What did you do to your Yamaha today?

yeah, i've been meaning to do that myself. I have the sandpaper, I have water, and I have Mother's polish...now I just need the time.

Nice job.

 

I rode mine. Between the rain and excessive heat (full gear you know) I was in the cage for a week.

Also bought some reflective tape to replace the reflector that fell off from below the taillight. Will put the extra on the helmet.

 

After you do the Wet Sanding ... Buff 'em with #-5 and #-6 Jewelers Rouge.

They'll look better than Chrome!!!

 

"After you do the Wet Sanding ... Buff 'em with #-5 and #-6 Jewelers Rouge."

Rick, where is an easy place to get those compounds ?

 

and what is #5 and #6 Jewelers Rouge?????????

 

I added a new set of turn signals all around, replaced the fuse box with mini inline ones, replaced the stock headlight with an H4 and replaced the bulbs in the gages. Tomorrow I see about tackling the rough idle.

 

They are Buffing Compounds used by Jewelers to Polish soft precious metals like Gold and Silver.

I got the supply I have from Home Depot. They come in Tubes that look like Cigar Tubes. The Caps are Color Coded. Orange and Red.

Just ask anybody near the "Tools Aisle" where they keep the stock.

There are 4 Basic Rouges and one ultra-gloss finisher called "Zam"

The Brown and White are "Starter and Cleaner"

The Red isn't used on Metals.

The Green is the one that will buff soft Aluminum alloy to a mirror finish.
Mirror.
Looks like Glass.

Check-out the stuff I polished-up for my Maxim in My Gallery.

 

Today I rode 400+ miles back from TN. Round trip was over 800. I made a few stops. Check out my pics! I'll be moving shortly to the Knoxville TN area. Anybody near there?

 

Ok, got the valve clearances done, cleaned and bench set the carbs, replaced the intake boots, repaired the hacked wiring harness on the right handle bar cluster (lousy crimp butt splices!), disassembled the instrument cluster (what a pile of garbage!), and to top it all off, removed, cleaned, installed and readjusted the back wheel and brake. Whew, busy day. Oh yes, STILL have that paper to write. Guess I'm cruising for trouble with my instructor.

 

Nothing but backsides, elbows and sweat drippin' on the deck!
Whew!

I'm exhausted just reading about it!

This is one of my favorite threads; now.

 

The only thing I do with my bikee this time of year is...............
RIDE

Except yesterday I got caught in a really hard rain, 1st time...... now she runs like cr@p.

I'll park till I have time to look at her later.

oh well!!

so much for ONLY riding!

 

Slipped in new front brake pads, push-started for a cool humid evening ride (has since started by battery), rode to work - first time going to work has been fun for many moons. More to do - seems there will always be more to do - but looking forward to it because I get results, even with my 10 thumbs.

 

I thought I would beat the rain on my ride to work this morning. I thought wrong. Started right up at lunch though. I'll shine it up a bit later.

 

Tonight I'm planning on replacing the alternator brushes, re-testing the coils (without the spark plug boots), bench syncing the carbs, and adjusting the clutch cable. If I'm still motivated I may start the fork spring and seal replacement. By the way, anyone know where to go for replacement retainers for the top end of the fork tube where the air valve is? looks like the clip and surrounding area is rusting on mine.

 

Returned home from a 2,506 KM(1557 mile) trip. Traveled through two provinces and two states. XJ ran like a top! Missed a hailstorm, with baseball sized stones, by a day. We rode into Daughin, Man. and observed the carnage. When I got home, my new tank badge was in the mail so I put it on.

 

About to change out my master cylinder on my '80 XJ650. The removal screws are rusted tight and stripped, so I can't even do any maintenance.
Does anyone know a good online parts shop?

 

New rear tire makes my bike actually fully operational. On to the little stuff - fuse box, brushes, clean and polish. Runs great for a 25-year old bike.

 

I used a worn Dremel cutting fiber wheel - small diameter - to cut groves and get a new firm grip with a straight blade screw driver and picked up two new screws with the correct thread. This pair are Allen head standard steel.

The original screw head were 100% rounded out. the Phillips cross was useless - probably for the past 10 years of longer.

Steve

 

nice, great idea, thanks steve

 

Simple stuff, replaced the missing horn. Rebuilt the petcock, holy cow those washers were shot!!! Vacuum seems to be working now. Oh yeah took it for a ride!

