Refurbing an XTX
 

I am about to pick up my XTX Saturday and need to starting thinking about getting the corrosion off the spokes, cleaning up the engine paint and cleaning the exhaust headers. Any suggestions on products or methods appreciated.

Does anyone know the correct colour for the MK1 XTX swing arm as well?

Tony best thing to do is remove it and walk up and down Halfords until you find a close match you can even take a the oil filter cover to find a match for the engine paint.

:winner:

p.s.: XT Supporter membership has been renewed, I've got your cheque today, did you mean to write �1000 :incon_aargh[1]:, honest Guv I never tampered with the cheque.... :118:

Got my stripes back woohoo, cheers Capt. Good idea on the engine match I will do that. As for the cheque it will bounce if its for �1000!

Nice work mate, we need before & after shots.

Tony.. ye mentioned rusty spokes..c`mon dont keep us in suspenders... did ye buy that candy red one.???? any way a really good product ave found an works a treat every single time i use it... elbow grease...works wonders :106:

scotchbrite pads again....and Solvol/Mothers

an elbow grease

well ave broke thru the 300th barrier

I purchased Meaches old bike nicknamed "Julian". I have to say the candy metalic red looks amazing in real life, Meaches pictures dont do it justice. So much so that I think I will keep those on for a while and see how it goes. I got a full set of red panels as well so I may in the future do a urban camo special that I have always wanted to do to an XT.

Kev - Before and after shot are a cert. I have taken some just. I dont plan to make the bike mint as I think it would be a full strip down for that and with this XT I plan to use it in all weather so I dont want to get to hung up about marks. Thats why I was happy to buy Meaches bike and in his own words it needs some TLC. Jobs I can see that need doing are:

1. Engine touching up
2. Headers cleaning up
3. Swing arm painting
4. Rear wheel spokes cleaned up
5. Touch up any other bits that have corrosion showing
6. Straighten the chain guard bracket out
7. A major desticker as I am not a fan of stickers
8. Full service but this will be done in a few weeks and before its next MOT for sure.

Before pictures to follow.

I really like the custom paint.....really nice, and well done Tony!!

Before pictures
 

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0701.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0694.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0697.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0698.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0695.jpg

As you can see from the pictures I have plenty of work to be doing to get "Julian" back to his former glory!

Tony xt660x

Just out of interest how much did you get the bike for?:smilies0546:

Good luck with the restoration:icon_thumright:

dewill.. dae ye honestly think Tony will tell us that....:tongue[1]:I bet Tony wished he wid have hung on tae the peach that he sold me.... Tony,, I thought ye wir looking fur a real clean xtx.???? an ye bought that rusty thing... a dont understand......... did you not have a new BLUE one wi gold wheels a while back......... not like you at all tae buying Rust....but ye MUST have got it at a knockdown price...hey If it goes GREAT.. ye kin always hit it wi MattBlack...........:smilies0546:

afk40

It was just pure matter of the interest - I had - xtx as a project you will not believe what the bike looks like two months after :woo:

And even you buy bike cheap - you think is worth it - for the money you spend - you could buy yourself a good one (on the other side think about the time love and TLC you can have in garage when doing the restoration :))))

Safe riding

Other than a little paint and polish I am not buying anything else for the bike. I may even sell the carbon cans and put the standard ones back on. Meaches original pictures made it look terrible but its not. Paint the swing arm, clean the spokes (elbow grease then paint), scotch pad the headers, polish them, touch up the engine case, T cut and polish the bike and it will look fine.

I was going to buy a nearly new XT but that was only if it was my only transport but as I have kept my car I wanted a cheap XT to get around on and get my enjoyment out of. Having a nearly new bike for me means hassle trying to keep it clean after every ride and that really was detracting from enjoying ownership. Get a tatty one, clean it up a little and just use it is what I am after. My only real requirement looking for this bike was I wanted the MK1 bike and a touring screen. I got a spare set of plastics so I may have a play painting it an urban camo or matt black as stated before but the candy red; I like. Looking through the receipts I see a full set of plastics (not including front fender) are �60 a set so it again may be cheaper to just buy a gloss black set and be done with it.

Dewill I would have had yours but I know Meaches bike and it had alot less miles on it. I wont spend anymore than �100 getting it sorted (not including service costs).

Nice bike tony
Hope you have good fun with it as i did.

Glad it went to someone on here and someone who can get her back to respectable.

That rusty thing???
Thanks and there was you saying you would have bought it if it was a week earlier lol

Exacxtly John, really sometimes I don't know if you are coming or going with the stuff you come out with. How about think before you speak or stuff a wee haggis down yer gob! :lol:

Errr... why are you already selling your XTR? I thought you got Kev to send you a revised TPS for it, have you told Kev not to bother now?

Tony xt660

Actually good job I did not sale mine yet - loving it :applause: :049:

If it was sitting for a while - witch looks like it will be worth checking the swing arm bearings and linkage bearings - little touch of grease would not do any harm :lovestory:

Good luck with the rebuild

Meach, I would have bought yer Rusty thing,,, as I dont mind a wee bit o rust... an as Tony is gonna do, thats what I would have done too...or Camo`d it if ut was that bad.. am not decrying anyone here its jist a few choice words....

