No plans on doing anything to the forks at this time but thanks for the heads up. Like to see what stock is like then adjust if needed.
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Project Canuck- 84 XS650 Project Build
- Thread starter canuck1969
- Start date
No plans on doing anything to the forks at this time but thanks for the heads up. Like to see what stock is like then adjust if needed.
Assembly continues. Got the front end put together along with the swing arm with new bronze bushings. Had to do some reaming of the bushings and skim some off the end so the inner pivot tube works properly. Somewhat expected it from what I was reading. Now has a controlled drop with about 52 lbs of torque on it. Had to test fit it a few times while skimming of some of the bushing flange but after reading a few threads eventually got it to work properly with a minimal reveal of the tube.
Rear tire is next so I can at least roll it off the lift to service the other bikes. Stay tuned.
Rear tire is next so I can at least roll it off the lift to service the other bikes. Stay tuned.
For the bracket that bolts to the lower triple that holds the headlight bucket, is it supposed to be loose. I tightened the bolt that goes into the triple and the bracket is still loose and can swing easily. I suspect it it supposed to do that but just want to make sure. I may have mixed up the bolts as one is shorter than the other but I was pretty careful not to. Any help would be appreciated.
Yup, that's how it's supposed to be. Loose 'cause of the rubber isolator.
Thanks Jim. Frankly didn’t really feel like having to take everything apart again to get to it. Not exactly the most user friendly setup.
Today’s daily bike porn.
Got the rear suspension buttoned up and the chrome covers for the front forks and front tire polished up. Should be ready for the rear tire shortly.
Got the rear suspension buttoned up and the chrome covers for the front forks and front tire polished up. Should be ready for the rear tire shortly.
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You know there is something about a good quality product that has been around for years and remained unchanged.
Autosol is a wonderful thing. Found best results is to apply with a terry cloth and then buff with microfibre. I tried to apply with microfibre and it is just too soft to give a good polish. Terry cloth really gets in there to remove small scratches. Just my experience.
Eventually will get to that rear tire. Just having too much fun polishing......I really need to get a life.
Autosol is a wonderful thing. Found best results is to apply with a terry cloth and then buff with microfibre. I tried to apply with microfibre and it is just too soft to give a good polish. Terry cloth really gets in there to remove small scratches. Just my experience.
Eventually will get to that rear tire. Just having too much fun polishing......I really need to get a life.
Damn…got distracted again and went for it on the front fender. It was completely rusted on the underside and has a couple of small dents but figured I might as well see if I can save it. Price of the aftermarket one was something like $150 so didn’t have much to lose and all to gain.
Wire brush followed by 3 coats of primer and a heavy layer of rocker panel spray and rejuvenates the underside. Rocker panel spray has been my go to on parts that get a lot of road debris. Seems to hold up the best as long as you are ok with the wrinkle look. Won’t see under the tire but I know it is there. Dents are still there but pounded out as mush as I could. The shine seems to hide them a little.
Now for that damn rear tire and maybe some work today.
Danger of working from home with a motorcycle build on the go.
Wire brush followed by 3 coats of primer and a heavy layer of rocker panel spray and rejuvenates the underside. Rocker panel spray has been my go to on parts that get a lot of road debris. Seems to hold up the best as long as you are ok with the wrinkle look. Won’t see under the tire but I know it is there. Dents are still there but pounded out as mush as I could. The shine seems to hide them a little.
Now for that damn rear tire and maybe some work today.
Danger of working from home with a motorcycle build on the go.
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Looks just fine from here near Syracuse NY!
That black wrinkle undercoating was my go to for protecting the hydraulic tanks on the quarry trucks and loaders seemed to do a good job and I assume you are not going to riding that XS650 around in a stone quarry all day so it should hold up just fine!
That black wrinkle undercoating was my go to for protecting the hydraulic tanks on the quarry trucks and loaders seemed to do a good job and I assume you are not going to riding that XS650 around in a stone quarry all day so it should hold up just fine!
Is it odd that I want to go up and be like you @canuck1969?
Nice bike and it is turning out real clean! What have you used for paint touch ups on your engine? I have some touching up to do myself. Nice work so far. JC
Rustoleum Engine paint in black gloss for the top. Seems to stick very well after about 7 days of curing. Tried to sand some off and took considerable effort. Lets see what happens when I finally get it running again and is under heat. The crankcase was in good condition so just brightened it up with S100 Engine Brightener. Using the same product on the rims and does a great job.
Everything else was brake cleaner, kerosene and a crap load of elbow grease.
In case anyone has one, put out a call for a licence plate light body. Mine has a chunk missing from it.
http://www.xs650.com/threads/licence-plate-light-assembly.53033/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/licence-plate-light-assembly.53033/
Caution: contains rear wheel porn.
Finally got to getting the rear tire dressed up and installed. Had to wait for new dust seals for the wheel bearings. They were both seized in there and damaged them while removing to take a look at the bearings. Would have been nice if people would grease them before installing. Looked original so can only blame Yamaha.
Before
After hours of blood, sweat and tears…not necessarily in that order.
Finally got to getting the rear tire dressed up and installed. Had to wait for new dust seals for the wheel bearings. They were both seized in there and damaged them while removing to take a look at the bearings. Would have been nice if people would grease them before installing. Looked original so can only blame Yamaha.
Before
After hours of blood, sweat and tears…not necessarily in that order.
Very nice work!
It is now officially an obsession. This was the last of the bare aluminum to be polished and already feeling the withdrawal.
I am sure I will find something else.
I am sure I will find something else.
Little bored today. Waiting for some parts (set of engine mount bolts and a new signal light threaded rod) to show up so thought I would play with some of the pics so far for those bike porn kind of people out there. I really need to get a life....or do some work, not sure which at this point.
Got my threaded rods for the signals but still waiting for the engine mounting bolts so took the XS off the lift to make room for the big girl in the garage to do some needed work.
Weather is going to beautiful for riding this weekend so hopefully taking a break to do some much needed riding.
Weather is going to beautiful for riding this weekend so hopefully taking a break to do some much needed riding.
Started putting back some electrics while my engine mounting bolts make the slow journey from the Netherlands. Should see them this week.
Was going to wait for after the engine goes in to put the main harness on as that was the order I removed them but is it easier to install the harness before or after the engine goes in? Seems after is easier but don’t want to euchre myself after the fact.
Was going to wait for after the engine goes in to put the main harness on as that was the order I removed them but is it easier to install the harness before or after the engine goes in? Seems after is easier but don’t want to euchre myself after the fact.
