What have you done to your XS today?

azman857 · Dec 23, 2020

I needed to get the rear wheel off to take it to the shop so they can get the new tire on. When it gets there fron back east that is. Well... The hard part is that the centerstand's tang id broken off. Sidestand out and a hydraulic jack under the left side of the swingarm near the wheel axle. Holding the frame level as it's being jacked up enough for the centerstand can be swung down. Once deployed, it is lowered and time to take the wheel off. Once off it is degreased so it is not so gross to handle for me or the shop guys. Shop gals? Anyway, it was not spotless but a lot cleaner. It is at Cycle Gear now. Once it is back in my hands, new grease on the bearings before reinstalling. Then repeat for the front wheel. Minus the centerstand part. Then I gotta get the centerstand fixed with a reenforced tang.

buzzword · Dec 23, 2020

Picked up a bunch of crap from the Cerakote place today.

messy bench is messy - story @ 11

Mailman · Dec 24, 2020

buzzword said:
Picked up a bunch of crap from the Cerakote place today.

View attachment 181298

messy bench is messy - story @ 11

Wow! I didn’t see that coming. What have you got in mind , finish wise, for the transmission case and jugs?

buzzword · Dec 24, 2020

Mailman said:
Wow! I didn’t see that coming. What have you got in mind , finish wise, for the transmission case and jugs?

engine’s been done and sitting for the most part for 6 months now - vapor blasted finish.

Just trying to add some contrast while keeping the color pallete pretty minimal. frame will be a bright silver powdercoat that looks a bit like brushed nickel. Some of the cerakoted parts are spares - like the tappet covers - but most of these will end up on the bike. Gotta put my forks back together now after shaving + coating stuff so it can be a roller again.

Still waiting on a tank.

ThatXS650Guy · Dec 24, 2020

buzzword said:
Just trying to add some contrast while keeping the color pallete pretty minimal. frame will be a bright silver powdercoat that looks a bit like brushed nickel. Some of the cerakoted parts are spares - like the tappet covers - but most of these will end up on the bike.

Really liking where you are going with this :cheers:

buzzword · Dec 28, 2020

ThatXS650Guy said:
Really liking where you are going with this

Thanks! Slowly but surely...

Speaking of which, got my forks re-assembled today with all new seals, bushings, and o-rings. The cerakote sure is a lot like the factory coating that was on the lower lugs - got both triples and the plate mount / hose guides coated to match as well.

I’ll have to tear it down again for powder on the frame and swingarm, but still gonna mock up where I can.

Still waiting on a tank.

lakeview · Dec 29, 2020

So I Said To Myself. ...
Why am I out in a cold garage fighting with a balky propane torch when I have many more BTU's in the kitchen?
Done!
Oh - and they deform before they melt.

azman857 · Dec 30, 2020

Got the wheels with new tires on them back from the shop. Will get them back on the bike tomorrow. Maybe take her out for a spin too.

5twins · Dec 30, 2020

With all the chopper and bobber guys around, I would think centerstands are a dime a dozen. Check the classifieds (or post a "Wanted" ad).

azman857 · Dec 30, 2020

It was a busier than normal day today. I just mounted/ reinstalled the wheels with new tires. I will take pics of them tomorrow and then go on a ride! Maybe take more pics of the ride and give a ride report with the new tires.

Beags64 · Dec 31, 2020

Repurposing scrap pile items....

lakeview · Dec 31, 2020

Assembly Tomorrow!
Spent the last couple days going over the base of a motor that I bought an incomplete project 7 years ago. PO had every bagged and marked all the bits so I was able to reassemble the rockers in the original locations.

Cam has a 7 stamped on it opposite the 447 mark, but the lobes do not look any bumpier than normal.
Reading Jim's top end overhaul thread as the sun goes down on 2020.

azman857 · Dec 31, 2020

Took the SG out after getting the rear wheel better aligned. Those first 50-100 feet were "exciting". Must of had a lot of mold release still in the tire. Wobbly like the they were a knife profile. They soon acted better as film wore away. I did "S" turns to get a wider band of clean tire. Traction improved as the miles accumulated. Turning became less scary. At the end of the ride, the tires acted as they should. I didn't try any grooved areas to check that out. It's the main reason for buying these tires. The 230's were not as bad as the 712's but there had to be something better.

Mailman · Dec 31, 2020

azman857 said:
View attachment 181782 View attachment 181783 View attachment 181784 Took the SG out after getting the rear wheel better aligned. Those first 50-100 feet were "exciting". Must of had a lot of mold release still in the tire. Wobbly like the they were a knife profile. They soon acted better as film wore away. I did "S" turns to get a wider band of clean tire. Traction improved as the miles accumulated. Turning became less scary. At the end of the ride, the tires acted as they should. I didn't try any grooved areas to check that out. It's the main reason for buying these tires. The 230's were not as bad as the 712's but there had to be something better.

Nice looking tires! I know what you mean about those dang rain grooves, modern tread design will make all the difference. My two bikes, one has retro tires, one has modern tires. The retro tires give me fits on the rain grooves. The modern tires just sail along unperturbed.

Mailman · Dec 31, 2020

Beags64 said:
Repurposing scrap pile items....

View attachment 181762 View attachment 181763 View attachment 181764

I really like that rotisserie! That would make things so much easier.

timbeck · Dec 31, 2020

I want to watch Beags remove the completed engine from the stand.......

tim

food · Dec 31, 2020

Mailman said:
I really like that rotisserie! That would make things so much easier.

I agree. I have one engine in a Rubbermaid lid and another on an old baking sheet. Both just rolling around as I disassemble. When it comes time for reassembly I feel like I should setup something nicer.

Beags64 · Dec 31, 2020

timbeck said:
I want to watch Beags remove the completed engine from the stand.......

tim

That's where the cherry picker comes into play

Mailman · Dec 31, 2020

food said:
I agree. I have one engine in a Rubbermaid lid and another on an old baking sheet. Both just rolling around as I disassemble. When it comes time for reassembly I feel like I should setup something nicer.

An engine stand would be nice, but I don’t have one either. I cut up a bunch of pieces of 1x2’s and 2x3’s about 6” long. And just wedge them in all around the motor. It’s surprisingly secure and I can position the motor any position I want.

gggGary · Dec 31, 2020

Hey @Mailman how's your marriage holding up to all this?

What have you done to your XS today?

'80 XS 650SG Rider

XS650 Addict

Hardly a Guru

XS650 Addict

More Sparky than Speed Racer

XS650 Addict

XS650 Guru

'80 XS 650SG Rider

XS650 Guru

'80 XS 650SG Rider

XS650 Guru

XS650 Guru

'80 XS 650SG Rider

Hardly a Guru

Hardly a Guru

HARDLY A GURU

XS650 Member

XS650 Guru

Hardly a Guru

If not now, When?

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