 

I swore at.
I kicked it.
Then got one of my neighbours to help me push the bloody thing up the hill to home.

Faighaigh.

 

I cussed mine too!

Walking by the thing (under it's cover) when the stupid %#@*! cruizer peg jumped out and solidly rapped me on the knee (the bad one!!!!)

Well when I got back off the ground, and the lightning got done shooting up and down my leg, I called it a @#!&^*% thing.

Man did that hurt!!!! Next time I walk by with my head up my....well you know I'll be more careful!?

We'll see.

 

I cussed mine too!

Walking by the thing (under it's cover) when the stupid %#@*! cruizer peg jumped out and solidly rapped me on the knee (the bad one!!!!)

Well when I got back off the ground, and the lightning got done shooting up and down my leg, I called it a @#!&^*% thing.

Man did that hurt!!!! Next time I walk by with my head up my....well you know I'll be more careful!?

We'll see.

 

Got the frame in to work oopps I mean took the frame and some odds and sods to get powdercoated......

 

Kept building "LT" a sweet rack of Mikuni's for his 550. The Pilot Jets came. Got those in. Polished the Diaphragm Bores real nice. The Diaphragms don't bind at all, which is a lot better than the way they were when the job started.

I getting back in the Carb Groove.

I think I'm ready to do a set of Carbs ... blindfolded!

 

Rolled over 12K miles on my 550.... Got that new Regina o-ring chain broke in and ready for its first tightening-up.

 

Got frame back from powder coating....still in bubble wrap nice and shiny looking.

Now I have just got to put her all back together again :roll:

 

I'm not too far away from you, I just need to take the eng out and send to powder coat.

 

Put a tool bag that my Step Father made years ago. It is black with white skull and cross bones, so now I am a Pirate. Woohoo. Also put some tools in it to start with, Metric allen wrenches and a 6 piece metric wrench set that has its own carry case. Put the tool kit on the back instead of on the forks. Not a big fan of the tool kit on the shocks.

 

I put one of THESE air horns on.



Nice and loud!

 

I have one of those on my crown vic! they rock!

where did you mount it?

 

That's the tough part. I'd about given up. Then I found a hole in the sissy bar bracket just ahead of the stock signal stem. I mounted it there behind the LH saddle bag.

 

How did it wire-up. The Horns on my 83 Max are 12V Hot and Grounded by the Horn Button. That must need a Relay ... huh?

 

In theory you could wire it up the same way stock horn is wired. Draws way too much power though.

Relay was included with it. Powered the thing off the same circuit I put in for the auxilary lights.

I went ahead and connected the relay to both wires on the stock horn which is still in, that way the thing switches off when the key is off, don't need some kid playing with it.

BTW, I am loath to cut into the harness. Everything I've added has a short T pigtail to tie it in. So, the wiring to activate the relay plugs into the horn. Horn plugs into male connector on the wiring I added.

 

Rode my bike to work today..................MOMMA!!!!
That thing runs sooo righteous!!!!
Temp out was 62 deg F and I didn't even need a coat!
Tonight there is supposed to be the remnant of a hurricane to ride home in, at least I'll still have this morning

Also bought a spare set of carbs I found on fleabay.
Can't buy new jets and the PO has them so monkeyed up that I just bought another set of carbs hoping to make one good set out of 2.

Then I'll have some spare parts too!

 

Cleaned and Flushed-out the Front Brakes.

The Fluid in the Sight Glass was starting to look a little too dark for my liking.
I dod-up the Master Cylinder and even "Scrubbed" the little "Gradient Cat's-eye while at it.

I peeled off the Cotton from the end of a Q-Tip and smooched-it through the slot.
Then, I headed the end of a Paper Clip to make the right-angle.
Gave it a shot of Isoprophyl Alcohol and cleaned the INSIDE of the Window and the Inside of the Cat-eye.

It must be Stainless Steel ... looks brand new.
Some new fliud and a dual front brake bleed -- later.

Anne hyime in Bidd-nezz!!!!

 

That's a nice horn. I see they are $29.99 right now. I currently have a siren from an auto alarm where the lower driving light mounts on my Maxim. It's a reel hoot!

