'80 XS850 Special - Here we go again.....

[kboehringer]

I'm surprised you've never taken the shocks apart before Kurt. I've been using this type compressor and works pretty well....

https://www.partsgiant.com/p394103-d...hoCVhwQAvD_BwE

Hey Biker Phil,

Thanks for the tip and recommendation for the spring compressor. Worked Great! Shock Fixed!



Kurt

[bikerphil]

You're welcome, I glad it worked out for you.

For 25 bucks, it's a good tool to have in the drawer.

[kboehringer]

I have a gas tank for that bike. I'd rather send it to you than throw it away. It's rusty, but probably OK otherwise.

Hey Marty,
Thank You for the tank you provided more than a year ago.





Initially, I had planned to use this as a Guinea Pig for the custom mixed paint. Now, it turned out so well that it could become the primary tank for this machine. At the very least, it's a darn nice spare.

I painted this early this A.M. before the sun was really up and overhead. It looked too dark. With the sun completely overhead it looks pretty darn close to correct, once dry enough to move later today I'll see how this PPG Custom Match compares to the OEM paint.

Fortunately, I have no fisheyes and no orange peel! A couple little SPECS that will be eliminated once the tank is sanded and buffed. Unfortunately, using Mother Nature (sun & heat) as the drying booth the PPG rep recommends 2 weeks before wet sand and color buff.

Thanks Again Marty

[jetmechmarty]

Fortunately, I have no fisheyes and no orange peel! A couple little SPECS that will be eliminated once the tank is sanded and buffed. Unfortunately, using Mother Nature (sun & heat) as the drying booth the PPG rep recommends 2 weeks before wet sand and color buff.

Thanks Again Marty

I'm glad to see it put to use. It looks good!

[kboehringer]

XS Friends,

Making some more progress this weekend with the 850. I got the side covers done and was trying to see how good the paint match was....


Seems with this color the light really has a HUGE EFFECT on how the color looks. It's also difficult to gauge as the tank is faded on the top just like the side covers were. Unfortunately, it was late in the day before I could pick-up the side covers safely and I was moving the bike around to try and get some good sunlight.... Wasn't really possible.

Here due to sunlight & shade it looks like the covers were painted in two different colors:


It's not like this thing is ever going to be judged as a "Pristine" example of a stock XS850 but I want it to look pretty close (or close enough that it looks OEMish).

• Also, finished the front brakes bled and working great with those new pistons and new SS lines. but am still waiting on the custom SS line for the rear.....
• Replaced both of the headlamp stays with one OEM NEW Left and the other better than what I had.

Kurt

[kboehringer]

XS Friends,

Well BOTH the tanks and the side covers are done and buffed. Unfortunately, there are minor imperfections but that's the deal when painting out in the back yard..... Some dust will sand and buff out but Bird Doo Doo and leaves don't... Oh well they and the side covers are absolutely NOT perfect but they are much better than what I started with. NO time or $$ to keep playing around with these parts, gotta get the REST of the bike ready for the rally.

Cost of a professional?
I'm wondering, has anyone PAID a professional to paint the tank and side covers on anything? This is not really costing a lot to do these by myself and I do enjoy the work. Just wondering how much I'm shooting myself in the wallet doing it myself?

• How much did you pay?
• Was it nice?
• How long did it take the shop?
• Single Stage or Dual Stage (base/clear)

YAMAHAULER PREPARED.

Also got a chance to test drive the YAMAHAULER..... Seems like it will work well. But, just to be safe, I'm reducing my plan from three bikes to just two(2). If the XS850 is done, tested, and reliable it will go with the '86 FJ1200. Otherwise, its the FJ1200 and the XS11 Mayberry (Bagger Special).





KURT

[jetmechmarty]

Cost of a professional?
I'm wondering, has anyone PAID a professional to paint the tank and side covers on anything? This is not really costing a lot to do these by myself and I do enjoy the work. Just wondering how much I'm shooting myself in the wallet doing it myself?

