Got a new bike! Got a new bike!

[prometheus578]

I would, but I'm sort of a glutton for punishment. Just depends if you have the time to tinker

[Geezer]

I can't believe you're really serious about restoring that beast. It sounds to me like it's a good set of catbs and tranny gears for another bike.

And I thought I was nutz for restoring my 79 rust bucket. If it din't only have 17k miles on it, it would be parts...

BTW, do you know a good place to have a fuel tank dipped?

Geezer

[prometheus578]

It's the challenge, Geezer.

"(S)he's just resting... waiting for a new life to come. Waiting to live again, in a body I made with my own hands... with my own hands." (Dr. Victor Frankenstein)

Fuel tank... sadly, no.

[oldbiker648]

When you pull this off, it will have to be considered one of the most thorough "ground up" restorations of an XS-11. Do you have a time frame or budget in mind at this point?

"It's alive, doctor!" Igor

[prometheus578]

Waitin' for the title search to come back clean before investin' any funds. Still haven't gotten the pistons out of the cylinder, nor the cylinder offa the case. Old yamaha mech recommended using clove oil(Oil of Cloves) in the cylinders to penetrate and break the rust. Shall see how that worked soaking over the weekend. (Got some on my fingers and smelled like a Nancy-Boy all day)
I've dented the crowns on two pistons trying to get them to move, and the cylinder may be too far gone to be salvageable. (I would have rebuilt the broken cooling fins with JBWeld and then just painted the engine black) May just use the cyl and pistons from a parts bike. (could just swap engines, but would like to have the serial numbers match)
Everything is there... just need to replace the tires, wheel bearings, steering head bearings, rings, cam chain... piddly stuff like that. Est: $400/$500.
Sure, could be running in a few weeks, but that's without any cleanin', polishin' and paintin'.
Been readin' and savin' all the posts here dealin' with sand/bead blastin'. Frame really needs it! I could build a booth large enough to handle the frame, but am wondering if chemicals would be more convenient.
Anyone have any experience with this?
What's the cost of professional sand blast?
What's the cost of Powder coating a frame?
(...did a frame with black metallic 'rattle can"... still holding up after 5 years)

[oldbiker648]

I can't imagine that oil of cloves would penetrate anything that Blaster wouldn't, but I'm probably more skeptical than I should be.
How many cooling fins did the kids knock off? If you were going to "replace" them would you snap a fin off a junk jug with pliers and the use the JB Weld to attach it, or would you actually mold a new fin out of the JB Weld? I bought some this weekend , but have no prior experience with it.
With winter on the way, and a running bike in your garage, you know you are going to take this bike down to bare metal and do a frame up re-build. If you have the frame blasted, I'd be inclined to get it powder coated. The spray can job works well enough on a frame with factory paint that has been thoroughly degreased, but if you are going down to bare metal, spend the extra money for powder. The combination won't be cheap, but the finished product will be worth it.
Good luck with the engine. It sounds like there must have been a fair amount of water in on top of the pistons. What did the head look like when you got it off?
On a different note, are you ex-Army from Ft Lewis?

[prometheus578]

Oil of cloves is pretty thin and oily. Just needs to seep in there.
Head's not as bad as I thought, though I still haven't been able to get the remnents of one spark plug out of the hole. (Had thought about using a solution of EX Lax... heard that it tends to loosen up and free stuck plugs) Already snapped an EZ Out. Need to get a larger drill bit. Am attempting to drill/core the plug thin enough to chisel it's threads from the threads of the head. Cam bearing surfaces are a little scratched.. I'll check the overall wear with plastigauge, but they should be ok.
Have four sections of fin on the jugs that are broken off. Not whole fins, just sections. Would use JBWeld to make new ones, file and sand to shape. Would have to paint the engine to cover the differences in color.
Powder coat the frame: My view on frames is: sure, powder coating looks nice, but other than the area by the headers, just how much frame does one really see? Like wearing flashy underwear... who's really gonna notice? (though wearing my Sponge Bob boxers does make me feel special inside)

are you ex-Army from Ft Lewis?

Yes. Took the early retirement six years ago (16 years... Light Infantry) VA disability check allows me to play motorcycle mech during the summer, and loaf all winter. (I'd rather work all winter and ride all summer) Nice thing about getting a VA check instead of Army retirement check... Ex wives aren't entitled to take half.

[mro]

Quote:
"Head's not as bad as I thought, though I still haven't been able to get the remnents of one spark plug out of the hole."


have you tried heating the head around the plug hole with a torch?

Even a propane torch should do the job, allowing a easy-out to remove the plug threads.

Unfortuantly at work I ussally get stuck with cleaning up others mistakes. Removeing broken bolts/screws and bearings without doing more damage.

