XBR 500 rebuild.

[outrunner]

Now that I no longer have to work I am starting to get on with the XBR 500 which has been lying in kit form for far too long. The two biggest problems for me were the rusty bits (OK holes) in the swingarm and the dogs breakfast of a frame bracket that someone in the past had thrown on from a distance.

Swingarm before.

And after.

Frame bracket (previous owner bodge-up)
P1030557
What it should look like (without the rust of course)
P1030568
And the new bracket, not exactly as factory but all the bits are in the right place.
466318
Don't you just love having a mate with a workshop and all the tools, and the ability to help you out with welding and stuff.
Anyway, the frame,swingarm, various brackets,side and centrestand and headlight shell will be going off to the powdercoater on thursday, would have been tomorrow, but I am too busy!

Andy.

 

[Lutin]

Nice one, Andy.

 

[Lowflyer]

Christ, you've only been retired three days

That bugger Chad gets everywhere doesn't he ???



We'll done old timer, keep them photos a comin'

 

[boboneleg]

Keep up the good work

 

[Raymo]

good thick powdercoat will hide all the mischeif

 

[Lutin]

good thick powdercoat will hide all the mischeif

But how structural is it?

 

[outrunner]

But how structural is it?

If you are talking about the bracket, it only supports the grab rail and the plastic seat surround so no real stress there since I never carry a pillion and always have the seat cowl fitted.


Andy.

 

[Lutin]

But how structural is it?

If you are talking about the bracket, it only supports the grab rail and the plastic seat surround so no real stress there since I never carry a pillion and always have the seat cowl fitted.

Andy.

I was actually being mischevious and referring to the structural integrity of the powder coat.

Being serious for a moment, I'm sure that your welder chap has done a sterling job.

 

[outrunner]

I was actually being mischevious and referring to the structural integrity of the powder coat.

My mistake, my pet welder is good at what he does, and he is also a good painter and will be doing the tank/plastics, etc which is good for me as I am OK with the mechanical stuff but no experience with welding/painting.
I am collecting the bits from the powder coating place on Tuesday so will see what that's like, never having had anything coated before it will be all new to me, but it can not look worse than it was before.

Andy.

 

[Raymo]

I am collecting the bits from the powder coating place on Tuesday so will see what that's like, never having had anything coated before it will be all new to me, but it can not look worse than it was before.

Andy.

you're in for a treat :respect-047:
inleas they have coated all the threaded holes......

Tap oot

rather than the summer cry doon your way of "Taps off"

 

[outrunner]

you're in for a treat :respect-047:
inleas they have coated all the threaded holes......

Nah, the guy said they blank off the bearing holes/captive nuts and threaded bits.


Andy.

 

[outrunner]

Got a call from the powdercoating company this morning to say my stuff was ready so jumped in the car and went to collect it.

Not a great picture as my camera battery was flat so I had to use the phone camera, but you get the idea, all nice and shiny now. One of these days I might get it put together, after I clean and paint the engine, not a job I am looking forward to.


Andy.

 

[Lowflyer]

Andy,

To clean the engine, why not use that sodium blaster I used on the Beemer, works a treat and is quite fun to do, makes cleaning a pleasure.
My neighbour's got my gun if you want a shot ( no pun intended there ) all you need is a bag of sodium and a compressor.

I have a link somewhere on xrv about it.

Think about it, I can post gun to you

 

[Lutin]

My neighbour's got my gun if you want a shot ( no pun intended there ) all you need is a bag of sodium and a compressor.

A big bag of SODIUM!!!!!

Bloody hell, I hope not.

A catering bag of baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) is what I think you mean.

 

[Lowflyer]

No,

I mean this

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sodiu ... 0eOyhpQ%3D

You get in livestock shops, cures animal bloat apparently

 

[outrunner]

To clean the engine, why not use that sodium blaster I used on the Beemer, works a treat and is quite fun to do, makes cleaning a pleasure.

Thanks John, but I bought myself a small soda blast gun and a BIG bag of proper blasting soda, the stuff that has "flow enhancers" in it which means you can use a compressor without a water trap. Just waiting for the weather to improve a bit as I will obviously have to do the blasting outside. Will post some pics when it's done, got new tyres fitted today, tomorrow I will drain/refill the forks and do some more cleaning of the smaller fittings.




Andy.

 

[outrunner]

Slowly (very) starting to put things together, swingarm and new shocks fitted. I don't want to do much more to the frame until the engine is ready to put back in as it is much easier,with less chance of scratching the powder coating to have the engine lying on its side on the floor and lift the frame over it.

Wheels in the background all cleaned and fitted with new tyres.




Andy.

 

[Lutin]

Will you get it finished before Ian gets Bike Bird back in one piece?

Nice going, Andy.

 

[Lowflyer]

Andy,

Honestly, that is coming on great, well done


But mirrors in yer garage ???

Pure garage p0rn that is

Mmmmmmm

 

[outrunner]

But mirrors in yer garage ???

Pure garage p0rn that is

Mmmmmmm

Yes, well. Actually, the workshop belongs to a mate and he uses it as a storeroom for bits and bobs so I will ask him next time I see him why he keeps 2 large mirrors in there.

Tony, it will not be going anywhere near a salty road, so no rush to build it, got plenty of time now that I am retired from the daily grind.


Andy.