• How much did you pay?
• Was it nice?
• How long did it take the shop?
• Single Stage or Dual Stage (base/clear)

KURT

$ A few hundred plus decals and shipping. I promised not to say how much I paid.
It's very nice.
It took a few weeks, but I was in no hurry.
PPG 2 stage.
Painted by an amateur with a paint booth at XS650.com

[kboehringer]

$ A few hundred plus decals and shipping. I promised not to say how much I paid.
It's very nice.
It took a few weeks, but I was in no hurry.
PPG 2 stage.
Painted by an amateur with a paint booth at XS650.com

Hi Marty,
Those parts look absolutely fabulous! Although not painted in a "Professional Shop" that guy is no "Amateur". I've seen "Professional Shops" that could not achieve those results!!! I've also personally seen a few Professional Shops leave big drips, runs, and incomplete areas in high-dollar car paint jobs.

I generally stick to the single-stage as it is much easier and MUCH less expensive. Without a booth, the additional spray also creates one more opportunity for environment induced defects (bugs, dirt, etc.). However, I sprayed my good friend's '77 Vette with 2-stage (eight coats of clear!) and the thing looks fantastic, BUT we painted it in his rented heated garage and environmental defects were basically a non-factor.

I'm assuming, a "Professional Shop" is going to want $500+ to do a full strip, defect repair (i.e. filler), prime, sand, paint, & clear a set of side panels and a tank.... Probably more as there is at least 4-5 hours work in a set of bike parts (even by a professional).

The big advantage the "Pro Shop" has (besides the booth) is they have on the shelf all the additives and misc. supplies needed purchased in bulk (reducer, hardener, etc.). I figure each set of these I've done cost me out-of-pocket about $100 as I also have SOME of the necessary additives in bulk.

Anyone starting their FIRST attempt is going to have to dish out $500+ just to get SOME of everything needed: (bare metal primer, filler, glaze, high build sandable primer, reducer, primer hardener (different than topcoat), paint, reducer, topcoat hardener, flex additive for the plastic parts, clear if base clear, clear reducer, clear hardener, if clear is used, paint gun, sandpaper, mixing cups, etc. etc.).

I'm probably ahead of the game and I do enjoy the work.... I just have to live with the few unavoidable defects.

KURT

[jetmechmarty]

What I had done costs about $1200 around here if I have a pro do it.

[kboehringer]

Just what is probably a final update on this "Other Bike" discussion......

The XS850 ran well at the Vintage Yamaha Rally if only for a couple minor problems it would have been perfect. I was good enough that Earl G. could enjoy the weekend on the roads as his XS11 was out of service for the event. Photos above are of Earl G on the XS850. Other than missing one cylinder Earl is use to, it seemed to have enough spunk to keep up with my FJ1200.

The two major/minor problems with the bike were:

• Electric start didn't like to work once the machine was hot. I have a spare XS750 engine so the swap of starters will need to be made. I'll replace the starter when time allows but the kicker worked perfectly with a start up on 1/2 kick without issue.
• The Tachometer took a grenade. It had been a little noisy during testing but I lubed it and the cable up good but that was a fleeting attempt to avoid the inevitable. The Tach blew up during one of the weekend rides. I found a replacement on Evil-bay and it's working (for now).

I guess it's time for yet ANOTHER other bike to join my stable ? LOL Watch out Radiologsguy, I'm hunting a 1st Gen VMAX!

[Radioguylogs]

A 1st Gen Vmax would be another colorful addition to your stable. VBoost is a warp drive.

[Schming]

Here's a decent one cheap, Kurt !!!

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...type=top_picks

[jetmechmarty]

Look up Shadetree Surgeon on YouTube or FB. Drawing is tonight. They are giving away a Vmax tonight to benefit Forgotten Angels. Tickets are $25. You still have a few hours as I post. They will deliver the bike if you win.