Update on 81 XS11 rebuild

[RichV]

Hi everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted an update on my rebuild project. As a recap, I'm currently rebuilding a XS11 Special that was flooded with parts from another one that was abused.

The last two months have mostly been filled with cosmetic changes and putting the bike back together. As of today, I've painted almost everything and have the basic frame back together without the engine.

Today, I finished painting the engine halves and removed the valves from the head for cleaning and seal replacement. Once complete, I can repaint the head which is the last part to paint. I'm trying to get the engine parts painting done before it gets too cold here in VA. This will leave the gas tank and side panels.

Here are some photos showing my progress.


This is the repainted cylinders and valve cover.
[IMG][/IMG]

Rebuilt Head Light.


Instrument Panel/Controls.


Left Rear Side.


Right Rear Side.


Entire Front End.


Cleaned and Polished Engine Plates (Painted Middle Gear).

[Radioguylogs]

Nice work.

How many miles on that bike?

What's your aluminum polishing technique? It must be relatively easy compared to my method if you had the patience to do the oil pan too.

[RichV]

Both bikes have about 35K on them.

To polish the aluminum I use a pneumatic die grinder with fabric pads, roughist to lightest. Then 400 grit and 1200 grit paper by hand. Dremel with wire wheel on tight spots. I also use a bench wire wheel when needed but it can make the surface have little bumps that the die grinder can take out. I end with a buffing wheel followed by Blue Coral polish. Takes an hour to do one part.

The oil pan and filter cover still has some discoloration but it is an oil pan after all. I use this technique on all aluminum parts.

[crazy steve]

He's basically doing this.... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39869

[RichV]

Yep. That's basically what I did with some minor differences.

I like to do a final wet sanding at 1200 grit. This shows me the scratches remaining that I can hit with the 400 grit or the die grinder. My die grinder came from Harbor Freight and I use it all the time. Love it. Cuts the sanding/polishing time down dramatically.

I checked my timing and it's more like two hours for each part.

As a final touch, I use Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream (I said Blue Coral by mistake before). It brings out the shine and protects the surface. They say it's non-abrasive but it's reducing the surface somehow and taking out fine scratches.

I also use Mothers from time to time.

On this bike I polished everything aluminum that wasn't painted and repainted what was.

[Radioguylogs]

My aluminum polishing technique is just wet sand with 320 grit by hand, then wet sand with 600 grit by hand, then hand buff with Mother's. It's simple, but it take 5 hours/piece for badly pitted parts.

I had read the technique mentioned by Crazy Steve, but I never got around to setting up the tools. You'd think I would have redirected some of the time spent doing things by hand....

However you do, it really makes a huge difference in the appearance of a weathered bike.

[RichV]

The die grinder makes it SO fast. I highly recommend it to anyone trying to prep a surface.

[motoman]

Since you've mentioned BlueMagic metal polish, I can attest to its use.
In about five minutes of hand polishing, sure makes TKat's fork brace look nice along with the outer portion of wheels along with the fork lowers.

[motoman]

Since you've mentioned BlueMagic metal polish, I can attest to its use.
In about five minutes of hand polishing, sure makes TKat's fork brace look nice along with the outer portion of wheels along with the fork lowers. Parts stores such as O'Rielly's or Auto Zone carry it.

[RichV]

Advance Auto has it too.