Pilot Box restoration

[randy]

Just updated my webpage with info about Pilot Box restoration. I'm pretty sure I sent one of the new covers to a member here, but it was along time ago and I forget who... anyway, check it out:

Randy's XS11 Page

Go to the Resto Tips section.

More to come.

Randy

[mixelpix]

wow!

that's a gorgeous bike on the homepage!

[randy]

Thanks, Pat

[mixelpix]

The before/after photos are great! Truly inspiring.

I'll try and get some together from my lil' 400 which went through a similar overhaul (well, similar process, different circumstances: I blew up the engine - all by myself! Only took eight hours @ 80-90mph on the I-5) (Gotta learn somehow...)

I was looking at a red xs11 before I bought mine, but didn't really like the look at first. Found a touring special that was all black. Bought it. Paid too much for it. Oh well. Now, having seen yours (maybe it's the standard's 'toaster' tank) I really like the color! The red one I was looking at just sold on eBay for some $1500... If I recall it had some 50k on it and when I spoke to the person selling it found out it had pretty uneven/low compression. Mine is even @ appx 150 across all 4. Yippee for me. Now back to fixing the front end...

Patrick "Crash Crash Crash" Kennedy

[dbyers]

Awesome Bike. You really have something to be proud of. It's like what I tell my Harley riding neighbor when he comes over to rag me about spending more time working on my bike than riding it... Anyone can buy a fully restored bike...but it takes a man to bring one back to life...

[John]

Randy, You are one clever SOB. Great idea!Do you have the pattern for an 80SG?

[randy]

Don't push it, pal

But I'll make you a deal....mail me the box and I'll make a pattern.

[John]

I don't want to pull the one from my bike, as I ride it a lot still, but I'm getting an 81SH this week, and that one should be the same. I'll send you that one.
The 79 pilot box is different than the 80, also. It doesn't have seperate turnn signal indicators, just one.

[MartyA]

That's a beaut Randy!

[Ken Talbot]

This is an excellent idea, Randy. I've been thinking along the lines of custom-printed Letraset type transfers, but this looks like a lot less fussing around.

When you did the Pilot box label, did you reverse the image so it printed on the backside of the plastic? I'm curious how the baked-on toner might last if it is on the outside surface??

[randy]

Yes, Ken, it's printed on the backside in reverse. It's held up for about 9 months now with no deterioration. It did get a scratch, though from a tree branch that fell on it. At least it didn't hit the tank!.