Nice "Abigail" has many secrets eh
-
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.
Mailmans , 77D getting a makeover
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Bob I've been thinkin about your 77 make over all spiffed up in a Black/Gold theme.
Yes, that tank is a beauty ! Im sure the side covers will be even nicer
You should consider going all in and get some dual disc eye candy up front !
Gold Brembo calipers and rotors ?
Or even just gold Yamaha FZR rotors with stock calipers ?
Your gal won't even notice so don't worry about the cost either
just trying to help you here
-R
Yes, that tank is a beauty ! Im sure the side covers will be even nicer
You should consider going all in and get some dual disc eye candy up front !
Gold Brembo calipers and rotors ?
Or even just gold Yamaha FZR rotors with stock calipers ?
Your gal won't even notice so don't worry about the cost either
just trying to help you here
-R
just trying to help you here
-R
Bob I've been thinkin about your 77 make over all spiffed up in a Black/Gold theme.
Yes, that tank is a beauty ! Im sure the side covers will be even nicer
You should consider going all in and get some dual disc eye candy up front !
Gold Brembo calipers and rotors ?
Or even just gold Yamaha FZR rotors with stock calipers ?
Your gal won't even notice so don't worry about the cost either
just trying to help you here
-R
Oh yeah, you’re a big help. After all that, I’ll have to ride my fancy bike up to Oregon and sleep on your couch!
OK.... Bobs side covers showed up today....
These things look so good, it's almost a shame to mess with 'em. Oh well, too late to go back now.
Originally I was just gonna throw these in the bead blast cabinet, but I'm intrigued with Bob stripping the other covers with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. I'm curious about the paint he had to strip vs. a good quality paint. Were Bobs results an outlier... or will this method work on anything?
So..... into the mix one of 'em goes. I'll let it soak overnight and we'll see what happens.
These things look so good, it's almost a shame to mess with 'em.
Oh well, too late to go back now. Originally I was just gonna throw these in the bead blast cabinet, but I'm intrigued with Bob stripping the other covers with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. I'm curious about the paint he had to strip vs. a good quality paint. Were Bobs results an outlier... or will this method work on anything?
So..... into the mix one of 'em goes. I'll let it soak overnight and we'll see what happens.
Excellent! That didn’t take long to get there.
Honestly, I don’t care. The matching tank was crunched, they would never have gone back on painted the way they were. No matter what I did, they would’ve been re painted.
It’s funny you say that, I had the exact same thoughts. The purple paint that was on those old tins didn’t seem like anything but spray can. The white tins , I’m pretty sure have been painted with something that had a catalyst in it ( Imron perhaps? ) The paint feels much harder. This will be an interesting test. Are you using a 50-50 ratio of vinegar and water?
Honestly, I don’t care. The matching tank was crunched, they would never have gone back on painted the way they were. No matter what I did, they would’ve been re painted.
It’s funny you say that, I had the exact same thoughts. The purple paint that was on those old tins didn’t seem like anything but spray can. The white tins , I’m pretty sure have been painted with something that had a catalyst in it ( Imron perhaps? ) The paint feels much harder. This will be an interesting test. Are you using a 50-50 ratio of vinegar and water?
Using the same 5% acidity. Prolly about 60% vinegar and 40 water..
Well, covers have been soaking for about 30hrs now and no change. Paint's still good and hard. I'll let 'em go 'till the morning, but I don't think this is gonna be doable on quality paint. Bummer.
Well, covers have been soaking for about 30hrs now and no change. Paint's still good and hard. I'll let 'em go 'till the morning, but I don't think this is gonna be doable on quality paint. Bummer.
That’s too bad, but not entirely surprising. That paint felt pretty hard, it would rather chip, than scratch.
E85?
Yeah.... white vinegar... 5% acidity.
So... I let Bobs cover sit in the mix for a little over 72 hrs. About all it did was wrinkle around the edges of a scratch.
So, plan B..... after 5 min.
10 min. Still just the one coat of stripper. I love this stuff.
Bead blast the stubborn bits, rolok on the rest. Still a little work to do, but the good news is there wasn't any hidden bodywork. One down... ran out of daylight.
So, plan B..... after 5 min.
10 min. Still just the one coat of stripper. I love this stuff.
Bead blast the stubborn bits, rolok on the rest. Still a little work to do, but the good news is there wasn't any hidden bodywork. One down... ran out of daylight.
So... I let Bobs cover sit in the mix for a little over 72 hrs. About all it did was wrinkle around the edges of a scratch.
View attachment 140858
So, plan B..... after 5 min.
View attachment 140861
10 min. Still just the one coat of stripper. I love this stuff.
View attachment 140863
Bead blast the stubborn bits, rolok on the rest. Still a little work to do, but the good news is there wasn't any hidden bodywork. One down... ran out of daylight.
View attachment 140865
Hey wait! I changed my mind!
Wow, that really was some tough old paint. Well it was an interesting experiment anyways. Man that permatex doesn’t mess around! 
Yeah it was. Really hoped for the same results as you. At least now we know it'll work on a rattle can paint job.
A DAY OF WINNING AND LOSING........
Why do my bikes make me fight for every inch of progress? Nothing can ever just be easy.......
