Ignition Switch Mounting Bolts

[CK]

Just got a '78 XS11 and need to know a few things

1) What's the size and lenght of the mounting bolts that secure the ignition switch holder to the handle bar frame.

2) What's the closest spray paint brand and paint no. that's comercially available to match the '78's macho maroon color.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

CK

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome aboard! Congrats on the new aquisition. All I know is that the head on my ignition bolts are 10mm. They aren't very long... You might try to use the bolt that clamps the brake pedal to it's post as a test for length. I believe they are the same size.

Not sure on the color matching. You'll never get a true match though.

[motoman]

Color match......beg to differ with ya..sure can...never say never Catotonic cause either me or Trbig are gonna jump on that.....lol.

[CatatonicBug]

Color match......beg to differ with ya..sure can...never say never Catotonic cause either me or Trbig are gonna jump on that.....lol.

Well, as far as matching the current color using a spray can, I cannot imagine it being done. Even if you did find a match to the original color, the color that is on it NOW is going to be faded. Even those laser color-matching things don't get it exact.

[motoman]

It's all in good fun Catatonic...but your out of your league, so go ahead and imagine it as it can be done. You also just echoed what I said in a somewhat related thread not ten minutes earlier pertaining to laser matching. As for faded, true but there is almost always an area that isn't to match from by doing it outside in natural light visually. Never has been and issue. Depends on what and how much of the bikes colored pieces your gonna do. No matter what pieces you re-do, tank, side covers,etc. you have to TOTAlly remove the old paint anyway(can't put enamel on top of laquer. It will "bite" into laquer and either bubble up or seperate before dry. I say laquer because all scoots out of Japan are done with laquer because of not having as strict EPA codes to follow. You can put laquer on top of enamel(very limited to even find it here), no issue. There's some little tricks to make it work(enamel on top of laquer), but again there's timing and knowlege of these tricks that can sometimes make it work. Just remember, for those that are somewhat new here or are dealing with an off topic mechanicl issue or otherwise with a vehicle or motorcycle, they are looking for a hopefully correct answer based on a persons own experience and POSITIVE results they've had. As you have seen, I have no problem openly stating and correcting any information that is not based on known facts or personal experience, especially mechanical related and some not all 12volt electrical issues. Remember, there is alot of real experts here in alot of different fields of expertese besides these bikes we so much enjoy. Again, never say never unless your ABSOLUTELY sure and have facts to back it. Keep your head on a swivel and have a safe riding season!

[b.walker5]

Strictly speaking Catatonic bug is correct when he stated that

You'll never get a true match though

. Unless its Macho Maroon from 1978 then it's not a true match. You'll get pretty damn close if you've got a good, unfaded patch to colour match from, but it's never going to be a TRUE match.
I wouldnt waste my time with a spray can though. Unless your very experienced with using them, or just plain lucky your only ever going to get a mediocre finish, and before all and sundry jump on me for that comment, I'm very well aware that some have got very good results from a can but it's the exception rather than the rule. Spend the money, go to a shop and get it right the first time.
Did I read right? You cant get laquer in a spray can??? WTF, why not??

[crazy steve]

Just got a '78 XS11 and need to know a few things

1) What's the size and lenght of the mounting bolts that secure the ignition switch holder to the handle bar frame.

2) What's the closest spray paint brand and paint no. that's comercially available to match the '78's macho maroon color.

The bolts you need are 6mm-1. x 16mm for the actual ignition switch, but if you're talking about the bar clamp/switch 'cover', then they're 8mm-1.25 x 30mm. Matching the paint? I've looked in vain over the years, and even back when Yamaha sold 'matching' rattle-can paint, the stuff the factory sold was a poor match (I know, I bought some..) The original paint has a lot of pearl in it (that's why it 'pops' so much in sunlight) and the number of coats/evenness will all affect the final color. And just to correct one thing Moto said... you can spray enamel over nearly anything, it's lacquer that you have to be careful about spraying over other paint.

Congrats on getting the 'best of the breed'...

'78E original owner

[motoman]

b.walker5, Your absolutely correct and alot of experience with some added luck, but exception not the rule is usually the case. I re-painted both my side covers some three years ago on my Venturer. Was able to get a perfect match at the auto paint supplier. Prep was the key as always applys. Wet sanded ALL paint off down to the ABS plastic, primed and painted. First try, didn't remove all of original laquer as that is what ALL scoots coming from Japan were shot with and it bubbled and seperated in places. Had to start all over. Paint supplier mixed and was put in one of there cans which had a very good nozzle. Each coat layed on like glass after letting "flash" dry, and was an EXACT match being designated as for 2000-2005 Toyota, Blue/Black effect which has very fine metallic in it. Would not even attemp this on the tank if it were needed done as the paint lacks the catylist done in a pressurized can. Would have to be clear-coated using a gun to resist fuel,etc. so may as well use a professional gun and go with two-stage anyways.
crazy steve, interesting to hear an attempt was made by yamaha to produce a touch-up paint. Sure isn't surprising to hear it wasn't close though as far as a match. As for laquer/enamel unfortunately you still got it bas-akwards,if not convinced, be my guest try it. Who knows you may get lucky. Had my tupperware(13 pieces) all repainted a three-stage pearl white with red pearl couple years ago after being an "invisible" red, going down missing a T-bone at 50mph(very fortunate to even be here)on my Honda ST1100. The gentleman that re-painted everything(as pieces re-placed came allready factory painted for that year, bout the most candy-apple red metallic I''ve ever seen)all pieces found he had to lightly trigger his gun just dispensing air to flash dry the paint at an exact moment timed from ALOT of experience so color would bite into primer but not not the factory color. That was easier than stripping all the pieces of tupperware. Worked good for a professional as some had seen the result at the Calyrally last summer. Even at that he had to re-do three of the pieces/panals to get a pefect result before clear-coating over all including all new sticker kit under clear coat, then all pieces buffed out. Definitely visible now, and color has proved itself out in that respect! A difficult chore to say the least!

