My to-Do list

[KA1J]

I had some time on my hands & was on the XJ11 so I thought I'd get all critical about what I'd like to make right and get the bike as clean as possible. I've done so much already to get it running right and now want it to be as clean as possible. So I took out my notebook & started writing down every little thing I saw that just didn't look right so I can fix it and check it off the list. A few things like replace the tach & tires were in the mental to-do list but now it's all on paper. Here's my to-do list to accomplish before July & There's probably some overlapping but this is my check list...


XJ11 To do - Repair or Clean

Bend Right tank badge to properly fit.
Clean tachometer Wheel Assembly.
Clean fins on R. Side of Head.
De-rust Chrome on front axle bolt & Castle Nut.
Clean Header Heat Sinks
Apply whiteout to Instrument cluster recessed lettering.
Adjust left handle controls to make horn button easier to get to.
Add fuel filters to each side.
Replace Schrader cap for left fork air line.
Replace R. bolt holding Vetter to frame (compare to L side).
Add plastic tube from Air Horn.
Replace all three Brake Bleeders.
De-rust and prep the insides of the fenders.
Find out what the taped electrical connection is above R front reflector
Replace the R. Muffler Gasket
Clean and replace R muffler Clamp
Replace front tire
Replace rear tire
Grease Axle Splines
Replace missing bolt on backrest
Replace license plate bolts.
Clean and detail Vetter bags.
Clean aluminum on rear shocks.
Clean instrument panel & Ignition key cover; use toothbrush
Make Covers for handlebar Allen Screws
Replace Middle Gear Boot.
Tail Light - Glue cracks from the inside.
Adjust Triple Tree Bearings - use spanner wrench.
Replace screw that holds metal plate covering wires on handlebar
De-rust Philips Head Screws holding Yamaha Badge on forks.
Clean and affix strip molding on gas tank.
De-rust mirror rods
New cotter pins on wheels bolts front & back
Buff and remove scuffs on the mufflers.
De-rust rear foot pegs.
Replace Tachometer
Install Venture auto-tensioner
Clean lower front shocks
De-rust collectors
Modify XS11 Special collector shield & put on R. collector
De-rust Vetter Bag trim.


XJ11 PAINT/Touch-Up

Paint: (gold) letters above ignition switch
Paint: (touch up) wiring harness where L gas tank rubbed it off.
Paint: scuffs on Instrument Panel.
Paint: Kick Stand
Paint: Clutch and Brake Levers
Paint: in-between letters on Tank Badges
Paint: Bolt heads (steel it)
Paint: or replace washers for L front brake calipers
Paint: Bolts for seat rails (steel it)
Paint: Drive Shaft
Paint: Brake Rotor Centers
Paint: Wheel Spokes
Paint: Handlebar controls
Paint: Inner handlebars
Paint: alternator & Rotor Covers
Paint: Muffler End Plates
Paint: Triple-Tree Clamp
Paint: Instrument panel foot bolted to Triple-Tree
Paint: Gas Tank (touch-up)
Paint: Handlebar metal plates that hold in wiring.
Paint: Luggage Rack
Paint: Arms by middle Gear Boot
Paint: Jugs (touch-up)
Paint: Brake Fluid Reservoir for front brake.
Paint: License Plate Holder
Paint: Luggage trim
Paint: Nuts for rear Taillight
Paint: Airbox
---------------

Hoo... I gots me some work ahead...

[Rasputin]

More should use lists

I make a list like that for every bike I drag home. As things get whittled down or I "borrow" a part from another bike, I find myself making a second or even third list before it finally gets done. I find that every time I make a new list some things that were missed on the first list pop up. Sometimes the list helps me to prioritize things or shift things around so I can kill two jobs at one time. An example would be, steering head bearings, fork seals, and paint triple tree parts. Once a list is formed it focuses things so you do not have do-overs.
The other thing I have to point out is it helps decide if a project is worth it or not. Once the list is paired down to the bare minimum you know what parts you will need and the availability. The some simple research and you know if you can afford to go to functional stage or full on rebuild stage. Many on this site would benefit from using a list as yours. The whole pour gas in it and boost it and ride it thing simply does not work with over 30 yr old bikes.
I applaud your list and the fact that you posted it so others could see it and benefit from it. I am not a list freak by any means and the bikes are about the only time I use a list (well except the one SWMBO gives me from time to time).
I see you have a pail full of work ahead of you but it is a shorter list than some of the bikes I started with.
Good luck and as you know We're pulling for ya.

[crazy steve]

Lists are a good thing.... I go one better and try to do a budget. That will tell me if the bike is really worth the time/money I'm thinking about dumping into it. Luckily, on these bikes most of the 'needs' are just time things...

