82 850GL Resto...here we go

[Good Times]

Ok, so far today. Got the valve clearances in spec. Thanks to the good people at the GS Shim Club. My valves look like this on the spread sheet my fellow GS'r Steve provided free of charge.

Not exactly where I would want the clearances. I would prefer a little more clearance in the ones that measure .002 in. But at I am within spec now and have a baseline. I will be checking the clearances soon after I finish the refurb to see if they are closing up. Thus....

....the real gasket valve cover.

I want to brag on the folks at Real Gasket. I ordered the wrong breather gasket. I called them and they have the right on in the mail for me right now even without receiving mine back yet. That's customer service right there.

Ok, off to order my stator, pick up some thread sealer and mail my shims and breather gasket off. Then it's back to polishing the cases. Can we say labor intensive.

 

[Good Times]

Got my stator and regulator ordered at my local bike shop. Pretty cool. I got a RM stator for 124.00 and reg for 84.00. He also had a two of the small screws in the stator case there at the shop. .94 cents for both. I'm pleased.

Got home and started sanding on the stator case some more. Had enough of that after a while, put it down and started on a couple of parts I knew I would have some success with. Clutch and Igintion covers. They aren't perfect, YET, but they will be when I'm finished with them.

The ignition cover will have a new emblem, so I'm not worried about that part of the cover for polishing. Just roughed it up a bit so the emblem will stick better.

 

[Good Times]

Dang it. Still sanding that STINKING stator case. :evil::evil:ray:

I have more hours in that one piece than anything else on the bike.

 

[Good Times]

I've got it on the run gentlemen.

Turned a corner on sanding the stator case this afternoon. I now have more space without fine scratches than with. The secret is spending most of the time with the 400 grit sandpaper.

Just ran out of sandpaper and will pick some more up tonight.

Onward.....

 

[GateKeeper]

keep at it, it will be worth it in the end.......

Don't give up.....if anything take a break and get back at it fresh, it will feel as though you just started.....

I found after sanding and polishing for a few hours really wears on oneself, so I took breaks inbetween, and or did other things and then got back to those itmes that seemed to take forever....

 

[Good Times]

True Grit - 400-800-1000-2000

True Grit - 400-800-1000-2000

Boo Yah!

Before

After

This one was work. I put about 15 hours into this one case. Feels good to get it finished and have it done right.

The emblem is not stuck on the cover yet. I will wait until I get the motor back in the bike before putting it on so I can be sure that it's straight. Had to get a picture with it though.

Next!

 

[GateKeeper]

Fantastic......Looks like new

A job well done....

 

[LoopGaroo]

holy crap. that looks amazing!

 

[AX2007]

Wow... You said you used 400 grit on that?

 

[GateKeeper]

A little more than that....

True Grit - 400-800-1000-2000

then probably hit the buffing wheel...

 

[Good Times]

Wow... You said you used 400 grit on that?

I started with a grinding wheel on a Dremel on the gouges. Then 80 grit to get all of the deep scratches. From there is was 400 grit for a long time to get everything smooth. Then 800 - 1000 - 2000. Then brown - white - green rouge bars with the polishing wheel.

 

[AX2007]

I started with a grinding wheel on a Dremel on the gouges. Then 80 grit to get all of the deep scratches. From there is was 400 grit for a long time to get everything smooth. Then 800 - 1000 - 2000. Then brown - white - green rouge bars with the polishing wheel.

I can see how you spent 15 hours on that case LOL

It looks awesome though... Really amazing.

 

[andrewmac805]

Wow that is amazing GoodTimes! I actually looked like this when I saw your booya photo haha! Makes me want to attempt it, but then again the 15hrs of labour doesn't haha!

Well done! Keep up the good work!

 

[brslk]

That looks absolutely amazing! Awesome job.

Bruce.

 

[Guest]

I have to repeat the phrase... holy crap!

Mate that is just plain awesome! I didn't have the patience to do mine like that and ended up with a semi shine... I *almost* regret not doing the full shine, but I think my hands are thankful I didn't

Love it, she's gonna be a beauty once you're done!

 

[Good Times]

Wow that is amazing GoodTimes! I actually looked like this when I saw your booya photo haha! Makes me want to attempt it, but then again the 15hrs of labour doesn't haha!

Well done! Keep up the good work!

Part of that 15 hours was trial and error.

That looks absolutely amazing! Awesome job.

Bruce.

Thanks Bruce.

A little more than that....

True Grit - 400-800-1000-2000

then probably hit the buffing wheel...

Righto!

I have to repeat the phrase... holy crap!

Mate that is just plain awesome! I didn't have the patience to do mine like that and ended up with a semi shine... I *almost* regret not doing the full shine, but I think my hands are thankful I didn't

Love it, she's gonna be a beauty once you're done!

Thanks Pete. I'm feelin' it this morning. Gonna need a little tylenol before work today. HA!

I can see how you spent 15 hours on that case LOL

It looks awesome though... Really amazing.

Thanks AX. The outcome was worth the time. There were times during the process where I was wondering what I had gotten myself into! :lol:

The temptation is to just move on and leave it as is. I'm glad I stuck it out though. It was very exciting to see that finish come out under the polishing wheel.

 

[Good Times]

I also got a nice package in the mail yesterday. Lots of good bits and pieces!

 

[Good Times]

Back from the dead....

Back from the dead....

Wow....had a nasty virus run through the family last week and knocked us out. Couldn't touch the bike at all. Today is the first day I felt up to doing anything and it's a good thing because the weather is perfect for paint! Finally....

Didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but she's all dressed up and ready for the big dance:

...and that's right, those are wal-mart bags over the covers. Thought for a while about how to protect the covers and the inside of the case. Put them in bags. Bolted them on. Tied the bags shut. How about that?

I also took the time to mask off the cams so I can paint the head cover separately.

 

[Good Times]

The weather cooperated today so it was time to paint. Not perfect by any means, but 1000 times better than the greaseball I started with.

Primer:

Three coats of paint:

I was a little hesitant about using the Duplicolor since so many on the board use VHT, but I could not get it locally. The Duplicolor turned out really nice though. I like the color of the aluminum paint.

Glad to get over this hurdle!!!!

 

[Guest]

Mmmm...shiney...

What a difference a coat of paint maks eh? Looking real good GT.