1977 XS650D Standard Bountiful Blue

[markwelna]

Here's my 77 out for a ride last weekend.



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[5twins]

Very nice. I love to see the Standards kept mostly original. A lttle polishing on the alloy parts and she'll be a real looker. Here's a tip for the footpeg brackets - "paint" them with a waterproof black magic marker. Not too dull and not too much shine, and simple to do.

[markwelna]

Thanks 5Twins. I like the original look too. This one is all original except for the bars. I'd like to get into aluminum polishing but startup costs are keeping me from it right now. I've been reading up on it though. Sounds like fun.

-mark

[5twins]

Nothing too special involved, just a lot of elbow grease. Good winter job for you. You'll need some paint stripper 1st because the factory clear coated the alloy parts after polishing. The corrosion usually starts through chips in that coating and then grows underneath what's left on there. Even after stripping, I find sanding is about the best way to remove the corrosion stains. I start with 320 dry and then use 400 wet. I have a buffing wheel to finish but you could just move to 600 wet next and then hand polish with Mother's. A few dollars for a can of paint stripper and a few sheets of wet/dry paper is all you'll need. Start small, do the little cover over the alternator or one of the valve covers 1st.

[markwelna]

Thanks for the tips. I will try this over the winter. How long will a nicely polished aluminum piece continue to hold up in your experience? Do you re clearcoat afterwards? Look at some of the work this guy did on a suzuki water buffalo here:

forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64165.0

[5twins]

Wow, that guy does nice work. Mine aren't that nice. The more time and finer paper you use, the better you can make the parts. I don't buff with any special compounds, I use plain old rubbing compound. I don't clear coat afterward, I don't want the same corrosion problem like with the original happening again. I just give the parts a quick rub down with Mothers a couple times a season. That's all that's needed to keep them looking good. The initial sanding and polishing is the hardest and most time consuming. After that, upkeep isn't bad.

[stevesemti]

Hey Markwelna,
would you mind posting more shots of your 77? I have the same model (though the paint is not nearly as nice) and would like to see the possibilities with a cleanup...thanks!
Steve