Fitz pulls through once again! Thanks!

I am working on exhuast right now, I would recomend getting a 4-1 setup. Personally I like them much better. They cost way to much though if your doing a budget build. I have ran into bit of an issue. Last night while working on the exhuast my welder broke. I will have to get that fixed before I can finish it. You can find those collectors on ebay now and them. One thing you may want to try witch I have thought about is buying a used 4-1 collector, and make your own exhuast past the collector. Or if you are going for the stock 4-2 then just finding the original collector. I have seen them go any where from $50 to $100. Can't wait to see your bike finished good luck.

Thanks Haser. I do wanna keep it with the 4-2 just for cosmetic purposes, I like the look better. I have been bidding on a couple collectors and I just missed out on a whole parts bike in my town that sold last night. I've been told that redesigning the exhaust involves rejetting and such and I really don't want to get into that either. I am keeping my eyes open though, we'll see what happens.

All the valve clearances were below tolerance, will have some new shims on order first thing after the new year. Valve train looks to be in good shape. Have to get the valve cover cleaned up and painted, and then send the frame for powder coating sometime in the next couple weeks and she'll be ready to go back together.

XJPilot wrote:

All the valve clearances were below tolerance, will have some new shims on order first thing after the new year. Valve train looks to be in good shape. Have to get the valve cover cleaned up and painted, and then send the frame for powder coating sometime in the next couple weeks and she'll be ready to go back together.

Save me going back through four pages of postings, how many miles on this puppy again? Just asking as a frame of reference to make a point about neglected valves; good going.

A word about the frame: Exactly how BAD is it? Quite often, what appears to be rust is really dirt, or rust from other parts, not the frame itself. I recommend thoroughly cleaning it, as in old toothbrush and mineral spirits, and then assessing the situation. If less than 10% of it really needs paint, then fix those areas and repaint it.

Personally, I don't recommend powder coating for frames, and here's why: You will pick up an occasional stone chip; it's inevitable. Then you'll be faced with how to touch up the chip in the powder coat-- paint? The only REAL way to "fix" a powder-coat finish is to re-bake it.

IMHO, (and it's not just me, look in Wiz's "It Begins Again" thread in "Other Motorcycles") the best thing for frames is a high-quality automotive rattle-can black enamel. Looks great, easily touched up. Just be sure you wait until the paint cures completely before reassembly, which can sometimes take 10-15 days.

I'm not saying that powder coating has no application, just the opposite; I've got a bunch of powder-coated bits on my black bike and they look great. But they're not in a position where they would take the kind of beating the frame does.

Hey Fitz, just found your last post there. She's got 41xxx kms, about 25000 miles. All the valves were about .10 too tight. No clue when the last adjustment had been done.
The frame isn't bad, but I'm wanting a flat black finish on it to contrast the gloss black on the tank and side covers. The only reason I chose powder coating was because I have a buddy with a set-up who was going to do it pretty cheap. Also, I've been running into some problems with spray painting right now since the garage I'm in is only heated by propane heater and, especially with this storm of the century we're getting right now, that barely takes the edge off the cold, nowhere close to warm enough for spray paint to take. Any suggestions?

*Update*

Been getting a bunch of stuff cleaned up, waiting on 1 valve shim and painting parts to start putting it back together. I've thrown a couple shots.

Rebuilt fuel valve

Intake Boots

Fender, Airbox and Battery Box

Rear Shocks

Finally got some time off this week to start painting. Really should have invested in a sandblaster, but about 5 hours of hand-sanding later and here we go! Waiting for the paint to cure on the valve cover so I can polish up the ribs. Got the swingarm and centre stand done but ran out of paint before I could finish the frame.

Pre-paint




First 2 coats

Ambitious lad.

Those look like the original shocks. At that mileage, if they are, they are most certainly all done. I'd replace 'em. (My '83 550 had 7100 miles when I got it and the shocks were toast.)

Finished the frame last night before work!!

Finished up the valve cover tonight. Polished up the ribs and logo, I think it turned out pretty well considering it's really my first experience with spray paint haha!

Yesterday was carb day. Took me forever to get the float pins out of the bottom end. Anyone have a trick for them? Got through the first 2 before I had to go to work, hoping to get to the rest tomorrow. Sorry about the poor quality but my camera died a couple weeks ago and I'm using my blackberry.

Bottom end


Jets soaking


Top end


30 years of grime most likely

Don't worry about the pics, they look fine. My phone camera really sucks. Nice work, now keep the pics coming, WWhaapeeesh!

Haha, thanks! Hoping to get out and finish the carbs tomorrow. Then just wait for my last order of parts and I can start throwing her back together. Hope to be riding her before march is over.

More pics