What I've accomplished so far.

[wiayeman]

So, I drank too much on Christmas Eve last year and accidently bought an XS....FROM MINNESOTA. I live in TX.

Who else has done that?

Here is what I started with.

 

[wiayeman]

So, I received the bike and it actually runs. On one cylinder, but it runs. I decide a few weeks later to pop some plugs in, and well, RESULT! The bike runs really well and shifts through all the gears. It even goes straight and stops.

Now, for some motivation. What am I going to do with it?

Here is my inspiration....

 

[wiayeman]

It's time to strip it down just a bit. The exhaust did not want to come off, so I had to go after the mid pipe with a grinder. Put some flat bars on it to see if they would work with the clocks or if it was time to order clip ons. It is a squeeze, but the clocks will stay for now until it is on the road. It is definitely going to be a work in progress. Phase one complete.

 

[wiayeman]

Next it was time to pop off the bits for powder coater. I decided on satin black for the wheels, side covers, etc.

 

[wiayeman]

Got the bits off to the PC man. In the meantime, I also bought some bits. Both Mikes XS and Pandemonium came through. Website for the former, Dan for the latter.

 

[I am Carbon]

Hey wiayeman, I don't think it is a good idea to leave the bearings in the wheels while being powdercoated. Just a thought
Keep up the good work Man

 

[wiayeman]

Hey wiayeman, I don't think it is a good idea to leave the bearings in the wheels while being powdercoated. Just a thought
Keep up the good work Man

Yeah, he didn't think so either. I thought he could just mask them off. I got a bollocking for that one...

 

[wiayeman]

In the meantime, it was time to start lobbing tabs and brackets off the frame. Frames were made of stern stuff in the 70's.

I learned never to underestimate the power of a sanding disc...

 

[wiayeman]

Bits back from the PC man. All looks good. I did hear horrible stories of stuff not being out gassed and all the mess that can cause. Apparently, my lad knows his stuff.

 

[wiayeman]

Got the tyres mounted and put the bits back on. Starting to put it back together....

I knew when I started this project, it would either look like arse or ace. So far, I think it looks ace.

 

[wiayeman]

Next was perhaps one of the messiest jobs, wrapping the exhaust.

I sprayed the raw pipes with high heat matte black and let it sit for a day.

The next day it was time to soak the wrap and start "wrappin'"

I used my handy safety wire pliers and got the ends secured. What a pain in the tits it is to stop and try to unravel all the unused wrap that has slowly morphed itself into an unruly ball.

Quick tutorial on YouTube and the exhaust is in place.

Looks mint.

 

[wiayeman]

New sprockets and chain are in place along with fresh filters. I did find this in the bottom of the motor in the little recess next to the oil plug.

Oh, and the valve cap is only there for size reference. It did not come out of the motor.

Any ideas what it may be?

One more question while I'm at it. My oil filter bolt has a spring in it and nothing else. Isn't that meant to have a ball bearing in it with a threaded piece to hold it all in?

 

[I am Carbon]

Damn Your powdercoater is the fastest ever!
so are you getting them tires back on and back on the bike in just over 30 minutes!
Look good.

 

[wiayeman]

Well, between work and racing, progress has been slow.

Tank is back, and I like it! I was going for polished aluminium look. In order to get that, it was powdercoated in chrome and a high gloss over the top. I am hoping that you lot will think that was accomplished, and it doesn't look just silver.

Rear light is in place along with the licence plate holder.

I am about to start on a seat pan. Any suggestions on how to attach it to the bike would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[wiayeman]

Racing season is over so......

Got a bit more done. I made a couple of attempts at the seat pan which all failed miserably. I had to call in a fabricator.......sigh.

I originally had the brake light attached to the rear hoop. He had a better idea and actually integrated it into the pan.

I like the pan so much that I am planning on your painting it and then sticking a neoprene seat pad over the top.

I have not been able to find any sheets larger than 16". Anyone have any idea where I can find a larger sheet?

I did get to ride it for the first time and the riding position is excellent. Planning on getting it registered in the next week or so......

 

[XSLeo]

Larger sheets? I assume you mean sheet steel. Look around along the roadsides. See stuff for free all the time. Washers, driers, fridges all have large sheets of steel. Driers especially. They need the heavy steel to soak up vibrations.
Leo

 

[wiayeman]

Cheers for that Leo. I am actually looking for sheets of neoprene or some type of closed cell foam. Intention is to just cover the seat pan. Similar to the set up on a road race bike.

 

[XSLeo]

I like carpet padding. The stuff I have came along as scrap pieces with my sisters new house trailer. A big box of it. It is about 3/8 inch thick. If one layer works, fine if not just add another. If you ask nice at a place that sells carpet you might get some scraps for nothing.
I found a sofa along the roadside waiting for the garbage men. Some one did a black vinyl reupholster on it. I stripped some of the vinyl off.
I trimmed the stock foam to a shape I liked and tried the carpet padding in layers till I thought it was ok. Covered with the vinyl. Works fine. Not as pretty as some but it keeps my butt comfortable and dry.
Leo