garage stuff

I've been going through the XS650 I bought a couple of weekends ago, and am really happy with it so far. The only real hang up I've found is that it needs new cam chain guides. The guides tend to become brittle with age, and break up. It's really amazing they last 30+ years in that environment anyway. The engine will need to come out to remove the top end to replace them, which isn't a big deal in itself, but can lead to the "while I'm in there" syndrome, and cause a small project to turn into a big one. Like, do I sand blast and paint the frame while the engine is out? Go into the bottom end? I'm trying to keep it simple. We'll see.

Here's the bits you'll find in the sump and oil filters when the guides fall apart.

Making slow progress on the XT500. The chassis stuff is almost done, so next wiring, control, body and then get it running.

XS650

Well, I went and bought a 1975 XS650 today. I've lusted after one for some time, and at the rate they are being chopped, it isn't going to get easier to find one, so I jumped on this one. It was on Craigslist not too far away, and at $800, not a steal, but a fair price for a runner. I wanted an early standard model, and something I wouldn't feel bad about modding a bit. It'll need a complete going over before I put it on the road. The carbs will either need rebuilding, or I might switch to round slides. I'm not sure what's up with the seat. It looks like possibly it is from a later model. I'm glad I got one with the shouldered rims. I'm hoping to have a presentable, reliable rider for about $1500 (including purchase price) total, but we'll see how it goes.

Update: It's neat how things work out sometimes. When I bought the bike yesterday, I mentioned an old tandem axle utility trailer I had that I'd trade, if he was interested. I haven't even plated it since 2006, but just never got around to selling it. As it turned out, he had been looking for one, so said to pay cash for the bike, and he might get back with me. I didn't think much about it, but today he called, came and looked at the trailer, and gave the money back for the bike, so an even trade. Cool! Anyway, the more I look at the bike, the more I'm thinking of making it into a scrambler.

Covered Bridge

From yesterday, I always stop and get a look at covered bridges.

DIY Electroplating

I've been wanting to try zinc plating, and decided to do it on these rear axle adjusters. They are for my Suzuki wheeled XT500. These were very, very rusty. Since I didn't need them right away, I let them soak in white vinegar for a couple weeks, as it is a good, but slow rust remover. What rust that hadn't already came off in the vinegar was loosened up and came right off with a scotchbrite pad. I should have taken a before picture to show how rusty they started out. You can still see the pitting, but they'll work fine. Just like paint or powder coat, the key is prep, and making sure the part is perfectly clean.

I'm using a kit from Eastwood. It includes everything needed except for two D size batteries.

Positive hooked to the anode bar, and negative to the part being plated. I'm using a piece of 12 gauge copper wire for the negative side. This is what Eastwood recommends, since this keeps the alligator clip from being plated.

Inside the plating container.

Checking the part, recommended every 3-4 minutes. Plating time varies from 3 minutes for a bolt to 30 for a large part. I did the adjusters for about 10 minutes each.

Finished. I just gave them a quick rub with the metal polish to even out the color. With the pitting, and for what these parts do, no point in getting too fancy. They look fine, and should have good corrosion resistance.

Overall it's really fun and easy!

November

A beautiful November 1 here in Indiana for some riding. I took advantage of it and put some miles down. Hopefully we'll get some more days like this before winter hits. Usually we get some nice days through December.

Also, that time of the year to begin winterizing the bikes. I did the GS and the SR, after riding each today. Rotella T for the GS, and HD 20-50 for the SR. The Sportster and Triumph S4 get M1. The Triumph is my main winter ride (fuel injected, heated grips and some wind protection), so doesn't get put away until the road salt gets put down.

Re-cycled parts

My GS850 with the stock front fender from my SR500. I didn't care for this fender on the SR, but it's just right on the GS.

Fall Ride

Back from a great ride today. The day started out foggy, and seemed to take forever to burn off, but when it finally did, a perfect autumn day. This time of the year has some of the best riding weather, and unfortunately winter isn't all that far away, so best to enjoy it while it's here.

Many fields are already being harvested, or soon will be like these soybeans. I'm really enjoying some of the recent work I've done to the SR500. It is a very competent back road burner.

Done...

