Riders Of Vision

Ok, so this thread will continue what bloomed out of Shauns 'free to a good home' post on the SS.

todays update:

I mounted the carbs Shaun cleaned out (twice)  they have the same filter i use installed in the same place.  the filter has red crystalized fuel-rust in it. i'll assume for the moment that the carbs do too, & although i had it running today, i expect the same stuff in the carbs to start rehydrating & flake off causing problems.

after installing the carbs (just dropped them in, i had pulled the clamps off the intake boots because the rubber is a bit stiff from non use) i hung a pony tank made from a 2 liter soda bottle & filter. i let the carbs soak & prime for a few minuets.  after several twists of the throttle i got fuel from the acelerator nozzles..  hit the key & it sputtered.  a few more twists & full choke & she started up & idled roughly.

The bike was blowing tons of water vapor from the valve cover by-pass hoses, & rust & steam from the exhaust. i half expected this.  this all stopped once the bike warmed up.
I set the pilots & synqed the carbs.

i'll have to change the oil as i can't see the level in the window.  i once ran my engine with tons of fuel in the crankcase (stupid long story, don't ask, i've posted it b4, look it up) but the window was clean afterwards, so i'm going todrain the old oil, change the filter, ad some straight 30wt & a cup or so of mineral spirits & run it for 20 min or so.  this is basicly "GM Crankcase cleaner" that i've used on several unknown engines (car) in the past.  drain the oil mix again, new filter & put in some good oil.  should be good for at least a half season, & change it again.

the tank seems to have Kreem in it, (& hopefully protected the corners) & is rusty, so for now, i'm going to run some chain thru it to get the big pieces loose, then acitone to remove the Kreem, then muriatic acid to kill the rust, & then phosphoric acid to protect the bare metal until i can do a POR coating. (cheaper than Caswell & i've been satisfied with the results to date.)

the bike needs all the usual goings over, cleaning, polishing, electricals gone thru, etc.

The good news:

She charges!!
-and-
there is no starter clutch/balancer knock!!

the starter seems to turn over well & i' not going to open it up yet.  Not having looked closely at it, i can tell the stator case has been opened because the netral & oil light operate backwards of each other.   ::)

so, tank needs to be cleaned, brake system redone, levers, mirror, etc, etc.

also brake bar bolts, tires, the while thing cleaned, paint salvaged, weight cut off (rear passenger brackets, rear fender, ft fender trimmed, electricals, horn is anemic (& needs the cover, anyone have one or do i paint it?) fork brace, R/R moved. oil cooler installed, plus plus plus.

i'm also thinking of blacking out the engine.

i think that's it fore now, but it runs & idles, & sounds a bit like a hollowed out 2 cycle.  i'd like to either find Macs, or a gary wolf to replace the stockers, but for now i might just make up conduite & plate replacements to have welded in, but the stockers are heavy....

--Lucky

Oh & maybe a round headlight...

 :)...RE:..& needs the cover, anyone have one ???

Luck's in luck again...I'll add it to the list bro'  ;) Man, this hot sauce must be gooood... ;D :D :D :D... 8)

               

Oh, Lucky, the trick that the Yamaha-Triplers use is diesel fuel in the crank, followed by oil and filter.  Cheap on them, cause they get changed again very shortly thereafter.  MMO in the jugs to work stuff out in there.

When I was in college & my bike was back home, my dad tried to move it.  The clutch pack had siezed, but he thought it was the cylinders.  Back then, I'd have thought the same thing.  He put some Marvel Mystery Oil in them & let  it sit for a while.  I came home, fired it up & cleared every mosquito in a several block radius!  Man that smoke was thick.   ;D

H₂O 

I pour a little Marvel Mystery Oil down the carb of the GTO until it choaks off for winter storage.
Sure does smoke in the spring when I fire it up :)

Hey Lucky I have the  horn cover as well , let me know when you want the parts.

I never like the stock exhaust on the V  it sounds like a Hover with a head cold !

Quote from: Rick G on October 25, 2007, 01:00:13 AM
I never like the stock exhaust on the V  it sounds like a Hover with a head cold !

Now we know Rick is back for sure!!!   ;D

Quote from: Rick G on October 25, 2007, 12:17:28 AM
Hey Lucky I have the  horn cover as well , let me know when you want the parts.