BTW - too much heat with a reg torch on aluminum can destroy it. Aluminum does not just melt like steel when it exceeds its temp., your plug hole can become the size of a silver dollar with out warning....

mro

[prometheus578]

tried heat... but shall try again Tuesday

[oldbiker648]

Are you having any second thoughts about the bike at this point, or do all of the remaining issues seem routine? I don't know what blasting and powder would run, but $200-$250 is a guess. It's a PITA to blast a frame with all of the nooks and crannies. Unless you are the kind of guy that feels better knowing that the frame is professionally painted, even though only 10% of it shows, that money might be better spent on essentials, (or maybe a pair of Spiderman boxers for the days you just don't feel like wearing Sponge Bob). The nice thing about paint is that once the beast breathes again, you can always polish it up later. I'd hate to get too far into the cosmetics and find out that there is an issue with the engine, probably because I've never been mistaken for a motorcycle mechanic.
I think a lot of eyes will be upon you during the course of this project, and your can-do attitude may hlp save a couple of other bikes from the pygmy parts cannibals.
Glad to hear that the cheatin' ex can't tap the VA check. Last I heard, Uncle Sugar wasn't giving them away. Now if you can just find that winter job so you can ride all summer....

[prometheus578]

Like I mentioned, won't do anything heavy till I get a clearance on the registration. Have too many bikes without titles right now.
Went to the licensing joint today to check a few things. Was disappointed, as usual.
Have titles for my '79F, both '80 XS850 Specials, '82 XJ650 Maxim, and '78 GS 750 Suzuki.
No titles for '79F(Abandoned at old shop), '80G(donated to the cause), '82 XJ750 Maxim(owner still owes Finance Co. $900, thought they'd release it to me for $100), '81 XJ550RH(donated in baskets) Problem with these I found out today, they haven't been registered in so long they're no longer on the computer. Was given a number to call for "public disclosure" ritual to track down addresses of owners. (Plus I have to bogus up some sort of "bill of sale" showing how I aquired them)
Shall stop by old shop tomorrow... was told there's an "80 Special who's owner won't pay the bill. Should be easy to locate him and pay the bill in exchange for his title. And the owner of another '80 special is still trying to get the child support people to release the lien so I can write him/(or them) a check for $500 for that one.
"This is madness... madness!
Someone please save me from myself!

I think a lot of eyes will be upon you during the course of this project

"Oh, thanks alot...I enjoy working in high pressure environments!"
Was hoping to rebuild with what I was given, but may have to borrow from the other bikes to keep the expenses down. If I can manage to snatch the registration, I'd be happy. If not, I noticed Andreas has a frame with title and he's only 6 to 8 hours away.
Wouldn't be quite the same, though, would it? But... one does what one can, I 'spose.

[Geezer]

If you run across any cheap and restorable standard model XS11's, call me and let me save you from yourself.

Actually if I had my druthers, I'd have an 80 standard. I like a lot of the small improvments mad on that year but I'd use a 70 speedo.

My 80 Mongeral started out as an 80 special but is now half 79 standard.

Geezer

[oldbiker648]

Didn't mean to turn up the heat on this project, but you are a high profile guy on this site, and have embarked on a quest of some magnitude. Having girded up your loins (probably with your Sponge Bob boxers) you have an opportunity to establish a standard that others may follow. I know that TC is also working on an Eleven that others probably would have parted out, so I suppose it's an issue that those of us with the ability will take on the basket cases, and those without the ability will follow the process, listen and learn and hopefully move on to the next level. I feel very fortunate to be able to log onto this site and know that if I have taken the time to do my homework, and I'm still stumped, someone will help me out. That is the kind of environment that makes people more willing to start projects that are beyond their capabilities and get "on the job" training as they they proceed.
You don't have to be able to build a Rolex to appreciate owning one, but it sure is nice to be able to restore and maintain a bike that most people would have given up on. I respect your decision to undertake this project and will be following your progress closely (no pressure, no pressure).

[GNEPIG]

.. Hey Prometheus, I heard that International Title Service is a real easy way to go, last time i looked at their web site the cost to register an old bike was cheaper than at the DMV and the turn around is way faster

[prometheus578]

progress?

Managed to get the cylinder offa the case today. Accomplished by smashing down pistons 1 and 4 with a hammer, which caused pistons 2 and 3(rusted in their bores) to rise, lifting the cylinder. Not the approved method, but destructively effective.
I recalled reading about International Title in another post. Shall look into them. I'm obviously gonna need a new cylinder and pistons. From which spare 1100 I take them depends on which bike I can't get a title for.
Stopped at my old workplace to inquire about the 1100 there. Clown owes $900 on that bill. After looking at the bike, it isn't even worth half of that.
I had never given it any mind before, but right down the street is a place that will sandblast and powder coat for $135. Seems reasonable to me and I've seen many examples of his work before.
Wanted to take a few photos to show y'all what a real abused engine looks like. Borrowed son's digital camera and snapped away. Uumm... I suppose it would have been nice had he put the Dad-Gummed memory chip in it for me!