...for now. I think it'll stay like this until it gets a compete redo, after the XT500 is done. It'll likely get a trimmed down seat and spoke wheels then.

SR500 tapered steering bearings

The forks are rebuilt and ready to go, and the new steering bearings arrived today. I got a tapered bearing kit from All Balls.

Here's the problem with the stock ball style bearings. The races indent and the steering becomes notchy. This is a bike with only about 19,000 miles, but the races are very bad. Some claim slightly better feel with the stock type bearings, but I doubt it's anything significant, and once they wear at all, any advantage in feel is completely lost.

The All Balls kit is very nice, and includes the seals.

My XT...

...the day I bought it, July 4 2008. The plan was to have it done by July 4 this year, but that didn't happen. I got a bit side tracked with buying the SR500. The engine is rebuilt with a Wiseco forged piston, waiting to go into the newly painted frame. It's going to be street only, and disc brakes front and rear, sort of what a 1976 motard might look like. Getting ready to get back on this project 100%.

SR500 work

I did decide I'll just stay with a single brake up front, so shaved the caliper mounts on the right side. Here's the 90% cleaned up right side with the left. A bit of work and they'll both look like a brand new part. The fork tubes and internals are in very nice shape, so just a good cleaning and new seals is all that's needed. The steering bearings are very notchy, so I'm going to go with a tapered bearing replacement. It wasn't apparent how bad they were until the forks were off.

Here's the T250 Hustler fender baking in the sun. I gave it a light sandblasting, etching primer, and shot it with some silver I had. Someday when the bikes gets a complete re-do it'll get a proper paint job, or maybe re-chromed. The external bracing is what I really like about it.

SR

The XJ750 Seca I bought for parts a while back had a new set of Kenda tires on it the correct size, so I decided to spoon them on the SR500, to replace the awful Cheng Shins that were on it when I bought it. I also used the left front disc. Mine was looking a bit ragged, and the XJ part is lighter weight. I have EBC pads and fork seals on the way, so might tackle that next weekend. The XJ is a dual disc setup, and I thought of getting an XS650 right side caliper since the SR has lugs on the right leg, but think I'll stay with a single disc to save rotating/unsprung weight.

5 pounds 5 ounces for the SR, and 4 pounds 9 ounces for the XJ.

Barn Fresh

Another barn rat found, a 1971 Suzuki T250 Hustler. It needs too much work for a restoration, but lots of good parts.

I was in the fifth grade the last time this bike was registered.

I love the shape of this tank.

Harley Davidson Museum

I visited the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee this week. Very, very nice collection! They do a great job of covering the history of the Motor Company, from serial #1 to present day. Even if you aren't a typical Harley guy, you'll enjoy it. Below are a few of my favorites, and many more pictures of my visit here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfourjoe/sets/72157621954588056/

KRTT side valve road racer, raced by Cal Rayborn.

XR750 flat track racer.

This bike is amazing, the Randy Smith built 45 Magnum.

Sprint CRTT road racer.

The storage and restoration area was very interesting to say the least.

Check out the race bodywork, which lined the back wall.

Barn Bikes

I'm a sucker for cheap old barn bikes, with the emphasis on cheap. There are old bikes sitting in corners of barns or garages all over. If you get something cheap enough, at worst you will part it out and make a little money to fund other projects, and help others get parts they need to keep their bikes running. Sometimes you find something really cool. The bad thing is that many "barn bikes" have the titles lost over the years. I bought two bikes this week.

The first is this '82 Yamaha Seca 750 I got from a retired farmer. It had a dead battery, but was supposed to be a runner. I stuck in an old battery and it fired right up! This one will be parted out. Need any Seca parts?

This one I bought today. I was going to look at an "old Honda", which I'd thought was a 500 of some sort. It was a 1974 CB750. Cool! Arguably the most influential bike in history, and I've always wanted one. This one has been sitting for quite a few years. It was given a mild "custom" treatment with some goofy handlebars and a "king and queen" type seat, but mostly original.

And came with a large box of parts.

I gave it a quick wash, and it looks like a very solid project bike. Other than some surface rust, even the pipes are solid. Not bad!

As with the Seca, the title is long gone, so I'm thinking I'll do some research on the best way to get one. I'd hate to part this one out.

Tires

Garage Pix