:) Phew...Thanks Rick, the one I had seems to have dissapeared!!! Yer luck is still holding Lucky ;D :D :D

                       

Quote from: Rick G on October 25, 2007, 01:00:13 AM
I never like the stock exhaust on the V  it sounds like a Hover with a head cold !

Without the baffles, his sounds like a Hoover with emphysema.  ;D

David

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/vintage/Dunstall.htm

that should go on it  ;D

I've been looking at stuff like that, but any bodywork will come later. round headlight though is def on the list...

Ok, i'm going full throttle (ok, half throttle, i can't afford full throttle, lol) on the project.  so i'll take those parts (i'll pm my address)

and i'll have to do more than Hot sauce at some point.

Thanks again guys!

--Lucky

pulled the oil plug & filter cover, & this is what i found: (Got milk?)
plus there was NO oil filter!!

cross your fingers...

BTW, i'm doccumenting it here as well: http://xz550.spaces.live.com/
(http://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1phLDyNlOFXUjULJiLNsKg_1hjTsgEMNHjEqliXS0x6nM6IYCajfbttA6qfU-uVokQS3kgh3kbDAw)

then again, maybe that's not water, maybe it's liquified Gremlin...

Lucky:  send your snail mail address.........I have a 2nd key for the bike I just realized.  I'll drop it in an envelope to you.

shawnD@acs-inc.com

The state of the oil is SCARY and NO filter?  Recall that I completely replaced the engine on the bike and I guess I did not verify that there was an oil filter in place.  Although I put brand new oil in it and ran it only 10 - 15 miles total after that.

OOH - a cafe'd Star Silver V!  That's gonna be FAAAAAAAAST!!   ;D  Star Silver is fast enough to overcome anything like unfiltered oil, liquified gremlin, rusty pistons / cylinders, etc.   :D

H₂O

Water, once in the engine, has a way finding the darndest places to go... Likely find it in the starter, too...   ::)

The Dizzy fuel trick that the Yammie Triplers use will cure the motor of that.  A little MMO will help too.   8)

Gittin' 'er dun, tho', y'are...   :D

that was after you ran it with the new oil and crankcase cleaner?

Thats strange, it usually looks more like choclate milk. :P

Quote from: Night Vision on October 26, 2007, 11:52:06 PM
that was after you ran it with the new oil and crankcase cleaner?

nope, that was what was in it when i picked it up. keep in mind i couldn't see the level in the window, (i live dangerously) but it was dark.  Also keep in mind that there were no carbs on it for a couple of years, & at some point it was out in the elements (rain/snow) so i'm hoping that's where the water came from.  running the engine emulsified it...

I know, i know, i should have changed the oil first...do as I say, not as iI do...

i got a free battery today, made for a garden tractor, & a bit bigger than the stock one, so it'll have to go between the side covers for now..for testing/resto purposes only.  i'll run it with my 30wt/mineral spirits flush  just to op temp & then drain it again, looking for metal flakes in the new filter.

--Lucky

With all of the water you said it was spitting out of every orifice it had, and you even wonder why the oil was like milk?   :D

I'd still do the diesel fuel before any more oil goes in.  Don't need to run it, just turn it over with the fuel in.  It'll absorb all of the remaining water and dissolve any deposits.

if it ain't worth doing the hard way...

Diesel is like a premixed version of your oil and spirits...

yeah, but i already have the oil & mineral spirits...

 :) Lucky...Parts are on there way, via airmail, to-day...Duck if you see a low flying maple leaf over your house in the next few day's ;D :D :D :D :D :D :D... 8)

               
p.s. You'll know its from me long before you open it ::) ;D :D :D :D :D :D... ;)

That's for sure.  Tiger really likes everyone to know the packages he sends are from Canada!   ;D

The parts I recently received from RMStator didn't have any red & white on the package!

H₂O

Quote from: h2olawyer on October 27, 2007, 05:51:59 PM
The parts I recently received from RMStator didn't have any red & white on the package!
H₂O

::) They are in Quebec...Its a different world for some of them... ;D :D :D :D :D :D :D... ;)

                       

I'll mail my contingent  monday, sorry to say I have no Canadian stickers to apply!

Tiger you are so right!  The last time I was home to Montreal ( don't let the last name fool you ,  its welsh , rymes with devil. I foolish wore a Canadian flag pin, a Qubec flag pin and a Ontarioflag pin. I couldn't get a buss driver to even admit he understood english . I resorted to taxis . for that kind of money, I got a Russian  who was glad to speak English!     Rick Greville

 :) Rick G,
First mistake.......wearing an Ontario flag pin in Quebec ::)

Second mistake.......wearing a Canadian flag pin in Quebec :o >:(. That REALLY ticks me off... >:(

I purchased from the local post office, a roll of packing tape that has printed, on its entire length, 3" long Canadian flag's... 8) PM me you address and I'll send you a roll.

                             

Well, Acitoned the tank, hit it muriatic acid, then the Ospho, cleaning & drying in between.

there still are patches of dead Kreem inside (looking down in with a flashlight) but i'm not going to worry about it much. just keep filters fresh.. there is only so much i have patience for.

i've put together a surprisingly good petcock considering the crappy parts i have to work with, & Dave says he may have better ones around too.

the only major problem with the petcock is the mounting surface is corroded enough to not hold the o-ring in on one side.  i'm simply going to fill the chanel with epoxy & use a flat rubber gasket.  i've done this on my first 82 tank & it worked fine.

Rick is sending me a gas cap so i should have a usable tank around the end of the week or so.

--Lucky

lucky , your box left tuesday.  If the gas cap is not what you want let me know. After I mailed  the package I found the rest of the gas caps. I don't know that I would try to remove the porthole  from the master cyl . I think I would consider rebuilding the the one I sent, with the  servicable window.  Up to you. have fun.
Rick

Thanks Rick,
I'll use the one that looks best inside. the sight glasses come right out since they are plastic & now soft.
there was (is? i hope) a guy on Evilbay selling replacement crystals. you just run a THIN THIN THIN bead of black RTV inside the hole & set them in. they work great.

it was billycarrjr@earthlink.net selling them.

--Lucky

If he no longer sells the sight glass kits, another source is a watchmaker.  They're getting harder to find these days, but if you measure the diameter of the opening for  the glass, you can take that to a watchmaker & buy a watch crystal to fit.  Mineral glass is less expensive but sapphire crystals are stronger & less prone to scratching.  Last I checked, a mineral glass crystal runs about $15 & a sapphire crystal about $35.

I installed a watch crystal in mine when I rebuilt the 83 master cylinder.  The watchmaker used his UV set glue to put it in place.  I added a ring of epoxy around the very edge.  It is still holding strong & the glass will remain clear for the foreseeable future.  Sure beats plastic!

I know I mentioned this a few times in the past, but it's been a while & there are many new folks on the forum.  Just figure its always nice to have options.

H₂O

Can anyone tell me specifics on the mounting bolts for the horn cover? and/or pics?
Thanks, --Lucky

I think I still have mine if you need them.  Did not need it with the shark fairing.

David

The horn cover takes some funky shouldered bolts.  I got a set from Yamaha for a reasonable price (surprise - surprise  ::) ).  As far as I know, they're still available.

H₂O

...or you can use two M6 x 16 hex head bolts with washers...they will do the trick... 8)

                     

Quote from: h2olawyer on November 02, 2007, 12:48:12 PM

I installed a watch crystal in mine when I rebuilt the 83 master cylinder.  The watchmaker used his UV set glue to put it in place.  I added a ring of epoxy around the very edge.  It is still holding strong & the glass will remain clear for the foreseeable future.  Sure beats plastic!

I know I mentioned this a few times in the past, but it's been a while & there are many new folks on the forum.  Just figure its always nice to have options.

master cylinder glass: here's 5 high precision mineral glass pieces for $17 including shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-5-Mineral-Glass-Crystals-for-Watches-2mm-thick_W0QQitemZ5060519941QQihZ016QQcategoryZ10363QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

email him and ask for 16.7mm x 2.0mm

I gave Tiger one (or two?) awhile back and just put one in tonight. nice and tight. they are flat and the 2mm makes it almost flush. don't need much stickum either.

....buy 5 and send some to your friends for Chrismukkah   ;)

finished changing the oil again (i say finished because i left the drain plug out when refilling it last time & wasted 2 new qts of oil!!  :'( )

ran it a few minuets & i THINK there is no more water in the oil..  i'll watch it closely & let you know.  if the oil stays clear, i'll drain it once more & refill with something good.

--Lucky

I made new baffles to replace the missing baffles in the stock exhaust today, & the oil seems to be holding up..

details of the exhaust repair are on my blog:
http://xz550.spaces.live.com/

--Lucky

nice job!  Looks good Lucky.

David

Thats interesting , one of my sets of MACs has 1 baffle stuck in place and befor the other rusts up I had thought of  converting it to a defuser type baffle , so I wont have to wrestle the cores out to repack them.
Thats another  defered project! ;D

Quote from: Rick G on November 11, 2007, 06:28:38 PM
Thats interesting , one of my sets of MACs has 1 baffle stuck in place and befor the other rusts up I had thought of  converting it to a defuser type baffle , so I wont have to wrestle the cores out to repack them.
Thats another  defered project! ;D

I'm glad I'm not the only one.  I'm still trying to figure how to get it out so I can add some packing.  I really think there is none at all and it's flowing too freely as I lose my top end power.  I may spray a little phosphoric acid on it and see what happens.

David

Dave , on my first set I used a pair of  large channel locks to grip the bar and pulled and twisted  them out . I got them from Ron Ghetti,  so they were well cared for and not very old. (I think he has sensitive ears,lol) :D .  The second set were off of eBay and prolly came from a junk yard . I finally borrowed a slide hammer and after hoseing them with WD40, managed to get one out . My third set came from a former forum member in MN., DT,  who sold his V in favour of a Ducati. Having  no further use for them, sold them to me for shipping, as he had used the  front cylinder head pipe on a custom  exhaust he built .  I had destroyed my first set  in  a crash , and all that was left was the front head pipe!  A marrage made in heaven!! The third set  come out fairly easily , I suggest any one who has MACs to pull them every three months , and mayby leave them out all winter , as part of seasonal moth balling.

Thanks Rick.  I had asked this a few months back and got many suggestions for getting them out but lost track of the post.

Hey Lucky, You have a slide hammer????

David

i don't think so, but i'll double check...

I just ran out to start it before work & the oil is definatly better, i think it'll be fine now. 

It has developed a new problem though, it won't start if the signal fuse is in, but once running, if i put the fuse in it continues to run fine.  it has the stock fuse box, & i haven't really touched the electricals much, so i'll have to look into that one...

--Lucky

can someone take a micrometer & tell me how deep the threads are for the horn cover bolts please?
mine are very shallow & i think i may need to clean/tap them out.  i'm off work tomorrow & want to grab the bolts & washers today while i'm at work.

Thanks, --Lucky

Speaking of those, I posted a fair bit ago asking what was used to hold that on.  You have the size info for 'em?  Just bolts and washers I'm guessing to go under the plastic plug covers?

Lucky -

The holes for the horn cover bolts go through to the tubes.  I just took a depth gauge to the ones on parts bike & came up with a bit over 1/2 inch.  Don't know how far the threads go in - I couldn't get to a good angle to see into the holes.

If you need a better measurement of the depth, I can go back out, measure again & write it down this time.

Tractor had plugged holes, too.  I took a tiny drill bit & got a hole in the gunk so I could use a length of copper house wiring to finish getting most of it out.  Then some WD-40 to clean the crap out of the threads, followed by a good blast of compressed air.  Then chased the threads with a tap.  Worked slick & took all of 30 minutes max for both sides.

Alewulf - there's a special shouldered bolt & washer you can order from Yamaha (at least they still had them last May).  2 bolts & 2 washers ran just under $10.  I'm sure you can make something from hardware available at ACE or other good hardware stores.  Maybe Lucky will post with his solution.

H₂O

OK, SO I SHOULD BE GOOD WITH 1/2 - 3/4 " DEPTH (WHATEVER THAT IS IN mETRIC)  I DON'T HAVE COPVERS, BUT STAINLESS WILL LOOK FINE

SORRY ABT THE CAPS, I'M AT WORK, IT'S THE DEFAULT ON OUR PC'S & I DIDN'T LOOK UP TILL AFTER I TYPED THIS

--lUCKY

Off the cuff I'd guess 16mm, give or take 2mm?

A half inch gets you into contact with the fork tubes.  The Yamaha bolts use about 1/4 - 3/8 inch of the threads.

H₂O

 :) If you are using hex head bolt's, you will need... 2 x M6x12mm and 2 x M6 flat washer's, to button the horn cover back on... ;)

               

Dave , one thing I neglected to mention,  was that the slide hammer in question had a hook bent on the end , and I drilled a 1/4 inch hole at the end of the baffle to insert it into.   :)

Dave, sorry, no slide hammer...  > :(

worked on Cafe V today, a little fix up & a bit of spit & polish:

opinions please on the last part...
http://xz550.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

--Lucky

looks good lucky...should do the trick...I'd prob leave the coolant tubes...but hey...that's ur choice...either way...would keep the yearly polishing to a min

yeah the tubes & exhaust look pretty good after cleaning up, but i do eventually want to dump that 25lbsih of exhaust for Macs...

Good job on the baffles Lucky.  I can't really tell that much about the paint.  Maybe you could ride over so I could see it in person.  Burgers and Beer and great riding weather and roads await you.   :) :) ;)

looks grreat from here..... the "chrome" down tubes look good against the "chrome" engine...

.... however, it would probably go faster if they were just plain silver  ::)

nice catch on the switched bulbs! that's the kind of stuff that drives 'ya nuts....

Lucky , it looks much better than I thought it would . I might try it on my XL350.

Rick, found out today that the paint isn't fuel proof, i put a bit of gumout on a rag and took to the paint in an inconspicus area, which it removed, but i'm going to paint something off the bike with it, let it dry then spray some clear laquer over it.  hopefully it won't crinkle.  if it works i'll clearcoat the paint.

i changed the o-rings on the coolant tubes and had some other adventures too:

http://xz550.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

--Lucky

BTW, took this thing up & down the side road a couple of times today, i'm still amazed how light & powerful it feels compaired to the weight of the tourer..  almost disconcerting...

I have no doubt it'll pull the front wheel up but not untill:
1) i get used to it,
2) not while it's wearing these tires (they have 1/8" cracks in the sidewall!  :o ) &
3) i gotta find a fork brace

--Lucky

I noticed the same performance difference betweeen Silver V & Tractor.  Is it possible the full fairing takes away THAT much performance?!?  I was going to do a carb swap between them to see if Tractor's carbs are just cleaner - but I haven't since I'm doing the 83 carb swap anyway.

Maybe it's your low back pressure modified stock exhaust.   ;)

H₂O

Spruced up the guages before work. i'll replace the 25+ year old bulbs before they go back in.
--Lucky

http://xz550.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

Lucky , just for s***s  and grins  try a small amount of gasoline on it ,  Gumout is a lot more ferocious than gas.

H2o, I had  my  fairing off  for 3 or 4 months (I missed it!)  and didn't notice  any performance differance , maybe it was just me. :D

my 99c fairing & $32. windshield came today. gotta get a 7" round headlight & fab up mounts for it, but here's a quick test fit:
(http://www.xz550.com/viperft.jpg)
(http://www.xz550.com/viperlt.jpg)
(http://www.xz550.com/viberdash.jpg)

yep, needs a round light. what are you using for a dash there?

Who says you can't put a square peg in a round hole :)

NV, you mean that charcole color on either side of the instrument cluster? that's just the inside of the fairing.

ok, looked like there was something like the 83 dash behind the speedo

Lucky, what kind of tire is on the front?

Are LEDs too focused to use as gauge lighting?

Got to hand it to you Lucky, you have a great touch . Its really looking great!

Quote from: inanecathode on January 25, 2008, 11:49:55 PM
Lucky, what kind of tire is on the front?

I'll answer that one -- the front tire appears to be a Cheng Shin Hi-Max.  Looks very similar to the Metzeler ME-33 (older) or Lasertec (newer).

H₂O

Thanks to NV for alerting me of a 7" round headlight & bucket off an R350 on Ebay, that looks like it was made for the Vision.
I won those with a combined shipping of $35 & change...
pics are on my blog, linked below.


can't wait till they get here!  i'll have to take some last pics of the bike with a rectangular headlight....

--Lucky

aawww shucks  :-[    I told Lucky that CDNL suggested that I round up on RedSkunk.... but I do like the aerodynamics of the square one..... so I can wait for another... maybe  ;) 

Quote from: Lucky on February 06, 2008, 06:31:12 PM

pics are on my blog, linked below.

nice link..... "If we can't fix it..... it's not a Vision"   :D :D :D

Headlight & bucket came in yesterday. i did a quick mount on the headlight, looks good. it's going to be a job getting all the wires in there though...

set the fairing over it, very tight fit around the headlight ring. the 'ears' on the fairing hit the bars/master cyl/ clutch cable, so i'm gonna have to do some trimming of the fairing & windscreen.   :(  the good thing is that since it's solid plastic i won't have a funny color edge to contend with, just polish it up.

--Lucky

made up some mounts for the fairing today & have it loosly fitted, i need to get proper hardware at work tomorrow, then i can get to work on stuffing the wires in the smaller space of the headlight bucket. i may need to make up 2 smaller mounting rods for higher up on the fairing if it seems like it'll move too much...

then i have to deal with running the clutch cable THRU the windshield. (unavoidable...  :(  )

full write up here & 11 pics:
http://xz550.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

--Lucky

 :) Way to go Lucky, she is looking really good 8)

             

 I think this calls for a set of handlebars, adapted to the top triple clamp.  Superbike height of course.  Nice job on the headlite and fairing!

No way, clip ons all the way!

Quote from: supervision on February 18, 2008, 07:46:03 PM
I think this calls for a set of handlebars, adapted to the top triple clamp.  Superbike height of course.  Nice job on the headlite and fairing!

allways a possability...

MMMMM  Can't wait to go for a ride and check it out.

David

Geez, am I the only guy with clip-ons on his XZ?

:)

a bit more work done , bobbed the tail, & a few more pics, out in the sun finally, lol:
http://xz550.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

looking good!

YJ

 :) Lucky, re the grab handle voids...If you have an old set of grab handle's, cut the ends off to fill the voids...perfect fit 8)

                 

how's the paint on the red tank? I like the red with the blackface. Paint the other bits to match

Quote from: Tiger on March 03, 2008, 09:45:20 PM
:) Lucky, re the grab handle voids...If you have an old set of grab handle's, cut the ends off to fill the voids...perfect fit 8)

                

8).......TIGER....... 8)

i did that on one side, between the rubber outer & metal core, ...it was sad... i'm thinking of shaping some wood or plastic block, if i can find some, to fit, embeding nuts into them & filling with fiberglass & body filler.  then i can drill out the mounting nuts in the frame & bolt the tail in from underneath.

Quote from: Night Vision on March 03, 2008, 09:59:43 PM
how's the paint on the red tank? I like the red with the blackface. Paint the other bits to match

the paint's trashed, & it has a good sized dent on the rt ft corner, but much more rust free than the silver one (still has leaks though)  for now i'm leaning towards a monochrome silver, painted tail piece, blacked out swingarm, & the frame either aluminum-chrome like i've started or back to black.  i'm up in the air on the fairing color.  i love Daves bike all connected yellow, but if i didn't know it as yellowjacket, i'm not sure i'd go with the flack fairing, so i'm not sure on mine either. plus those t/s sure stick out... (keep in mind, this isn't being designed with a lot of night riding in mind, i have my other Vision for that.

there's a good possability i might even ditch the fairing, but that wouldn't be very 'cafe'.  the headlight stays though

RE: integrated turnsignals......



(http://i7.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/d1/a8/0a35_1_sbl.JPG)




not! that just flashes off a battery...
but I'm sure you could be weird wired into your brakes/signals somehow

See if the turn signals on your 83 will clear the fairing. I have some short stalks

mostly finished with filling the voids in the tail, but wanted to see how it looked 'color matched' with the body work. i put my rubber gasket back in under the petcock, no more leak.  gave the tank a quick sanding so i could throw some primer on it to hide the red.  i still have to fix the leaks & dents, but the complete mismatch was getting on my nerves, lol

then went riding with Dave.

--Lucky


(http://p45hkq.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p6dAXjvZs3fnK0H2P1GFLXXlsj0ClEloxge9MdSmihwI-bMREi9tk8p8et1jTKLEvFBtH8DZu4o6HqaRqB1vuaw)</img>

(http://p45hkq.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p6dAXjvZs3fnRHgVvJr_qPLGN5tdyt08VGNrBdA6tytXS4LqsamV7BrQ4O0Y4arke5H0NojAOgCxrQnvTDVX1bg)</img>

(http://p45hkq.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p6dAXjvZs3fltSihanMx0ZzpvA2IConOZ4gb8EZISJmEY2vPh2JKT0MPsOBCMBJZYQyS8SIOEp-G4sR5oNptFXg)</img>

Nice job  on the tail piece!
Your lucky (no pun intended) to have  a fellow visionary in you area. I haven't had the privilage since I lived in MN.

