75' XS650 build. UPDATE. pg. 3

[malloy]

hey fella's, found this site a couple of weeks ago and I've been lurking. this is my first offical post. I bought a 1975 XS650 about 3 weeks ago with the intentions of turning it into a bobber. after thinking it through and going through an internal battle with myself I decided to go the cafe route. at first I use to hate the look of cafe bikes, but now the look has grown on me. plus there aren't as my XS's that have went the cafe route. anyway here is some pics of what I have been doing. I look foward to being a member of this community.

here is the bike the dat I got her. (900 miles round trip to get it)

started working on the front shocks... (complete rebuild, going to salvage as much I can)

started to rebuild the carbs

so as of right now I got the bike completely striipped to the frame. I sand blasted the frame yesterday which was a total mess and took me like 3 hrs to do. it came out great, but then I attempted to rattle can the frame and it didn't go so good. so now I have to re sand blast the frame. ( I have a hook-up for powdercoating but I won't hear from him till thursday. I was being impatient and now I lost time and money.

also work has been slow (i'm a mercedes-benz tech) so while i'm waiting for work I have been polishing my wheels and other aluminium bits..

I plan to update this thread daily and post pics of my progess. right now the weather is awesome here in south florida and I want to have this bike done in the next 30 days. ( i wanna go riding)

if I don't decide to powdercoat my frame , does anyone have a suggest for good spray paint. I need something durable and that will hold up to the florida sun.

 

[Terry]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

Wonderfull, another XS! You got a very good year with that model and a roadster to boot. Along with the upgraded frame and a 447 engine. Did that bike comes from Tallahassee? If you haven't already, go to the 650 Garage and print out the carb guide. That thing is priceless when it comes to XS carbs. check out Mike's XS Parts for all your needs, they're just up the road in Brooksville so parts get to you fast. Here on this site Tim's XS650 build is rather stunning and there are a few others really worth checking out. I have a 72 XS650 that's kinda, sorts, not really cafed.

Terry
J'ville, Fl.

 

[malloy]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

Its funny you say that.. I bought the bike from a fella by the name of george in tallahshee.. I live in west palm beach... stay tuned for more

 

[Terry]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

I was watching that bike on craigslist for several months. He was asking such strange prices, like $1647 or $1865, I was waiting for him to get to 1500 bucks. I know he did work cause he was on the 650 Garage forum for a while and it looked like a nice example. Good luck with it.

Terry
J'ville, Fl.

 

[MN_TX650]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

Very Nice! Can't wait to see how this all progresses. I am building a 73 currently

 

[Darmstro]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

Are those BS38's? If so, I have some spare parts laying around if you need anything.

 

[JRK5892]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

nice!

 

[malloy]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

thanks fella's for the warm welcome. I do believe the carbs are bs38's. the bike ran good when I picked it up. I already installed the pamcopete hall-effect ignition. I figured if i'm going this far, I might as well do everything. i'm getting ready to head back to work so I can finsh sandblasting my triple trees, fork tubes and other bits. I'll post updated pics tonight.

 

[malloy]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

well I did more sandblasting today... what a mess, getting sand in your ears really sucks. here some update pics..

made a little ghetto spray booth.

here is the paint I WAS going to try... did my triple and the paint went on super shitty.. very textured and looks like 80grit sandpaper.. (anyone run into this issue) the color is suppose to be stainless steel.

my little helper.. ;D

started polishing the side covers

so i'm making some progress, I really need to get the frame finished so I can start put the bike together. I have parts scattered all over the place. building a bike in an apartment really sucks.

 

[JRK5892]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

your surface prep on those tripples and down tubes is not enough, what media re you shooting with? what grit? that appliance paint has a really smooth flow out and self leveling in it... i have never heard of it not laying smooth

 

[malloy]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

I think my prep was fine, I using glass media and sand. I don't know if the can is bad or I didn't shake enough. basically the paint went on like dust, even after 12 hrs I can just blow it off. I'll post a pic. it was like the can was just spraying powder.

 

[saucer]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

sounds like something wrong with the paint, i didn't shake it for long enough and it lifted the first coat, what a nightmare, but epoxy should go on thick and shiny, stays shiny, i've painted rusted wheels with it,it's magic

 

[JRK5892]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

glass and sand are fine for paint... that is good... i would sugest letting the can soak in some hot water for 10 min before you shoot it... shake that sucker for like 10 min... the paint does vaporize VERY fast so cover EVERYTHIGN! the overspray is UNREAL!!!

 

[malloy]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

yea, I sprayed in very high humidiy and the can was not hot and I didn't shake it very long, maybe a min as the instructions suggestions. I read in my other thread that the silver can be a pita. I going to give it one more shot before I try the black

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

I spray bombed my top tree with black epoxy and it came out textured as well. I think you just need to sand it down. I like the textured look of it though.

 

[malloy]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

i tried again with the damn paint and the only way I can get it to stick is to do a super heavy coat. the traditional rattle technique of doing short sprays is doing nothing for me. how are you guys laying this stuff down

 

[JRK5892]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

i have never heard of this having an issue... hell Troy did almost his whole bike in it and that came out amazing... i would bet you got a bunk can
his stuff lay'd great... i have used it as well on Several occasions, never had issues. i think that is weird. yoiu are using the rustoleum right?

 

[Swagger]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

Sounds like you guys are too far away from your work piece, allowing the paint to partially flash off before settling on the surface.
As well as leaving a textured finish, it'll be weak by comparison to properly wetted out paint and will chip/flake easily.
I's strip'm and repaint...

 

[malloy]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

JRK5892 , from what I told the silver is a real PITA. I though I was a rattle can pro, guess not.. I'm going to return the other 3 cans I got and go for the gloss black.

other updates is that I got the rear wheel all cleaned up, new brake shoes and polished it a bit. I'll post pics tonight.
',

 

[malloy]

Re: 75' XS650 build..

JRK5892 , I just took a better look at that pic. is that frame the silver that I have been trying to spray??? I got the rustoleum from lowes... i'm thinking i got a bunk can.