[KA1J]

Yes lists are a plus if you want to deal with reality. Thanks to the idiocy of the POs, I have already had to do as much as is on these lists already with some being significantly greater time/expense wasters such as the unexpected ring job I probably didn't actually need to do. On the other hand, doing the ring job exposed some rusting weaknesses in the studs that would have probably become a fatal to the engine "flaw" down the road. As it is, I fixed them. Silly little things like replacing the carb screws with stainless Allen screws weren't required, I just was tired of undoing Philips screws when doing the carb checks I like to do every other year, replacing the rubber caps on the carb, dynacoils, new float valves/seats, lubing the speedo cable, total rebuild of all braking materials, Liquid taping the boots, re-upholstering the seat & so on... Some needed things & some fluff...

Many little things that made the initial list I never wrote down, I just did them as needed and parts became available. For me, the only way to do it right is write down every new observation and decide if it's a deal breaker one way or the other. Some things like stripping the bike to the frame and repainting/polishing all metal to make the bike look as new just isn't that important to me. Having a safe bike is #1, having a reliable bike is #2 and having a clean bike is #3. If I don't have those completed I can't have a fun bike.

As much as I like to wrench, I will be happy when all that's needed to satisfy all the above is the periodic maintenance. It will be great to sit on it and drive knowing it looks good and is good.

[planedick]

two lists

I keep a running list all the time, with an asterisk in front of those things that are needed right away and another list of things done with date and mileage.

[GLoweVA]

My list isn't so much a todo list as it's a parts wish list.
I've got it in excel and I highlight those parts that I need more than the others I'd like to have.

[Danny Crawdad]

This post reminded me... I started a list about 8 months ago. I just went through and checked off about 10 items. Felt nice

[KA1J]

Makes me feel good too.

I've been working on my list, abbreviated it a bit and put it in order. Anything with *** in front is now done & over with.


PAINT/Touch-Up

Paint: Airbox
Paint: alternator & Rotor Covers
Paint: Arms by middle Gear Boot
Paint: Black Background front Chrome Yamaha Badge
Paint: Bolts for seat rails (steel it)
Paint: Bolt heads (steel it)
Paint: Brake Fluid Reservoir for front brake.
Paint: Brake Rotor Centers
Paint: Clutch and Brake Levers
Paint: Drive Shaft
Paint: front brake calipers (or replace washers for L side)
Paint: Gas Tank (touch-up)
Paint: Handlebar controls
Paint: Inner handlebars
Paint: Instrument panel foot bolted to Triple-Tree
Paint: Jugs (touch-up)
Paint: Kick Stand
Paint: letters above ignition switch (gold)
Paint: Luggage trim
Paint: Muffler End Plates
Paint: scuffs on Instrument Panel.
Paint: Tank Badges ( in-between letters)
Paint: Triple-Tree Clamp
Paint: Wheel Spokes
Paint: Wiring harness where L gas tank rubbed it off. (touch up)

*** Paint: Handlebar metal plates that hold in wiring.
*** Paint: Luggage Rack
*** Paint: License Plate Holder
*** Paint: Nuts for rear Taillight




XJ11 To do - Repair or Clean

Add fuel filters to each side.
Add plastic tube from Air Horn.
Adjust left handle controls to make horn button easier to get to.
Adjust Triple Tree Bearings - use spanner wrench.
Apply whiteout to Instrument cluster recessed lettering.
Bend Right tank badge to properly fit.
Buff and remove scuffs on the mufflers.
Clean tachometer Wheel Assembly.
Clean fins on R. Side of Head.
Clean lower front shocks
Clean Header Heat Sinks
Clean and replace R muffler Clamp
Clean and detail Vetter bags.
Clean aluminum on rear shocks.
Clean instrument panel & Ignition key cover; use toothbrush
Clean and affix strip molding on gas tank.
De-rust rear foot pegs.
De-rust collectors
De-rust mirror rods
De-rust Chrome on front axle bolt & Castle Nut.
De-rust Vetter Bag trim.
De-rust and prep the insides of the fenders.
Find out what the taped electrical connection is above R front reflector
Grease Axle Splines
Make Covers for handlebar Allen Screws
Replace all three Brake Bleeders.
Replace Tachometer
Replace front tire
Replace rear tire
Replace the R. Muffler Gasket
Replace Middle Gear Boot.
Tail Light - Glue cracks from the inside.

*** Install Venture auto-tensioner
*** Replace cotter pins on wheels bolts front & back
*** Replace Schrader cap for left fork air line.
*** Replace missing bolt on backrest
*** Replace license plate bolts.
*** Replace screw that holds metal plate covering wires on handlebar
*** Replace screws on front brake fluid reservoir.
*** Replace R. bolt holding Vetter to frame (compare to L side).
*** Modify XS11 Special collector shield & put it over R. collector
*** De-rust Philips Head Screws holding Yamaha Badge on forks.
*** De-rust rear foot pegs.

I'm on my way & more to do daily till I'm done.