What have you done to your XS today?

[uncle meat]

Changed oil, cleaned oil filter and sump filter. Tried tracking down an oil leak on the left side, but ran out of time. Think it's coming from the output shaft seal, or shift seal.
Also got the bearings installed on the freshly powder coated front hub.

UM

 

[BBQRider]

Trying to figure out a few wiring issues and clean it up at the same time.

 

[pckopp]

Those are purty. I've been trying for 25 years to get mine shiny like they are on my 79 but nothing. Never tried sanding them first like I've seen on the forum recently so that's what I'm going to try next. Going to test on a spare rear grab bar first though.

I struggled with this also but there are lots of experts here that showed me the way.

Dico Nylox brushes are invaluable. They come in three grades, 80, 160, and 240. Grey, orange, and blue.

https://www.amazon.com/Dico-541-772-4-Nyalox-Wheel-4-Inch/dp/B00004YYD7/
https://www.amazon.com/Dico-541-778-4-Nyalox-4-Inch-Orange/dp/B00004YYD8/
https://www.amazon.com/Dico-541-784-4-Nyalox-Wheel-4-Inch/dp/B00004YYD9/

Use these on your drill motor.
Get the gunk off with the Grey brush, then follow with the orange and blue.
You can follow this with some 400 and/or 800 wet/dry. Then your favorite polish. If you want a perfect chrome finish you need to invest in a buffing motor and various wheels and compounds.

I restored some fork lowers that were truly awful. I ride this bike so I didn't try for a perfect finish, just clean and shiny.

 

[pckopp]

A little summer overhaul. Rebuilding the carbs, shined up a bunch of stuff.

 

[wrenchjohns]

I noticed a NOS xs1 tail light on ebay for a hundred bucks so I went out to the garage and looked at the xs1. I think i'm gonna keep the repop light and just get the red reflector lens. A firm decision will be in the works at the end of the week. This restoration wasn't really supposed to be perfect but I can't seem to stop myself.

 

[Doug79]

LOL!! Man I know exactly what you are talking about. I do the same thing. I have done it with about nine car builds and I am am doing the same thing with a low miles 79 Special. Started out as a cosmetic build. Now there are no two pieces still bolted together, Some frame and bodywork modifications and every upgrade known to man are planned. If it works out just right, by the time I am done, I should have at three to four times what its worth invested. It is a disease.
P.S. I have an 08 Road King but can't hold a candle to the ground you've covered. 39 States is impressive.

 

[westonboege]

Ive been working on a few xs projects sparingly lately .... started this one a few years ago for the xs chopoff... Still havent finished it... lol!

Gonna have more time for this soon... but pronounced the frame and motor a motorcycle the other day and started scavenging parts from my piles!

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

0.008" TIR!!??!! Built to a price point, I guess.

 

[djdiablo]

Started polishing my carbs yesterday and just ordered jets, pilots and gaskets!

 

[lakeview]

lakeview let me know if you think it effects the low end.

Sorry, no A to compare with B. System came defective, I fixed, just installed it on my "new" project not on road.
The FJ-09 is my daily driver.
cheers

 

[Michaelo]

A little summer overhaul. Rebuilding the carbs, shined up a bunch of stuff.

View attachment 87448 View attachment 87449

How did you get the carbs cleaned? Mine look like crap.....

 

[djdiablo]

How did you get the carbs cleaned? Mine look like crap.....

Bought a metal polishing kit at harbor freight, the one that comes with jewler's rouge hit it with my air cut-off tool and the pads, used mothers after that. I'm almost done with them!

 

[Michaelo]

Hi djdiablo, I can do the bowl polish, but the body is a different story, please, can you explain a little more in Australian as to what you did ha!
Even pm me if you wish, they certainly look great......

 

[Michaelo]

Today I worked on my bike instead of someone else's, oil dump, filter clean, air filter check, polish side cover, clean rear rim, oil chain, fit new latch to tins, went for a ride, looked at carbs and thought,I need to do something about that.

 

[gggGary]

Thank you Marty. Guess it's time to go shopping. I've tried polishing the side covers before but with the clear coat it never looks good. That's why I started with the grab handle. I've seen a lot on eBay if this one goes south.

paint stripper is best but acetone cuts the clear pretty well then Nylox wheels, they come in gray orange and blue coarse to fine if the corrosion isn't deep start with the fine/blue the others make pretty deep scratches better not to have to get them out. I jump from there to black compound on a sisal wheel then white on cotton, done for a daily rider. Wire wheels are a real no no on aluminum for many reasons.

 

[djdiablo]

Hi djdiablo, I can do the bowl polish, but the body is a different story, please, can you explain a little more in Australian as to what you did ha!
Even pm me if you wish, they certainly look great......

Pretty much just hit them with metal polish and a high speed air tool and buffing pads, takes way too long and I questioned myself as to why I was doing this a few times. Thanks for the compliment, enjoy your ride!

 

[pckopp]

How did you get the carbs cleaned? Mine look like crap.....

Soaked in heated carb cleaner. I use an aquarium heater. Then Shout and several size brushes. They weren't AWFUL to start, tho.

 

[wrenchjohns]

Gathering parts for the XS1; correct rear fender (polished up nicely), correct tail light lens, NOS fender mount speedo and brake cable bracket, NOS grey clutch cable, grey tach cable still enroute.
For the Road King; led projector headlight, led spot lights. The XS1 has priority for updates this weekend.

 

[Doug79]

Got my 2-1 intake about 1/2 built and tacked together. have all of the parts made but want to wait until the carb gets here to set the proper mounting location. If I can't get this to fit in the space available, this will have been a lot of thinking and work for nothing. Will know in the next eek or so.

 

[lakeview]

Replaced the plastic bushings in the s/a of my 77D. Be sure when reinstalling to loop your chain through it if still intact, and have the centre stand down out of the way. This will prevent having to put it back on twice. Also took each shoulder bolt out from the centre stand individually and cleaned and greased both it and the bolt hole one at a time. That means you do not have to dismount and reattach that big spring.