Restoring 350X w/????

[seadoo650]

Just a quick update. Swinger goes to powdercoat tomorrow. Tires are in.

Anybody know how to polish factory aluminum rims. Don't need to be perfect just clean em up a little. Also the axle is kinda nasty and advice for cleaning it up. I was bidding on a nice axle on Ebay but somebody beat me by a dollar. I could'nt stay up till 2 in th a.m. I don't need to know if it was anyone on here though. As soon as I get the plastic polish kit I'm gonna do the tank shrouds. I'll post pics of before and after. If anybody is interested in the kits I'm gonna bring some to TF. Like $40. Also will have a nice selection of Motion Pro tools to sell. I'll put a list together closer to TF.

Can't wait!!!!!

[nouseforaname90]

For the front rim on my X (which is factory.. the rear rims are new Douglas') I took some oven cleaner, and wiped all of the grime and stuff off.. the heavy grime. Don't leave the oven cleaner on there for an extended period of time. Then I took a small buffing pad with 3M Perfect-It III rubbing compound and buffed every part of the wheel I could reach (took like 5 minutes max and made it look real nice), and then take some Mothers polish and polish it up. It doesn't make it as shiny as Douglas rims, but it puts a nice shine on it. I'll get you a pic of my rim..

[nouseforaname90]

Here is the best pic I have right now. This is before I cleaned it up with Mother's and got it totally done, but it gives you an idea. (ignore all of the spots on it.. thats just rubbing compound because I hadn't cleaned it off yet).. There are no "before" pics, but it had these nasty burn-looking (and big) black spots ALL over it and it was really bad looking. About 15 minutes of work paid off!




Oh. And also.. if rubbing compound and a small buffer does not get it clean, you could use some 0000 steel wool to clean it up, and then polish it further with the buffing pad and polishing compound.

[seadoo650]

Thanks nouse. I'll get on it tomorrow. Wanna clean em up before I put the new tires on.

[seadoo650]

Polished the tank shrouds today using a Mac Tools glass and plastic polish kit. Had to wet sand with 1000, 1500, then 2000 grit using a quarter inch right angle grinder. The kit comes with all of these that are velco backed 2" pads to fit on the holder (also included). Then go over it with the foam pad and compound and then finally go over it with the polishing pad. All of which are also in the kit. I will bring as many of these kits to TF as I can for $40.00 a pop.

Total time on these two shrouds was about an hour. I hope the front and rear fenders don't take as long since I have the process down now.

First 2 Before. Second 2 After

[Kintore]

Those shrouds look alot better, If you dont mind can you give me a update in like a month saying how well it held up? If its good ill buy one at TF.

Sure looks alot better, thanks seadoo

[seadoo650]

Those shrouds look alot better, If you dont mind can you give me a update in like a month saying how well it held up? If its good ill buy one at TF.

Sure looks alot better, thanks seadoo

I won't redo them berfore Tf and you can see for yourself.
Kinore down for one.

[seadoo650]

Just a quick pic of the swinger I just got back Wednesday.

Not bad for $25.00

[seadoo650]

Got the bearing and seals in and put the rearend back together. Only one problem... Since the swinger lloks so good I want to redo the whole thing now. So ofter the rumble I'm gonna tear it back down and put in new Rad bearing carrier, lonestar hubs and sprocket and brake holders. I'm gonna try to polish up the axle since it is in good straight condition. I'll get an aftermarket later. Does lonestar make hubs for factory axles???

The tank went off to get fixed and painted Friday so it should be ready by next weekend. Gonna need some new tank decals for it.

Any ways here is the swionger back together. Now ya know why I want to get it ALL done now.

[3leggeddog]

looks good rick!!!!!!!!better hurry on that restore,rumble is comin soon

[seadoo650]

looks good rick!!!!!!!!better hurry on that restore,rumble is comin soon

Oh yea. Plenty of time. I could have it all back together today but I'm waiting on my renthal sprocket and chain kit. It'll be ready for the rumble in two weeks and we have three.

[SpeedBump]

Looking good Rick. Got an idea for the Axle. A friend who runs an engine shop with his Father, figured a good way to resto axles. Take the axle out, take it to a machine shop with a lathe. Chuck it up, spin it at low rpms and hit it with the different grits of sand paper. Once you are happy with the finish, either powdercoat it with the clear, or just get it cleared with paint. It will not hold up forever, but until you start smashing it off rocks and such, it will look good. His has been done for a couple years and still looks good. If my axle spines weren't all about shot, I would be doing this to mine. ( What a shame I need to buy a new chrome axle! )
Anyway, talk to you guys later. SP

[seadoo650]

All back together as of now for the Rumble, except the tank. It's still off being painted and straightened. Got all new brakes and bearings in. I was right, they needed replaced. Also chain and sprockets.
As soon as we get back it's going down to the frame for powder coat, complete engine detail and tune, new bars and shiny polished plastics back on it. Also getting one o dem stainless steel bolt kits. Man it's gonna be purdy.

[seadoo650]

Just got it back together for the Rumble. The Tank turned out awsome. Cost me $75.00. No more dent. Also polished up the front fender and got the rear wheels on. Still gotta get decals for the tank. After the rumble it gets stripped down and the frame goes to powder coating. Exhaust gets ceramicoated and moter gets some work and cleaning done. I should be able to accomplish taht before TF.

The first pic was taken right before I started.