New paint = like a new bike!

We got this bike, an '86 Yamaha XJ700X Maxim last year on a straight trade for a Yamaha 125 Serow dirt bike. It would be my son's first road bike. It only had 6k miles on it but it had issues - leaky petcock, low-gas indicator didn't work, dented gas tank with crappy paint, rust inside the tank, drilled out muffler baffles to name a few. We fixed everything last year except how the bike looked.

We spent the last two weeks taking off all the painted parts, stripping, sanding, bondo, prime, paint and clear coat. We haven't taken the 3M rubbing compound to it yet (waiting for the paint to set up) but it does look good. The boy chose a nice orange thinking it would go good with the blacked out engine. I don't like orange but I have to give him props - it looks pretty good. He's got his license now and a life-long dream of mine - riding with my boy - is finally fulfilled! Enjoy the pics.

As we got her:



With new paint and ready to ride:





One happy 16-year-old:



Next up: New led directionals, mirrors, and eventually a 4-into-1 exhaust.

 

looks pretty good i think i would polish some of the engine parts really makes the motor stand out you can see some of the parts ive done here http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=22431.html

 

Give me 2-Hours, alone, with that Bike and I'll add the ultimate "Finishing Touch"

Black Pin Stripes. Or, some "Other" color Pin Stripes.

Visit an Auto Body Supply Outlet.
Look at the 3M ScotchCal Stripe Catalog.

This would look good on that Bike!

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... HDGTL9NHbl

 

I really like the burnt orange. I also think stripes would look great.

 

I'm going to be the buzz kill and say i liked the origional paint job better, sure it needed to be repainted, but that orange doesnt suit my taste... neither does painting the bottom part on the right side cover... messes with the lines of the bike.

 

Im with Rick on this one. :idea:

 

Paint color is a very personal thing, I've had enough curry for using blue,
it looks like you have made a real nice job of it.
I too think a couple of pollished cases would enhance the overall look.
Nice ride, well done guys, enjoy.

 

I think that color is awesome...plain and simple.

 

I agree, and I wouldn't stripe it either. Unless you know someone who does freehand VON DUTCH style striping

 

WOW.... what a great Dad. That is one lucky 16 year old. I only hope my boy is interested in doing something similar in a few years. I want to work on a bike and a Jeep project with him. He's 8, so I figure we should start in about 5 years, so they're ready for him when he's 16.

 

Well done. Your son picked the color and it came out great! Really contrasts with the rest of the bike and has the correct "Pop"! Both of you be proud, enjoy your rides and, most of all, be safe!

 

do you want to be my dad?

 

Thanks to all. I have to admit, this has been a 'dream' of mine - being able to ride with my son. It was a fun project for both of us and now we can ride all summer long. He has to ride with me (my rules) for at least this season. He's a good rider already but there's so much to learn out there, so many dangers. I've been riding on the roads for 30 years now and I've never seen it so bad. Young punks who think they are NASCAR drivers and now the worst scourge of all: kids texting on their cell phones. I've been nearly run off the road twice this season already by young girls texting.

 

The best part of the project is the relationship between you and your son.

Those of us without son's are in envy.
<.><.><.>

I think there ought to be a device in Cars that render Cell Phones inoperable unless the Vehicle is in PARK.

 

That bike looks AMAZING now. And I agree with whoever said to get it striped freehand. That would just be fuel to the fire on a very nice looking bike.

Personal taste dictates the rear needs a couple inches knocked out of it so it sits lower, powder coat or paint the wheels (silver or black) and some polished covers on the engine and it would really complete it and pull it together.

 

There is.. It's called the driver...

Unfortunately people are so used to having everything done for them these days they expect the car to drive itself while they take their eyes off the road, because it's THAT important to text back "LOL" immediately. There was another biker killed on our roads last weekend because some dosy mutt was on their mobile instead of paying attention to the road and wandered into the opposite lane.. He lost his life.. The driver lost his licence.. Fair swap? I don't think so!! Pay attention on the roads folks, it's crazy season, and it doesn't always matter if you're the best rider in the world.. more often than not, it's "their" fault, you gotta think for them as well as yourself these days!

Sorry, bit P****d off at this mornings news.

Nice looking bike.. I like the colour.

 

I like the color a lot also.

BUT, I agree with some others and I think you need some polished parts on the engine to balance it a little.
I think I would polish the raised edges of the head covers and take the paint off the crank shaft covers and probably be close to good.