G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » Old School Buell » M2 Cyclone » Archive through May 29, 2018 » M2 refresh « Previous Next »

  Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post
Archive through September 04, 2017S1owner30 09-04-17  12:26 pm
Archive through August 21, 2017Cyclone8u30 08-21-17  09:32 pm
         

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclone8u
Posted on Monday, September 04, 2017 - 12:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

By one step, do you mean no primer? I didn't really prime it for paint adherence, more as a filler for tiny imperfections so I have less work to do with the top coat. Trust me, you can fit my knowledge of bodywork/painting in a thimble. I'm doing it this way based on 40 years of trial and error, if there are better ways, I'm all ears - I'm sure this won't be the last part I ever paint.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

S1owner
Posted on Monday, September 04, 2017 - 01:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

No one step as base coat clear coat one step still need proper primer or roughed up previous paint coat
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclone8u
Posted on Monday, September 04, 2017 - 06:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

So as it turns out, God is working the weather in my favor; rain yesterday so I could burn some refuse from some fallen trees this past winter, sun today to cure paint. After baking in the sun for a few hours I was able to do my first 600 grit wet sand and second coat, it is coming out every bit as good as I wanted.

Just as a recap, before:

Before


After second top coat:

After


And just for posterity, here's the tank back on the bike with the breadbox fitted:

Breadbox


That's how they should have come from the factory IMHO. It still doesn't have that mirror shine I need, but another round of wet sanding with some 1200 grit followed by one more coat should have me there.

I started tearing the wiring apart on the tail as I work on visualizing where I'm going with that. What I have in mind is going to require moving the ignition module, relays and fuses. I've also noticed that I am exposing another crinkle coated bit of ugliness that will need to be dealt with, the oil tank.

I plan on slimming the bodywork substantially with it not extending much further than the subframe hoop. I want to combine some of the angularity of the tank with the smooth rounded lines of the fly screen, utilizing a seat smaller than stock but big enough for at least a day of ripping up twisties. I know it's hard to envision, but there's some ideas banging around in the dusty darkness of my little used right hemisphere, bear with me. More to come...

(Message edited by Cyclone8u on September 05, 2017)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclone8u
Posted on Sunday, October 01, 2017 - 05:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, I've still been putzing on this project in between the dreaded fall preparations for old man winter. A recent addition has been some new levers. After much searching, I found some on Amazon with good reviews from MZS. I have to say, China is really stepping up their quality. The first thing I noticed upon receiving them was the top shelf foil embossed packaging.

Box


Opening this, I found the levers carefully packed in custom cut out foam.

Box


The levers themselves seem to be extremely well built with no sharp edges, adjustments that work smoothly with positive detents, and seem to be heavily anodized so they should hold up well.

Levers



Levers


In addition, there was some documentation included, as well as a small baggie of shim washers which allowed me to fix the annoying up and down slop in the clutch lever.

Here's the old brake setup for comparison with the new.

Levers



Levers


All in all, for $35 shipped I honestly don't think you could do better for twice the price.

I also finished the bread box. Here's how it looks with an old one I had kicking around.

Breadbox


And the shiny version.

Breadbox


I found that Gunk engine shine was the ticket for my nasty t-storm heads.

Left side


Now I can pop the tail off and get back to fabbing my new one.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Upthemaiden
Posted on Monday, October 02, 2017 - 09:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The levers look awesome! I actually ordered a set of those same ones last night, now I'm even more excited for them to get here.

I've always used the cheap Chinese levers on my bikes. I had them on my last Buell, I had the on my Speed Triple, and I've never had any complaints with them. I'm sure some of those $300 levers are nicer... but 10x nicer??? I have a hard time imagining so. Maybe my taste just isn't as refined haha. I have little rubber lever covers for mine since I ride in cold weather and the bare metal will start to make my fingers go numb after holding the clutch lever too long, so you wouldn't even be able to see the fancy name machined on my levers anyway.

That airbox looks really nice too compared to the older one. I have one of those sitting on a shelf that'll be going on my bike soon. If it looks like an eyesore once I get it on there, I'll be tempted to paint it like yours.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Upthemaiden
Posted on Monday, October 02, 2017 - 11:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I noticed when I was looking through the ebay listing again, the MZS levers come with personalized hardware with "MZS" stamped into it to avoid counterfeiting. Even the knockoff companies are trying to avoid being copied now... haha
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclone8u
Posted on Monday, October 02, 2017 - 07:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll be curious to hear your opinion on the MZS levers when you get them. I spent more than that on just the brake lever before and wasn't nearly as impressed. I like these so much I'm going to order another set for the Uly. The shorty levers are the perfect size IMO, and three solid fingers on the clutch is all I need, even on the tuber clutch.