 

Here's what those carbs look like....I hope

 

I went on a nice ride with my son (he has an 86 Radian)and a guy he works with this afternoon. 88 miles through the Central Pa mountains. It was nice. It was in the 90's here today but nice up in the mountains. Got to see some Amish cutting and stacking their tobacco. I wish I had my camera. I'd a got a pic when they weren't looking. It was a comfortable ride. I use a hunting cushion on the seat and I have a back pack loaded with a couple thick coats and my rain suit(which I needed for the last 10 miles). I have the back pack on the seat side of the sissy bar and I just lean back on it for the ride. Nice and comfortable.

 

Fired-up the Big 900 and took a rode up into New Hampshire. It was hazy, Hot and Humid. The pavement was all warmed-up good, so the Plastic Wrapper's were out in droves. Everybody heading from Massachusetts up into New Hampshire to grab a Coke and buy a PowerBall Ticket.

Chance to win a Zillion Dollars.
Can't win without a ticket.
Lame excuse to go-out speeding with the kids on Hi-techs ...
But, what the heck ... the whole afternoon zooming around on the 900 is worth a trip to the Convenience Store ... even if the nearest one you need is 45-miles away!

 

Took a return trip down the Old Road towards Halifax and refereed some soccer games in the country. First trip of any length (80k, about 50 miles) with the Maxim and she ran great and started every time, each time with me praying that the starter holds together 'cause I do not want to crack her open for that. Found fine balance and pretty sharp handling for a machine in the Quarter Century Club, but nearly got wiped out by gravel in the turn of the paved road to the field. On another thread the topic of discussion was riding like you're invisible. Today the trip featured 5, (count 'em) 5 incidents where if I wasn't thinking that way and anticipating, I would have been toast (or mashed potatoes).

So, I rewarded her with a tank of premium (and me with a chocolate bar) to see if there will be a difference in performance or consumption. Perfect day for a ride and thanks to the Forums for the Invisible Clue - a lifesaver.

 

Took a piece of pipe and used it to straighten out my left mirror stalk. Now I can see past my arm pit! Took a short ride and a couple pictures.

 

Finally got around to adjusting my clutch cable so that I don't have the enrichening circuit open when I idle in gear at stop lights.

At least, it seems like it. It wouldn't stop raining long enough to go for a test ride (no rain gear yet). Of course, 10 minutes after I get to work, it gets sunny and cool.

 

Today...

My Yamaha finally comes out of the closet.. Err. My storage.

The reason it was there instead of at where I hang my hat is because I live with my sister and she wasnt supposed to know I have a bike (yet) she would have a cow. (Long story, I'll spare the details) anyway, the other day she found out by my nephew who claims, Oh.. I wasn't supposed to tell her? I didn't know... Well she had a cow. Then we had steak. Now its over, she knows, she accepted it. Now the good news is: It will be here with me.

 

Some times a man's just gotta eat steak!

 

Rode it to the hardware store for a lightbulb and ant killer.

 

Bumped-up the rear shocks and handed my wife a helmet ... and away we went.

We took the cooks tour of some new housing developments over in Concord and Carlasile, MA.

Topped-off the afternoon by going to the busiest Ice Cream Stand in Westford NY.

I was the perfect chauffeur. No hi-revving, shifting below 4-Grand and being so careful I could have been the Poster Boy for Safe Riding, all day.
I didn't even go over 50 during the whole outing!

It was fun!

 

:lol: lets see started out with just changin the brake pads and turned into
1 changin pads
2 stripped a bolt
3 drilled out bolt
4 fixed caliper
5 rebuilt caliper
6 :idea: said aww hell have it apart ill do fork seals too for fun :roll:
7 took asprin for headache
8 well figured ill repack bearings in neck while im at it.
9 8O looked on ground for 45min for the 3 bearings that vanished
10 wandered onto computer to order tapered bearings
11 waitin for parts to show up so i can ride again

 

Its a Miracle.

You can drop 38 Yamaha Ball Bearings into a Plexiglas Cube, through the only hole in the cube, drilled to 10-thousandths over 1/4 inch ... then, seal the hole with a rubber stopper.

When the Cube is opened to retrieve the Ball Bearings ...

2 or 3 will have vanished!

 

guess i was lucky in the past cause ive pulled them out to check for wear a few times and havent lost any till now