[3Phase]

Worked good for a professional as some had seen the result at the Calyrally last summer.

I didn't know you had that much work put into it when I saw it but that bike looked NICE when I saw it last year! It seemed to run as good as it looked too.... <chuckling>

Regards,

Scott

[b.walker5]

Like I said, experience and luck. Reality is that most of us (percentage out of 4000 odd members, or however many there are) simply dont have the experience, or luck, or patience for that matter to get great results from a can. Painting is an art and you either have it or you dont. I used to think I did, but after more than a few average results I realised that the professionals are always going to do a better job in a tenth of the time, and my time is better spent on other things. Sure it might cost a little extra, but then quality costs and when your talking restoration instead of just simple DIY you want to be looking for a quality result that only needs doing once.

[motoman]

How true b.walker, more times than not worth the extra bucks to have done! I've learned actually qiute a bit pertaining to that field over the years, mostly from having those bike pieces done and helping him with three other of my previous owned vehicles. Even being somewhat younger than I, he is one of the few I've seen to be able to lead a vehicle. Talk about a lost art that takes alot of patience among other abilities. He is very talented and his body work is unsurpassed as he pulls any and all dents and any thin layer of thinly mixed body putty ends up filed/sanded on the floor when finished. He just uses it to end up with a perfectly straight panel, specially if it involves a highly polised black paint. Learned alot watching and helping just for the learning curve. I still would not tackle something that would have to be perfect. Way harder and time consuming than you realize till you are involved with a perfect result. Even helped with a marble finish on late model vette's hood. After all the prep., he shot a dark purple fairly heavy coat and immediately shot black on top. He used me to help cover hood with a thin plastic letting it come to rest on hood however it layed with wrinkles, then carefully lifted straight up. Incredible as the contact caused some of the purple to come through the black. Let dry, wet sanded and then clear coated. Never seen that done before! Final product looked fantastic and was easy for him, plus it lined his pockets fairly well for the actual short time it took to do. Myself, would have been sweating nails cause of the vehicle involved(Vette) and rest of car was black. Years past have shot a couple of my own vehicles, but almost a guarentee I'll have a couple whops somewhere, never fails. My Venturer side covers were enough for me to tackle and get right!

Thanks much for the comment Scott! This year your gonna put up with just seeing an ole' Yammy Venturer1100. S'mor ta-keelya will aleviate that tho.....clears the vision right smartly I hear! Can't be any worse than wakin' up to a three-bagger.......wait, weren't this about bikes?.....that'll work since the Venturer IS a three-bagger.

[79XS11F]

Macho maroon would have to be custom mixed to match a NOS body part if you have or can get one. The 79 red is easy to match right from paint shop color books. It is so close to the macho maroon that most would not see the difference unless the 2 colors were beside each other.
Rob

[3Phase]

Thanks much for the comment Scott! This year your gonna put up with just seeing an ole' Yammy Venturer1100. S'mor ta-keelya will aleviate that tho.....clears the vision right smartly I hear! Can't be any worse than wakin' up to a three-bagger.......wait, weren't this about bikes?.....that'll work since the Venturer IS a three-bagger.

You're welcome, Brant, I just got back from pulling Columbo off the side of the [....] freeway again.

I'm just aggravated and disgusted enough right now that I may be riding Old Faithful (the '79F parts bike) to the rally this year. The engine compression test checked out 1 --> 4 with 130/112/115/125. Looks like it got hot. I'll have to stick a TCI, some carburetors and a gas tank on it then see how it runs.

Yeeehahahaha!

Regards,

Scott

[CK]

Thanks Crazy Steve and the others for answers to my questions. I'll check on those bolts you you mentioned. Just got to say that I love my XS1100. Seems when I go riding with my friends, my bike draws more attention than anyone else's - even the Harley riders are drawn to it. Thanks all for a great forum. CK

[fredintoon]

Just got a '78 XS11 and need to know a few things

1) What's the size and lenght of the mounting bolts that secure the ignition switch holder to the handle bar frame.

2) What's the closest spray paint brand and paint no. that's comercially available to match the '78's macho maroon color.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

CK

Hi CK and welcome,
others have posted the bolt sizes and waxed lyrical over the joys of paint matching.
What I reckon is, you can get a close match if you are lucky.
If you paint the entire bike, near enough is good enough.
If you are trying to match new paint on one part to old paint on another you are SOL.
Yes, throw enough cash at a laser-equipped paint wizard and he'll mix a colour that's faded the same as your old paint and it'll be a perfect match.
In a few years the new paint will have faded at a different rate than the old paint and that expensive perfect match will no longer be one.