86 500 xc

The tail light is mounted. I used the rubber isolator moun for the lights. Isolators are pretty cool, allow the bulbs and sockets to free float over mounting bracket and fender. I took the time to incorporate it as the vibrations are killing everything, and it should stop all failure of ligts do to vibration...well at least at the bulb. Tomarow finish painting frame and body work on tins. Hope to paint all black parts on Friday! Then reassemble everything but engine.

Final color of frame.

nice. a nickel plated plate pipe would look sweet

It probly would! Or even bright hot coating(looks like polished aluminum). I never figured I'd paint and polish it. I still have the rat rod look in my mind. For now I'm going to run header wrap... Got 1st half wraped but left over piece isn't enough to run back to motor, gotta order more...

i think with the polish work and the nice paint work on the frame you are starting to bypass the "rat rod" look! the wrap wont look bad tho. no concerns about the pipe rotting? have heard that about wrapping exhausts but i dont suppose this bike will be seeing alot of water

Yes I'm afraid I'm last that point. The header wrap can rot pipes...this bike will not see much rain duty. I have wraped pipes on sportster on a couple sets of pipes. The parts under wraps were in better condition than the parts that were not and just painted with "flame proof" header paint. That bike saw a lot of rain it's 1st couple years.
If all works well I may decide to have a pipe plated or ceramic coated. So far it seams that something breaks in/on the engine. Hoping the decompression valve helps wih that.

work of art, it should be in the Guggenheim!

Mounted the front end and rear tire. Threw a couple other parts in place for a pic.

The tins are squirted. Also did a bit of work on the radiators. Threw tank and fender on for looks.

I put the cases back together today. Came up with a cool trick for installing the shifter drum ball bearing and spring. Used a small bolt to push the spring in...without ball. Once spring is depressed I put a pick in the hole that intersects the sleve. It held the spring compressed. Dropped ball in hole slid drum in and pulled pick out. I had to search shop floor for the ball several time before I figured it out.

you really need a bare alum ign cover

Agreed! It will have to wait till I make a good chunk of $...unless someone wants to donate one for the cause!

you need a lower fork clamp bracket for the brake line be4 it does an impression of a lower bass guitar string on your front tyre. it wont be music to your ears that's for sure!!

Yes for sure. That the last thing I want.

Closer to being back together again.

get the running issues figured out?

It's still spitting from carb. Otherwise runs great. I still need/want a new set of reeds and in the future a new carb keihin parts or lectron... Starting a new bronco restoration so $ should be coming soon. I'd also like to get an aluminum ignition cover. Also new rear wheel bearings and brakes. And I still need a new inter clutch hub.
Currently waiting to get head back from TIG artist. Havin him bore a hole in head and weld a piece of round stock back in its place. Then I will drill and tap round stock to install decompression valve in hopes of making the weakened case survive for a bit longer. Chose to do it on top right side of head as its most accessible on this bike. I like the side mount but it would be vonerable it this frame.

Installed the kicker and cover. I see why they paint these cases. To keep them shiney you would have to rub the thing everyday. The magnesium content causes them to tarnish quickly! Ill probly let them tarnish to a patina type finsh... Basically read except fluid in gear box, head, route and install wiring. A couple pieces need paint but ill get to them some day. Planning to hand letter my shop name on side(radius of fender) and possibly some pinstriping...