View attachment 166027

Man! You’re giving me whiplash yoU change things so fast! :laugh2: I remember that cool little windshield, it’s very unique!
 
Very nice! Hey Randy - could you possibly flip me a sketch of those brackets with dimensions?

Thanks!

Pete
 
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Euro bars didn't show by Thur so the Tomaselli Adjustable bars got a total flip and reset to comply with the Windshield. Chrome Hardware again! but check it out.. ;)
So many small adjustments and twists to get to what you see! :cool:
Blinged the 78E tank with "Special" silver trim. Needs a slight interior clean out & petcocks. Got it.
What a fun day in the driveway in the Sunshine!

Brake lines need to be even shorter now of course. Straight
banjo bolts sure will help at the mc..
-R
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