Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Soda Blasting [part 1]



Now that I've disassembled the top end of the engine (mostly to replace a failed cam-chain tensioner), I have three large, heavy-ish and dirty parts. I cannot bring myself to reassemble it without some serious cleaning. I would like to simply drop these pieces off at a small local business on my way to work, and pick them up clean and ready for reassembly after work.






...and below, before the disassembly.









Warning: Rant

I'm nearly certain that one cannot find soda blasting prices online in the Spokane area. I understand that the price will vary by project but I am really surprised at the overall lack of available information. If a fledgling web-designer is looking for a terribly under-represented market, look into the media blasting industry. Though it may be silly, I often prefer to not do business with companies that are not represented by some amount of online media and or information. More importantly, a willingness for email correspondence should be a requirement when obtaining a business license. Not really. I just had it in my head that I could email a hand full of pictures to a few companies and end up with a number of quotes (or at least rough estimates) in my email inbox by the end of the week. Oh well.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Removing the engine's top end

I realized quite awhile ago what a huge waste of time and energy it would be to have cleaned up this bike without getting into the engine. I found a few terrific YouTube videos by the users nightflyer12345 and claymonsta on disassembling and reassembling the XS650 engine. The videos gave me the a push into doing the same. The front cam chain guide has (I believe) been completely stripped of its rubber coating, an issue that I've read is quite common. As far as I understand, I must remove the cylinder head covers, head, and jugs to access the guide. Then it's a matter of a few gaskets, a Popsicle stick (see previously linked-to video) and  a couple of filters.