'Restoring' the Plastic M/C Reservoir

[crazy steve]

This is a problem for many, as the plastic Yamaha used doesn't weather well. They never sold these as separate parts either (only available with the complete unit), so you have to live with what you have usually. Can they be made to look better? Well, judge for yourself...

Typical weathered reservoir; dried out, pebbly finish that holds dirt...

[IMG][/IMG]

There's not much you can do to bring the plastic back to life, so I block-sanded this until smooth and most of the weather checking was gone. Couldn't do anything with the 'low' window, so I left that. I started with 400 grit, then finished with 600. Looks better, but it's still got a dull finish.

[IMG][/IMG]

To give it a 'shine' and seal it, I sprayed some clear enamel over it. Yes, I know brake fluid will damage this, but it will still seal the plastic and will take a coat of protective wax.

[IMG][/IMG]

Doesn't look like a new one but does look better IMO, and is a cheap fix.

[natemoen]

Just don't spill brake fluid on it and the paint will stay good!

I was wondering if sanding would help that thing.

Got a question. Anyone have any ideas for reattatching the little brass threaded bushings that are in there for the cap screws?

[trdriver71]

This is a problem for many, as the plastic Yamaha used doesn't weather well. They never sold these as separate parts either (only available with the complete unit), so you have to live with what you have usually. Can they be made to look better? Well, judge for yourself...

Typical weathered reservoir; dried out, pebbly finish that holds dirt...

[IMG][/IMG]

There's not much you can do to bring the plastic back to life, so I block-sanded this until smooth and most of the weather checking was gone. Couldn't do anything with the 'low' window, so I left that. I started with 400 grit, then finished with 600. Looks better, but it's still got a dull finish.

[IMG][/IMG]

To give it a 'shine' and seal it, I sprayed some clear enamel over it. Yes, I know brake fluid will damage this, but it will still seal the plastic and will take a coat of protective wax.

[IMG][/IMG]

Doesn't look like new a new one but does look better IMO, and is a cheap fix.

That is exactly how mine looks!!!

[foreda]

Rez

Steve
Now that you have it looking good..Send it to me!!

[crazy steve]

..Got a question. Anyone have any ideas for reattatching the little brass threaded bushings that are in there for the cap screws?

That's only on the '78-79 standard master cylinders, and they're not supposed to come out. If yours came out, you'll either have to find another '78-79 reservoir, another whole M/C, or somehow glue yours back into place.

The '80-81 standards attached the reservoir with the caps screws, as did all the specials. You can't interchange the two types of reservoirs...

[natemoen]

That's only on the '78-79 standard master cylinders, and they're not suppotsed to come out. If yours came out, you'll either have to find another '78-79 reservoir, another whole M/C, or somehow glue yours back into place.

The '80-81 standards attached the reservoir with the caps screws, as did all the specials. You can't interchange the two types of reservoirs...

Tried JB weld, alas it gets awful soft and useless if it gets brake fluid on it. I have considered drilling and taping holes so that it screwed into the body like the later models, but haven't gotten up the nerve to drill holes in my mc yet. Got any close ups of the holes in yours?

[crazy steve]

Nate, I'll send you a PM....

[XSive_speed]

Looks good. Did you consider working up to 1000 grit or so, then going to plastic polish? Just a thought.

I was thinking of trying something similar here, but before I do, I would rather have a backup plan. IIRC, somebody had some metal reservoirs, I think off an XJ or maybe it was the 650s, that would fit the XS MC. Can't seem to find the thread at the moment, but if I had one of those, I wouldn't mind experimenting with my plastics.

[crazy steve]

Looks good. Did you consider working up to 1000 grit or so, then going to plastic polish? Just a thought..

I looked at that, but the problem was the checking went pretty deep. You can't see it in the 'sanded' pic, but there's still some microscopic cracks that would be visible unless you sanded even more off. I didn't want to take too much off and change the shape. The clear paint 'filled' these and made nearly all of them disappear.

[petejw]

I was thinking of trying something similar here, but before I do, I would rather have a backup plan. IIRC, somebody had some metal reservoirs, I think off an XJ or maybe it was the 650s, that would fit the XS MC. Can't seem to find the thread at the moment, but if I had one of those, I wouldn't mind experimenting with my plastics.

my 81 model sport came with an alloy m/c,
could be the same on the mns but not sure.


steve, that came up well considering how it previously looked.

[CatatonicBug]

my 81 model sport came with an alloy m/c,
could be the same on the mns but not sure.


steve, that came up well considering how it previously looked.

The LH has the metal reservoir too. The LG didn't though. You can buy the whole metal setup from mike's though ($87).

[petejw]

The LH has the metal reservoir too. The LG didn't though. You can buy the whole metal setup from mike's though ($87).

bug,
didnt the LH have the linked braking system?
my bike doesnt so it would be safe to say they'll
work with the dual front callipers.

[jetmechmarty]

more on the same subject

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12335

[CatatonicBug]

bug,
didnt the LH have the linked braking system?
my bike doesnt so it would be safe to say they'll
work with the dual front callipers.

They have 2 versions. One for the single calipers, and one for the dual setup. Both on the same page.

[nzemke]

Have you looked at getting the part 3D printed?