[robtattoo]

I spent a solid 5 hours swearing my teeth out at mine.
The XT350 tank install was NOT as simple as a single thread led me to believe. But.... that's because a previous owner, i discovered, ground down the steering stop on the headstock. So now I've got that to take care of too. A couple of M6 capheads tapped into the bottom yoke will work, but i really didn't want to get this involved. Also, getting the seat to fit took a LOT more work than just trimming a couple of bits of plastic. None of this is insurmountable & I'm honestly enjoying the project, but i really wanted to have it finished today.


To top it all, the new tank has a f#&$*ng leak, so i guess I'm going to have to clean it all out, again, then seal it.

*le sigh.....

 

[robtattoo]

It's getting there though. I'm hoping it'll look like a factory fit when I'm done.

 

[robtattoo]

Fixed my abbreviated steering stop issues. Seriously, the last guy must've thought it was a trials bike. It had almost 180° of lock-lock!
I'm getting started on the tank liner prep this afternoon & while that's happening, I'll hopefully be able tofiit &bravce the seat pan. I might even get it covered (again) if i have time.

I'll need to adjust my lock screws, trim & loctite then in place.

 

[robtattoo]

Boy, you sure didn't leave a lot of material behind for those stops. Careful, one good smack and they will snap right off!

Yeah, with hindsight I kinda wish I'd taken them to M5 instead of M6.
Oh well, if they pop off I can always put a bolt into the top side of the yoke (I really should've done that this time, but I reeeally didn't fancy stripping down the entire front end)

On the upside though, i finished fitting up the tank & seat! I just need to pour the liner & throw some decent paint on it. My graphics should be here in a couple of weeks.

 

[robtattoo]

Rob, am curious as to why you are lessening the OEM steering articulation with those screws. I understand you will adjust, trim and locktight so loss of steering will likely not look so dramatic as your photos show. Have the stops on your frame been modified by a previous owner? Just curious because my trail riding often entails some full lock cornering.

Yessir. The original stop on the headstock was ground down on both sides. I didn't measure the actual angle of rotation, but it must've been very nearly 160° The top yoke was only a few thou away from contacting the standard tank. I tried the XT tank as it was & had to pull it about 2" back off the front rubbers to prevent the yoke hitting. It's now maybe a little less travel than stock, I have nothing to compare it to, but it feels comparable to every other dirt bike I've ridden, trials bikes aside.

 

[robtattoo]

*Immediately runs to Lowes & starts robbing the display lamps.....

 

[robtattoo]

I massaged & gently manipulated* my spare back wheel rim into the correct shape again. Took it down to the local tire guy & had him check it for runoff & to make sure it was straight enough to seat a tubeless tire. Happy day, it is! This afternoon I'll be stripping all the rattlecan paint off it, giving it a good scrub & polish & installing new bearings. Hopefully ready to paint by the weekend.



*beat the piss out of with a 4lb cross-pein.

 

[robtattoo]

I massaged & gently manipulated* my spare back wheel rim into the correct shape again. Took it down to the local tire guy & had him check it for runoff & to make sure it was straight enough to seat a tubeless tire. Happy day, it is! This afternoon I'll be stripping all the rattlecan paint off it, giving it a good scrub & polish & installing new bearings. Hopefully ready to paint by the weekend.



*beat the piss out of with a 4lb cross-pein.

And mashed in 3 new bearings & gave it 3 coats of paint & lacquer.
I never did do well at patience.....

 

[robtattoo]

Aaaaand sealed the spokes. I'm forced into idleness now though. I need to let the 5200 cure for 7 days. That's an entire fiscal week! 😟

 

[robtattoo]

FINALLY got my oil & filter changed out & as a bonus, my decal kit showed up from Sri Lanka. Definitely worth the wait for those.
So i decided to take a quick bimble off through the woods. Only 10 or so miles total since it's 28° & I'm not that tough.
Essentially though, other than the spare rear wheel, my little Dub is all finished & ready for better weather!

 

[robtattoo]

I really need to stay off this forum......

I got rid of the rear fender this morning. It's a much cleaner, more 'modern' look. $24 & a half hour well spent.

 

[robtattoo]

Installed a pair of these on the front this evening

https://a.co/d/hUjdJnf

Many thanks to @Fred for the heads up on the model.
I wired them to the high beam switch & the light they throw is awesome!

 

[robtattoo]

Here's a couple of pics i snapped:

Low beam down my driveway & against an outbuilding.

High beam/spots, same place.

Not sure if the chips or reflectors change the pattern from @Fred's beams, but I really like the upgrade. The photos really don't show how different the beam pattern, concentration & brightness really is.

 

[robtattoo]

Now for only some warm evenings to go for a fun ride & light up your world. Your low beam seems to have a nice cut-off oncoming drivers will aqppreciate. TGhat from an OEM H4 Halogen bulb?

I haven't actually checked, but i believe it's the original, yes. It's a very nice reflector shape. it throws out roughly the same lumens as a lit fart, so I'm assuming so. I have an H4 10w LED replacement on order.

 

[robtattoo]

Does the stock TW put out enough juice to run those lights without switching out some LEDs to free up voltage?

That looks like a big improvement.

If I'm totally honest, I don't know. I'm running LEDs for everything but the front turn signals & I'll be switching out the original 55w headlight for another 10w LED as soon as it arrives. I'm pretty sure I should be OK, but I'll need to check the charging voltage.

 

[robtattoo]

I spent the afternoon trying to air up & seat this sodding great Kenda Mastodon to the spare wheel.
Nope. Needs more compressor. My little thing won't get air in it quickly enough to get it to jump the last 3" & seat. I had it to 70psi & there's still one teensy tiny little seep that i just can't overcome. I tried everything.
Off to find a much more brutal wind squeezer tomorrow.....

 

[robtattoo]

Wrapping a ratchet strap around the tire can also help seat the tire onto the rim.

Not this time, unfortunately. I tried every trick i know short of blasting it with a heat gun.

 

[robtattoo]

Back to the drawing board.... Anyone know any good tricks for fudging a warranty claim? 😁

I think, at this point, I'm going to scrap the idea (including the swing arm extension) & just go with the damn trailer wheel conversion like i should've in the first place. But DAMN does it hurt to pay that much for a pressed steel wheel & a steel tube. Nobody else think they're ridiculously overpriced for what they are?