-
Enjoy XS650.com? Consider making a donation to help support the site.
XS650.com receives a small share of sales from some links on this page, but direct donations have a much greater impact on keeping this site going.
Mailman’s XS2 a full on restoration
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Looks great...as per your usual resto parts.. Did the lens rubber seal rest to stock size, or did you have to get a new one?
The rubber parts did not shrink back much. The big circular gasket around the lens, I simply cut it and removed about an inch. I also bought and used some new rubber grommets to replace some really rotted specialty rubber bushings. They’re not exactly like stock, but you wouldn’t know it.
Taillight looks super Mailman - very nice work!
Pete
Pete
Thanks Pete!
Superb! One nice taillight rescued !
Thanks Jeff !
....and it has 10 times the Soul of a repro unit.
Ya done it again, MM! I'll bet you could do museum restorations, if you were into something like that! I can't wait to see your Xs2 when it's all done. It'll be a 11 out of 10 for sure! 
Thanks guys! I am actually in the Union you know!
With the frame all stripped like that, you might consider putting the engine in now. You could use the lay-it-on-it's-side method. It would be easy to set that stripped main frame down over the engine now. Once in, you could flip it upright and hang it from your chain hoist to install the rest of the stuff (forks, swingarm, wheels, etc.).
You’re reading my mind. My plan is to set the engine exactly as you described. Then place the frame/engine combo on my Harbor Freight bike jack and strap it down. Then I can install the front and rear suspension and handlebars and have a roller to complete the rest of the work.
Of coarse I will document it all for you guys.
This is the fun part!
Note: I’m out of the garage for a few days. Gonna have some workers at my house.
Thats the way I did my '76 engine re-install in 2015.
Protected the frame with newspaper.
Protected the frame with newspaper.
....and proceeded with the build on an engine stand I constructed with castors on the base to enable swivelling it around 360 degrees.
Clever idea guys!
Nice detail work Mailman! Too bad about the steering lock...real bummer. I have seen guys use plumbing pipe insulation sleeves around the frame for pritection on installation in the frame. Would provide a little more protection than just newspaper. Just a thought but you probably seen it on here before. J-C
Bob, I imagine that the next few days will be frustrating...
Hmmmmm..........I don't think so. The plumbing foam seems to me to be flimsy, and prone to tearing. 10 layers of newspaper is resilient and tough.
And the foam would present with increased clearance issues. Its a tight fit to begin with.
Last edited:
Painters tape on the frame followed by a layer or two of Gorilla tape. Tough as steel, thin enough to allow the engine install and easy to peel off when you are done.
I kind of like the foam idea - but I must admit, I haven’t tried it.
IIRC, Lakeview and I just plopped Lucille’s Engine back in with benefit of any wrapping.
Pete
IIRC, Lakeview and I just plopped Lucille’s Engine back in with benefit of any wrapping.
Pete