This morning was beautiful! Low 70’s , with what the local weather forecasters like to call, abundant sunshine.
I got out on my XS2 this morning for a nice ride. Yay!
This last week, I’ve been fooling around riding and working on my XS2, But I’ve also been getting things done for my 77D project. I’ve been trying to get several things done in preparation to get my gas tank ready.
I took my grungy gas cap off of my stock white tank and along with my petcocks, I broke everything down and threw them in the ultrasonic cleaner for a good scrub.
On the gas cap, after cleaning it, I installed a new rubber seal and lubed the lock mechanism and installed it.
Yay! Works perfect!
I went crazy on the petcocks. I wanted the most perfect set of petcocks that have ever graced a Yamaha. These babies were going to be The Ultimate Leak Proof Petcocks! Whereby I steal everyone’s best ideas I have read for leak proof petcocks and jackpot them all together into the ultimate petcock. So.....
Gary has talked about the way he polishes all the flat surfaces for smooth operation and best sealing. DONE!
Before on the left, after on the right
I flipped the inner rubber seal over to expose a new surface.
I used Jim’s idea of using a shaped wooden coffee stirring stick to lay a nice bed of black RTV silicone in the channel for the o ring.
I used Liftedzuki and Weekendriders suggestion for petcock washers. They are these rock hard fiber washers from the hardware store. I used them on my XS2 and really like them, and they’re cheap.
The washers are gray.
I used Pete’s favorite Blue Hylomar on the gaskets just to insure a nice seal.
Now to install them on the tank, drumroll please......
They don’t fit
Are you freakin kidding me!
The mounting holes, center to center are 42.5 mm on the petcock, and the gas tank is 46mm
I have to buy new petcocks. Even though Mikes XS used to advertise this tank as being a 1977 replica, it doesn’t take the petcocks for a 77. It takes non vacuum petcocks for a 1979 - 83 ( I believe) Man, that’s disappointing.
Ok ok.....let’s regroup here, I have other things to do. Let’s install the Yamaha graphics on the side of the tank.
I washed the tank for good adhesion, I meticulously layed out blue masking tape exactly where I wanted the stickers. I started to peel the backing off of the stickers and......they de laminated! Unbelievable!
I don’t know if they were too old or what. But you know , I think I’m going to run it for a while with no decals on the tank, maybe not even the side covers. I might just go for a more minimalist approach.
Just about then, the mailman pulled up and had a package for me. My new hipster brown grips, I really like them!
So at least I got to finish my day with a win ( kinda ) Oh what the hell....I’ll take it.
Maybe next time , some real progress.
Later,
Bob
Why do my bikes make me fight for every inch of progress? Nothing can ever just be easy.......
This morning was beautiful! Low 70’s , with what the local weather forecasters like to call, abundant sunshine.
I got out on my XS2 this morning for a nice ride. Yay!
This last week, I’ve been fooling around riding and working on my XS2, But I’ve also been getting things done for my 77D project. I’ve been trying to get several things done in preparation to get my gas tank ready.
I took my grungy gas cap off of my stock white tank and along with my petcocks, I broke everything down and threw them in the ultrasonic cleaner for a good scrub.
On the gas cap, after cleaning it, I installed a new rubber seal and lubed the lock mechanism and installed it.
Yay! Works perfect!
I went crazy on the petcocks. I wanted the most perfect set of petcocks that have ever graced a Yamaha. These babies were going to be The Ultimate Leak Proof Petcocks! Whereby I steal everyone’s best ideas I have read for leak proof petcocks and jackpot them all together into the ultimate petcock. So.....
Gary has talked about the way he polishes all the flat surfaces for smooth operation and best sealing. DONE!
Before on the left, after on the right
I flipped the inner rubber seal over to expose a new surface.
I used Jim’s idea of using a shaped wooden coffee stirring stick to lay a nice bed of black RTV silicone in the channel for the o ring.
I used Liftedzuki and Weekendriders suggestion for petcock washers. They are these rock hard fiber washers from the hardware store. I used them on my XS2 and really like them, and they’re cheap.
The washers are gray.
I used Pete’s favorite Blue Hylomar on the gaskets just to insure a nice seal.
Now to install them on the tank, drumroll please......
They don’t fit
Are you freakin kidding me! The mounting holes, center to center are 42.5 mm on the petcock, and the gas tank is 46mm
I have to buy new petcocks. Even though Mikes XS used to advertise this tank as being a 1977 replica, it doesn’t take the petcocks for a 77. It takes non vacuum petcocks for a 1979 - 83 ( I believe) Man, that’s disappointing.
Ok ok.....let’s regroup here, I have other things to do. Let’s install the Yamaha graphics on the side of the tank.
I washed the tank for good adhesion, I meticulously layed out blue masking tape exactly where I wanted the stickers. I started to peel the backing off of the stickers and......they de laminated! Unbelievable!
I don’t know if they were too old or what. But you know , I think I’m going to run it for a while with no decals on the tank, maybe not even the side covers. I might just go for a more minimalist approach.
Just about then, the mailman pulled up and had a package for me. My new hipster brown grips, I really like them!
So at least I got to finish my day with a win ( kinda )
Oh what the hell....I’ll take it. Maybe next time , some real progress.
Later,
Bob
