Refinishing LS wheels

[Ed Miller]

Drive shaft boot...  I have a little probe type tool in the shop, about 4" long with abut the last 3/8" at the pointy end bent 90 degrees.  I was able to get the boot all the way on by inserting that tool in under the boot and gently pulling it out and over the forward mating surface.  I did the rear section with the swing arm off so it was easy.  

[Justin B.]

My paint arrived this morning (FedEx Ground is so much nicer than UPS...) and I sprayed the wheel.  Here's a sneak-peek...

[Ed Miller]

Oh my, I think Monte will have to change the direction of his ridicule.  ...probably to me.  

Is that just duct tape there protecting the bearings from sand and paint?  I guess to get it degreased you probably removed the internals first?  That looks good.

[nhmaf]

Does look nice!   I think that I'd like a silver finish like that,rather than going to original white, on my LS.

I was going to ask if he pulled the bearings first, too.   I think that I'll plan on pulling them and sending my wheels to get blasted and powder coated, but I've got to get a new bearing puller - broke mine working on the woodchipper for my tractor...

Any recommendations on good (but not super expensive) pullers?  Probably look in tractor supply co..

[Justin B.]

I left the bearings in when I cleaned the wheel, just made sure I didn't get a bunch of solvent in 'em.  The LS front wheel looks to have sealed ball-bearing assemblies (like the later monoshock bikes) and I was afraid that heating up the wheel enough to pull them might cause some of the grease run out.

[Justin B.]

I got the front mounted up and back on the bike yesterday afternoon.  Didn't turn out too bad...

[msbuck]

Oooo! Pretty!  Nice new tires as well... Nice job, Justin.

[Justin B.]

Thanks, Aïda.  If Monte will ever bring me some sand I'll do the back one!

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Looks terrific Justin.  Are those dual Brembo's?  Is there a thread around here to change a single ATE to dual Brembo's?

[Bob_Roller]

Haven't seen a thread on this site, but Semper Gumby did an upgrade ( some people would argue that this is not worth the effort, for the increase in braking power, and added weight), to dual ATE's on his '80 R65.

So he could probably give you some good insight as to what it will take to accomplish this modification .

Unless you acquire the parts at a good price , it could get pricey.

[montmil]

I bow to the master! Justin, the rim looks better than new. Ditto on dropping the white; way too disco-lookin'. Did you mention the brand of paint?

...just run on down to the schoolyard and hijack some of the grit from the kid's play ground. And don't try to tell us you've never used something similar.

And Bengt calls me a cheap bastid 'cause I flinch at paying $20.00 for a fried chicken lunch at TechDaze.  :-/

Monte

[Justin B.]

Sifted "play sand" does not really work that good, doesn't seem to have the "teeth" that regular blasting sand does.

Phorqs, as far as I know all LSes came with dual Brembos...

[montmil]

Sifted "play sand" does not really work that good, doesn't seem to have the "teeth" that regular blasting sand does.

Just like trying to use grocery store baking soda. Or buying a $20 piece of fried chicken... eh, Mike?  

[Bengt_Phorqs]

This being tornado time in Texas I think the really cheepo thing to do is just set the wheels outside and wait for the weather to change.  Like the song says, a tornado "will take the tattoo off of your arm and the paint right off of a barn".  A bag of sand wouldn't really kill you considering all that Justin does.  And if it's really hard for your stubby little arms to reach into the deep dark recesses of your pockets that haven't seen the light of day in years, then I'll buy your chicken dinner for you.

[Justin B.]

Blast sand is really pretty cheap but I figure Monte owes me a sack as compensation for the emotional distress, pain, and suffering brought about by his dissin' my wheels in front of the world!  I will then blast and paint my rear wheel then kick back and make fun of his with a clear conscience...