Dirtybrit's XT 550

Dirtybrit · Post by **Dirtybrit** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 5:42 am

This is my second XT 550 that I am rebuilding at the moment. I intend to update the front end with a disc and some upside down forks off a YZ. The front brake is pretty crap and gives my sphincter orgasmic contractions when trying to stop on tarmac. I intend to ditch the headlamp assembly (whats left of it)for an acerbis contraption,and generally give the whole thing a clean-up.

Mezo · Post by **Mezo** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 6:03 am

Is that your workshop? plenty of space eh.

Mezo.

Dirtybrit · Post by **Dirtybrit** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:27 pm

No Mezo, its where I work, at the time we where pretty slow, now you can't even walk there for pieces of steel tubing. Oil prices being high, Calgary is an oil Town so we are busier than hell, and no time to work on my bike because I am too knackered at the end of the day.

Dirtybrit · Post by **Dirtybrit** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:45 pm

Got my bike in bits and the frame ready to take down to the sandblasters. I go to an industrial blasters and you can do it yourself for $25. You have to be careful as the power of the blaster actually blows the frame around.

Dirtybrit · Post by **Dirtybrit** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:53 pm

I noticed this crack in the casing after I had taken the motor out, and wondered what else was in store. Hey I tell you what, I am having no problem uploading pics, I checked out where Geof was uploading his from and opened an account there, I think its called Botophucket, but it works really good!

Dirtybrit · Post by **Dirtybrit** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:05 pm

Yep sure enough more cracks than on a nudist beach, this motor is toast.It is a good job I have a spare, but I don't know what thats like because its been in some guys backyard for over a year.

The barrel was on 3rd oversize, but wasn't in bad shape, and all the bits from this motor will serve as spares any how. Originally I picked up two and a half bikes for $700, so I am not crying yet, Hell my first XT that I quickly put together gave me such a blast, it can only get better from here

,right.

GeoffD · Post by **GeoffD** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:23 pm

Mezo · Post by **Mezo** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:06 am

Haa, i think you mean "Photobucket"

That engine looks like its grenade`d at some point, looking at you sitting on that XT i was wondering how tall you are?

Mezo.

Dirtybrit · Post by **Dirtybrit** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 1:56 pm

mezo wrote:Haa, i think you mean "Photobucket"

That engine looks like its grenade`d at some point, looking at you sitting on that XT i was wondering how tall you are?

Mezo.

5'11'' 225lbs, I don't remember how many Stones now after living in Canada for nearly 19 years.

Dirtybrit · Post by **Dirtybrit** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:56 pm

Well i took that motor and put it all in boxes so if i lose any bits it will be a source rather than Fleabay (some guys want the earth for a fricken screw sometimes).
Started to strip the spare motor, this motor looks like it has been rebuilt recently, not much carbon build up, and the valve seats are not too bad either, well at least according to Simpson.

Did a leak test on the head, allhough it looked pretty good, will need to lap the valves in!

I took out the valves and the seats ain't that bad, they will probably clean up with a little elbow grease

My buddy (Flash Gordon) lent me his blaster to clean up the valves!

To this

Head cleaned up quite easily too

Piston looks in good nick, no scrapes

and Homer agrees

Checked out the wear in the bore with a dial bore gauge

, all within a thou so this is looking like a good motor. I know you guys with your 600/660's can get hold of engine parts a lot easier than you can for the 550, so much easier that I was talking to a guy in B.C who fitted a 600 barrel on his 550 bottom end. He said it needed a little grinding of the cases, but the wrist pin and everything else is good to go.Anyhow I have a spare if i needed one