Hi from the sunny isle of Wight
This weekend has been great, apart from the weather, warm and sunny, first time in months and I'm up to my neck in oil and dirt stripping an old XT, still made the workshop warm.

Tank held so much petrol it filled my Honda, my dads vespa, his lawn mower and 2 1 gallon containers.
I've been quite happy with the condition, nothing fell apart, exhaust head screws came out without any real issues, but I'm far from complete so no smilies yet. Did have trouble disconnecting the feed cables from the engine, WD40 push pull WD40, when they finally disconnected I could see why, loose connection and they'd welded togeather.

I'm quite happy with most of the paint on the body of the engine, head needs paint, so I'm tempted to just strip the head for paint and inspection. I also think a slightly used look is better than a brand new off the shelf look.
Found out friday that the brother of a friend has a paint shop with shot blasting equipment AND he's got 10+ restored bikes, my first visit tomorrow.

Well its going to be slow progress, St Ives Cornwall next weekend (F800GS), its going to be the odd weeknight and weekend, I'll keep updating and sure to be asking stupid questions. heres some to start;
1. What are the definite things I should be doing / checking? (bit late maybe).
I.e; 5th gear, oil pump upgrade?
2. Have you seen the price of spokes for this thing?
Till next time...
Andy

Love that process of cleaning,blasting........all project ahead!

Yes VanAndy, I have seen the price of spokes for these things-among other things. Be afraid. Be very afraid!

I'll be following your progress with interest. I have a 34L I'm 'resurrecting' Corrosion has not been kind to my machine at all

Good Luck!

I should have called it a slow slug build. I get a day at weekends and the odd evening.
I'm nearly at sandblasting / powder coat stage, just got to strip the engine for the head blast.
Forks I'm just going to clear coat, seems sad to cover the shine.
Tank rubbed down, had strange l shaped marks on both sides front like there was something fitted. I was tempted to rattle can but a respray is only £60 more than cans so a no brainer.
My hubs are really not that bad, no real marks apart from a front section and I'm tempted to just paint over but as said here it'll chip / crack, still undecided. If I do powder coat I guess they'll need sandblasting? Spokes marked to help lacing, spokes are probably coming from Germany at 90 euros a wheel.


Anyway got some photos of the slugpress.








This was a really knackerd side cover with zip tie holes and other holes from an Italian tax disc, I picked it up for £35 also came with snapped off locators (gone), anybody got a good idea to replace? Drill holes and zip tie?


Work was throwing out some A4 clear paper covers, great way to log parts, just need a stapler to close.


My other toy.

Hi
I've been wrestling with the engine and need help already. Ref the top cover- 4 bolts were a real pig to undo and had to resort to a dremel and a flat bit in an impact driver. Well all the bolts are out including the one hiding under the inspection cover, but it seems stuck fast, could be the instant gasket holding, been hitting it with a hammer (always my first choice) but no movement, before I get a bigger hammer and a sharp knife can someone confirm the two ringed screws can remain, I don't really want to disturb now as there tight too and I don't want to ruin something that I don't need to.



I'm really just stripping to sandblast the head and check piston and hopefully 5th gear condition.

I cant live like this, I have to get a manual, I guess a Clymer Yamaha XT 600 & TT600 83/89 is one to go for?
Which is the FIRST thing I should have done.

Hi Andy,
the "bolts" you have marked are for the rockerarmsaxles. They don´t have to be removed for getting the head off.
For getting the head off: Did you recognise the nuts from down under?
No, not aussi ones.
There is a nut in front and one in the back if you look from the underside. Sorry, my english....
One is between the exhaustsports
One between the inletsports
Have a look
Cheers Olli

.... and yes it the manual for the XT 600 from 83 - 89

As Olli said,you don't need to take them out.... are you sure you've got all the bolts out ? have another quick look there's bloody loads of 'em.... the covers are usually a bit stuck but I've found a sharp tap with a plastic mallet does the trick (NOT a hammer)
don't be tempted to prise something between the cover & the head though....

Check those bolts again...

Oh & I wouldn't have the head sandblasted, you might damage the camshaft bearing surfaces... have it vapour blasted, works a treat...

Thanks Olli
One place I didn't look was under, I'll take a look tomorrow, I got to wake up.
And your english is very good, trouble is with us brits we expect all foreigners to learn english. lazy. me too. thou I do try holiday lingo.
Or we put an O on the end of words and shout. Delboy style.
Vapourblast, I'll check it out, thanks.
Plastic mallet, wow, new tool time. I love new tools, spent £££ last few weeks. thanks again.