Wrapping up the XS transformation
- Thread starter Roustabout
- Start date
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
Early in the thread there are a few pictures of my tail light that was fashioned out of a red turn signal lens and an aluminum vodka bottle. I removed it temporarily so I could shorten the seat by 4" and prep for paint. Yes the crankcase breather catch bottle is in fact a Rockstar & vodka can....there seems to be a common theme :
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
Everything is now painted and clear coated. 3 coats of clear wet sanded between coats with 1000grit and a then 1500grit on the final coat. I had to rely mostly on elbow grease for buffing as I drained both batteries in the power buffer on the tank
Tomorrow I'll buff the seat and fender when the batteries have had a chance to recharge. I'm thinking of placing a black Yamaha logo over the silver stripe.
Tomorrow I'll buff the seat and fender when the batteries have had a chance to recharge. I'm thinking of placing a black Yamaha logo over the silver stripe.
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
Tim said:
Actually, I have a set of 38mm VMs and a set of TM flat slides. I'm going to get it on the road and iron out the inevitable bugs before switching the carbs over.
HerrDeacon
Over 1,000 Posts
Turned out great. That tank is awesome. I like the stripe on the side, different. Seat is wicked too. Nice job!
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
My back is killing me tonight from being hunched over working on the bike all day We are now ready to fire her up and get a safety inspection ;D. Everything is buffed and polished. I fabricated a kill switch to fit in the available space on the handlebar and a light to shine on the plate from under the seat - both for the safety.
We are now ready to fire her up and get a safety inspection ;D. Everything is buffed and polished. I fabricated a kill switch to fit in the available space on the handlebar and a light to shine on the plate from under the seat - both for the safety.
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
rudy said:
Thanks for the positive comments! I will have to take the plate off anyway - it's not mine - it came with the bike and has a 1992 sticker on it! The bike had been a lawn ornament for 15 years.
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
Well...... I was hoping that I was done posting in this thread, hoping I could post that for my maiden voyage, I left the driveway doing a wheelie, did the ton in third gear, picked up a babe at the local cafe and returned home doing a stoppie 
....... but alas.... no such luck . She didn't fire right away so I checked that I had the points/coil wires hooked up correctly. I reversed them and she fired right up, idling like a 500lb kitten - beautiful rumble She would however, miss at higher rpm so I had a look at the points while it was running. They were arcing pretty severely which coupled with the missing, pointed toward a failed condenser. I was double checking the timing and things weren't jiving. The left set of points were firing the right cylinder. I switched the wires and the bike would not start so I pulled the valve covers off to determine exactly where the c*** was supposed to fire. Sure enough, the left points set was off 180deg. After a little bit of screwing around I discovered that when the previous owner rebuilt the engine, he didn't get the mechanical advance unit properly keyed to the cam and had put the dog that drives the point shaft outside-in(there is an arrow that shows the rotation and a mark to line it up with the advance unit). The factory keyed and stamped everything so it would just snap together - I guess some people should not be allowed to use tools 
I was eventually able to take her up the road and even with the miss-fire I was pleased. Everything else worked - no funny noises, clutch and gearbox OK, nice rumble and decent road manners. I'll have to get a condenser tomorrow and test her out. If that doesn't work then it is likely the carbs - if so I'll turf the stockers and mount the TMs. Hopefully then my next post will be some pictures from Port Dover on the 13th 
....... but alas.... no such luck . She didn't fire right away so I checked that I had the points/coil wires hooked up correctly. I reversed them and she fired right up, idling like a 500lb kitten - beautiful rumble She would however, miss at higher rpm so I had a look at the points while it was running. They were arcing pretty severely which coupled with the missing, pointed toward a failed condenser. I was double checking the timing and things weren't jiving. The left set of points were firing the right cylinder. I switched the wires and the bike would not start so I pulled the valve covers off to determine exactly where the c*** was supposed to fire. Sure enough, the left points set was off 180deg. After a little bit of screwing around I discovered that when the previous owner rebuilt the engine, he didn't get the mechanical advance unit properly keyed to the cam and had put the dog that drives the point shaft outside-in(there is an arrow that shows the rotation and a mark to line it up with the advance unit). The factory keyed and stamped everything so it would just snap together - I guess some people should not be allowed to use tools I was eventually able to take her up the road and even with the miss-fire I was pleased. Everything else worked - no funny noises, clutch and gearbox OK, nice rumble and decent road manners. I'll have to get a condenser tomorrow and test her out. If that doesn't work then it is likely the carbs - if so I'll turf the stockers and mount the TMs. Hopefully then my next post will be some pictures from Port Dover on the 13th 
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
It's not an LED. I cut out one section of the stock rubber dash idiot light assembly and fabricated a simple shroud out of some aluminum sheet. Worked out well. It provided a light socket and rubber vibration isolation. I just bonded it to the inside of the seat and sealed the the back side with silicone. It is just the bare minimum to pass the safety inspection but it does illuminate the plate. When I get the seat and tank back on I'll take a night shot from the rear.retaRD said:
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
Unfortunately it is just a showpiece in the garage until I can get it to run properly. I think I have a few issues; sticking mechanical advance, air leak, carb issues. I think I've eliminated any weird electrical glitches(faulty ignition switch, connections, etc.) by hooking the points/coils directly to the battery. I have new coils, wires and caps on order though I am getting decent spark now so things seem to be pointing to the fuel system. I haven't had too much time lately - the Ministry of Labour has been at our plant looking for blood and shutting down machinesMortikan said: