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**bikerphil** · 03-19-2011, 12:26 AM

Nice tank, don't forget real 2 part clear coat, don't want fuel messin' it up. The air box comes out real easy if you take the carbs off first.

**jwhughes3** · 03-19-2011, 12:37 AM

paint

I was trying to avoid removing the carbs for now - just one thing at a time...

I thought about the catylized clear - but after rereading XS Eleven Heaven, I realized that all the paint jobs that Bob Jones did on his custom bikes were lacquer in a can including the clear coats. He describes being careful to wipe any fuel spills and didn't experience any issues. I at least used the slightly more fuel resistant Clear Engine Enamel as my final coat and plan the same. He didn't use enamel so any future touch ups could be done with the lacquer.

If I wind up with a failure down the road (and likely will), I will redo it and take it to a paint shop for the clear but am gambling for now and spent the $ on the other goodies. For now this is more of a proof of concept changeover.

John

**natemoen** · 03-19-2011, 06:20 AM

Very nice looking. How did you tape off the knee indents for the white?

**xs11lover** · 03-19-2011, 06:54 AM

Looks great! I'd like to get that tiny little special tank and old seat cover for the $100 special.

The foam too if your not going to use it.

**XSive Okie** · 03-19-2011, 08:46 AM

Looks good so far JW. I happen to be an OSU Cowboys fan, and was thinking of orange and black if I ever repaint my bike. But don't worry, I respect the Longhorns, and hate the the Gooners with a passion! Keep up the good work, man.

**jwhughes3** · 03-19-2011, 09:57 AM

taping and parts...

Nathan,
The taping was done by splitting some green masking tape down to 1/8" with a utility knife so it would curve right and overlapping with mask. Afterwards I found a Venturer decal kit on ebay I could have used - who knew the indents were a decal on the originals? Anyway at least all accents will be the same off-white color my way.

Garrett,
At least for now I am holding onto all the original parts to be able to go back to stock (at least the tank and sidecovers). I bought extra sidecovers to paint to be able to do that. I will likely change my mind at some point down the road. The seat isn't stock for an '80 Special so it can go intact once I get mine back from the upholsterer. It was actually a factory king/queen touring seat that went with the admonition to shave some of the side bulging off and make it less "buckety"

. I am not sure how long this will take so I gotta hold something I can use to ride immediately upon reassembly! I will send you a PM when its ready to go - maybe soon.

Richard,
I too respect the Cowboys - actually went to the Holiday Bowl game with Oregon a couple years ago in San Diego and rooted for them, but last Novembers game was embarrassing. I will keep the pics coming.

Thanks for the encouragement guys - it was scary thinking about taking what was a decent running bike and changing stuff up and potentially losing my ride.

John

**fredintoon** · 03-19-2011, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by jwhughes3 View Post

- - - - The seat has been sent out to be redone in saddle leather. - - - First I need to figure out the plumbing from std petcocks to octy since the fuel lines are different sizes. - - - John

Hi John,
I hope you cropped the front of the seat pan 5/8" shorter before you sent it out or that at least the upholsterer ain't started yet.
My experience with putting a Standard tank on a Special is that if you don't crop the pan the front seat latch won't hook into the pocket in the frame.
Yes the rear bolts will pull the seat down snug onto the tank even if the front latch is not engaged but the mental image of a freak collision trapping my nuts under there had me crop the pan anyway.
The Standard gas taps are vacuum operated so you can ditch the octy. Run a vacuum line to each tap, is all.

**jwhughes3** · 03-19-2011, 03:18 PM

It was a standard seat...

That I sent to the shop Fred - off a touring bike so there is a gap on the front with the Special tank.

I had done more reading last night and today and planned to do just that - run vacuum to the standard petcocks.

John

**bikerphil** · 03-19-2011, 05:57 PM

2 part clear coat, just did a tank and 2 hard bags, goes on easy, costs $35 for both.

**jwhughes3** · 03-19-2011, 06:35 PM

breathers

I hijacked someone else's thread to ask but thought it bore repeating here - what do you do with the breathing tubes when switching to pods?

There seem to be 2 - one large & 1 small vent from tranny and crankcase.

If anyone has a pic of their solution it is most welcome.

@Phil - I may get braver on next paint project and try shooting that type - I know many years ago when I tried the results were less than desired. I need to watch someone sometime first to get process right.

John

**jwhughes3** · 03-19-2011, 07:54 PM

The OCTY is gone!

I used a mix of suggestions and ran Tygon clear lines from a 25' roll I bought way back when and crossed them Left Stopcock to Rt carbs and vice versa. No kinkyness now. I replaced the vacuum lines direct to the stopcocks.

Now if I could find where I put the bolt and washer from the gas tank!!!

John

**natemoen** · 03-19-2011, 08:01 PM

I lost my gas tank bolt last summer. Forgot to put it in and took off to test....yeah it wasn't still sitting where I left it when I got back.....

**jwhughes3** · 03-20-2011, 06:26 PM

Side covers done with update pix...

So the left sidecover latch was completely gone so nothing there to rebuild on - I drilled a hole and ziptied it to the frame.

I ziptied the mini breather pod up under the seat (no pic).

I tried to mimic the Bob Jones swoosh on the stripes - I think angling it makes it look "faster"

I stuck the seat on it because I am gonna test ride it with the pods.

John

**natemoen** · 03-20-2011, 07:09 PM

Very nice looking!

Announcement

Surgery begins....(with pics) LONG

Surgery begins....(with pics) LONG

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