It just looks like trash!
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- Easter
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Re: It just looks like trash!
I have been working on plans for the graphics but until then here is the finished base color. After looking at the photos carefully, I think I will repaint the rear hub silver so it doesn't stand out so much and likewise the gold trim in the front rotors will look better in silver. I am planning some silver pin striping and the gold just doesn't seem to fit. Seat cushion and pipes are still in limbo.
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Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- Easter
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- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: It just looks like trash!
My wife has confirmed a name (Trash just doesn't seem right) and I am inclined to agree "Nightmare" just seems right somehow. Anyway I took her on a longer run this evening. The oil leak seems to have stopped or nearly so thanks to the silicone. No oil on the boot. I think I will still try to find some stainless washers to increase the pressure on the gasket.
I am really pleased with the way she runs and handles, very nimble and smooth. Suspension is stiff but I think it is about right for a bike like this. A seat cushion will help! Just have to get the rear brakes fixed and mufflers. I am not into LOUD. Although at 80 you don't notice the noise from the pipes. (that is speed-not my age!)
I am really pleased with the way she runs and handles, very nimble and smooth. Suspension is stiff but I think it is about right for a bike like this. A seat cushion will help! Just have to get the rear brakes fixed and mufflers. I am not into LOUD. Although at 80 you don't notice the noise from the pipes. (that is speed-not my age!)
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- Roady
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- Location: Port St. John, FL
Re: It just looks like trash!
Those 8 valve cover bolt seals are available, and not expensive.
- Easter
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- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: It just looks like trash!
From Mother? The ones I used were new but aftermarket.Roady wrote:Those 8 valve cover bolt seals are available, and not expensive.
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- robin1731
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Re: It just looks like trash!
I've installed lots of the aftermarket ones from georgefix. Never any problems.Easter wrote:From Mother? The ones I used were new but aftermarket.Roady wrote:Those 8 valve cover bolt seals are available, and not expensive.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
- Easter
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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Re: It just looks like trash!
I don't recall the brand (if they had one) they were just ebay items. Will look into it further.robin1731 wrote:
I've installed lots of the aftermarket ones from georgefix. Never any problems.
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- Easter
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: It just looks like trash!
I ordered a set (4) of NOS Honda grommets with chrome trim washer. I will mic them when they arrive just to see if there is any difference. I still have some new unused samples from the other source. Probably no difference but who knows. If it isn't the grommets then it has to be the gaskets and I tried two different brands of new-but-non-OEM. Both leaked, one worse than the other.
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- robin1731
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- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
- Location: Decatur, Indiana
Re: It just looks like trash!
There too I only use aftermarket. Again from georgefix.Easter wrote:snip........... If it isn't the grommets then it has to be the gaskets and I tried two different brands of new-but-non-OEM. Both leaked, one worse than the other.

1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
- Easter
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3006
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: It just looks like trash!
On to the rear caliper issue-- pulled the wheel and caliper and looked it over carefully. Seems there is supposed to be a seal between the two halves of the caliper where the fluid flows through to the inside piston. That seal was not included in the overhaul kit and is not mentioned in the service manual, but is shown in the parts diagram. I found an O-ring that fits the recess, hopefully that will do the trick.
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- robin1731
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- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
- Location: Decatur, Indiana
Re: It just looks like trash!
Yeah, nobody has that seal in their kit. You can still get the seal from Honda.Easter wrote:On to the rear caliper issue-- pulled the wheel and caliper and looked it over carefully. Seems there is supposed to be a seal between the two halves of the caliper where the fluid flows through to the inside piston. That seal was not included in the overhaul kit and is not mentioned in the service manual, but is shown in the parts diagram. I found an O-ring that fits the recess, hopefully that will do the trick.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
- brokentoe
- True Blue Steel Biker
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- Location: Ohio
Re: It just looks like trash!
The paint looks fabulous. Your pictures are very nice.
Faith, Family and Friends
'75 GL1000 (Feb 2012 BOTM)
2014 Softail Deluxe
The craftsman is proud of what he has made, and cherishes it, while the consumer discards things that are perfectly serviceable in his restless pursuit of the new." Richard Sennett as quoted by Matthew B. Crawford in Shop Class as Soulcraft
Working on your own motorcycle is half of the fun...it's also half of the problem.
First Fire on Youtube!
'75 GL1000 (Feb 2012 BOTM)
2014 Softail Deluxe
The craftsman is proud of what he has made, and cherishes it, while the consumer discards things that are perfectly serviceable in his restless pursuit of the new." Richard Sennett as quoted by Matthew B. Crawford in Shop Class as Soulcraft
Working on your own motorcycle is half of the fun...it's also half of the problem.
First Fire on Youtube!
- Easter
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- Posts: 3006
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: It just looks like trash!
I think so too. Erick AKA "Scratcher09" (now unfortunately Wingless) did the final prep work and sprayed the color. I hope to get him to do some graphics for me. He is very reasonable with his prices too.brokentoe wrote:The paint looks fabulous.
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- Easter
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3006
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: It just looks like trash!
Got the rear brake re-installed and the pumpkin repainted silver. Brakes work really well, both front and back. Went ahead and mounted the slash cut mufflers I had originally installed on the bike. With some sawing and hammering I got them to fit pretty well. A little sawing on the baffles helped the sound quality as well, not loud just noteworthy.
Took it out for about a 30 mile run today. I am really happy with the way it runs and starts. The issue with oil and smoke out the left exhaust has gone away and the leaky valve cover is no longer leaking. (silicone and OEM grommets) I gave her her head on the way back and if the speedometer is correct (and it is close but probably not exact) easily went right on past 110 on a long smooth stretch of Texas back country road.
I need a seat cushion and a horn button. I will probably get her registered this week, DOT permitting! I have some graphics planned for the paint but that remains to be seen.
Took it out for about a 30 mile run today. I am really happy with the way it runs and starts. The issue with oil and smoke out the left exhaust has gone away and the leaky valve cover is no longer leaking. (silicone and OEM grommets) I gave her her head on the way back and if the speedometer is correct (and it is close but probably not exact) easily went right on past 110 on a long smooth stretch of Texas back country road.
I need a seat cushion and a horn button. I will probably get her registered this week, DOT permitting! I have some graphics planned for the paint but that remains to be seen.
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- Easter
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3006
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: It just looks like trash!
Talked to Erick today and he is going to do some panel painting for me. So now I get to take it apart again.
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process

- Easter
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3006
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: It just looks like trash!
Picked up the paint parts a few days ago and installed them this morning after giving them several days to cure up a bit. Erick AKA "Scratcher09" did a super job with the original paint and now with the "graphics" I am even more pleased. His work is excellent. I have a set of the big round medallions to add to the tank sides or a nice set of HONDA plates in silver and white. For the side covers I have silver Honda racing wing decals. Erich advised waiting a month before applying the decals. Time will tell what I decide to put on the tank (if anything) but I am pretty confident the decals will go on the side covers. The only major issue remaining is the seat upholstery.
The ride is very firm so a cushion would make longer rides a lot more enjoyable! I have just over a hundred miles on the bike now and really love the way it handles. My arms do get a bit tired from holding my excessive bulk up though. Not a long range touring bike but great fun for the first hour or so.
The ride is very firm so a cushion would make longer rides a lot more enjoyable! I have just over a hundred miles on the bike now and really love the way it handles. My arms do get a bit tired from holding my excessive bulk up though. Not a long range touring bike but great fun for the first hour or so.
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Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