3 more pics for ya:
first 2 pics are with the final color paint, 3rd pic is the first coat on the tank. 
it still needs to be wet sanded & recoated, but the shines not bad for a rattle can.

for graphics i'm thinking of a good sized Yamaha logo (tuning forks) on the side of
the tank, in white & nothing else. let 'em guess what it is  ;D

& yes, I did take the cap apart & painted to match.

(http://www.xz550.com/paint1.jpg)

(http://www.xz550.com/paint2.jpg)

(http://www.xz550.com/paint3.jpg)

That Looks great Lucky!  ;)

I if I sent my other V down to you, would you do all of that to mine?  I'll come down to get it my self!! ;D

   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
;D P.S. I'll have it down there in a few weeks ! ! Don't rush... Take your time... But call me as soon as your done so I can go for a ride with you guys! ;D
   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Did a little more painting on Cafe tonight, blacked out the peg holder & touched up the frame.  tried Daves bar-b-cue paint trick, used a heat gun to harden it.

second pic is a piece of plexiglass i heated to snap over the fork tubes.  it's painted black.  purpose? to hide the wires that wouldn't fit in the round headlight bucket.

--Lucky

(http://atamvg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p6dAXjvZs3fmE7KG3X8EjTQ8tyxUy91K-_7f5PRJZ_B3ot7wX5DmOWWmyc4B1HH7BOWHEITyEybXMESwp1-L-Ow)</img>

(http://atamvg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p6dAXjvZs3fkdCekMcl7pZRZYv9_wVcPts0prR4r0uH_f42npW9QlfId69QemCQiBzs3Jz6PDNJOD1ewDILl2_Q)</img>

OOOOOOOhhhhhhhh.  I like the blacked out peg holder look.  I ahave an extra set I may do that to and see how it looks on YJ.
Lookin good Lucky.

David

on the 83's the lines are black, i might go shiney aluminum on the lines, sort of a negative of the 83's

what kind of trickery is that?
first the swing arm is silver... then it's half-black  ???


guess it's too late say i thought this combo was sweet!

(http://www.xz550.com/paint1.jpg)

no problem, if you like it that way, i'll change it back for $30, for a month (dollar a day), longer if you like, but $30 is the minimum.

lucky if you havent already figured out a way of mounting a plate and light  yet i used my stock light piece. just pulled it off the bracket and it lined up with the holes in the back of the tool tray. i had to use a round file on the holes just a little but it worked out great. it hides the lights up behind the tail light and then used a couple of right angle pieces of metal to fasten the plate. i can get some pics if you want.

(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/bikevision/choppedtail001.jpg)
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/bikevision/choppedtail002.jpg)
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/bikevision/choppedtail003.jpg)

please excuse the dirt. i used to live on a dirt road and have been waiting on the snow to melt to wash her real good. and it seems that i lost my lense. dont know when that happened but ill be fixing that soon.

hmm, i hadn't thought too much about it other than poss strapping it to the swing arm.  i'd like a pic if you could, how it sits mounted up with a tag on it..

as for the light, i wasn't planning on too much night riding, but i suppose i should have it lit anyway...

Lucky , theres a way to illuminate the lsc. plate with out having a light.  Get a drawer divider for those plastic cabinets , that you can store nuts and bolts in . Carefully cut a hole in the bottom of the tail light lens , the same size as the divider and glue it in with styrene cement. We do a lot of this here in AZ. because you can ride a equiped  ATV  on the street here. I'll bet you could get one at Ace hardware. .

 ive got a pic of it on my computer but im on my cell right now. will post it when i get home.

the bike is looking good.... i like the color matched tail section and the absence of the grab rails... if they are not there i can leave the wife at home when we are not riding in our hack...

I took a study break the other day and stripped my spare set of peg holders and polished them to a really nice shine.  Looked good but that wasn't my intention.  They were badly oxidized and needed it.  What I needed was a good base for the primer and then.......the gloss black epoxy.  After the primer was dried, sanded smooth, sprayed and sanded again, I put a heavy coat of appliance black epoxy on them and man do they look good.  I'm not gonna go with the silver stripes that Lucky is gonna do.  Just going with straight black.  I left them out in the sun for the last two days to "cure" and will do a final coat probably tomorrow and let it cure too.
I'm sure the next project will be the swing arm and the drive shaft but that will have to wait until the winter.  Next project will be putting on the 83 monoshock.

David

Maybe some yellow stripes in place of silver........

David