What have you done to your XS today?

[Myuncles650]

With the exception of the nuts on triple tree (spanner nut? - ordered a wrench), she is fully naked now! Few lessons learned, wait for the penetrating oil to work (ask the one and only broken bolt for the side stand), Dot 3 in the brown dried form acts a lot like epoxy (hardest thing on entire tear down to get off was brake reservoir cap), and 6-point sockets are the way to go. Next, start cleaning everything to go to powder coater. Happy Holidays all.

 

[ShakerNorm]

Painted all the tins for my XS build yesterday....unfortunately have to re do the fender due to some candy peeling off with some tape on the edge....that's an extra 2 days of work now hahaView attachment 341163View attachment 341164

That's going to BLOW OUT SOME EYEBALLS when the sun hits you on the road!!! SWEET JOB!

 

[Lou_TX]

Not today but a few days ago, I pulled apart the rear shocks to see if I could fix the heavy spring tension that the PO futzed with by adding inserts. It turns out, I cannot. And since the current shocks (I doubt they are even stock) are too short for my application, I ordered new ones. They should arrive tomorrow. Longer shocks, better spring rate, adjustable with air pressure. Can't wait to put them on and try out the ride. Hoping for a big improvement. Will post an update once done.

 

[zrx1100]

Not today but a few days ago, I pulled apart the rear shocks to see if I could fix the heavy spring tension that the PO futzed with by adding inserts. It turns out, I cannot. And since the current shocks (I doubt they are even stock) are too short for my application, I ordered new ones. They should arrive tomorrow. Longer shocks, better spring rate, adjustable with air pressure. Can't wait to put them on and try out the ride. Hoping for a big improvement. Will post an update once done.

What did you order?

 

[Ratranger]

Upgraded the front brake. The 300mm rotor didn't quite use all the pad, so now it has a 320mm rotor and 5mm spacers for the caliper. I had to take off my wheel adapters to take 5mm off the rotor mount surface, short of buying a custom rotor I couldn't find any 0 offset.

Next up is to pull the forks and replace bushings and seals.

 

[Myuncles650]

Upgraded the front brake. The 300mm rotor didn't quite use all the pad, so now it has a 320mm rotor and 5mm spacers for the caliper. I had to take off my wheel adapters to take 5mm off the rotor mount surface, short of buying a custom rotor I couldn't find any 0 offset.

Next up is to pull the forks and replace bushings and seals.View attachment 341716

That is very cool looking setup

 

[Ratranger]

That is very cool looking setup

Thanks, I've got the rest of the bike worked over enough that the brake just kinda fades into the background.

 

[Myuncles650]

Thanks, I've got the rest of the bike worked over enough that the brake just kinda fades into the background.View attachment 341723

Very Nice! What is the swing arm out of?

 

[Ratranger]

Very Nice! What is the swing arm out of?

Fzr400rr, I had to get it from the UK since that model never made it to the US.

 

[Lou_TX]

What did you order?

Good question, I forget. I'll have to look at the order later. I will follow-up after I install the shocks and have something to report.

 

[Myuncles650]

Hello All, cleaning parts today. Maybe a dumb question but just don’t want to damage shaft. Can the lower steering head bearing race (on the shaft) be removed without a press?

 

[GLJ]

You can knock it off with a punch and hammer. If I was just cleaning parts I would leave it in place. If you are going to paint the lower tree just tape it off.
If careful you will not hurt the shaft if you take it off.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Did you try heating up the race a bit if you are going to remove it?

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

I got out for about 30 miles or so on the last day of the year. Only about 6 degrees C (42 Degrees F) so a bit chilly, especially at 60 mph! I had gotten caught in the rain on Dec 23 so need to clean the bike anyway so a bit of rainy road ok. I came across this little shed at a farm entrance.

 

[46th Georgia]

I got out for about 30 miles or so on the last day of the year. Only about 6 degrees C (42 Degrees F) so a bit chilly, especially at 60 mph! I had gotten caught in the rain on Dec 23 so need to clean the bike anyway so a bit of rainy road ok. I came across this little shed at a farm entrance.
View attachment 341763

Rain in December in on Vancouver Island? Say it ain't so!

 

[bosco659]

I decided to do the lead shot treatment to my XS handlebars, to hopefully dampen the vibration. I’m picking up the lead shot on Thursday. It’s sold locally in 25lb bags so I should have lots to do the XS and Moto Guzzi. I removed the bars and remembered that the po didn’t do me any favours with the way the bar end mirrors were installed. One side was ok with a conventional mount - an expanding insert in the bars. On the other side, a threaded aluminum slug had been hammered into the bar end. No way it pull out. I decided to drill it out until I was thin enough to pull out with my small slide hammer.
It drilled fairly easily (glad I had tge correct sized drill bit) leaving enough material at the end to allow me to get one hook of my puller engaged. Came out reluctantly but now I’m ready to fill ‘er up with lead. I’ve read some create a mixture of lead shot and material like silicone as a binder. I think I’m going to find some appropriately sized rubber plugs or forks and capture the lead in the bars that way.
Btw I bought this puller some 20 years ago and this was its first use. Worked like a charm! It’s nice having the right tools when working on a project - more fun that way.
I put a piece of 1/2” sched 40 pipe in the bar clamps to hold up the master cylinder. Drag bars maybe? lol.

 

[Dunc]

Mucking about with the head. Off to my mates tomorrow for some 3 angle valve seat work.

 

[jaybar6]

Mucking about with the head. Off to my mates tomorrow for some 3 angle valve seat work.

I noticed a small hole in the inlet port, what is that for?

 

[jaybar6]

Upgraded the front brake. The 300mm rotor didn't quite use all the pad, so now it has a 320mm rotor and 5mm spacers for the caliper. I had to take off my wheel adapters to take 5mm off the rotor mount surface, short of buying a custom rotor I couldn't find any 0 offset.

Next up is to pull the forks and replace bushings and seals.View attachment 341716

Is that front end on a XS?

 

[Dunc]

I noticed a small hole in the inlet port, what is that for?

Vacuum port for carb balancing