As far as I'm concerned, painting the bread box (actually any of the plastic with that crappy crinkle coat) is a no brainer. Especially if your frame is black, it makes everything flow together. It takes some elbow grease, but I think you'd be very happy with the end result.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ronster
Posted on Monday, October 02, 2017 - 08:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Interested in the levers looking for the shorty levers for a 2000 thunderbolt S3
Lots of choices on Amazon Which one would work?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Lynrd
Posted on Monday, October 02, 2017 - 10:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

50 ways to love your lever...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclone8u
Posted on Tuesday, October 03, 2017 - 04:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ronster - I can't say for certainty, but the levers are pretty much the same across the lines. My 08 Uly will take the same levers as my M2. YMMV.

Lynrd - Just step on the key Lee and set yourself free.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

S1owner
Posted on Tuesday, October 03, 2017 - 07:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Be very careful. Tuber levers to xb levers ARE different. There are suttle differences in the plunger brake side. One used for a tuber installed on an xb will ever so slightly put pressure on the plunger the wheel will spin free but the brales will heat up and at 30 mph they will lock putting you over the bars. Ask me how I know lol!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Upthemaiden
Posted on Tuesday, October 03, 2017 - 08:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I don't remember any of my previous levers being stamped MZS, but they've all looked identical and probably came out of the same factory in China, so I assume I'll like these just as much. I'll report back once I get them installed.

Ronster... if you look on ebay, they'll list specific models they fit. It's always been hard to find levers for my 97 that had the 5/8 MC, I was going to buy a set for the 98-2001 bikes and hope for the best. I've been having brake problems and the 5/8 MC rebuild kits don't exist, so I just picked up an 07 XB MC and picked up the new levers to go with it. Clutch levers were the same across all years. These levers are a little closer to the bars, and I know the 1/2 MC will move more than the 5/8 did, so I'm hoping that won't cause any problems, but currently my lever barely moves, so I figured I had a little wiggle room.

These are for 98-02 X1, so they should be the same as an 00 S3.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MZS-Black-Short-Clutch-Bra ke-Levers-For-Buell-XB12R-2009-X1-Lightning-1998-2 002-/282429109243?epid=568753814&hash=item41c21633 fb:g:89EAAOSwxu5ZH-Hv&vxp=mtr

Also... don't tell John, but they're only $20 on ebay... $10 less than he paid on Amazon....

Ken, I remember that when I had my XB9, and bought levers(for some reason all of the XB levers aren't the same). I had to take a file and reshape the lever slightly for it to fit just right. On the upside, those brakes used to feel really poor, the lever didn't move smoothly, you'd go from no brakes, to a ton of front brake and the front end would dive. The new/cheap levers completely fixed that problem too. Turned out it was something to do with the old lever causing friction on the plunger and wasn't sliding across it smoothly when you pulled the lever in.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hootowl
Posted on Tuesday, October 03, 2017 - 08:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"One used for a tuber installed on an xb will ever so slightly put pressure on the plunger "

That's no joke. Make sure you're using a compatible lever. You hit the brakes, and they don't back off. Bad things happen.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ronster
Posted on Tuesday, October 03, 2017 - 12:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just ordered a set. I will keep you posted
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Upthemaiden
Posted on Friday, October 06, 2017 - 07:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Got my levers in the mail yesterday. They look very nice so far. Only vague issue is that the MZS logo is upside down on both of my letters... so mine say SZW. Not sure if it's worth taking the time to email them about that one or not.

Didn't actually get to mount them on my bike yet because I bought the set that will match the 07 MC I just bought, so I need to wait until I can get a caliper rebuild kit and redo my front brakes. I did install it momentarily on my bike just to see how it looked, there was a little bit of play(just enough to disengage the brake switch while not putting any pressure on the MC. Looked nice though!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclone8u
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2017 - 02:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Only vague issue is that the MZS logo is upside down on both of my letters... so mine say SZW

Maybe it's an extra $10 to have it printed right side up?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Upthemaiden
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2017 - 08:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Haha you're probably right. I took a look at them, it looks like the levers are identical, I'll just have to pull then apart and swap them if I decide it bugs me. I'll likely just see if some paint stripper will pull the logos of instead.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration