My XBR project

[iansoady]

Yes, I'll stick a bit of foam forward of the upstand to close that gap a bit. I can't decide whether to lower it a bit further - I've already chopped about 80mm off it.

Firts tentative thoughts re side panel. That curved cut (which neeeds to be a bit closer to the upper edge) will avoid clashing with the tank, which is slightly raised in the pic, then I'll cut the lip off the front top edge and glue some 1mm alloy sheet behind it. If I'm clever enough I'll joggle the edge so it lines up with the existing front if the panel but P38 will cover a multitude of sins. It will also come into play to fill the old badge securing plates and I think I'll fill along the bottom edge to bring the profile down as I don't like that folded edge.

[iansoady]

Even though it's freezing out there, have made a start on filling and flatting the honda badge securing arrangement. The CX500 has ugly big raised lettering: I will put a gold Honda wing like what the bike came with. Although I have seen a Honda transfer in the style of the Norton curly N...... Dare I? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144757011481

[Moto63]

Go for it I say, the bike will be pretty unique once it’s finished anyway. So I’d personally just add my own little slant to the final touches. I get Moto63 circular stickers made for my tanks whenever I do a bike.
Cheers, Michael

[Itsme]

Ian, when do you sleep? Or eat? Or leave the garage? I have this vision of the garage doors bursting open in several months and a wild-eyed man with an unruly beard running out yelling 'eureka, it's done!' then roaring (see Michael I do listen) off up the street never to be seen again.

Am I close?

Ian

[Moto63]

then roaring (see Michael I do listen) off up the street never to be seen again.


Ian

😁👍.... I did actually write “roarting” originally....but hey minor detail, what’s a T between friends I say😉.
Yes, I too have a similar vision of Ian bursting out of the garage 🤣🤣
Cheers, Michael

[mthee]

Full respect to you for getting in the workshop in this weather. I'd  go for the wings over the Norton style lettering.

[Itsme]

what’s a T between friends I say.        Ooooo ta very much, milk and no sugar thanks.

Spatacian the thirsty

[iansoady]

Actually I'm not nearly as busy in the workshop as it sounds. Maybe I just work quickly? Mind you I have to these days otherwise my hands freeze to the tools. Being retired is nice as I can pick & choose my times although there are always other calls on my availability. And sitting in front of a warm(ish) computer is often more attractive than shivering in the shed.

I'll see how my paintwork comes out before deciding on the tank badge - if it turns out well I'll probably go for the wings, if not the fake Norton.

[Moto63]

   Ooooo ta very much, milk and no sugar thanks.

Spatacian the thirsty

Being a self employed plumber, i do tend to drink a lotta Tea. Put that Guy Martin to shame I would😉
My kettle is always on and my garage door open especially for any members of the TC ??

[iansoady]

Nowt much to report today as too bloody cold! I've done some more flatting and filling and fashioned prototype "wing extensions" for the front of the seat to partially fill the nasty gap. Made of 1mm alloy sheet based on cardboard templates. I am slightly doubtful as to how close to the tank to make them - currently about 5-10mm gap which allows for some vinyl. I'll probably take a couple of pics and go and see my local friendly upholsterer. The last thing I want is to have it all painted up and the seat covered and find it all wants to be in the same place.

I like to flit from job to job so I don't get bored with any one thing.

[Itsme]

Is this the point that some projects stall and then get sold on as unfinished? You are clearly going well with this project and have a vision of the finished item, but I imagine it would be easy to fall into a lull when there's not the big, exciting jobs to do. Personally I have always tended to alter bikes a bit at a time whilst still riding them and this is because I know myself well enough to know I would get bored and lose impetus if I tried to do such a comprehensive job as you. All credit to people who can take your approach and keep up the good work.

Michael, as a painting and decorating apprentice in the 1970s I learned about the tea kettle long before I learned about the paint kettle! It must be a trades thing.

Ian

[iansoady]

Fortunately I am quite persistent and have never given up on any of the projects I've tackled so far - the motorcycle ones anyway. But most have been rebuilding / restoring a bike to more-or-less standard form although like you have also had "rolling restorations".

I can see pretty much exactly how this one will go and don't foresee any major problems although my goal of producing something that might have rolled out of Hamamatsu is pretty remote.

The main issue is likely going to be the paint job. It's candy apple red which involves first applying a coat of special silver after priming then applying a series of semi transparent colour coats. According to the paint supplier I do this till I have the colour I want(!) Then lacquer to finish off. Many steps to get wrong. One reason I'm not making any irreversible changes.....

[tommy]

bikes coming along great ian i,m looking foward to seeeing the paint ,,just one thing i know its you build and  its just my opinion but i seen a xbr with that norton style lettering on it but imho it looked terrible  the wings suit the bike  much better i think ,,tommy

[mthee]

Will you be painting over the winter? I've always shied away because with my skills, I need all the help a dry, hot, windless summer day can provide. I guess you have a booth with halogen lamps or some such?

[iansoady]

I expect to be oainting after Xmas and am aware of possible temperature problems. What I've done in the past is to bring the paint and object to be painted into the house to get warm first (and even put aerosols into a bowl of warm water). That usually seems to work quite well as long as it's not actually freezing as they stay warm long enough for the paint to go off.

But....

This paint is candy appple red which I hadn't realised and which is new to me. It starts with a silver coat then a semi transparent red which you build up till - according to the shop - I get the colour I want. All sounds a bit hit and miss to me. Most of my experience is with brushed coach paint like this (although the tank was an aerosol of coach paint). I think you'll see why I'm going for a professional seat covering:




By the way I think you're probably right Tommy. Gold wings. And maybe a gold coach line like the Fanny-B.