Slacking and Lacking

So I haven't updated in a while and I really haven't done much to the bike. A few more parts have come off the bike and a few more bolts have busted. The main reason has been a severe lack of funds but I have done some trading and other misc things.

This if you are not familiar is the rear break assembly which is seized up majorly. I have sprayed and sprayed it with WD-40, Liquid Wrench, CLP Break Free, I have also put it in a vice and whacked it with a hammer and a brass drift and plastic mallet all to no prevail. I finally tried to heat it up with a propane torch and proceeded to put it in a 30ton hydraulic press.... Still wont budge. So now I am going to try and let it soak (as in submerged) in WD-40.

I also had sent my carbs to Super Cycle to see if they could be salvaged as the butterflys werent moving at all (just like the rear brake). They are back now and flapping beautifully, Arnie also went ahead and adjusted the floats and worked the needles and jets to hopefuly ensure no problems when it comes time to fire.


I also went to West 60 Cycle and did some trading. I traded the Vetter ferring, brackets, and my old tank for a teardrop tank off of a 1981 XS850S. While I was there I also picked up the headlight and lower fork assembly cover.

Side note for those who might like the idea of swapping tanks the Special tanks are not a direct fit.

Other than that all I have done is polish a little on the covers and done alot on the forks. I start with a fine grit wet/dry using it dry and get the clear/oxidation off and then hit it with a powerball that I put Turtlewax Rubbing Compound on (the red label) and repeat until its semi shiny then I hit it with a patch of Neverdull and rub it around really well and finish it up with a hand rubbing (pretty hard pressure too) using a cloth diaper. I think the results are worth the effort.

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Tearing Down Part 1

Day 2 of ownership I decided to start tearing it down. Now I know what some of you might be thinking why not just clean it up and go. The previous owner (PO) said the bike was parked in 1994 and the carburetors were off of it when I picked it up. I'm also not sure of the POs handy work so I would like to inspect every last inch of this bike plus it was a great excuse to take it apart.

After removing the tank, seat, and pulling the luggage off.

After the ferring and luggage racks were removed.My bud Scott loosening something.

After seeing the bike start to come apart I decided I would get a manual for it and do some internet research. After coughing up $30 for the Clymer manual and doing my homework I figured out what I wanted to do with it (sort of). I want to first and foremost hear it run before I get too involved. If and when it comes to life I will make my final decisions but I think I want to turn it into a Jap-chop or bobber. I've been following some forums and also watching this blog to watch his progress on hard-tailing the 1100.

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It begins!

1980 Yamaha XS850

This is how she rolled into my shop for a bank breaking $100! What a rush this is my first bike she needs work and lots of it. I thought about just finding all the stock replacement parts and putting it back together and just riding it but being me I can't just ride a stock bike so I got my gears turning.

What to do, what to do...

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