1971 Build for Dad

Yeah, I think that is the way forward! I was hesitant about putting the decal on the base coat because it felt like it wouldn't stick or seal. Never thought to apply a clear coat to it first. Is there anything to stop me from shooting the kandy gold base onto a wet-sanded clear coat?
I've never used the paint or mask you're using, but my instinct tells me that would be your best bet. 1to 2 coats of clear then wet sand with 800, then on to the gold would be my preferred way of doing it.
 
Thanks for the encouragement, fellas! I feel a lot better about trying to stick that masking tape on there with a clear coat over the white. Will check back in - might be a minute as there is nothing but cool rainy days in the forecast :unsure:.
 
I finally got some warm days with low humidity and got a chance to work on this!

While I was waiting, I talked to both Diablo Cycle (paint mask manufacturer) and 66 Auto Color (paint supplier) about my predicament. Diablo advised me to apply the mask directly to the basecoat, no clear. I should add that they were a great bunch of people to deal with. The 2K clear had to be applied within 8 hours of the base coat and that window had passed due to my indecision, so I had to contact the paint supplier and ask what to do. I was advised to lightly sand the white base with 800 grit paper to get the white ready for the next coat of base/clear. After sanding, I blew off the tank, ran a tack cloth over it, and tried to put on the paint mask.

upload_2021-5-24_17-18-56.png

This was hard. Really hard... The good news is that no soap or heat is required, the mask had a very gentle adhesive, which is able to be reapplied several times. This was a good thing, as I had to reposition these about a thousand times. It is definitely best to start at the sharpest point of the curve at the front of the tank. Once you get the transfer paper off you still have to work down the mask with a applicator (I used a credit card).

Once applied it was back into the paint tent for the kandy gold. I started with a couple of very light coats over the mask to help prevent any bleeding, gradually working up to a few heavy coats. I took the mask off as soon as I was finished with the last coat of gold and it was a white knuckle process, but it turned out pretty good!

upload_2021-5-24_17-24-2.png


From here I did four coats of clear, one light, two medium, and one heavy. 24 hours later...

upload_2021-5-24_17-25-15.png


upload_2021-5-24_17-25-23.png


upload_2021-5-24_17-25-31.png


I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

There are some minor issues, but nothing I can't live with. I had some bleeding on the rear underside striping where there is a lot of curvature, but you can't see it unless you are looking underneath the tank. That big dent also has a small shadow to it in the right light, but again, I am good with it. I think Dad would have been, too.

I certainly appreciate all of the help and encouragement and another big thanks to @2XSive for parting with the tank. From here I need to get this thing mounted and see where I stand. Trying to turn it over should only be just down the road!
 
I finally got some warm days with low humidity and got a chance to work on this!

While I was waiting, I talked to both Diablo Cycle (paint mask manufacturer) and 66 Auto Color (paint supplier) about my predicament. Diablo advised me to apply the mask directly to the basecoat, no clear. I should add that they were a great bunch of people to deal with. The 2K clear had to be applied within 8 hours of the base coat and that window had passed due to my indecision, so I had to contact the paint supplier and ask what to do. I was advised to lightly sand the white base with 800 grit paper to get the white ready for the next coat of base/clear. After sanding, I blew off the tank, ran a tack cloth over it, and tried to put on the paint mask.

View attachment 191986
This was hard. Really hard... The good news is that no soap or heat is required, the mask had a very gentle adhesive, which is able to be reapplied several times. This was a good thing, as I had to reposition these about a thousand times. It is definitely best to start at the sharpest point of the curve at the front of the tank. Once you get the transfer paper off you still have to work down the mask with a applicator (I used a credit card).

Once applied it was back into the paint tent for the kandy gold. I started with a couple of very light coats over the mask to help prevent any bleeding, gradually working up to a few heavy coats. I took the mask off as soon as I was finished with the last coat of gold and it was a white knuckle process, but it turned out pretty good!

View attachment 191987

From here I did four coats of clear, one light, two medium, and one heavy. 24 hours later...

View attachment 191988

View attachment 191989

View attachment 191990

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Yes, you did it Rhy! Looks great and so glad the tank worked out for you. Looking forward to seeing it on the bike. :cheers:
 
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I have not had much to do on this bike as of late. I mounted the gas tank and in my humble opinion I think it is starting to look pretty good!

upload_2021-6-20_11-31-3.png


Now if I just had an exhaust system for this! The original pipes are in terrible shape and there is no way that they are going to be brought up to meet the standards of the rest of the bike. I would be happy to buy a new set, but they are not available anywhere! MikesXS, yamahaxs650.com, Heiden - everyone is out of stock. I have been talking with Mikes and it sounds like they are waiting some a component to come in before they can assemble their kits. yamahaxs650.com made it sound like they would never be offering this product. Heiden told me 6 weeks about 6 months ago...

So, I am kind of stuck for now. I might end up putting on the old set just to see if it will start, but am not wild about the idea. The gauges on this bike also need some attention, but I was wanting to wait and see how they perform before digging into them. I am also trying to get DiabloCycle to co-develop a gauge face screen like they have for the XS2. They don't seem too eager to do this...

So, now that I am somewhat addicted to working on motorcycles (thanks, guys...) I have turned my attention to Dad's '82 chopper. Going to start a thread for it here.
 
Your bike is looking stellar Rhy! I think Greg posted some good options for the exhaust too.


I got face plates for my XS2 from here. Have not used them yet, They look good. Shipping was about 7 days. They also have them for XS1.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184834662300?hash=item2b09011f9c:g:oVEAAOSwNnRYfz~S

Yes! Those are exceptional quality! I was gifted a set of those for my XS2, after I had already replaced mine with the Diablo faces. They work entirely different. The Diablo have the feel of a sticker to them , that is they are smooth and shiny, they had to be put on wet and I still have a few little bubbles that never resolved themselves.

Those that you linked to from England, are far superior. The are thicker and you simply peel and stick them on, no chance for bubbles with them, they also have a textured non reflective surface that looks much nicer. I wound up passing them on to @willis who was rebuilding a set of gauges for his bike.
 
yes looks excellent
Mikes has the correct repo mufflers I just got two sets this week. A quick look says they are still of good quality.
Decent usable head pipes can be found and are better than the single wall aftermarket....
 
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