Repaint??? Anyone???

[1974yamahaxs650]

So I have a tank and side covers that I'm considering having repainted. I would like to restore the bike to its former glory. I have a lot of respect for the guys that chop and fabricate the cafe racers, naked bikes, and hardtails out of these classy bikes but, frankly, I'd like to keep mine as close to original as possible. (I mean... The bike only has 7k original miles on it. No sense in chopping it up yet)
First off, what do you guys think? Should I? They're not in AWFUL shape. Little bit dented and such. I'm not sure if there's anything to be done about that
Secondly, I don't have the experience or resources to do them myself, is there a chance that there is someone on here that does repainting that would be willing to do that.

 

[Its been a long time]

Well done deciding not to cut up a perfectly good motorcycle.

 

[1974yamahaxs650]

You can see in my profile the condition it came in (sort of) I'm not about to throw all that progress away to have a little dragstrip demon. Hahaha
I have a few other pictures off its marketplace listing i could post.

 

[Mikey]

I'd ride it as is
Get it running well and just put some miles on it people do like the look of "patina "
You can always paint it later

 

[Jim]

Don't know if you've checked or not, but proper paint on those tins, restoring 'em back to new is most likely gonna run you north of $2K

 

[grouchie77]

Don't know if you've checked or not, but proper paint on those tins, restoring 'em back to new is most likely gonna run you north of $2K

Ouch.

 

[mrtwowheel]

I like one color, no stripes or graphics, badges or not. I wouldn't call that "chopping" or "cutting it up".

 

[Wagner73]

Don't know if you've checked or not, but proper paint on those tins, restoring 'em back to new is most likely gonna run you north of $2K

That is correct. I got mine painted by a good motorcycle painter, and it cost just about that.

Diablo Cycle decals were a tic more, but worth it for what I wanted.

 

[JJames]

I'd ride it as is
Get it running well and just put some miles on it people do like the look of "patina "
You can always paint it later

Don't know if you've checked or not, but proper paint on those tins, restoring 'em back to new is most likely gonna run you north of $2K

To me the XS Standard models are just about perfect. No need for chops or mods. The dents and dings are just part of the story. That is a nasty dent on the right side and peeling clear is kinda tacky. But. Polish up the bits you can, fresh tires, and impress them with the way it runs. Money is not an object for everyone. If you want a showroom look, go for it. Also consider how you use the bike. Will you be afraid of a ding or scratch if you take it out with freshly painted tins.(I would)

 

[Wingedwheel]

I had a ‘75 that sat outside for probably 40 yrs. The clear was flaking just like yours. I tediously and carefully scraped all the loose I could with a razor blade and light wet sanding. When I got things looking decent I shot it with a can of 2K clear. The results were better than I expected.

 

[Wagner73]

When I got things looking decent I shot it with a can of 2K clear. The results were better than I expected.

I'll say! Nice redeaux!

 

[Mikey]

I had a ‘75 that sat outside for probably 40 yrs. The clear was flaking just like yours. I tediously and carefully scraped all the loose I could with a razor blade and light wet sanding. When I got things looking decent I shot it with a can of 2K clear. The results were better than I expected.View attachment 371746View attachment 371742View attachment 371743View attachment 371744View attachment 371745

Actually looks damn good considering what you started with

 

[John Regular]

I got a pretty haggard left side cover in a parts lot I bought. Don't really have a use for it if you want a spare, something to practice on? it's yours for shipping$ or anyone's if they want. I say this all the time but I still have the tins from a 77 I chopped that I didn't realize at the time, would have been an easy resto. That was 09, chopp's still not finished. Boot's not for sale, it's a Northamptonshire original.






i

 

[Pat D]

FWIW, and I do appreciate you're looking to stay stock, my '74 tank had about 5 coats of house paint plus Bondo on it when I got it. Due to some of the chrome parts being rusty (tail light mount, chain guard), I knew I was going to do them in black, so any thoughts of a stock "restoration" went out the window. Bottom line, I was able to do the tank and side covers with off the shelf rattle can lacquer and got what I think are excellent results for a non-painter. The cool thing about lacquer is no matter how you screw it up, you can sand it back to perfection, or close, and throw another coat on. Total investment- a few cans of primer and color ($40) and maybe 15-20 hours all told spraying, sanding and buffing. But it's black, and no decals, so not a real restoration level of effort.

 

[1974yamahaxs650]

FWIW, and I do appreciate you're looking to stay stock, my '74 tank had about 5 coats of house paint plus Bondo on it when I got it. Due to some of the chrome parts being rusty (tail light mount, chain guard), I knew I was going to do them in black, so any thoughts of a stock "restoration" went out the window. Bottom line, I was able to do the tank and side covers with off the shelf rattle can lacquer and got what I think are excellent results for a non-painter. The cool thing about lacquer is no matter how you screw it up, you can sand it back to perfection, or close, and throw another coat on. Total investment- a few cans of primer and color ($40) and maybe 15-20 hours all told spraying, sanding and buffing. But it's black, and no decals, so not a real restoration level of effort.

For a rattle can job that looks pretty dang good! I might do something like that

 

[1974yamahaxs650]

So I guess my next question is how can I take care of the dents on the tank?

 

[Pat D]

So I guess my next question is how can I take care of the dents on the tank?

An old school auto body guy could probably go in through the fill hole with some cool custom body tools and and work out some dents, but for us mortals, plastic body filler (Bondo) is our salvation. There's probably some potential in pressurizing the tank with air, but the metal might be too stout for a reasonably safe level of pressure to do anything. A lot would depend on the nature of the dent.

 

[Wingedwheel]

https://www.harborfreight.com/crossbar-dent-repair-kit-59757.html
Believe it or not, this works pretty well. You might still need a little filler but this puller will make it much less.

 

[1974yamahaxs650]

https://www.harborfreight.com/crossbar-dent-repair-kit-59757.html
Believe it or not, this works pretty well. You might still need a little filler but this puller will make it much less.

Wow! I might have to check that out! Thanks!