I mentioned about Tony... as a few weeks ago I saw that he was looking fur a minter,,,, an i didnt think he would have bought that particular one.. but if you readers rememebr,, I actually encouraged Tony jist tae go get it.... i was only thinkin thats not really Tonys stamp.. as I know he likes things tae be nice....

Dewill.....I didnt mean any harm in what a wrote conerning what Tony paid fur it.... an Capt, I see you here again sticking yer nose in an gieing yer tuppence worth........... whatever Deal me an Kev has, has really nothing to do wi you.. I dont mean tae be rude here, but its really not.. as fur sellin ma bike...I might sell as a dont really know what to do at this exact time.. but I am hoping that the NEW TPS will make the bike more enjoyable to ride,, an that might win it over fur me.. as ye klnow I like XTs.. an I like this one in particular....Ive done now 1000 miles onit over the course of 4 run outs over the last 12 days...i thought to maself.. if i get it sold al put some money to it an buy another XTX.. somethng wi low miles on it.... as there is a few out there just now.. an 2500 wid get me a good one.. but if mines doesnt sell,, well I`l niether be up or down.. i do fancy a Varadero.. ave had 3 off them in the past.. but theres so much enjoyment out of a XT.. be it a R or a X...The highish miles on mine doesnt really bother me at all.....as it goes as good as a 5000 miler, ave had xt`s 3 off them NEW 8 of them secondhand,, some wi NO miles on them some wi 3k some wi 7K a had one wi 22k,, an this one has now 45k an tae be perefectly honest.. they all gothe exact same.....

But I do like the X an always have.. its a nicer looking Bike...I liked teh idea of having an R cause I could go off raod here an there,, but that would only happen about 5% o the time owning it.. my miles are on the tarmac really...

I could probably Break ma bike an get the same money fur it...but I was out yesterday an it suged.. ad like it to be nice an have no surgin.. but I can live wi it...but hopefully the TPS will be a difference....an if it does..well a`l keep it...Maybe.....maybe not..... but the winter is comming an they ride outs will not be the same on a vara or a XT... I stayed with a Duke yesterday in the twistys,, but as soon as he hit a straight he was off.. an left me in a wake of fumes.. in the blinko a eye he was a half mile away fae me.. an i jist never pursued him..... but its good tae hae a wee bit o power HORSES when ye need them.......so wi Kev giving me his expertise.. as I know he woould give it to anyone.... that is between him an whoever...if teh TPS is the same as the one i have an it doesnt do anyting different.. i will put it back on the forum at the same price as KEV an me aggreed, an someone else can have it... again thats between Kev.. an me an whoever... if the truth be told.. as ye know I have had many a bike.. an if i had the money.. ad go buy an aprilia Dorsoduro the morra... but what I will say, this is the longest time ave been on a forum,,,an i like it here an 99% o the guys on here are friendly an mannered..its a good forum....an helpful........... so am not gonna decry anone fur what they buy ..... or not.. but its high time you got a throbbin between yer legs again.. an then ye kin say... aye am a biker..........:evil5:

Well I have done some work on the bike today. I have fully destickered it, gone over the bike thoroughly to see what mechanical work needs doing (front tyre needed and possibly a rear spocket carrier bearing although not to certain on that. Also need to pack out the cush drive rubbers as these are shot). Cleaned up the rear wheel spokes with autosol, had a closer inspection of the swing arm and washed the bike and polished it just for fun! Straightened the bent chain guard and removed an inch of gunk under it as well! Meach said there was a new chain and sprocket kit on it and now I have cleaned it you can see it looks very new and very nice in gold.

Going to start cleaning up the headers tomorrow and order an engine service kit and front tyre.

Heres a few images of the bike as it looks now, still needs lots of degreasing around the swing arm and engine so I will take it to work and steam clean it this week before I strip and remove the swing arm. I will regrease all the linkage bearings whilst its down that far. Just got to work out how to hold up the bike whilst the swing arm is off.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0712.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0707.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0703.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0709.jpg

Tony.. its lookin the bees knees already.. guid on ye.. i know yer a perfectionist, an a know ye`l make a good impression on that bike... cheers Tony.. mind.. its not all about Polishing.. their there tae be ridden,, after all its only an aul motorbike.............:eusa_dance:

Agreed John, once its clean its getting used including through winter.

Keep up the work...
In the end you'l see its worth it...

What was that i cant seem to see anymore from the sparkles from that paint work!!!!

Looking good tony and good to here your going to be back on the road again, all be it this time on 2wheels and an engine:wave:

Wow
good work already tony

It was I who aptly named that bike Julian Clary, ask meach he can confirm it :gayfight:


Lord of the Mince LOL!!

http://www.gov.im/lib/images/villaga...ulianclary.jpg

Completed a little more tonight but its pouring down and working inside the garage in limited light is not ideal. Cleaned up the exhaust headers, quite an easy job, I have not gone crazy on them just a sensible clean. Two pictures one almost done and the other not touched then the second photo of both done. Better pictures later once I get daylight and it stops raining.

Mechanically I adjusted the handlebar position for me, adjusted the front brake lever and adjusted the mirrors to suit. I noticed the front brake light switch was not properly working so stripped that and cleaned the pin mechanism and jod done and all working fine. Cleaned and gapped the spark plug, checked the air filter and it does not need changing so I am going to replace just the oil and filter this time round.

Whilst looking at the air fitler I noticed I have the Kev drilled air box mod and the snorkle removed (snorkle nowhere to be seen and did not get it off Meach) :009:.

Cleaned and tidied the wiring under the seat, Meach fitted 2 auxiliary power cables to power him 4Kam cameras. I am keeping those as you never know when you may need them :headbang:. Polished the stainless on the CCC caron ovals.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0713.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0720.jpg

Well I think its a perfect name for this bike whilst it is sparkly red; I am already refering to is as "Julian". The guys at work think I am mad... Which of course I am.

Bags first option on those panels if you want to sell them, pretty please?

Tony660x
 

Tony

How did you get such good result on them downpipes???

That is my plan for the weekend to do on my xtx.

:spanking[1]:

Ok, no worries.

As instructed here I used a sanding sponge and autosol and it just cleaned up really easy.

Good work tony
If i find the snorkel or anything else i will let you know

Cheers I would appreciate the snorkel.

Had a really good day working on the bike after work. I pumped up the tyres, the front was at 10 PSI no wonder it felt heavy on the front. I cleaned up the engine and have painted it. The colour is WAY off even though I tried to match it so I will get some more tomorrow and this time it will be alot closer.

I have cleaned up and rubbed down the swinging arm and that is ready for painting just got to get that lunch time tomorrow. I have also got the rear wheel to take to work to steam off the grime (all bearings covered up). Also taking the sprocket carrier in to degrease that as it will be easier and quicker now its off the bike. Got a few bits to pop into the sand blaster and will paint those as well.

I had a right game getting off the exhausts, the allen head screws and spacers had almost welded themselves together but I got them off in the end. I also took a better picture of the headers now they are finished. The picture below is before I stripped the swinging arm down so its not the final end result.

Finally got it insured and ordered all the bits online (front tyre, engine oil, filter, chain lube, oil drain plug washer etc etc). Used Wemoto (after reading good review here) and very impressed with their communications etc. Makes Busters look rubbish but still used them for my tyre as they are the best price I could find on line.

When the tyre arrives I am going to get it fitted and then clean off the rust on the front disc and paint that as well. That should then be it other than service the engine which should only take an hour or so. :blob8:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0726.jpg

I forgot the mention the paint job is amazing as the sun is going down the colour looks amazing. I am totally impressed with the job Meach did (I know he got someone to do it). 10 out of 10 from me. Shame about the scratch on the left scoop but I can live with that no problem.

Nooooo - that paint job is 'orrible - you need to sell those panels to me!!!

Decided not to remove the swing arm because once I had removed the cans, rear pegs, rear brake, wheel etc and put the bike on its belly I had unhindered access to clean it up and rub it down. So I have completed that and painted it. No pictures but it has turned out better than I had hoped and looks spot on. Got a great colour match as well.

I got a superb match to the standard engine paint and was able to complete the painting of that and I am really happy with the results as well. Its not mint as I am no painter but its not scabby like before.

Before

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0698.jpg

After

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0744.jpg

I was not 100% happy with the rear wheel spokes so I steam cleaned the rear wheel at work, cleaned up the sprocket carrier and painted the spokes. At least its not rust and may not last but its good enough. This is not a restoration its just a good tidy up. I am off to search for Kevs cush drive mod now as I got an inner tube to cut up ready to pack it out.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0747.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0745.jpg

Finally my Wemoto order arrived today. Superb service and I will most certainly use them again for as much as I can. I think its actually cheaper to order and get delivered than it is for me to drive/ride to a dealer to pick up these bits. Once the bike it together tommorrow I will run it up and drop the oil and replace the filter. I even purchased a drain plug washer from them. I have never done that before LOL!

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/SAM_0749.jpg

The only negative from yesterday was when removing the carbon cans the bolts securing them to the frame had siezed so had to break a bracket to get it off. I will have to put the standard cans on until I get around to replacing the parts. I am most probably going to sell the cans anyway so I am not in any rush (you guys get first refusal on them if I do).

Hi Tony, glad to see you're back in the fold! (shame Meach isn't about though!). I was slightly surprised when I saw this as I know how careful (and anal :p) you are with your bikes.


I too am guilty of 'dishing it out' when I first saw the panels, but it was clear back then how good a job it was! Enjoying your thread so far mate, look forward to more updates. Bring her back to her full glory Sir!!!

I'd be interested in those cans if I weren't so far away!!

[quote=Denny;138139]Look forward to more updates. Bring her back to her full glory Sir!!!quote]

Getting there, updates daily till I have it back on the road. :yahoo: